Nagoya Castle Autumn Festival

Nagoya Castle Night Illumination: Be GOLD
- September 19 (Sat) – October 4 (Sun)
- October 18 (Sun) – 24 (Sat)
Lighting hours / 17:00–20:00

This is a nighttime event featuring light productions throughout the entire Nagoya Castle grounds—including the castle keep, stone walls, and Ninomaru Garden—centered on the theme of the “gold” culture passed down at Nagoya Castle. By combining projection mapping, lasers, lighting, and mist effects, visitors can experience a new side of Nagoya Castle where history and modern technology come together.

Click here for details

MEIJO NIGHT LOOP
A Nighttime Journey Through Meijo, Expanding in Circles

Friday, October 23 / Saturday, October 24
18:00–21:00

Packed with attractions that will make you want to stroll through the Meijo area at night.

Around the lawn plaza of Meijo Park, the main venue, there will be drink bars serving wine and more, a DJ booth, art spaces of light and shadow, and photo spots. You can also enjoy a four-color postcard stamp rally visiting illuminated events in the surrounding area.

Special Public Opening of the Honmaru Palace
- Saturday, September 19 to Saturday, October 24: 9:00–19:30 (last admission 19:00)
- From Monday, October 5 to Saturday, October 17: 9:00–16:30 (last admission 16:00)

At the entrance to the Honmaru Palace of Nagoya Castle, tigers—mythical beasts from foreign lands that overawe visitors—are depicted. Please experience the dynamism of the bamboo grove and tigers that extends continuously around all four sides in a room that is not normally open to the public.

Grand Bon Odori Festival
Saturday, September 19 – Wednesday, September 23 (National Holiday), and Thursday, October 22 – Saturday, October 24
17:30–19:10

Following the Nagoya Castle Summer Festival, we will hold a grand Bon Odori dance event using a wooden yagura tower! With the illuminated castle keep as a backdrop, let’s enjoy the excitement together with visitors from overseas. On these long autumn nights, we offer a special opportunity for交流 that transcends borders through dance.

Cooperation
Nagoya City Regional Women’s Organizations Liaison Council (Saturday, September 19 – Sunday, September 20)
Japan Folk Dance Research Association (Monday, September 21 [national holiday] – Wednesday, September 23 [national holiday], Thursday, October 22 – Saturday, October 24)

Mega Hits Bon Dance
Sunday, September 27, 18:00–19:30
Canceled in case of rain (if it rains on Sunday, September 27, postponed to Monday, September 28)

We’re holding “Mega Hits Bon Odori,” a new-style Bon dance where everyone dances to mega-hit songs that everybody knows. Let’s get excited together across borders and generations to a mix of classic J-pop and Western hits spun by DJs!

Concept and Direction: Yuichi Kishino
Performers: Chinbantei Gorakushisho (DJ waterdamage), Yakenohara, FUYUSO, Natsutaro Natsujiro, Tsunori Ebashi

JAPANESE CULTURE EXPERIENCE
The real thing, at Nagoya Castle.
Saturday, September 19 – Sunday, October 4; Sunday, October 18 – Saturday, October 24

You can learn about and experience various aspects of Japanese culture, including those of Nagoya and the Owari region. Try your hand at traditional craftsmanship techniques, or put on samurai armor for a commemorative photo.
Stroll through the castle grounds in a kimono. For each of these three cultural experiences, we offer both an “Authentic Course” and an “Easy Course.”
At Nagoya Castle, which has stood alongside the city of Nagoya for 400 years, we invite you to enjoy the “authentic culture” that still lives and breathes in this city today.

Reservations can be made here.
Advance reservations are recommended, and some activities are also available for same-day participation.

Neo Japanesque, a mixed Japanese and Western instrument band
Tuesday, September 22 (Holiday) 11:00–

Please enjoy a delicate yet powerful performance of cover songs and original compositions by a mixed Japanese and Western instrumental band featuring wadaiko drums, shinobue flute, and shakuhachi.

