Tokugawa Ieyasu was the man who unified Japan, establishing the Edo shogunate in 1603, and cementing Tokyo’s place as the center of political power within the nation. But he wasn’t always there. His story started in Nagoya.
Ieyasu was born on December 26, 1542, in Mikawa (present-day Aichi Prefecture). It was a time of warring states when warlords whose names are still widely known today were engaged in fierce battles in different parts of the country.
Tokugawa Ieyasu united the country and brought peace to a war-torn land that had fought with itself for nearly 200 years. The Edo period would be one of peace and stability, in contrast to the Sengoku era that preceded it.
Perhaps the two most famous sites in the area you can visit associated with him are:
Nagoya Castle / Nagoya Castle Honmaru Palace
Nagoya Castle, built by order of Ieyasu, was the castle of the Owari Tokugawa family, founded by his ninth son. The Honmaru Goten, which occupies a corner of the castle, is a masterpiece of early modern castle buildings, gorgeously decorated with painted barriers and decorative metal fittings, and is a masterpiece of cutting-edge technology from the Edo period.
Tokugawa Art Museum
The Tokugawa Art Museum houses over 10,000 items, including Ieyasu’s personal belongings and other valuable treasures handed down for generations in the Owari Tokugawa family.
These historic sites add to Nagoya’s popularity.
Experience history and enjoy an extraordinary experience with a wonderful woman, as you explore this beautiful city.
