Nagoya Castle — The Daimyo's Plot
Uncover the Daimyo's deadly plot that shook Nagoya Castle in 1868. Decipher clues from execution sites, hidden residences, and castle gates to expose the traitors and solve the Aomatsuba conspiracy before it's too late.
📱 1 to 10 phones · 1 team per phone · Independent codes
In the shadow of Nagoya Castle's towering keep, a ruthless purge unfolded from February 13-18, 1868—the Aomatsuba Incident
Nagoya Castle — The Daimyo's Plot
You are a hatamoto, a samurai in direct service to Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, on a critical infiltration mission in Owari domain in 1612.
You arrive in Nagoya as
Uncover the mysteries of Nagoya Castle, Tokugawa fortress where plots were hatched that shaped feudal Japan.
The story that haunts this land
Nagoya Castle rises before you, erected in 1612 by Owari domain on foundations of an ancient Oda clan fortress from the Sengoku period. Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered this construction to monitor western Japan's daimyo, creating a complex of five enclosures protected by outer and inner moats. Kato Kiyomasa, legendary master-builder, erected stone walls totaling 8.2 km in record time, completing the main tower's base in less than three months. This five-story tower, finished in 1615, would become Japan's first National Treasure in 1930.
Hommaru Palace reveals the shogunate administration's secrets. Reconstructed and reopened in stages until June 1, 2018, this main quarter functioned as military installation with the largest floor area among all Japanese main towers. Declared a national historic site after 1945 bombings, it testifies to the Tokugawa power's rigorous organization. In its tatami halls, hatamoto like you received mission orders, scrutinizing Owari territory maps searching for rebellion signs.
The southwest corner tower reveals the castle's defense techniques. The only accessible tower among three situated along double stone walls, it was designed on three floors with ishigaki-otoshi, slits allowing stones to be dropped on approaching enemies. This watchtower and arsenal was guarded even in peacetime, as the Tokugawa knew threats could emerge anytime from western provinces. From its windows, you monitor roads leading to hostile domains.
Ninomaru Garden conceals the castle's secret escape system entrance. This 5,137 m² dry garden divided into north and south zones harbors in its northwest part the vestiges of Uzumi Gate tunnel entrance. This underground passage descended to the moat allowing boat escape to Ofukemaru during attacks. The five artificial mountains and pond islands served as hideouts, while Gobunko library concealed compromising documents about suspect daimyo activities.
Your mission concludes in Meijo Park, surrounding the castle over 80 hectares. Ofuke pond offers complete view of the Tokugawa fortress, allowing you to measure the defensive system's scope designed by Ieyasu. Secret escape routes historically led toward Kisokaidō via Doishita, Kachigawa and Jōkō-ji, creating an escape network only hatamoto knew. Traversing Nagoya, you discovered how the Tokugawa organized their western Japan surveillance, transforming a city into an outpost of their shogunal power.
A game, a guided tour and a heritage guide — all in one
You're not just buying an escape game. You're carrying a living guide — historical anecdotes, forgotten legends, key monuments, hidden architecture — unfolding as you go.
At each stop, places ordinary guides miss — secret façades, sculpted crests, alleys steeped in history.
Every riddle is rooted in a real historical fact or local legend. You leave with dozens of stories to tell.
Learn to read buildings — flamboyant Gothic, Baroque, Art Deco — like a real art historian, while having fun.
Walk through the city like a novel's character — every alley becomes a stage, every square a theatre.
A voice walks with you at every step, tells the story of each place, reads clues, adds a cinematic feel.
Keep access to the guide & game for 1 year. Come back any time, share it with friends.
« You will not leave this city the way you entered it. »
How does it work?
Explore the city on foot solving puzzles based on real historical facts. No locked room — the city is your playground.
No app to download. Play directly from your browser. Guided step by step, at your own pace.
One purchase per phone is enough. Play with family, friends or as a couple — everyone participates.
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears and speaks to you in your language. Golden letters magically write themselves on the wall to reveal the puzzle answer.
Stuck? Progressive personalised hints. The character repeats the puzzle on demand — at your own pace.
French, English, German, Spanish, Italian + 27 other languages auto-translated by AI.
Want to go deeper?
Places tied to your adventure — optional entries, totally up to you · per person
The Route
8 stages through the city
The gameplay: AR, camera, hidden clues
At each stop, open your phone camera: an augmented reality character appears on the façade and speaks your language. Hunt the clue — it materializes as golden letters on the real wall or floats in front of you. When you find it, the phone vibrates, an AR chest opens and reveals your answer fragment. 8 stops, 8 clues to find with the camera, 1 final code.
The stops on your route are a surprise. You'll discover them one by one, guided by your phone, starting from the meeting point.
How does it work with a group?
