Chubu/Central Japan

3 structures from around 1612 that survived the 1945 air raids: the Omote Ni-no-mon Gate and the Southeast and Southwest turrets. Four spots, 30-50 minutes.

3 monuments in Nagoya Castle's Ninomaru Garden: the 1868 purge that executed 14 Owari retainers, the domain precept stone, and Kiyomasa hauling a stone.

3 spots in Nagoya Castle's Ninomaru Garden: the site where young Oda Nobunaga is said to have lived, a secret escape route, and a teahouse serving matcha.

3 Edo-period remains in Nagoya Castle's Ninomaru Garden. Only a short stretch of the clay-and-gravel Nanban wall survives, so find it before you go.

3 spots on Nagoya Castle's east side: camellias and cherry blossoms in Ninomaru Garden, the East Gate peony beds, and a gate site whose gate was moved away.