First Opening of Nagoya Castle Gates
• Date: Thu, Jan 1 (national holiday), 2026
• Time: From 9:00 am
• Venue: Around the Main Gate (inside the castle)
Nagoya Castle unveils itself for the New Year in 2026! Watch as the castle gates open for the first time in the New Year along with performances by Owari Manzai Imaeda Shachu comedians, the Nagoya Omotenashi Bushotai® warrior brigade, PSJ Princess Samurai of Japan, and Hattori Hanzo and the Ninjas.
Goten Manzai
• Date: Thu, Jan 1 (national holiday), 2026
• Time: From 10:00 am–10:15 am
• Venue: Hommaru Palace's courtyard
• Theatrical group: Owari Manzai Imaeda Shachu
A comedy brigade brings forth good tidings in the new year and sings about the building of Hommaru Palace's construction.
Note:
• Canceled in rainy weather.
Baked confections with torreya nuts (available to the first 100 people, free of charge)
• Date: Thu, Jan 1 (national holiday), 2026
• Time: From 9:00 am
• Venue: Main Gate/East Gate
Nagoya Castle's torreya tree is estimated to be 600 years old and is considered very auspicious. Baked confections with the tree's nuts are available while supplies last. (Support from the Torreya Nut Society.)
Lucky New Year Daruma Papier Mache Gifts (available to the first 758 people at each location, free of charge)
• Date: Thu, Jan 1 (national holiday), 2026
• Time: From 9:00 am
• Venue: Main Gate/East Gate
Receive a papier mache Buddhist Daruma monk decorative gift. Eight winning Golden Darumas are mixed in with 750 normal, red Darumas. Test your luck at the beginning of this new year! (Available while supplies last. Contribution by the Nagoya Castle Promotion Association.)
Nagoya Castle-exclusive New Year Atmosphere with the Theme of "Eat, Play, and Learn"
• Date: Thu, Jan 1 (national holiday)–Tue, Jan 6, 2026
• Time: 9:00 am–4:30 pm
• Venue: Shachi Cafeteria
Ozoni soup with rice cakes mixed in; Nagoya's famous broad kishimen noodles; sweet, low- or non-alcoholic amazake sake; and other warm, original, and traditional Japanese New Year holiday dishes await you at Shachi Cafeteria!
New Year's fun
A game like pin the tale on the donkey and top spinning as well as archery on horseback, block play, and other unique yet traditional New Year holiday fun is sure to put smiles on both young and old alike.
Traditional New Year's Battledore Illustration Workshop
Battledores are said to smack away any evil in traditional Japanese superstition, and the custom of these ornate battledores is said to have begun as a New Year holiday custom within Japan's ancient imperial court. And at Nagoya Castle, you have the chance to make your own, distinct version of one!
Special opening of the important cultural property Southwest Corner Watchtower
• Date: Fri, Jan 2–Thu, Jan 8, 2026
• Time: 9:00 am–4:15 pm (admission until 4:00 pm)
• Venue: Southwest Corner Watchtower
The Southwest Corner Watchtower, one of the three remaining corner watchtowers from the Edo period is open to the public for a limited time.
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