Nagoya City Hosa Bunko

Nagoya City Hosa Bunko is a museum and archive that preserves the cultural heritage of the Owari branch of the Tokugawa clan, who ruled the region during the Edo period. The collection includes ancient manuscripts, maps, and scrolls, as well as samurai armor and tea ceremony utensils. Visitors can explore rotating exhibitions that highlight different aspects of Japanese history and art, such as calligraphy or woodblock prints. The museum building itself is a modern structure set within a tranquil garden, offering a quiet retreat from the city. The experience is intimate and scholarly, appealing to those interested in pre-modern Japan. You'll see detailed displays with English labels, and the staff are knowledgeable. The adjacent Tokugawa Garden, a traditional Japanese landscape garden, is often combined with a visit to the bunko.

Don't miss

• Rare manuscripts and ancient maps from the Edo period
• Samurai armor and weaponry on rotating display
• Tea ceremony utensils and calligraphy scrolls
• Peaceful garden setting perfect for reflection

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Nagoya City Hosa Bunko

Cheapest way inNagoya Castle and Local Flavor Samurai Tales and Street Food Walk5★ · 16 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$51 per personSee dates →Best full dayNagoya Highlight Tour guided by a friendly local5★ · 96 travelers~6 hoursFree cancellationFrom$114 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleGuided Tour of Nagoya by Car5★ · 39 travelers5–6 hoursFree cancellationFrom$170 per personSee dates →

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Know before you go

• Allow extra time to explore the adjacent Tokugawa Garden, which is included in some ticket options.
• Photography may be restricted in certain exhibition areas; check signs.
• English labels are provided for most exhibits, but guided tours are in Japanese.
• Lockers are available for small bags; large luggage may not be permitted.

A bit of history

Founded in 1935, Hosa Bunko was established to preserve the extensive collection of the Owari Tokugawa family, one of the three main branches of the Tokugawa shogunate. The collection includes over 100,000 items, including national treasures and important cultural properties.