{"id":1691,"date":"2026-10-04T09:18:26","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T09:18:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/?p=1691"},"modified":"2026-10-04T09:18:48","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T09:18:48","slug":"087-nagoyajo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/en\/087-nagoyajo\/","title":{"rendered":"[100 Castles No.087] Nagoya Castle (Hizen): Time Needed, Kuroda Kanbei Connection &#038; How It Differs from Nagoya Castle in Aichi"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We visited the ruins of Nagoya Castle (Hizen) in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, during Japan&#8217;s Silver Week holidays in September 2026 \u2014 three generations, including our 8-year-old son. Toyotomi Hideyoshi built this huge castle as the base for his invasions of Korea (the Bunroku and Keich\u014d campaigns), and the camp sites of feudal lords (daimyo) from all over Japan are scattered around it. In short: <strong>we spent about 2 hours 30 minutes (taking our time at the ruins and the Nagoya Castle Museum)<\/strong>. <strong>The Japan&#8217;s Top 100 Castles stamp is at the Nagoya Castle Museum<\/strong>, and the museum&#8217;s permanent exhibition is free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key points<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Time needed<\/strong>: we actually stayed about 2 hours 30 minutes (ruins + museum, at a relaxed pace)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stamp<\/strong>: the Top 100 Castles stamp is at the Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fees<\/strong>: walking the ruins is free, and so is the museum&#8217;s permanent exhibition (as of September 2026)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Parking<\/strong>: free parking available<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Not the same as Nagoya Castle (Aichi)<\/strong>: Nagoya Castle (Hizen) is Hideyoshi&#8217;s castle in Karatsu, Saga; Nagoya Castle in Aichi was built on the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu. They are completely different castles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Basic information before you go<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Castle (number)<\/th><td>Nagoya Castle, Hizen (Japan&#8217;s Top 100 Castles No. 87)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Location<\/th><td>Chinzei-machi, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Builder \/ year<\/th><td>Toyotomi Hideyoshi (layout by Kuroda Kanbei) \/ construction began in 1591 and is said to have been completed in only about five months<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Main remains<\/th><td>Keep foundation (tenshudai), stone walls of the main and second enclosures, riding ground, and the surrounding daimyo camp sites (more than 130)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Stamp location<\/th><td>Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Parking<\/th><td>Free parking available<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Time needed<\/th><td>Our actual stay: about 2 hours 30 minutes (relaxed visit)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Fees \/ opening hours<\/th><td>The ruins are open and free to walk. Nagoya Castle Museum: 9:00\u201317:00, permanent exhibition free, closed Mondays (next day if Monday is a holiday) and over the New Year holidays (as of September 2026)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Nagoya Castle (Hizen) vs. Nagoya Castle (Aichi)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The names are read almost the same, but they are completely different castles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Nagoya Castle (Hizen)<\/strong>: in Karatsu, Saga \u2014 built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi for the invasions of Korea. Today it is a ruin with stone walls and the keep foundation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nagoya Castle (Aichi)<\/strong>: in Nagoya, Aichi \u2014 built on the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu, famous for its golden shachihoko (fish-shaped roof ornaments)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By the way, Nagoya Castle in Aichi is said to have been built after the Battle of Sekigahara, when Ieyasu ordered lords from across Japan to build it as a defense against the Toyotomi family in Osaka. One was built by Hideyoshi; the other was built by Ieyasu to keep the Toyotomi in check. Same reading, opposite sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Searching for \u201cNagoya Castle\u201d mostly brings up the one in Aichi, so for the castle in Saga, try \u201cHizen Nagoya Castle\u201d or \u201cNagoya Castle Museum.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. How long does Nagoya Castle (Hizen) take?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We arrived first thing in the morning, so we explored the ruins and the museum in the quiet, uncrowded hours, taking about <strong>2 hours 30 minutes<\/strong> in total.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Quick visit (about 1 hour)<\/strong>: stamp at the museum \u2192 view from the main bailey and keep foundation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Relaxed visit (about 2 hours 30 minutes)<\/strong>: museum exhibits \u2192 loop around the ruins \u2192 look down on the daimyo camps from the keep foundation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Camp-site tour (extra time)<\/strong>: allow more time if you want to visit the camp sites of Date Masamune, Tokugawa Ieyasu and others<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Parking, access and fees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is free parking near the museum. Walking the ruins and the museum&#8217;s permanent exhibition are both free. If you arrive early, you can stroll the quiet ruins at your own pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Afterwards, we had a Karatsu Burger for lunch and moved on to Karatsu Castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Highlights and our visit (with a look at the castle&#8217;s design)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A \u201cfortress city\u201d that rivaled Osaka Castle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nagoya Castle is said to have been laid out by Kuroda Kanbei on Hideyoshi&#8217;s orders and completed in only about five months. The area around the main bailey alone covers about 17 hectares, and with more than 130 daimyo camps and a castle town around it, it was an enormous \u201cfortress city.