The Main Gate of the Owari Tokugawa Residence
The Tokugawaen Black Gate (徳川園黒門) is the main gate of the Owari Tokugawa family's Nagoya residence of 1899 in Tokugawacho, Higashi Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on October 7, 2014 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a timber gate 3.6 metres wide with a tiled roof and a wicket door; registration number 23-0403.
A Three-Bay Yakuimon of Zelkova
The Black Gate of Tokugawaen was built as the main gate of the Owari Tokugawa family's Nagoya residence; it is a broad three-bay gate of the yakuimon type framed in thick zelkova, with walls running from either side and a gatehouse range to the north (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
According to the Aichi Prefecture tourism site, Tokugawaen began as the Ozone residence where Tokugawa Mitsutomo, the second lord of Owari, retired, and became a residence of the Owari Tokugawa family in 1889; the family gave it to Nagoya City in 1931, and it opened to the public the next year.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
Look for the thick zelkova frame and the walls and gatehouse range on either side (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Nagoya City (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to the Aichi Prefecture tourism site, Tokugawaen is open from 9:30 to 17:30 (last entry 17:00), closed on Mondays (open on public holidays) and from December 29 to January 1; admission is 300 yen for adults and free for junior high school students and younger; tel. 052-935-8988. The six registered structures are introduced together on the Tokugawaen page.
Q&A
- When was the gate built?
- In 1899 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What was it originally?
- The main gate of the Owari Tokugawa family's Nagoya residence.
- What type of gate is it?
- A broad three-bay yakuimon.
- What is it now?
- The main gate of Tokugawaen, known as the Black Gate.
- When was the Tokugawaen Black Gate registered?
- On October 7, 2014 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Tokugawaen Black Gate (徳川園黒門) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1001 Tokugawacho, Higashi Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2014/10/07 (Heisei 26) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, tiled roof, 3.6 m wide, with wicket door |
| Owner | Nagoya City |
| Public Access | Tokugawaen 9:30–17:30, closed Mondays, adults 300 yen (Aichi Prefecture) |
References
- Tokugawaen Black Gate (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010155
- Tokugawaen (Aichi Samurai Garden site, Japanese)
- https://aichinow.pref.aichi.jp/samurai_garden/spot/detail/01/
Last verified: 2026.10.24