Hirabari Kiyari Ondo
Wednesday, September 23 (Holiday) from around 18:00
Sunday, November 8 at 10:30 and 13:00

The Hirabari Kiyari Ondo has been designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Nagoya City and is said to preserve the kiyari work song tradition from the construction of Nagoya Castle.

Performance:
Hirabari Kiyari Ondo Preservation Society

Street Performance Art October 25 (Sun) – November 23 (Mon, holiday)

Please enjoy this autumn festival–exclusive street performance by sophisticated street performers.

79th Nagoya Castle Chrysanthemum Exhibition
Tuesday, October 27 – Thursday, November 19, 9:00–16:30

One of the largest chrysanthemum exhibitions in the area. The venue stretching from the main gate is adorned with masterpieces of chrysanthemums lovingly cultivated by enthusiasts.

Traditional Performing Art: Monkey Show Performance
October 29 (Thu) – November 23 (Mon, national holiday)

“Monkey performance,” a traditional Japanese performing art long cherished as a symbol of good fortune. Since ancient times, monkeys have been entrusted with people’s many wishes, such as bringing good luck and warding off evil. These auspicious monkeys and their performers will delight everyone with perfectly synchronized banter, comedic retorts, and street-performance acts such as handstands and stilts, bringing you laughter, joy, and happiness!

Please note that performance dates and times may change depending on the weather or the monkeys’ condition.


Display regarding animal handling business
Name | Monkey Enterprise Co., Ltd. Location | 1-1 Honmaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya City Type of animal handling business | Exhibition Registration number | No. 031142 Registration date | March 18, Reiwa 4 (2022) End of registration validity period | March 17, Reiwa 9 (2027) Name(s) of animal handling manager(s) | Yuria Suzuki, Tsuyoshi Oikawa, Mika Yamada, Honoka Koide, Tatsuki Nakagaki, Tomoki Kubo

Inuyama Tourism PR Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1 10:00–15:00

Wan-maru-kun, a familiar face from Inuyama Castle Town, makes an appearance at Nagoya Castle. A popular commemorative photo opportunity too!

Cooperation
Inuyama Tourism Promotion Council

Important Cultural Property Southwest Corner Turret Special Opening

October 31 (Sat) – November 8 (Sun) 9:00–16:15 (Last admission 16:00)

Of the three corner turrets remaining from the Edo period, the southwest corner turret will be open to the public for a limited time. Please take this opportunity to visit it.

Entertainment Stage　Sunday, November 1, 11:00–16:00

Young members of the following four groups, each aiming to be “the best in Japan” in their respective fields, will come together. We hope you enjoy it.

Performers
Owari Manzai Imaeda Company / Minyo Group Pure / Oharu Taiko Preservation Society / Sakuradai High School Brass Band Club

Let’s Walk! The Cultural Path — The Fragrance of Culture Presented by Kinjo Students
Tuesday, November 3 (Holiday) 10:00–12:00

A stage performance by students of Kinjo Gakuin. At Nagoya Castle, where the autumn leaves are deepening in color, please enjoy a moment immersed in the fragrance of culture!

Performers
Kinjo Gakuin Drama Club, Karate Club, Calligraphy Club

Bo no Te
Sunday, November 8, 11:00– / 13:30–

“Bō-no-te” is a traditional folk performing art that turns Japanese martial arts such as swordsmanship, staff techniques, and naginata techniques into dance. Aichi Prefecture has inherited a rich culture of Bō-no-te.

Performance by
Aichi Prefecture Federation for the Preservation of Bō-no-te
Inba Tōgun-ryū

71st National Ranchu Appreciation Exhibition
Sunday, November 8, around 10:00–15:00

One variety of goldfish is the “ranchu.” This is a judging show where ranchu are evaluated according to various standards, such as their graceful swimming姿, charming movements, color and luster, well-balanced body, and large, fully spread tail.

Matchlock gun demonstration
Sunday, November 15, 11:30– / 14:00–

The matchlock gun, introduced from Europe to East Asia in the 16th century. The sight of gunpowder being loaded and, at the signal “Fire!”, a roar like a furious shout ringing out all at once is truly spectacular.