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-diorama-1024x769.webp\" alt=\"Diorama of Nagoya Castle and its town at the Nagoya Castle Museum\" class=\"wp-image-1681\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-diorama-1024x769.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-diorama-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-diorama-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-diorama-1536x1153.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-diorama.webp 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Nagoya Castle Museum has a diorama recreating the castle and its town as they once were. Seeing the keep towering on the hill and the daimyo residences and streets filling the land around it, you can feel that this place was briefly the political center of Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PXL_20260920_034101340-1024x769.jpg\" alt=\"Sign at the camp site of Date Masamune near the Nagoya Castle ruins\" class=\"wp-image-1454\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PXL_20260920_034101340-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PXL_20260920_034101340-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PXL_20260920_034101340-767x576.jpg 767w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PXL_20260920_034101340-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PXL_20260920_034101340-2048x1538.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Around the ruins you&#8217;ll find the camp sites of famous warlords from history textbooks, such as Date Masamune and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Every time you spot a sign, you go \u201cHere too!\u201d \u2014 that&#8217;s part of the fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-jinya-model-1024x769.webp\" alt=\"Model of a daimyo's camp residence at the Nagoya Castle Museum (audience hall, Noh stage, tea room, etc.)\" class=\"wp-image-1680\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-jinya-model-1024x769.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-jinya-model-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-jinya-model-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-jinya-model-1536x1153.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-jinya-model.webp 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The museum also has a model of a daimyo&#8217;s camp residence, showing that besides the formal audience hall (hiroma) and private quarters, it even had a Noh stage and a tea room. Far from temporary shelters, these were grand mansions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-maeda-jinato-1024x769.webp\" alt=\"Stone walls at the camp site of Maeda Toshiie and a sign about the repair work\" class=\"wp-image-1688\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-maeda-jinato-1024x769.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-maeda-jinato-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-maeda-jinato-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-maeda-jinato-1536x1153.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-maeda-jinato.webp 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the camp site of Maeda Toshiie, there is also a sign explaining the stone walls and their repair work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dad&#8217;s take: Hideyoshi&#8217;s stagecraft \u2014 looking down on the daimyo camps from the keep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The keep foundation, where a huge five-tier, seven-story keep is said to have stood, looks out over the Genkai Sea and distant islands. Looking down from the keep on the camps of lords from all over Japan \u2014 standing there, you really understand that Hideyoshi built this castle to \u201cshow off\u201d his overwhelming power. In the main bailey you can also see the site where horses and troops were assembled for inspection (umazoroe).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-tenshudai-view-1024x769.webp\" alt=\"View of the Genkai Sea from the keep foundation of Nagoya Castle\" class=\"wp-image-1686\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-tenshudai-view-1024x769.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-tenshudai-view-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-tenshudai-view-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-tenshudai-view-1536x1153.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-tenshudai-view.webp 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"769\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-ishigaki-hi-769x1024.webp\" alt=\"Stone walls and the castle monument at the Nagoya Castle ruins\" class=\"wp-image-1685\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-ishigaki-hi-769x1024.webp 769w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-ishigaki-hi-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-ishigaki-hi-768x1023.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-ishigaki-hi-1153x1536.webp 1153w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-ishigaki-hi.webp 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stone walls still remain all over the ruins, and some sections are built of stones so large you have to look up at them. Even without a keep, the stone walls alone make you feel the scale of the castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"769\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-kyoseki-ishigaki-769x1024.webp\" alt=\"Stone walls of huge rocks remaining at the Nagoya Castle ruins\" class=\"wp-image-1687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-kyoseki-ishigaki-769x1024.webp 769w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-kyoseki-ishigaki-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-kyoseki-ishigaki-768x1023.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-kyoseki-ishigaki-1153x1536.webp 1153w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-kyoseki-ishigaki.webp 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact, if you look closely, the corners of these stone walls have been knocked down. After Hideyoshi&#8217;s death, the castle was dismantled in the early Edo period (a practice called haj\u014d), and the walls are believed to have been deliberately broken. There are various theories as to why \u2014 to erase a symbol of Toyotomi authority, or to prevent it from being used as a base for rebellion. Just as Osaka Castle was buried by the Tokugawa and rebuilt on top, these broken walls seem to tell the story of power passing from the Toyotomi to the Tokugawa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dad&#8217;s take: The gathering place of the Sengoku all-stars was where the Toyotomi regime began to crack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having just finished watching the NHK drama \u201cGunshi Kanbei,\u201d Nagoya Castle was a special place for me. From here Hideyoshi ordered the invasion of Korea, and lords from all over Japan were gathered on this land \u2014 truly a \u201cgathering of the Sengoku all-stars.