 Most viewed - Nagoya 名古屋市 |
Symbol of Nagoya, golden shachihoko. Killer whale or fish with a tiger's head.852 viewsFirst believed to protect the building from disasters, but later served as the symbol of the castle lord's authority. The original pair was destroyed along with the castle tower during WWII, but they were remade in 1959 along with the castle tower. Later, they were recoated with gold. They gleam very well on sunny days. The male fish is on the right (north), and female (south) on the left.
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Reconstructed in 1959 in ferro-concrete, Nagoya Castle's main tenshu tower has closed on May 6, 2018 to start its monumental reconstruction. 天守閣817 viewsThis main tower used to house a museum. The top floor had a lookout deck with fine views.
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I always visit a different shrine on New Year's Day, so for 2009, I visited Atsuta Jingu Shrine in Nagoya. JR Atsuta Station on the Tokaido Line is one train station near Atsuta Jingu Shrine. JR熱田駅641 views
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Nagoya Castle, Northwest corner turret. 西北隅櫓616 views
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Near the station is Nagoya City Hall (Shiyakusho) which also sports a castle motif.603 views
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Kiyomasa depicted as the rock hauling director. When building the castle, many men had to push and pull large rocks into place. On top of a large boulder, a man would shout and direct the men to move.602 views
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Nagoyajo subway station on the Meijo subway line. Nagoya Castle is near Nagoyajo Station (used to be named "Shiyakusho") which is also near Nagoya's city hall. This station exit has a castle motif.521 views
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Closeup of castle tower, with shachihoko on top. Nagoya Castle is famous for its golden pair of shachihoko roof ornaments. During the Aichi Expo in 2005, they were taken down for public display. 天守閣506 views
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The shrine maidens came around to serve the tea and sweet.490 views
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On the 5th floor was a model of shachihoko that you could touch and sit on for pictures.483 viewsNagoya Castle's main tower closed on May 6, 2018 to be dismantled (and reconstructed).
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The classic and iconic "Bullet Train." The original shinkansen model that debut in 1964, the 0 Series Shinkansen (1st generation). Classic and iconic design.461 views
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My bowl of matcha green tea. After we consumed the tea, we just left. The shrines also has many other buildings, but it was too crowded for me to see them all this day. I was too tired walk around more.457 views
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Mt. Ibuki in Shiga Prefecture in the Railway model diorama at SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in Nagoya.447 views
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Gift shop on top floor429 views
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Inside castle tower428 viewsThe castle tower is a history museum.
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The Omote Shoin (表書院) Main Hall's Jodan-no-Ma Room which is reserved for daimyo of Nagoya Castle. 上段之間.425 views
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Nagoya Castle manhole, Aichi.423 views
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Nagoya Station's twin towers in the distance.421 views
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All the paintings are painstakingly hand-painted replicas of the original art. Nagoya Castle's Hommaru Palace.421 viewsThey have excellent records and photos of the original palace (floor plans, etc.) so they are working to reconstruct the palace as close to the original as possible. Magnificent.
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Nagoya's new Hommaru Palace is right next to the tenshukaku main castle tower.407 views
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This photo was taken in 2006, showing an empty lot where the Hommaru Goten Palace is being reconstructed now.405 views
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Southeast corner turret (Important Cultural Property)404 views東南隅櫓
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Leopard at Nagoya Castle's Hommaru Palace.404 views
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This is what we received for 1,000 yen. Some sweets as well. It also included a tea session. (See below.)403 views
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Dry moat on east side of castle.399 views
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The East torii gate of Atsuta Jingu Shrine, made of wood. Atsuta Jingu worships Atsuta-no-Ookami or Amaterasu-Omikami, the Sun Goddess represented by Kusanagi-no-tsurugi, the sacred sword.397 views
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This is the Bunkaden Culture Hall which is behind and attached to the Treasure Hall. This is where they held the tea session.395 views
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Sliding door painting in the Omote Shoin (表書院) Main Hall's Ichi-no-Ma Room 一之間. Nagoya Castle's Hommaru Palace.395 views
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Nozomi 700 Series Shinkansen. "Duckbill" design.391 views
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Southeast corner turret (Important Cultural Property). Also called the Tatsumi Yagura turret. It has bay windows to drop stones. 辰巳櫓 東南隅櫓390 views
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As you walk toward the castle entrance, you see this Sotobori outer moat.389 views
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East Gate ticket gate. Nagoya Castle admission is ¥500 for adults. Open 9 am to 4:30 pm. Closed Dec. 29–Jan. 1.389 views
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Atsuta Jingu is one of Japan's most important shrines as it enshrines one of the three Imperial Regalia of Japan, the sacred (and perhaps legendary) sword called Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi ("Grass Cutting Sword"). 草薙の剣387 views
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New Year's prayers at Atsuta Jingu Shrine on Jan. 1.376 views
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Class 955 "300X" experimental Shinkansen376 views
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JR–Maglev MLX01-1373 views
