Old Kaya Tree, Nagoya

The Old Kaya Tree is one of the oldest surviving features on the castle grounds. Standing approximately 16 meters tall and measuring about 8 meters around its base, the tree is believed to be more than 600 years old. It therefore predates Nagoya Castle by roughly two centuries. Officially designated a National Natural Monument, it is also known as the “Victorious Kaya Tree.”

Although the tree was badly damaged during the air raids of 1945, it gradually recovered and continues to grow today, making it a living reminder of both the castle’s early history and its wartime destruction. According to tradition, Tokugawa Yoshinao, the first lord of the Owari Domain, ate nuts from the tree and prayed for victory before departing for the Siege of Osaka. Its nuts were subsequently regarded as auspicious and are said to have been eaten by successive lords of the domain.

Visitors can see the tree shortly after entering the castle grounds through the Main Gate. Its great age is particularly remarkable because it was already mature when construction of Nagoya Castle began in the early 17th century.