Nagoya Castle Guide: What to See While the Main Keep Is Closed
Last checked: October 11, 2026, against the official Nagoya Castle website. Prices, hours and access rules can change, so please confirm on the official visitor information page before you go. This post may contain affiliate links; if you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Key takeaways
- The main keep cannot be entered at the moment. The Honmaru Palace is open.
- Adults 1,000 yen. Students up to junior high school age are free. A fee change was announced from October 1, 2026, so check before you go.
- Hours are 9:00 to 16:30 (last entry at 16:00). The castle closes over the New Year holiday.
- Nearest subway: Nagoyajo Station (Meijo Line, M07).
Nagoya Castle is one of the best-known sights in the city, and many first-time visitors put it at the top of their list. There is one thing worth knowing before you go: the main keep (the tower) is currently not open for entry. The castle itself is open, but you will not be able to climb the tower.
This guide explains what is open, what it costs, how to get there, and how to plan a visit that still feels worthwhile.
The short version
| Main keep (tenshu) | Not open for entry (as shown on the official site) |
| Honmaru Palace | Open (admission can close early on busy days) |
| Admission | 1,000 yen for adults. Free up to junior high school age |
| Hours | 9:00 to 16:30 (last entry at 16:00) |
| Closed | December 29 to January 1 |
The prices and hours above are what the official site showed on the date above. Please read the note on admission fees below.
Is the main keep really closed?
Yes. The official website states that the main keep and some other structures cannot be entered. The castle site describes the work as returning Nagoya Castle to its original condition, and it has a separate page for the Keep Reconstruction Project. No reopening date is given on the page we checked.
The castle grounds are open. You can still walk around the grounds and see the keep from the outside.
Admission fees
- Adults: 1,000 yen (individual)
- Up to junior high school age: free
- Groups of 30 or more: 900 yen per person
A note on the price: the official page includes a notice that admission fees change from October 1, 2026. The page did not list the new amounts separately, and the figure shown on the date above was 1,000 yen. Some travel sites reported a lower price before the change. Please check the official page before you go.
Opening hours and closing days
- Open: 9:00 to 16:30.
- Castle grounds entrance closes at 16:00.
- Last entry to the Honmaru Palace and the Nishinomaru Okura Museum is at 16:00.
- Closed: December 29 to January 1
Arrive well before 16:00 if you want to go inside the palace.
What to see while the keep is closed
The Honmaru Palace. This is the main building you can enter. The official site shows a waiting-time display, and entry can be closed for the day when it is busy, so go early rather than late.
The castle grounds and the exterior of the keep. Walking the grounds and seeing the keep from outside is still worthwhile, and it is where most photos are taken.
Nishinomaru Okura Museum. The official site lists this as another place with a last entry at 16:00.
We have not yet walked the full route ourselves for this guide, so we are not giving a time estimate. We will add one after our own visit.
How to get there
The official page lists these nearest stations:
- Subway Meijo Line: Nagoyajo Station (M07)
- Subway Tsurumai Line: Sengencho Station (T05)
- Meitetsu Seto Line: Higashi-ote Station
From Nagoya Station, the usual route is the Higashiyama Subway Line to Sakae, then a change to the Meijo Line to Nagoyajo. The official page does not list a route from Nagoya Station, so please check your navigation app on the day.
Parking
The official page says the Main Gate and East Gate parking is closed from December 29 to January 1. For the rest of the year, check the official page for current details.
Guided tours
The official site lists volunteer guide tours run by Aichi Goodwill Guides Networks, and noted that guided tours would not run from June 22 to September 30, 2026. Check the official page for whether tours have resumed.
If you would like a guide, Viator lists several tours that include the castle (affiliate links). Details are as listed on Viator on October 18, 2026. Prices, times and availability change, so check the booking page.
- Half-day tour (morning): Nagoya Castle and the Toyota museum. About 4 hours, a small group of up to 8 travelers. It meets at 9:00 at the Nagoya Station Tourist Information Center, and the castle and museum admission are listed as included.
- Half-day tour (afternoon): Nagoya Castle and the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park. About 5 hours, meeting at 13:00 at the same place, with admission listed as included. You can cancel up to 6 days ahead for a refund.
- Private highlight tour: Nagoya Castle, Sakae and Osu Kannon. About 6 hours, for your group only, starting at 9:45 at your hotel in central Nagoya or at Nagoya Station. The castle entrance fee (500 yen on the listing, which is lower than the 1,000 yen adult fee on the official page, so it may be an old fee), lunch and transport are shown as separate per-person costs, so read the breakdown before you book.
Combine it with other places in Nagoya
If you want to go inside an original castle keep, see our Inuyama Castle guide.
Nagoya Castle works well as a half-day visit. If you have more time, you could combine it with:
- A day trip to Ghibli Park, which is east of Nagoya. See our access guide.
- Other sights in the city, such as the Tokugawa Art Museum, Atsuta Shrine and Osu, the Port of Nagoya Aquarium and the Toyota museum.
Map
Open these places in Google Maps:
Frequently asked questions
Can I go up the main keep? Not at the moment. The official site says the main keep and some other structures cannot be entered.
How much does it cost? The official page showed 1,000 yen for adults, and students up to junior high school age are free. A fee change was announced from October 1, 2026, so please check before you go.
How long should I allow? We have not timed a full visit yet. Plan on at least a couple of hours if you want to see the Honmaru Palace and the grounds, and arrive before the 16:00 last entry.
Is it closed on any days? Only from December 29 to January 1 according to the official page.