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Mt. Ibuki in Shiga Prefecture in the Railway model diorama at SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in Nagoya.368 views
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Picture taken in 2006. 天守閣367 views
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This photo from 2006 shows an empty lot next to the main castle tower.364 views
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363 views
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A sweet confection to eat with the matcha tea.363 views
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Southeast corner turret362 views東南隅櫓
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Northwest corner turret. Also called the Inui or Kiyosu Turret. Very photogenic with the wide moat in front. 戌亥櫓（いぬいやぐら）、清洲櫓、西北隅櫓359 views
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358 views
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Bridge across the Sotobori moat to East Gate 東門355 views
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Banner read "Happy New Year."355 views
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One unique thing about the 100 Series Shinkansen was this two-story car with a restaurant on the upper level.355 views
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100 Series Shinkansen (2nd generation). I call this the "Slit-eye" model.354 views
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Northwest corner turret. 西北隅櫓351 views
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Sotobori moat 外堀349 views
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To East Gate345 views
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344 views
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Palace foundation stones. The palace, destroyed during WWII, served only as luxury lodging for the shogun passing through. 343 viewsThe architecture was similar to the palace at Nijo Castle.
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This is Nagoya Castle when I visited in 2006. In the foreground, you can see the stone foundations of the Honmaru Palace still remaining.340 views
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340 views
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Although Nagoya Castle is impressive, it never had the pizazz or aura of being anything special compared to other major castles (especially the National Treasures) in Japan.335 viewsMainly because the main castle tower is a 1950s ferro-concrete reconstruction of the original National Treasure that sadly got destroyed by WWII fire bombings. It has been a relatively humdrum castle, and people in Nagoya knew it.
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Omote Ni-no-mon Gate (Important Cultural Asset). Entrance where most people enter the castle's center. 表二之門335 views
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Newly painted sliding doors for the Hommaru Palace.334 views
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Stone wall corner332 views
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332 views
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330 views
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330 views
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West side of Nagoya Castle329 views
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Site of palace building before it was rebuilt. Only foundation stones remained.329 views
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328 views
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Seimon Gate (reconstructed in 1959). The gate was destroyed during WWII, and was reconstructed in 1959 together with the castle tower. 正門327 views
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The police were holding back the crowd at regular intervals before they could enter the shrine's worship area.325 views
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Paintings of mythical tigers and leopards. They are reproducing the artwork as faithfully as possible. An absolutely magnificent job. 325 viewsReally painstaking though, as they trace over original paintings. This palace is slated to be completed in 2018, after 9 years of work. The original palace took only 3 years to complete.
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Seimon Gate 正門324 views
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Castle tower and southwest corner turret.319 views未申櫓, 西南隅櫓
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West side near the Uzura no Kubi inlet319 views
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The stage was appropriate for New Year's.319 views
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Shopping arcade on the way to the shrine from Atsuta Station.316 viewsAtsuta Jingu is near Meitetsu Jingumae Station, JR Atsuta Station on the Tokaido Line, Atsuta Jingu Nishi Station (renamed from Jingu Nishi Station on Jan. 4, 2023) on the Meijo subway line, and Atsuta Jingu Tenma-cho Station (renamed from Tenma-choStation on Jan. 4, 2023) on the Meijo subway line.
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Ironically, the castle lord lived in the Honmaru Palace for only a short period before moving to the much larger Ninomaru Palace nearby. No plans to reconstruct the Ninomaru Palace.315 views
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Tokkyu Limited Express train, 381 series314 views
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Inside the Bunkaden Culture Hall for tea.311 views
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The Taimenjo (対面所) Reception Hall 310 views
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Japanese Government railway's first bus.310 views
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308 views
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The 3rd floor has this scale model of Nagoya Castle town.308 views
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Southwest corner turret 西南隅櫓307 views
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307 views
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Homotsukan Treasure Hall houses and exhibits the shrine's valuable artifacts, including Important Cultural Properties and a National Treasure (a dagger). Many people donated stuff to the shrine, especially swords. 宝物館306 views
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Sadly, the original buildings were destroyed by World War II firebombings by the US. The main castle tower was reconstructed with ferro-concrete in 1959. 303 viewsAnd now, since 2009, they are reconstructing the Hommaru Palace. They are using traditional materials and methods of construction.
