Nagoya Landmarks and Monuments

(Nagoya, Chubu, Central Honshu, Japan)

Nagoya has several famous landmarks which you will invariably find pictures of amongst the holiday snaps of everyone who has taken a trip to the city.

The Nagoya Castle and TV Tower are highlights and important local landmarks, dominating parts of the city.

The temples of Nittaiji and Osu Kannon are the best-known religious monuments in the city and offer plenty of interest. Nagoya's main landmarks and shown below.

Nagoya Castle

Address: 1-1 Hommaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 460-0031, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 052 231 1700
Nagoya Castle is undoubtedly the city's most popular landmark, featuring on many picture postcards sold in the tourist areas. The building dates back to 1612, with rebuilding of the main edifice having taken place in 1959 following damage sustained in WWII. Known locally as 'Nagoya-jo', the castle is set in some scenic gardens in which deer reside, while a moat around the perimeter is home to a large collection of waterfowl. A modern museum is located inside the main castle building.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 16:30
Admission: charge

Nagoya TV Tower

Address: 1-1 Hommaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 460-0031, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 052 971 8546
Completed in 1954, the Nagoya TV Tower is the oldest tower of its kind in Japan and is one of the most recognisable sights on the Nagoya skyline, standing at almost 200 metres / 656 feet tall. The tower has two observation levels, the first at 30 metres / 98 feet high and the second at 100 metres / 328 feet. Visitors can gain some great views across the city from the higher level.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 21:00
Admission: charge

Inuyama Castle

Address: 1-1 Hommaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 460-0031, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 056 861 1711
Boasting a 450-year-old donjon (the oldest in Japan), Inuyama Castle is classified as a national treasure. From the top of the castle, visitors can get great views across the Nobi Plain, with the mountains of Kiso Ontake and Ena visible in the distance. This is one of the few castles in the country that includes all of its original structures and has not undergone any reconstruction.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Nittaiji Temple

Address: 1-1 Hoo-cho, Chikasa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-0057, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 052 751 2121
By no means an old building, having been completed in 1904 and reconstructed in 1984, Nagoya's Nittaiji Temple is significant because of the discovery of some of the earthly remains of the Buddha Shakyamuni on this site, which were previously donated by the monarchy of Thailand. The name Nittaiji translates as 'Japan-Thai Temple' and the current structure is a tribute to the two countries mutual respect for the Buddha's remains.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 14:00
Admission: free

Osu Kannon Temple (Kitano-San Sinpuku-ji Hosho-in)

Address: 21-47 Osu 2-chome, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 052 231 6525
Osu Kannon Temple is an important landmark located in central Nagoya, and was originally built in the neighbouring Gifu Prefecture. At the beginning of the 17th century, the temple was relocated to its present site, care of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The current buildings are actually 20th century reconstructions of the original temple, but sources say they are faithful to the original design.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free