A wide array of cherry blossoms from some 900 cherry trees of approximately ten varieties, including Somei Yoshino and weeping, paint the castle area in beautiful pinks and create a stunning spot for spring walks during the Cherry Blossom Festival. While beautiful during the day, the flowers show another side during the nighttime illumination. The mystical myriad of night blossoms act as a truly wondrous complement to Nagoya Castle, portraying it in a way not normally available.
• Period: Thu, Mar 20 (national holiday)–Sun, Apr 6, 2025
• Time: 9:00 am–7:30 pm (gates open until 8:00 pm)
Kinshachi Performances
Entertainment based on the theme of "Food, Fun, and Learning" makes for an exciting time.
• Periods: Thu, Mar 20 (national holiday)–Sun, Apr 6, 2025 and Sat, Apr 26–Tue, May 6 (holiday), 2025
Note:
• Changes and cancelation may occur due to weather and other factors.
Traditional monkey performance
Traditional monkey performances have long had ties to the belief of offering fortune and doing away with misfortune. A monkey and its trainer converse in the language of comedy and play.
• Periods: Thu, Mar 20 (national holiday)–Sun, Apr 6, 2025 and Sat, Apr 26–Tue, May 6 (holiday), 2025 (unavailable Wed, Mar 26; Wed, Apr 2; and Thu, May 1, 2025)
• Time: 10:00 am–5:00 pm
• Place: Ni-no-Maru area, etc.
Note:
• Dates and times may change due to weather and the condition of the monkey.
Special opening of important cultural property Southwest Corner Watchtower
The Southwest Corner Watchtower—one of the three remaining corner watchtowers from the Edo period—is open to the public in a special, limited-time opening.
• Period: Sat, Mar 22–Sun, Mar 30, 2025 and Mon, Apr 28–Tue, May 6 (holiday), 2025
• Time: 9:00 am–4:15 pm (admission until 4:00 pm)
Hori River cruise
Take a cruise along the route from outside Nagoya Castle at Asahi Bridge to Gojo Bridge and Naya Bridge.
• Period: Weekends and national holidays during Sat, Mar 22–Sun, Jun 1, 2025 (cancelation may occur due to water levels)
• Time: Around 9:00 am–5:30 pm (weekday operation times and period lengthened during the Cherry Blossom Festival and consecutive Golden Week holiday)
See the Hori River Cruise site (Japanese) for details.
Nagoya Castle's spring music festival
Music fans are impressed with unique artists like no other as they convene at Nagoya Castle. Live performances full of memories and an rhymes perfect for the spring season aim to please.
• Dates and time: 3:30 pm–7:30 pm; Sat, Mar 29–Sun, Mar 30, 2025
• Location: Ni-no-Maru stage
Commemorative Castle Day Event
In commemoration of Castle Day on April 6, the first 460 guests to arrive may receive an original special Castle Day stamped card not normally available for sale, free of charge.
• Date and time: From 9:00 am; Sun, Apr 6, 2025
• Location: Ni-no-Maru area
Special teahouse opening
A teahouse created as a precursor to the reconstruction of the Main Tower Keep due to its destruction during WWII is specially opened to the public. The teahouse is normally available for paid rental only and used for tea ceremony and haiku poetry gatherings, but during the period below, it is available to view, free of charge.
• Period: Thu, May 1–Mon, May 5 (national holiday), 2025
• Time: 9:00 am–4:00 pm (admission until 3:45 pm)
Note:
• Entry with bare feet not allowed.
Matchlock gun performance
Watch a performance of the old Owari Province's traditional Owari Tatsuke-style Gunnery, handed down through generations. The olden time guns and firing technologies offer a glimpse of the Nagoya area's feudal wartime past.
• Date and time: From 11:30 am and 2:00 pm on Sun, May 4 (national holiday), 2025
• Location: Ni-no-Maru Plaza
• Performers: Nagoya Castle Matchlock Rifle Brigade (Owari Tatsuke-style Antique Gunnery Preservation Society)
Visit springtime Nagoya Castle as many more events are held during the Spring Festival period.
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