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This American guy named Chris O'Neill is a member of Aichi's ninja troupe named "Tokugawa Ieyasu and Hattori Hanzo Ninja Squad" to promote tourism in the prefecture. 302 viewsThey perform at Nagoya Castle and elsewhere. He was selected from 200 applicants from 40 countries. I ran into him when while exiting the castle. Too bad I didn't catch their show. He was very friendly. He's very good at doing these ninja stunts.
I have to compliment Aichi for forming such a PR troupe and including an amusing foreigner to boot. I'm sure they are getting their money's worth in terms of goodwill and good impressions on tourists.
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North side of castle300 views
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There was no ceremony. We just sat and were served tea and sweet.300 views
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Corridor. All hinoki cypress wood, giving a pleasant aroma.300 views
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Nagoya Castle is Nagoya's most visible attraction and symbol of the city. It is most closely associated with the Tokugawa after Ieyasu decided to rebuild it in the early 1600s. 299 viewsTwenty daimyo lords from Western Japan were ordered to build the castle including Kato Kiyomasa who built Kumamoto Castle. It was the base of the Tokugawa's Owari branch. The main castle tower was paired with a smaller tower and the Hommaru Palace and Ninomaru Palace were built nearby.
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Class 955 "300X" experimental Shinkansen298 views
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Remnant of the Nobunaga-bei, a roofed mud wall donated to the shrine in 1560 by Oda Nobunaga in gratitude for his victory at the Battle of Okehazama.297 views
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The Omote Shoin (表書院) Main Hall's Jodan-no-Ma Room which is reserved for daimyo. 上段之間.297 views
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Beckoning cat, a popular meeting place.294 views
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Kiyomasa depicted as the rock hauling director. When building the castle, many men had to push and pull large rocks into place. On top of a large boulder, a man would shout and direct the men to move.294 views
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Outside Seimon Gate293 views
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This is where the crowd begins on New Year's Day. The shrine also worships four other deities: Susanoo-no-mikoto, Yamato-Takeru-no-Mikoto, and Takeinadane-no-Mikoto and Miyasuhime-no-Mikoto, the parents of the Owari natives (Nagoya area).292 views
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Another train station near Atsuta Shrine is Meitetsu Jingumae Station (this is closer than Atsuta Station). 名鉄神宮前駅291 views
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Follow the sign to exit or to see other shrine buildings.291 views
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Entrance to Osu Niomon-dori shopping arcade.291 views
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Inside the main entrance called "Kuruma Yose" 車寄 reserved for the castle lord and other VIPs.290 views
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This is what we wanted to see. The offertory pit where people throw their money in front of the Hongu main shrine. 本宮289 views
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287 views
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Now we stand in line to pray before the shrine.286 views
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286 views
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286 views
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After I paid the admission and went in, there was a rack of pamphlets about the castle in various languages. As usual, I picked up the English and Japanese versions. 285 viewsThen this Japanese lady suddenly came up to me and said in English, "Hello, are you going to visit the castle?" I said, "Yes." She offered to be my volunteer guide. I told her that I could understand Japanese, but would be glad to have a guide anyway. So she guided me through the new palace and the castle tower for about 90 min. She serves as a volunteer guide once a week. I have to give my thumbs up to her and her volunteer group for being so hospitable to foreign visitors.
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284 views
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West side of Osu Kannon Temple. The space on the right is where you can have your car blessed (for a fee) by the temple priest for traffic safety.284 views
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Osu Niomon-dori shopping arcade.284 views
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Top floor's lookout deck. The top floor only has windows and no balcony.284 views
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Behind the castle tower is this large woodshop where they cut and shape the wood for the palace.284 views
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Side stripe on 300 Series Shinkansen (3rd generation)284 views
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Votive tablets and other trinkets.282 views
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Headlight on Nozomi 700 Series Shinkansen281 views
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Atsuta Shrine was established about 1900 years ago. In the centuries past, the shrine has been patronized by major historical figures such as Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and the Tokugawa shoguns (Ieyasu was originally from this area).280 views
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Another room of the Taimenjo (対面所) Reception Hall. 納戸一之間280 views
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Hommaru Goten Palace being reconstructed.280 views
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280 views
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The road in front of Meitetsu Jingumae Station was closed to traffic, allowing pedestrians to get to Atsuta Shrine on New Year's Day.279 views
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Southwest corner turret. Also called the Hitsujisaru Turret.279 views
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When I revisited in July 2016, the Nagoya Basho sumo tournament was underway.278 views
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This photo was taken in July 2016 showing the main entrance (called "Kuruma Yose" 車寄 reserved for the castle lord and other VIPs) of the magnificent reconstructed Honmaru Goten Palace.278 viewsAbove the entrance is an architectural feature called "karahafu" which is a hump-shaped gable commonly seen on important buildings such as castles, temples, and palaces.
