Tokugawa Yoshinao, who is the ninth son of Tokugawa Ieyasu and the ancestor of the Owari branch of the Tokugawa Clan, founded the Nagoya Toshogu Shrine on September 17, 1619. He governed the Owari province, which is located at west side of the Aichi Prefecture. It is recorded that the Nagaya Castle, which is located in the Aichi Prefecture and has remained in beautiful shape, was built for Yoshinao Tokugawa by Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Owari Clan, originated by Tokugawa Yoshinao, controlled the Owari Province during the Edo period. The Owari branch of the Tokugawa clan is one of the Gosanke (three honorable houses of the Tokugawa).

The beginning of this shrine was built in the domain of Nagoya castle. The honden (main building) and the rest of the buildings were marvelous and worthy of the Gosanke. After the Edo period, the Nagoya Toshogu Shrine was ordered to transfer outside of the domain of Nagoya Castle by the Meiji Government.

This shrine used to be designated as a national treasure during the period of Showa (1926-1989). Since the 3-year anniversary of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s death, the Nagoya Toshogu Shrine has held the magnificent Toshogu Festival on April 17th every year. In the festival, around 6800 people encompass the mikoshi (portable shrine) and dashi (low platform on wheels with various decorations to be carried in festivals). It is said there were nine mikoshi and dashi and people carried them in order to worship a god. Unfortunately, because of World War II, the buildings that were originally constructed were destroyed. The place where the Nagoya Toshogu Shrine is currently located is at the mausoleum of Yoshinao Tokugawa’s wife, and the festival is still held every year.