Hommaru Palace, Nagoya

Hommaru Palace, located at the heart of Nagoya Castle, was an architectural masterpiece designed as the living quarters for the castle's lord and later for the shogun. Surrounded by formidable keeps and watchtowers, the palace stood as a testament to both the military strength and cultural sophistication of the Tokugawa shogunate. Constructed from high-quality hinoki wood, a prized fragrant cypress, the palace was lavishly adorned with colorful paintings on pure gold leaf. These paintings depicted tigers, leopards, auspicious birds, animals, plants, and flowers, making the interior of Hommaru Palace a visual feast.

The palace's grandeur was so impressive that Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, commissioned a similar structure in Kyoto, though it was considered inferior to the Nagoya palace. A year after the palace's completion, Tokugawa Yoshinao, Ieyasu's son and the first lord of Nagoya, moved to another luxurious residence in the second citadel, declaring that the Hommaru Palace would be reserved exclusively for shogunal visits. This decree led to the palace being used only about five times over the next 250 years, which helped preserve its pristine condition. Following the end of Japan’s feudal period, the palace served as a summer residence for three Emperors between 1893 and 1930.

Tragically, Hommaru Palace was destroyed during the air raids of 1945, a loss felt deeply due to its historical and cultural significance. Fortunately, many important artworks were saved by being moved to storage before the bombing. The palace is being reconstructed using traditional methods and materials to restore its former glory. The reconstruction has been carried out in phases, with the first part opening to the public in 2013, the second in June 2016, and the entire palace completed in 2018. The restored Hommaru Palace now serves as a vivid reminder of the rich history and artistry of Japan's Edo period, attracting visitors from around the world.