CastleHilltop castle (hirayamajiro)Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 87
What makes this castle distinctive
For just seven years, daimyo from all over Japan camped around this headland.
Why?
Toyotomi Hideyoshi built Nagoya Castle as his base for sending troops to the Korean Peninsula. More than 130 daimyo camps were set up within about 3 km of it, and over 200,000 people are said to have gathered here. When Hideyoshi died and the lords withdrew, the castle lost its purpose and the whole town disappeared.[1][4][15]
On top of the keep base (tenshudai) at the northwest of the main enclosure (honmaru)
What to look at
The stone marker for the keep site, the display showing where the foundation stones stood, and the Genkai Sea and its islands beyond
Why it's interesting
A five-tiered keep once stood here; based on a period folding screen it is estimated to have risen about 25–30 m above the stone base. Excavations found 16 foundation stones and the stone walls of a half-underground basement. From the main enclosure you can see Iki Island and, beyond it, Tsushima, which shows why this spot was chosen for a castle meant to send troops across the sea. The museum says Tsushima is visible in early winter.[2][13]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideThe ruins can be walked freely. No building stands on the keep base.
Around the main enclosure and elsewhere in the ruins
What to look at
Wall corners that have been pulled apart, with stones scattered down the slopes
Why it's interesting
Nagoya Castle is thought to have been deliberately dismantled in the early Edo period, and its stone walls have been broken down over a wide area. These are the marks of making a castle unusable once its job was done; no buildings survive. The way the walls were pulled apart tells the castle's story better than any intact wall could.[2][13]
Can you see it?
Visible from outsideVisible along the paths through the ruins. Do not climb on or get too close to the collapsed walls.
Within about 3 km of the castle. The Kinoshita Nobutoshi camp site can be seen from behind the museum.
What to look at
Camp sites on hilltops enclosed by stone walls and earthworks. At the Hori Hideharu camp you can trace a residence and a Noh stage.
Why it's interesting
Lords from all over Japan gathered at Nagoya, each building a camp on a hill. About 150 camp sites have been identified, and 23 of them are Special Historic Sites together with the castle. They include the camps of Tokugawa Ieyasu and Maeda Toshiie, making this a rare place where the leading daimyo of the day were all assembled around one castle. The Hori Hideharu camp is described as the best maintained.[3][4]
Can you see it?
Partly visibleSome camp sites have been developed for visitors and others have not. Some are far enough that you will need a car.
At a glance for visitors
Nearest station
5 min walk from Nagoyajo Hakubutsukan Iriguchi bus stop (Showa Bus)
Climb
Not confirmed
Time neededEditors' estimate
About 30–40 minutes for the ruins by the museum's estimate (museum → third bailey → main enclosure → museum); longer if you include the second bailey and other areas. Allow about an extra hour for the museum's exhibits (editorial estimate).
Admission
Free (special exhibitions charge a fee). Viewing the golden tea room is also free.
Hours
9:00–17:00
Access
Open to visitors
The ruins can be explored on foot. Visitors of university age and above are asked to give a 100-yen cleaning donation. The museum's permanent exhibition is free (special exhibitions charge a fee). Guided tours of the ruins are by reservation (Nagoya Castle Ruins Tourist Information, 0955-82-5774).
