Nagoya Castle is one of the city’s finest historical attractions. Nagoya itself originated as a castle town, growing up around this vast impressive complex, which was originally built to house one wing of Japan’s ruling family. Now Nagoya is Japan’s fourth-largest city, a truly modern urban centre, but you can still head downtown and see where everything began.

Take some time to explore the castle’s expansive grounds on your way in. There you will find some old stone walls and turrets, which were used to defend the castle, as well as two circles of protective moats. Observe the castle’s elegant design, which is realised at an imposing scale in the seven-storey building. The corners of its roof are adorned with large golden dolphins, an icon of the castle.

Nagoya Castle has been witness to centuries of engrossing local history. First built in the 17th century, the castle was the residence of one branch of Japan’s ruling Tokugawa family. As Nagoya Castle grew to be one of the most important castles in Japan, thanks in part to its location in the centre of the country, the town of Nagoya too rose in influence. Head to the castle museum for an insight into life at the castle in its halcyon days and into its fate throughout the centuries since then.

The castle suffered serious damage during the air raids of 1945, but most of it has been rebuilt since. Learn more about the restoration effort and future reconstruction plans at the castle museum. Tours of the repair site may also be available, offering a rare view of Japanese architectural methods.

Japan’s famous cherry blossoms burst into life every year in late March and early April. At this time, the Nagoya Castle grounds are home to great explosion of colour and liveliness. Locals and visitors gather there to carry out the traditional pastime of hanami, a custom which includes enjoying an outdoor picnic under the blossoms and relishing the transient beauty of this gorgeous seasonal display.

Nagoya Castle is open every day of the week but is closed from December 29 to January 1. Reach the castle with a 20-minute train ride from Nagoya Station, or take a car and park for a fee in the adjacent parking lot.