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278 views
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278 views
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We soon hit a bottleneck where we had to wait a while as we slowly got nearer to the shrine.277 views
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We got to the wash fountain to purify ourselves.277 views
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I wonder how much money these wallets contain.277 views
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Shrine amulets were selling like crazy.277 views
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Osu Niomon-dori shopping arcade.277 views
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Preparation room (Shimo Gozensho) to serve the Reception Hall. 下御膳所277 views
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List of donors for building the Hommaru Palace.277 views
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Many food stalls line the way to the shrine on New Year's Day.276 views
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276 views
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Replica of the castle's famous roof ornament, a golden carp.276 views
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JR–Maglev MLX01-1276 views
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The crowd thickens and it was stop and go, repeatedly.275 views
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The drum tower on the left is for the sumo tournament.275 views
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East Gate ticket gate275 views
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275 views
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The palace is where the castle lord lived and worked, while the castle tower was usually just a storehouse and visual symbol of power and authority.274 views
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Way back to East Entrance with a wisteria trellis on the right.274 views
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When you first enter the Hommaru Palace, you're in a room called the Nakanokuchibeya (中之口部屋). Take off your footwear and backpacks, bags, etc., are required to be stored.273 views
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Sliding door painting of birds in the Omote Shoin (表書院) Main Hall's Ichi-no-Ma Room 一之間.273 views
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273 views
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Inner courtyard273 views
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273 views
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Would you believe that there are plans to reconstruct this main castle tower too? Using traditional materials and methods. Gonna cost untold billions. 273 viewsIf Nagoya pulls this off, it would bring many more tourists to the city and boost Nagoya Castle's status. A worthwhile longterm investment.
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The first section we see is the Genkan entrance hall consisting of two rooms next to the Kuruma Yose VIP entrance. This is the Ninoma room. 二之間272 views
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Even the design of the tatami mats's edges are matched seamlessly.272 views
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272 views
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Railway model diorama covering the Tokaido shinkansen route from Tokyo to Osaka.272 views
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Ryukasui at Seijuin, monument for an old well.271 views
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271 views
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Nozomi 700 Series Shinkansen271 views
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One normal gate was closed and we all had to enter through the East Gate.270 views
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From the ladle, pour the water into your hand and sip the water to purify yourself before visiting the shrine. This was a most crowded place.270 views
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Getting closer.270 views
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0 Series Shinkansen dining car menu.270 views
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269 views
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About the Aomatsuba Incident.269 views
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Inside Dr. Yellow test train269 views
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The new maglev railway will be mostly underground between Tokyo and Nagoya.269 views
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Standing in line to pray.268 views
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267 views
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They also give you a small dish and sake served by a shrine maiden as you exit.267 views
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Behind and attached to the Homotsukan Treasure Hall is the Bunkaden Culture Hall where they held a tea session. People form a long line as they wait to enter the Bunkaden. The tea was included in the 1,000 yen I paid to see the inner shrine.267 views
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West Gate of Osu Kannon Temple. This is the gate nearest to the subway station. Note that this is not the main gate even though it is the most popular one. 西門267 views
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Corridor between the smaller tower and main tower.267 views
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2nd floor of the museum isalso spacious. Rest area here.267 views
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Photo of the original Hommaru Palace before it was destroyed during World War II.266 views
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Side entrance to the reconstructed palace. We can enter and tour the completed portion of the palace here. Have to take off your shoes. Photography is permitted, but flash is prohibited.266 views
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Next section is the Omote Shoin (表書院) Main Hall consisting of five rooms. This is the San-no-Ma 三之間.266 views
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Ninomaru East Garden266 views
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Wash fountain264 views
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264 views
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264 views
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Palanquin for ladies264 views
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264 views
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100 Series Shinkansen (2nd generation)264 views
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Driver's cockpit in 0 Series Shinkansen (1st generation).264 views
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The different experimental maglev trains are displayed. This was the first model.264 views
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Atsuta Jingu Shrine's Hongu main shrine. For 1,000 yen, they let you in here to pray. The architecture and layout are almost the same as the Ise Grand Shrines in Mie Pref. Rebuilt in 1955. I wonder if the sacred sword is in there.263 views
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View of the money pit as seen from the shrine. This is still quite small compared to Meiji Shrine in Tokyo on New Year's Day. Less crowded too.263 views