Performers
Nagoya Castle Teppo-tai (Owari Tatsuke-ryu Preservation and Research Society for Traditional Gunnery), Morishige-ryu Gunnery Morishige Minzo Tradition Shimazu School Ouka-tai

Tea Room Special Opening

Thursday, November 19 – Monday, November 23 (National Holiday) 9:00–16:00 (last admission 15:45)

After the war, a tea room built as a forerunner to the reconstruction of the castle tower will be specially opened to the public. It is usually rented out as a paid facility and used for tea gatherings and haiku meetings, but during this period it can be visited free of charge.

Nagoya Omotenashi Busho-tai 17th Anniversary Festival
Monday, November 23 (National Holiday)
Merchandise Sales / 10:00–　Full Team Performance / 14:45–

All 10 members of the warrior squad will be deployed! There will be martial performances and sales of limited-edition merchandise.

Featuring
Nagoya Omotenashi Busho-tai

Nagoya Horikawa Cruise
Mainly on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from September 19 (Sat) to November 23 (Mon, holiday)
Around 10:00–16:30

There are two routes connecting the boarding points from “Nagoyajo-mae (Asahibashi),” just steps from Nagoya Castle, to “Nayabashi,” and to “Gojobashi,” near Shikemichi and the Endoji Shopping Street. There are also special cruises featuring members of the Nagoya Omotenashi Busho-tai and casts from Nagoya-za, as well as night cruises!
For details, please check the official website.
Contact | Higashiyama Garden Co., Ltd. 052-659-6777

We are seeking records of the current main keep of Nagoya Castle.

As a symbol of postwar reconstruction and one that has long played a major role as the symbol of our city, we are collecting images, videos, episodes, and other materials related to the current main keep of Nagoya Castle in order to preserve its value in recorded form and pass that value on to future generations.

Please check the information regarding the call for submissions on the submission page.

Children’s Fast Track: Friday, November 27 – Sunday, November 29

At the queue for entering the Honmaru Palace, a priority lane will be provided for children of elementary school age and younger, pregnant women, and their families.
Depending on congestion, it may close earlier than scheduled.

“Children’s Fast Track” is an initiative to make it easier for families raising children to use various facilities by giving priority access to children and pregnant women.

Nishinomaru Okura Castle Treasure Museum Special Exhibition
“Conveying Cultural Properties 2026”
August 29 (Sat) – September 27 (Sun) (Last admission 16:00)

We introduce the things that have been preserved and passed down by the citizens, as well as those handed down at Nagoya Castle.

Special Exhibition Commemorating the 5th Anniversary of the Opening of the Nishinomaru Okura Castle Treasure Museum
“Shachi Adorned in Gold”
October 1 (Thu) – November 29 (Sun) (Last admission 16:00)

Beginning with the shibi and the gold-leaf shachi roof tiles, which are the roots of the golden shachihoko, this exhibition explores the true nature of the Nagoya Castle golden shachihoko through displays of prewar illustrations, photographs, and drawings, as well as actual scale materials, while also incorporating the latest research findings.

Nagoya Castle Learning Venue “Shirokoya”
What kind of castle was Nagono Castle?
Friday, November 13, 18:00–20:00

What kind of castle was Nagono Castle, the predecessor of Nagoya Castle? This introduction is based on the results of archaeological excavations.

Lecturer: Masaki Suzuki (Senior Research Investigator, Aichi Prefectural Archaeological Center)
Fee: 500 yen (Nagoya Castle admission fee required separately)
Capacity: 35 people
How to apply: Advance application via the Dai Nagoya University website

Kumamoto Castle Support Illumination & Fundraising
Saturday, September 19 – Sunday, October 4; Sunday, October 18 – Saturday, October 24
(excluding Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27) 20:00–23:00

As an initiative to send our support from Nagoya to the people of Kumamoto affected by the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake and to Kumamoto Castle, we will conduct a special support illumination for Kumamoto Castle. In addition, donation boxes will continue to be available at the General Information Center and other locations, and we would appreciate your cooperation.