One phone = one team. Pick the number at checkout (1 to 10).
Solo, or a group sharing the screen. One team, one code.
Family, couple, or 2-3 teams competing. Each phone has its own code and its own score.
Friends, bachelor/bachelorette, small office outing — each their own code, each plays at their own pace. Tiered pricing then €6 flat per phone from the 6th.
- ✓All codes are independent — play at the same time OR separately, each team advances at its own pace.
- ✓Leaderboard between your teams + global game leaderboard — each score appears in the public ranking.
- ✓More than 10 phones or need a personalized quest? Discover custom tours.
Ready to live this adventure?
Get my code · 12€No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒 Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
Practical info
Why this route?
War Strategy
Uncover the military tactics and political maneuvers that decided Japan's fate.
Court Secrets
Unravel the intrigues, secret alliances, and betrayals of rival daimyos.
Ancient Manuscripts
Interpret excerpts from historical documents to advance your investigation.
Power does not await virtue, it is seized.
Become the spy who uncovers the secrets behind Sekigahara.
9 features nobody else has
OddballTrip combines gamified play, augmented reality and AI. All our competitors deliver 1 or 2 of these angles. We deliver all 5.
AR treasure chest
A golden chest floats in front of the monument. Tap → opening animation → reveals a secret message.
AR narrator character
Point your phone at the façade: a knight, witch, monk, sailor, detective or ghost appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language with their dedicated ElevenLabs voice (each character has their own unique voice) — your living guide.
Magic golden letters
At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's the puzzle answer. An unforgettable visual effect.
Written + audio narration
Every puzzle available as text AND voice-over: read at your own pace or listen eyes-free while walking. Great in groups and for accessibility.
360° radar + vibration
A mini-radar shows the target even behind you, and the phone vibrates when you aim in the right direction.
Heritage storytelling
Every puzzle weaves in real historical facts (architecture, era, anecdotes). You learn by playing — like a gamified audioguide.
Progressive AI hints
3 levels of AI-generated help: vibe → where to look → answer format. You're never stuck.
AR selfie memento
At the end of the game, capture a selfie with OddballTrip banner + mascot, shareable on Instagram, TikTok.
Zero app to install
PWA technology: open the link, it plays in your browser. Same quality as an app, no App Store hassle.
Frequently asked questions
Q01Do I need to download an app?
No, never. You get a link, you click, it plays in your browser. That's the point of a PWA: same as an app, without the hassle.
Q02Does it work offline?
GPS yes (handled by your phone). Maps yes (tiles cached). AI and hints need an intermittent 4G connection.
Q03How long does a game take?
1 h 30 to 2 h 30 depending on your pace. The timer runs but only for the leaderboard — you play at your own tempo.
Q04What happens if I'm stuck?
You get 3 levels of hints per puzzle (increasing penalty). If truly stuck, you can skip the step (45-min penalty but you keep going).
Q05What's the age range?
From 12 without an adult, from 6 with an adult reading puzzles. Works for families, couples, friend groups, companies.
Q06What if my city isn't in the catalogue?
Pre-register or contact us — we'll email you as soon as your city is live.
Q07What is augmented reality exactly?
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language. At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's your answer. After each puzzle solved, a treasure chest floats in front of you. Seeing is believing.
Avis des aventuriers
Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience.
Did you play le complot du daimyo? Check the email you received after your game to leave a verified review.
Your turn to play
Uncover the mysteries of Nagoya Castle, Tokugawa fortress where plots were hatched that shaped feudal Japan.
1 purchase = 1 phone. Play several on the same device.
No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
🪙+24 TripCoins granted with your booking
Other escape games in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
See all games in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture→More ideas for self-guided walking tours, scavenger hunts & city quests in the same city
Nagoya Castle — Seal of the Owari Tiger
Uncover the hidden Seal of the Owari Tiger, a lost Tokugawa relic tied to a deadly clan betrayal. Decipher clues across samurai sites to expose the traitor before the curse claims you.
Nagoya Castle — The Shogun's Broken Oath
Decipher the hidden conspiracy behind Ieyasu Tokugawa's strategic betrayal. Uncover the secrets locked within Nagoya Castle's reconstructed walls—where political alliances shattered and a dynasty's true power was forged.
Other escape games in Japon
View Japon→More destinations, tours & urban treasure hunts across the country
Explore other cities in Japon
Kyoto
Japan's ancient soul, where tradition thrives amidst temples and gardens.
Takayama
Little Kyoto of the Japanese Alps
Osaka
Japan's culinary capital, a vibrant blend of tradition and modernity.
Kanazawa
Where samurai heritage meets exquisite gardens and gold
Kobe
Cosmopolitan port, exquisite flavors, and stunning views
Himeji
The White Heron Castle, a masterpiece of Japanese architecture