With its famed gilded roof ornamentation portraying kinshachi, Nagoya Castle is the de-facto symbol of the city. Dating back to 1612, the main edifice was reconstructed in 1959 on its original foundation after being destroyed in World War II and now houses a modern museum with a significant escape into its bygone splendor. What was once one of the largest and the most powerful castles of the country, today stands as a monumental vestige carrying the legacy of the Tokugawa family. Flanked by beautifully-designed turrets, a dry inner moat sheltering deer, and a water-filled outer moat, the castle is a marvelous canvas laden with vibrant peonies and cherry blossoms come spring, where melodious songbirds croon into its regal expanse. The castle grounds are home to a multitude of waterfowl, along with the glorious Honmaru Palace, while an arsenal of antiquated gates attests to its magnificent, historic glory.
Located in the very center of the city and standing 180 meters (590 feet) tall, this tower is one of the city's most visible modern landmarks and features observation decks that provide spectacular views of central Japan. Completed in 1954, this tower was the first multipurpose television transmission tower in Japan and continues today to transmit TV programs for a number of different broadcasting companies. It also houses coffee and souvenir shops.
The Sky Promenade Observation Deck is located on the top floor of Midland Square, Nagoya's tallest building. This is Japan's highest open-air observation deck which offers unmatched views of the major landmarks of the city which includes the Nagoya Castle, Nagoya Port and JR Central Towers. The observation deck is mainly frequented by young couples who come here to spend a romantic night together gazing at the stars. Due to the lack of a roof, the observation deck can occasionally be closed due to bad weather conditions.
Tokugawaen or the Tokugawa Garden is a picturesque garden situated in Nagoya, which was built as a part of Lord Mitsutomo Tokugawa's mansion in 1695 spread over 45 acres (18 hectares) of lush green land. The Tokugawa Garden is set along the Ryusenko Lake, adding beauty and diversity to the landscape. This is great habitat for a wide range of fauna, explaining why this is such a popular destination amongst nature lovers and botanists.
One of Nagoya's oldest parks, Tsuruma Park was built in 1909, combining western and traditional Japanese styles of architecture. The western end of the park includes a European-style rose garden and large space fountain, while the eastern end of the park is a Japanese-style flower garden featuring evenly mowed lawns and finely pruned shrubs. Nature lovers from around the country flock in large numbers in spring to witness the beauty of the cherry blossom trees in full bloom.
Constructed in 1991, the Shirotori Garden is a 9.1 acre (3.7 hectares) Japanese Garden which is a tribute to the scenic beauty of Nagoya's vast countryside. The garden contains a hillock in its south-western end, which is a replicate of Mount Ontake, located on the borders of Gifu and Nagano Prefectures. The Shirotori Garden also features a traditional Japanese tea house, for guests who wish to savor some traditional Japanese tea, overlooking lush green lawns and man-made ponds.
The Yamazaki River is one Japan's most picturesque rivers, which runs through the Mizuho-ko ward in Nagoya. During springtime, the river sometimes gets masked by a large number of cherry blossom trees in full bloom which encompasses the banks of the river on two sides. Tourists, photographers, and nature lovers come here from far and wide to witness this sight to behold.
A uniquely-designed Port Building with a 57-meter-tall observatory and museum, cruises allow visitors to view firsthand the harbor that perennially handles the greatest volume of international cargo of any port in Japan. Within walking distance are a modern aquarium, a moored Antarctic exploration ship open as a museum, and an amusement park, as well as various shopping and dining facilities. Various events, including semiannual fireworks displays, are also held here.