The highest point of a headland jutting into the sea
Nagoya Castle was built on the highest point of a gently rolling headland that juts into the Genkai Sea. From the main enclosure you look straight out at Iki Island, with Tsushima beyond. As a base for sending troops to the Korean Peninsula, its wide view over the sea is thought to have been the deciding factor.[13]
02
Historical record
Built in a few months on Hideyoshi's orders
Construction began in 1591 on the orders of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the warlord who had unified Japan. The work was divided up among the daimyo (feudal lords), each assigned a section, and the castle is said to have been largely finished in just a few months. Covering about 17 hectares, it was second in size only to Osaka Castle at the time.[1][2][12]
03
Historical record
The base for the invasions of Korea
When the Bunroku and Keicho campaigns (the Japanese invasions of Korea) began in 1592, Nagoya Castle became the base for the invasion of the Korean Peninsula. Hideyoshi himself stayed here for more than a year. Lords from across Japan built camps around it, and over 200,000 people are said to have gathered. Hideyoshi's golden tea room was brought here too, and was used for tea gatherings and for receiving foreign envoys.[1][2][10][12]
04
Historical record
Its job ended after seven years with Hideyoshi's death
For seven years, from the start of the war in 1592 until Hideyoshi's death in 1598 and the withdrawal of the lords, Nagoya Castle served as the base for the campaign overseas. Once the fighting ended the castle was no longer needed, and it is thought to have been dismantled in the early Edo period.[1][2][15]
05
Historical record
The buildings vanished; broken walls remain
Not a single building survives. The stone walls have been broken down over a wide area, but the shapes of the baileys (kuruwa) and gateways (koguchi) remain clear. Excavations uncovered the foundation stones and cobbled floors of the main palace, and the museum says Nagoya is the only castle site where remains of a palace used by Hideyoshi have been confirmed. A local tradition also holds that Date Masamune moved the main gate of the honmaru to his castle in Sendai.[2][13]
06
Historical record
A century as a historic site
The castle ruins and camp sites were made a National Historic Site in 1926 and a Special Historic Site in 1955; 2026 marks 100 years since the first designation. Survey and conservation work on the camp sites began in 1976, and the Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum opened in 1993. Excavation, stone wall repairs and the outlining of the main palace on the ground are still going on.[4][11][13]
The Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum opens[4]
Buildings and remains
The keep today
Keep lost
A five-tiered keep once stood here but is gone; only the stone base remains, with a display on top marking where the foundation stones were.
The site today
No buildings remain; the site is open as ruins with stone walls, baileys and gateways. The Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum stands just south of the ruins, and daimyo camp sites are scattered around the area.
Main buildings
Lost
Keep (tenshu)
A five-tiered keep appears on a period folding screen. The keep base has been conserved, with the foundation stone positions marked.[2]
Site only
Honmaru palace
Foundation stones and cobbled floors were found in excavations; the layout is being marked out on the ground with lawn and replica stones.[2]
Site only
Main gate of the honmaru
Only the gate site remains. Tradition says Date Masamune moved the gate to his castle in Sendai.[2]
Site only
Thatched tea house in the Yamazato-maru
Remains of a tea house and other structures were excavated in the Yamazato-maru, where Hideyoshi's residence stood (around today's Kotakuji temple).[2]
Key facts
Type
Castle
Setting
Hilltop castle (hirayamajiro)built on a low hill rising from the plainEditorial article
Period
Early modern (1570s–1871)Editorial article
Keep (tenshu)
Keep lostthe castle had a keep, but it no longer stands (its stone base may remain)Editorial article
Built by
Toyotomi HideyoshiJapan Castle Foundation
Built
1592Japan Castle Foundation
Main lords
Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Toyotomi clanJapan Castle Foundation
Abandoned
1598Wikipedia (ja)
Remains to see
Stone walls, Moats, Wells, Baileys / enclosures (kuruwa), Fortified gateways (koguchi), Keep base (tenshudai)Editorial article
Designation
National Historic Site (Nagoya Castle Ruins and Encampment Sites) (1926); Special Historic Site (Nagoya Castle Ruins and Encampment Sites) (1955)Editorial article
Selection
Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 87Japan Castle Foundation
Visiting
Access
Open to visitors
The ruins can be explored on foot. Visitors of university age and above are asked to give a 100-yen cleaning donation. The museum's permanent exhibition is free (special exhibitions charge a fee). Guided tours of the ruins are by reservation (Nagoya Castle Ruins Tourist Information, 0955-82-5774).
Nagoyajo Hakubutsukan Iriguchi bus stop (Showa Bus)Showa Bus Yobuko Line, Nomoto-Nagoya Line and others (from Otemachi Bus Center near JR Karatsu Station, or from in front of JR Nishi-Karatsu Station)
about 5 min walk · Not confirmed
About 300 m from the bus stop to the museum. From JR Karatsu Station it is about an 8-minute walk to the Otemachi Bus Center. Some routes require a change at Yobuko; check times and fares on the Showa Bus website.[6]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Hours and admission
Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum
Hours
9:00–17:00
Closed
Mondays (or the next weekday if Monday is a holiday), December 29–31 and January 1–3
Admission
Free (special exhibitions charge a fee). Viewing the golden tea room is also free.[5][10][16]
Checked: 2026-10-03
By car / parking
Free museum parking for 58 cars and 6 buses, shared with the ruins; the multipurpose plaza lot to the west is also available when busy. About 30 minutes from Karatsu via Route 204, according to the museum.[6][7]
Checked: 2026-10-03
Grounds opening hours
Not confirmedChecked: 2026-10-03
Time neededEditors' estimate
About 30–40 minutes for the ruins by the museum's estimate (museum → third bailey → main enclosure → museum); longer if you include the second bailey and other areas. Allow about an extra hour for the museum's exhibits (editorial estimate).
