Nagoya Castle: The Pinnacle of Modern Castle Architecture (1)🏯🌟

Nagoya Castle is a symbol of Nagoya and a must-visit landmark. 🌸🌇 Recognized as a Special Historic Site of Japan, it stands as a masterpiece of castle architecture, alongside Osaka Castle and Kumamoto Castle, collectively known as Japan’s Three Great Castles. Rebuilt in 1959, it showcases the architectural brilliance of Japan’s Momoyama Period. In 1612, Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo Shogunate, ordered the construction of the tenshu (main keep, approx. 48m tall) and several watchtowers, marking the prosperity of the Owari Domain, one of the Tokugawa family’s three major branches. 🏯🌸 The castle features: 🌊🎢 A majestic tenshu and corner watchtowers A magnificent palace 🌸🌇Expansive gardens Massive stone walls built with natural boulders The largest tenshu by floor area in Japanese history 🌊🎢 The most iconic elements are the golden shachihoko (mythical tiger-headed fish) adorning the tenshu’s roof. Each weighs about 1,272 kg and symbolizes the lord’s power. These golden guardians, standing 2.6 meters tall, were believed to protect the castle from fire and were crafted during the Muromachi Period. 🐟✨ Although the castle was destroyed by fire in 1945, three watchtowers (northwest, southwest, southeast), three gates, and screen paintings from the Honmaru Palace survived and are now preserved as National Treasures. 🌸🌇 The current tenshu, rebuilt in 1959, is the largest in Japan and stands as a grand testament to Nagoya’s history. 🌿🏯 #Nagoya #JapanTravel 🌊🎢