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Castle - Tower - Shrine tour in Nagoya
This tour includes the following spots, Nagoya Castle, Sakae - Oasis 21, and Atsuta Shrine. We visit two historical sites and modern commercial site. The castle was built about 400 years ago, Sakae is commercial and modernized area in Nagoya city, and then Atsuta shrine which was founded 1900 years ago. So we travel to view ancient style of building, Modern structures and then the building which represents the warring states period like time travel.
Meeting Point
Near the Golden Clock on the square near the Sakuda Dori exit of Nagoya Station
Gold clock square in Nagoya station
Nagoya station is one of the busiest stations in Japan and also in the world. When you come out from exclusive ticket gate of Shinkansen passengers, turn right and go straight to head for Sakura-dori exit. At almost end of the exit, you will find Golden clock stands on wide square in the station. That is the meeting spot.
Atsuta Shrine
It is one of Shinto-religious places . Atsuta Shrine was founded about 1,900 years ago. Presently, it is said that there are 88,000 shrines are located in Japan and Atsuta shrine is one of the greatest ones next to Ise shrine. Three treasures, a mirror, a jewel and a sword work as a regalia to be Emperor, and the sword called Kusanagi-no-tsurugi is enshrined there. Since this shrine is mythologically connected with sword, there is a museum called Treasure Hall in the precinct. Over there, many swords, artistic carvings, ritual cloths, paintings are picked out and displayed among 6,000 articles. We will enter this museum and look around the displays.
Sakae
Sakae is the commercial and business area. Just like Ginza in Tokyo. Department stores, brand shops, news media and arts and museum buildings are centered. When we arrive there, we go up to top of Oasis 21 using elevator and look around the area. In Paris, as they have Eyeful tower, we have Nagoya TV tower near the building. Actually, a view of the tower and the street called Hisaya Odori from ground level looks like Champs Elysses in Paris. As the center of Nagoya city, the present modern world of the city can be observed. In the bottom of Oasis 21, various kinds of food restaurants are located and we will have lunch there.
Nagoya Castle
In early 17 century, this castle was owned by the powerful feudal lord - Yoshinao Tokugawa - who is closely related to Shogun. Over there you can enjoy taking photos in front of Castle Tower, and you can enter into the Honmaru Palace and see the inside beauty. Most of the buildings in Nagoya castle were burnt down during WWII and rebuild in 1959. At present, the castle tower has been temporary closed to for restration using the original material - Hinoki Cypress (The present one was made of concrete). But don't be disappointed for this closure. Although Many people think that castle was the building where feudal lord stayed and worked to control the area every day, the fact is not. Most castle towers in Japan existed as the last foothold when a battle happens, and was used only to store weapons and show dignity to local people in peace time. On the other hand, Honmaru palace which is open now is the place where feudal lord and his retainers used every day.
Compared with Himeji castle or Nijo castle, you might think that this palace does not possess historical value because it is not a existing building. However, fortunately they kept many informative materials such as drawing, pictures, photos and written documents and interior decorations and furnishings in the strongly protected storehouse because the original castle existed until 1945. So Nagoya city successfully restored Honmaru Palace using the same material and same technique in 2016. The same efforts were applied to every ornaments and decorations too. So, they are the exactly same as the original ones. In addition, since this building is a brand new, not only outside view but also every interior and artistic decorations holds glory and vivid colors. So, I could say that you are watching the same view as samurai then would have seen. It may too much to say but you might feel like you travel back to 400 years ago.
Nagoya JR station
The tour ends.
Ending Point
The same as above. Or the guests can leave wherever they want to end the tour.
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide Fee only
The Guide's Commute Fee between home and meeting/departing point: 1920 yen for round trip
Transportation Fee ( you and guide ): total transportation charge will be 920 yen/person
Admission for Nagoya Castle (500 yen/person)
Admission for Sword Museum in Atsuta Shrine (500 yen/person)
Lunch
Please cover the above transportation and admission for the guide and yourself ( lunch cost for the guide is up to you )
( These charges will be settled at the meeting place. )
Tour Important Information
There are some precautions in each spot.
For example, at Honmaru Palace in Nagoya Castle:
1) Please take off your shoes at the entrance, and bring them to shoes locker room inside.
2) For those with bare feet or stockings, please use the slippers provided at the entrance.