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Sliding door painting in the Omote Shoin (表書院) Main Hall's Ichi-no-Ma Room 一之間.263 views
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263 views
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Special latticed ceiling of the Taimenjo (対面所) Reception Hall's Jodan-no-Ma room reserved for the daimyo lord.263 views
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263 views
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Ninomaru Garden263 views
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Inside JR–Maglev MLX01-1263 views
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Coins, bills, gift certificates, and even wallets were thrown in here.262 views
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262 views
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They have windows for the public to freely observe the carpenters.262 views
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262 views
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Approximate site of the Aomatsuba Incident near the East Gate. Wjere three chief Tokugawa retainers were executed.262 views
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JR–Maglev MLX01-1262 views
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Maglev Theater 262 views
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We stand still.261 views
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The shrine's bank will love to count all this money. It must be their favorite time of year.261 views
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Shrines are in the business of selling good fortune and hope.261 views
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Description of various amulets in English.261 views
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Omote Shoin (表書院) Main Hall's San-no-Ma Room 三之間.261 views
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261 views
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Nagoya Castle's main castle tower is paired with and connected to a lesser tower on the left. It is closed to the public and will be dismantled from fall 2019 for its grand reconstruction with wood to be completed in Dec. 2022.261 views
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Palanquin for ladies261 views
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We want to go straight.260 views
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Temple bell260 views
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Very intricate overhead transom made of wood.260 views
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260 views
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260 views
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Stairs to upper level of two-story car in 100 Series Shinkansen.260 views
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Tokaido Line train260 views
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Finally, the shrine is in sight.259 views
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About half the palace has been completed and opened to the public.259 views
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Sliding door painting in the Omote Shoin (表書院) Main Hall's Ichi-no-Ma Room 一之間. The main hall features paintings of flowers and birds.259 views
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If you like the Tokaido shinkansen old and new or the Maglev trains, visiting this railway museum on the outskirts of Nagoya is a must. 259 viewsSee 39 full-size railway cars, train simulators, and a railway model diorama. Operated by JR Central in Nagoya, the museum opened in March 2011. SCMAGLEV and Railway Park as seen from the train.
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Near Kinjo-futo Station on the Aonami Line that starts from Nagoya Station. Walking toward the entrance.259 views
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259 views
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Kids' playroom on 2nd floor.259 views
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Uchibori moat258 views
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Omote Shoin (表書院) Main Hall's Ni-no-Ma Room 二之間.258 views
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Some of the rocks on the stone walls are engraved with the crest of samurai clans that provided the stones and helped to build Nagoya Castle.258 views
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258 views
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258 views
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Inside the woodshop, curved wooden beams for the palace.258 views
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258 views
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Approaching the final torii.257 views
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257 views
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Sliding door lock.257 views
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Another room of the Taimenjo (対面所) Reception Hall. 納戸二之間257 views
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About the Preparation room (Shimo Gozensho) to serve the Reception Hall. 下御膳所257 views
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Entrance hall257 views
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257 views
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About Nagoya Castle's stone walls.257 views
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Driver's cockpit in 0 Series Shinkansen (1st generation).257 views
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Nagoya Station257 views
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Corridor of the palace, made of fragrant hinoki cypress.256 views
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256 views
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256 views
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Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium is within the castle grounds. It is also the venue for the Nagoya sumo tournament held in July. 愛知県体育館255 viewsSumo wrestlers were coming and going. These are low-ranking wrestlers who walk and take the subway like the rest of us. The high-ranking wrestlers travel by taxi or their own car.
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Elegant roof line255 views
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Sliding door painting in the Omote Shoin (表書院) Main Hall's Ichi-no-Ma Room 一之間.255 views
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Porch of the Hondo main hall.254 views
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Beam fixture254 views
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Nozomi 700 Series Shinkansen254 views
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Elevator for wheelchairs.253 views
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Museum inside Nagoya Castle's main tower had seven floors with exhibits. There was an elevator inside. The smaller tower had nothing except the door and entrance hall.253 viewsNagoya Castle's main tower closed on May 6, 2018 to be dismantled (and reconstructed).
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Wood shop is open to the public viewing 9 am to 4 pm. Closed on Sun.253 views
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253 views
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