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Behind the scenes, however, Ishida Mitsunari and the other commissioners kept a close eye on the lords, and a rift gradually grew between them and the generals who crossed the sea to fight, such as Kat\u014d Kiyomasa and Kuroda Nagamasa. This conflict came to the surface after Hideyoshi&#8217;s death and eventually led to the Battle of Sekigahara.<strong>A glamorous castle, yet also the place that bred the \u201cseeds of discontent\u201d that would shake the Toyotomi regime<\/strong> \u2014 with that in mind, the view from the keep foundation looked completely different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Nagoya Castle Museum also displays a painting of Kat\u014d Kiyomasa, who fought desperate battles in Korea, reminding you of the harsh war behind this grand castle. If you love historical dramas or the Sengoku period, just imagining \u201cwhat was each warlord thinking at that moment?\u201d while gazing over the camp sites from the keep foundation makes the time fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch before you go: the NHK drama \u201cGunshi Kanbei\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To enjoy Nagoya Castle even more, we recommend the 2014 NHK taiga drama <strong>\u201cGunshi Kanbei\u201d<\/strong> (starring Junichi Okada). It&#8217;s also available on Netflix (as of October 2026). It&#8217;s a weighty story about the life of Kuroda Kanbei, the strategist who helped Hideyoshi unify Japan, and in its final part Kyushu becomes the center of the story. Nagoya Castle and Fukuoka Castle also appear, so watching it before you visit makes standing in the ruins far more moving. We finished the drama after our trip, and while writing this article we regretted a little that we hadn&#8217;t watched it first (lol).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The museum: the Golden Tea Room and our son&#8217;s discovery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the Nagoya Castle Museum&#8217;s highlights is the \u201cGolden Tea Room,\u201d which is said to have also been brought to Nagoya Castle. It&#8217;s easy to be overwhelmed by all the gold, but when our son pointed it out and we looked closely, we found the Toyotomi family crest (the paulownia crest) in the details. You can sense how particular Hideyoshi was about displaying his authority to the lords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-golden-tearoom-1024x769.webp\" alt=\"The Golden Tea Room at the Nagoya Castle Museum\" class=\"wp-image-1682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-golden-tearoom-1024x769.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-golden-tearoom-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-golden-tearoom-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-golden-tearoom-1536x1153.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-golden-tearoom.webp 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Near the Golden Tea Room there is also a reconstruction of a simple \u201cs\u014dan\u201d thatched tea room made of bamboo and earthen walls. The dazzling golden tea room and the rustic wabi-sabi tea room are complete opposites, and comparing them gives you a glimpse of how Hideyoshi enjoyed the tea ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-soan-tearoom-1024x769.webp\" alt=\"Reconstruction of a s\u014dan thatched tea room at the Nagoya Castle Museum\" class=\"wp-image-1684\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-soan-tearoom-1024x769.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-soan-tearoom-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-soan-tearoom-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-soan-tearoom-1536x1153.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-soan-tearoom.webp 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are many other impressive exhibits too: ceramics showing the network of lords and merchants who gathered from across Japan (Seto and Mino ware, Bizen ware, Karatsu ware, and ceramics from China and the Korean Peninsula), the \u201cNagoya obi\u201d sash that was made here and spread throughout Japan, and a model of an \u201catakebune,\u201d a large warship with a tower built on deck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-atakebune-1024x769.webp\" alt=\"Model of an atakebune warship at the Nagoya Castle Museum\" class=\"wp-image-1683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-atakebune-1024x769.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-atakebune-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-atakebune-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-atakebune-1536x1153.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-atakebune.webp 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our son&#8217;s (8) reaction: hunting grasshoppers in the ruins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PXL_20260920_032617635-1024x769.jpg\" alt=\"Hunting grasshoppers in the grass at the Nagoya Castle ruins\" class=\"wp-image-1453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PXL_20260920_032617635-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PXL_20260920_032617635-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PXL_20260920_032617635-767x576.jpg 767w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PXL_20260920_032617635-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PXL_20260920_032617635-2048x1538.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ruins are full of nature, and our son was thrilled to catch grasshoppers in the grass. These wide ruins are a playground where kids can enjoy not only history but also bug hunting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to find the stamp<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"769\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-stamp-769x1024.webp\" alt=\"The Japan's Top 100 Castles stamp stand at the Nagoya Castle Museum\" class=\"wp-image-1679\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-stamp-769x1024.webp 769w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-stamp-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-stamp-768x1023.