3) Please leave suitcases and large luggage items in refundable coin-lockers near the shoes-locker room.
4) For a rucksack carrier, please wear it on your front.
5) Please do not touch any interiors.
6) You can take photos without flash.
7) Please refrain from violent action that may cause damage to the building.
8) Food, drink and smoking are not allowed inside
9) Using mobile phone is prohibited indoor.
10) Wheelchair access is to the north of the palace. It is recommended to switch to a special interior-use wheelchair provided at the palace.
In other places, the guide will inform you of a precaution on each spot if there is.
Children must be older than 12 years when the guest comes with them, as those spots are cultural legacies which would be in serious trouble if they are damaged.
Important message from the guide
If you need my guide in areas unlisted here, please indicate a particular location in your inquiry. If the area is where I already experienced, I would be delighted to guide you after consent between us in regard to date, price and any other special conditions.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Aichi Tour Reviews
Laura A.
Magome and Tsumago Walking Tour with English speaking guide
Customized
“Amazing trip to Nakasendo trail”
Tetsuya was very helpful from the get go. He make sure to gather as much information about the trip as possible to ensure that the day will run smoothly. He provided information and alternatives throughout the day, and is very knowledgeable about the area. He made sure the trip was amazing and it was! We will definitely come back and have Tetsuya san guide around the area!
Tetsuya T.
(9 reviews)Laura-san, Thank you very much for warm and wonderful message. It has been quite a while to walk through Magome mountain pass after covid-19. Weather was unstable, sometimes rain and sometimes cloudy. But anyway I am gland that everything went smoothly and had chances to see you around in those areas. In your comment, the trip was amazing. Thankful to you but I have to tell you actually your kids were amazing because they walked through Magome mountain pass that spans 8 km distance in mountain road without delay. Every time I answered questions from local people and even drivers how to get to Tsumago, they all were surprised at such young children walked through the road. You all helped me to get success in this tour. Once again thank you very much for your ordering this tour and hope to come back Japan again to view other areas, hopefully, with my guiding. Till then, good luck.
Saiyu T.
Ise Shrine Tour (Geku, Naiku and Meotoiwa) - Long version
“Great guide!”
The tour with Tetsuya-San was great! The Ise shrines are very beautiful and have a certain majesty to them.
Tetsuya T.
(9 reviews)Thank you for your comment and hope you enjoy the rest of your tour Tetsuya
Richard H.
Ise Shrine and Pearl Tour - Ideal for Cruise ship's guests
“Excellent tour of a truly amazing part of Japan”
We met Tetsuya immediately after disembarking from our ship. He guided us to a train station 10 minutes away and navigated us easily on trains and buses throughout the day - without which we would have had to hire a taxi likely costing $500 more! We visited Ise Jingu Naiku Shrine, Japan's most sacred shrine. Tetsuya, who spoke excellent English, guided us through all the appropriate etiquette: - bowing before going under an arch entrance - purging and cleansing our hands and mouths - throwing a coin into the offering area, bowing and clapping twice We visited the Isuzu river (the truck company is named after the river) and our daughter paddled in the river. We enjoyed wonderful shave ice. Finally we went to the Pearl museum where we learned about cultured pearl making and female pearl divers. Overall we would highly recommend Tetsuya as a guide. He was very knowledgeable, patient and has great communication skills.
Tetsuya T.
(9 reviews)Thank you very much for warm and thoughtful comment. I am glad to hear that you have enjoyed the tour, and I appreciate your patience in hot and humid weather of the day. On behalf of your daughter, I have to add to the comment that though she dipped her feet in the river - she didn’t paddle, it is the down stream and away from the Uji bridge where it is out of Naiku precinct. So, it is said that some local people sometimes swim over there. I am glad that she could directly touch the nature of the city. It was rare to see not so many tourists are walking around the Shrine as well as Oharai-machi and Okageyokocho areas. Perhaps that is because of this heat and just after three consecutive holidays. This circumstances enabled us to walk smoothly and take some photos just under the steps leading to the Main Sanctuary and near the river and bridge without worrying about passersby. I hope this tour gave you and your family good memories. Though you might have had difficulty in viewing Ama diving show in Mikimoto due to many spectators seated in front of us, please try to consider it is better than open air stand in the summer time, as our room was air-conditioned well. Again thank you very much for being my guests and I hope you will return to your country safely. Bon voyage ! Tetsuya T
