Hommaru Palace, Nagoya
Hommaru Palace, located at the heart of Nagoya Castle, was an architectural masterpiece designed as the living quarters for the castle's lord and later for the shogun. Surrounded by formidable keeps and watchtowers, the palace stood as a testament to both the military strength and cultural sophistication of the Tokugawa shogunate. Constructed from high-quality hinoki wood, a prized fragrant cypress, the palace was lavishly adorned with colorful paintings on pure gold leaf. These paintings depicted tigers, leopards, auspicious birds, animals, plants, and flowers, making the interior of Hommaru Palace a visual feast.
The palace's grandeur was so impressive that Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, commissioned a similar structure in Kyoto, though it was considered inferior to the Nagoya palace. A year after the palace's completion, Tokugawa Yoshinao, Ieyasu's son and the first lord of Nagoya, moved to another luxurious residence in the second citadel, declaring that the Hommaru Palace would be reserved exclusively for shogunal visits. This decree led to the palace being used only about five times over the next 250 years, which helped preserve its pristine condition. Following the end of Japan鈥檚 feudal period, the palace served as a summer residence for three Emperors between 1893 and 1930.
Tragically, Hommaru Palace was destroyed during the air raids of 1945, a loss felt deeply due to its historical and cultural significance. Fortunately, many important artworks were saved by being moved to storage before the bombing. The palace is being reconstructed using traditional methods and materials to restore its former glory. The reconstruction has been carried out in phases, with the first part opening to the public in 2013, the second in June 2016, and the entire palace completed in 2018. The restored Hommaru Palace now serves as a vivid reminder of the rich history and artistry of Japan's Edo period, attracting visitors from around the world.
The palace's grandeur was so impressive that Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, commissioned a similar structure in Kyoto, though it was considered inferior to the Nagoya palace. A year after the palace's completion, Tokugawa Yoshinao, Ieyasu's son and the first lord of Nagoya, moved to another luxurious residence in the second citadel, declaring that the Hommaru Palace would be reserved exclusively for shogunal visits. This decree led to the palace being used only about five times over the next 250 years, which helped preserve its pristine condition. Following the end of Japan鈥檚 feudal period, the palace served as a summer residence for three Emperors between 1893 and 1930.
Tragically, Hommaru Palace was destroyed during the air raids of 1945, a loss felt deeply due to its historical and cultural significance. Fortunately, many important artworks were saved by being moved to storage before the bombing. The palace is being reconstructed using traditional methods and materials to restore its former glory. The reconstruction has been carried out in phases, with the first part opening to the public in 2013, the second in June 2016, and the entire palace completed in 2018. The restored Hommaru Palace now serves as a vivid reminder of the rich history and artistry of Japan's Edo period, attracting visitors from around the world.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Nagoya. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Hommaru Palace on Map
Sight Name: Hommaru Palace
Sight Location: Nagoya, Japan (See walking tours in Nagoya)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Nagoya, Japan (See walking tours in Nagoya)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Nagoya, Japan
Create Your Own Walk in Nagoya
Creating your own self-guided walk in Nagoya is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Nagoya Castle Walking Tour
Nagoya Castle, constructed in 1612, is the former center of one of Japan's most important junctions linking two of the country's five major highways. The castle became a core part of modern Nagoya in 1930. Partially destroyed during World War II 鈥� in 1945, it has been under reconstruction since 1957.
The castle complex is characterized by multiple defensive layers divided by the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
The castle complex is characterized by multiple defensive layers divided by the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Nagoya City Center Walking Tour
Nagoya, Japan鈥檚 fourth-largest city, is the industrial and cultural epicenter of the Ch奴bu region. Situated on the Pacific coast of central Honshu island, Nagoya has woven a rich historical tapestry reflecting its role in Japan's feudal and modern eras. The name "Nagoya" is derived from the word "Nagoyaka," which means peace or tranquility.
The city's historical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
The city's historical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Fushimi - Sakae Pub Crawl of Nagoya
This crawl runs through Fushimi and Sakae, the down town area of Nagoya. It is a real mixed bag and every establishment has a different vibe and (more importantly) menu. All of the bars are gaijin friendly and each would be a decent place to have a...
Nagoya Station Pub Crawl
This crawl takes you through the centre of Nagoya, locally known as Mei Eki. This is a very cosmopolitan area where drunken salary-men rub shoulders with drunken gaijin. On this list is a selection of different British pubs and bars, just in case you鈥檙e hankering for a Guinness and a decent spot...