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-stamp-1153x1536.webp 1153w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-stamp.webp 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Top 100 Castles stamp is at the Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum. The museum is closed on Mondays (the next day if Monday is a holiday), so check before you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Lunch nearby and tips for families<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The ruins are large and have few shady spots, so bring a hat and water<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The museum is free, and you can take breaks while viewing the exhibits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For lunch, head toward Karatsu and try the local favorite, \u201cKaratsu Burger\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Where to stay if you&#8217;re combining it with other sights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We stayed the night before at Mercure Saga Karatsu Resort and headed to Nagoya Castle first thing in the morning. Staying in Karatsu makes it easy to visit both Nagoya Castle and Karatsu Castle in one day.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"p-blogParts post_content\" data-partsID=\"1471\"><div class=\"hotel-button-container\" style=\"display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 12px; justify-content: center; margin: 25px 0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&#038;cid=1962585&#038;hid=9077283\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" style=\"flex: 1 1 200px; max-width: 280px; min-width: 150px; padding: 15px 12px; background-color: #20274d; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; border-radius: 8px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.3; box-shadow: 0 3px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.12); transition: transform 0.2s, opacity 0.2s;\" onmouseover=\"this.style.opacity='0.88'; this.style.transform='translateY(-2px)';\" onmouseout=\"this.style.opacity='1'; this.style.transform='translateY(0)';\">Book on Agoda<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q. Is Nagoya Castle (Hizen) the same as Nagoya Castle in Aichi?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No, they are different castles. Nagoya Castle (Hizen) is Toyotomi Hideyoshi&#8217;s castle in Karatsu, Saga, while Nagoya Castle in Nagoya, Aichi was built on the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q. What is the connection between Nagoya Castle and Kuroda Kanbei?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nagoya Castle is said to have been laid out (designed) by Kuroda Kanbei on Toyotomi Hideyoshi&#8217;s orders. If you&#8217;ve watched the drama \u201cGunshi Kanbei,\u201d be sure to walk the vast ruins Kanbei designed and the camp sites where lords from all over Japan gathered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q. How long does Nagoya Castle take?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It took us about 2 hours 30 minutes to see the ruins and the museum at a relaxed pace. Just the keep foundation and the museum take about 1 hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q. Where is the Top 100 Castles stamp?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q. Is there an admission or parking fee?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Walking the ruins and the museum&#8217;s permanent exhibition are free, and there is free parking (as of September 2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q. How do I get from Nagoya Castle to Karatsu Castle?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can drive. We stopped for a Karatsu Burger lunch on the way to Karatsu Castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Summary &#038; nearby castles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nagoya Castle is a huge ruin that embodies Hideyoshi&#8217;s power. The view from the keep foundation and the free Nagoya Castle Museum (with the Golden Tea Room) are must-sees. The stamp is at the museum, and a relaxed visit took us about 2 hours 30 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One thing we realized on this trip is that <strong>Kyushu is full of castles connected to Kuroda Kanbei<\/strong>. There&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/en\/085-fukuokajo\/\">Fukuoka Castle<\/a>, built by Kanbei and his son Nagamasa; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/en\/089-sagajo\/\">Saga Castle<\/a>, where the \u201cChikuzen Moat,\u201d said to have been dug with Kanbei&#8217;s help, remains; and Nagoya Castle, said to have been laid out by Kanbei. In Oita Prefecture there&#8217;s also Nakatsu Castle, built by Kanbei. If you&#8217;ve watched \u201cGunshi Kanbei,\u201d try linking Kyushu&#8217;s castles into a \u201cKanbei castle tour\u201d \u2014 scenes from the drama will overlap with the ruins in front of you, making it far more fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That afternoon we headed to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/en\/185-karatsujo\/\">Karatsu Castle<\/a>. The whole trip is summarized in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/en\/2026kyushu\/\">5-day Kyushu &#038; Hiroshima itinerary with kids<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We visited Nagoya Castle in Saga (Japan&#8217;s Top 100 Castles No. 87) with our 8-year-old son. Said to have been laid out by Kuroda Kanbei, it gathered the Sengoku all-stars. The ruins and museum took about 2.5 hours; the stamp is at the free Nagoya Castle Museum. Not to be confused with Nagoya Castle in Aichi.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1681,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"swell_btn_cv_data":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/087-nagoyajo\/","_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":true},"categories":[4],"tags":[19],"class_list":["post-1691","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-castle","tag-2026kyushu","en-US"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phc6Nz-rh","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/nagoyajo-diorama.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1691","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1691"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1691\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1692,"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1691\/revisions\/1692"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1681"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1691"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1691"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1691"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}