Steps, slopes and footing
From the Ote entrance a long slope leads up into the third bailey. It is also a long uphill walk from the general parking lot to the museum entrance.[2][8]
Wheelchairs and strollers
There are three accessible parking spaces beside the museum, with a ramp to the entrance and an elevator to the second-floor galleries. Accessible toilets are on both floors (the second-floor one is ostomate-friendly). Three wheelchairs and two strollers can be borrowed. Accessibility of the paths through the ruins is not confirmed.[8]Checked: 2026-10-03
Toilets and rest
Toilets in the museum beside the first-floor hall and by the entrance to the second-floor permanent gallery[8]
English signs / audio guide
The museum has English, Korean and Chinese web pages. According to its English page, free audio guides for the permanent exhibition are available at the front desk in Korean, English and Chinese.[15]
Seasons
In spring, cherry trees bloom along the slope at the Ote entrance. In early winter, Tsushima can sometimes be seen from the keep base.[2]
Photography
Photography is allowed in the museum's permanent exhibition, except for items marked no-photo. No flash or tripods.[9]
Works, closures and restrictions
Special exhibition marking 100 years since the site was first designated, October 9 – November 29, 2026 (free; displays change between the first half to November 1 and the second half from November 3). On Saturday October 10, major traffic restrictions are planned around the museum from about 8:15 to 12:20 for a cycle race. The 6th Nagoya Castle Grand Tea Gathering takes place on Sunday November 22.[11]Checked: 2026-10-03
Suggested routes
From the museum to the main enclosure and back 40 min
Start at the Nagoya Castle Museum
Climb the long slope at the Ote entrance into the third bailey
Enter the main enclosure and see the broken walls and the palace layout display
Climb the keep base for the view over the sea and islands
Return to the museum
Route and time follow the museum's guide (30–40 minutes). Allow more time if you also visit the second bailey and other areas.
Editors' guide
An editorial guide based on sources and confirmed information — not a first-hand visit report.
Who will enjoy it
For anyone more interested in how a castle was used and why it disappeared than in towers and turrets, those who want to learn about the history between Japan and the Korean Peninsula, and walkers who enjoy wide-open ruins with sea views.
What makes it interesting
Start on the keep base to see for yourself how the site faced the sea it sent troops across. Then look at the deliberately broken walls around the main enclosure, which show what happened to the castle once its purpose was gone. If you have time, visit a camp site or two to grasp how large this gathering of lords was.
Before you go
There are no buildings; you are looking at stone walls and markings on the ground. Wear good shoes for the slopes. The invasions caused great suffering on the Korean Peninsula, and the museum's main theme is the long history of exchange between Japan and Korea. Check bus frequency and transfers before you go.
Ways to enjoy it
See the museum's model of the castle and its town first, and the empty grounds will be much easier to picture. The museum also displays, free of charge, a reconstruction of the golden tea room that Hideyoshi used at this castle.
Photos
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Open questions
Construction began in 1591 according to the museum, Saga Prefecture and the Agency for Cultural Affairs, but the Japan Castle Foundation's list gives 1592.
The time to complete the castle is given as "a few months" by the museum and "five months" by Saga Prefecture.
Sources give different numbers of camp sites: over 130, about 120, or about 150. One museum page says 160 lords gathered.
The castle is only "thought" to have been dismantled in the early Edo period. The move of the honmaru main gate to Sendai is a tradition.
The museum's Japanese page says it closes January 1–3, while its English page says it opens then. The English page's parking and wheelchair numbers may also be out of date.
Opening hours for the ruins and the location of toilets within the ruins could not be confirmed.
AspereCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons
