Nagoya City’s Nakamura Ward is recognized as the birthplace of the warlords Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Kato Kiyomasa. The ward is dotted with place names, historic sites, and historical and cultural resources related to the military commander and Taiko, ruler of Japan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Along this route, the Taiko Hideyoshi Kouro, are monuments to this locally born hero, designed with the concept of inspiring those who wish to accept challenges, advance themselves and succeed in life.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi was born Kinoshita Tokichiro, a low-ranking samurai in Nakamura Ward, Nagoya City. Along with Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu, Hideyoshi was one of the Three Unifiers of Japan. He served as a general under Oda Nobunaga. When Nobunaga was killed by the traitorous Akechi Mitsuhide in the Honno-ji Incident of 1582, Hideyoshi sought revenge, defeating Mitsuhide. From there, Hideyoshi continued his fallen master’s dream of unification, and went on to become Taiko, ruler of Japan. His rise from a lowly Warring States period foot soldier to master of the realm has encouraged many to follow in his footsteps.
The Taiko Hideyoshi Kouro follows a route from Nagoya Station to Nakamura Koen. Along the route are monuments explaining Hideyoshi’s life story, from his humble birth to becoming one of the Three Unifiers, and ruler of Japan. Each monument is shaped like Nagoya Castle’s stone keep base, and features reliefs of Hideyoshi’s remarkable road to success, based on the popular Edo period illustrated book, Ehon Taikoki, Hideyoshi’s Diary in Pictures.
The Tsubaki Shinmeisha was named for its precincts’ many camellia trees.
An iconic 24.2m high torii gate with 2.4m diameter pillars marking the approach to Nakamura Koen.
A history museum displaying a collection of materials related to the NakamuraWard, Nagoya City born military commanders, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Kato Kiyomasa.
A Buddhist temple rebuilt by Kato Kiyomasa on the site of his birthplace and featuring monuments to Kiyomasa.
This temple was built and dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi together with Kato Kiyomasa and Enjuin Nichiju Shounin.
A shrine dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and recognized as a patron shrine for success and luck.
The park features a gourd shaped pond, designed after Hideyoshi’s multi-gourd battle standard.
Specializing in hot piquant noodles. Served with a variety of additional ingredients for moderately piquant and hot, spicy piquant noodles.
Don't miss the cafe au lait, served using a stepladder and poured into the cup from the height of the ceiling!
A café styled cake shop much loved by the locals. MONTPAR offers a mild sweet tasting range of desserts.
A cozy Izakaya where you can enjoy the famous “boobs tofu”, also crispy pork skewers and abundant varieties of local sake.
A long-established traditional Japanese confectionery store in front of the Great Torii gate. The specialty sweets are “Ohagi” and the famed “Hou Taiko Monaka”.
A traditional Japanese confectionery store founded in 1912. In addition to traditional Japanese sweets, sweets using fruits are also popular.
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