Shobata Castle (勝幡城)
Let's start with the place where Nobunaga was born, Shobata Castle.Shobata Castle was built by Oda "Danjo no Jo" Nobusada, Nobunaga's grandfather, during the Eisho period (1504-1521).
Nobusada was a younger brother of Oda Toshinobu, lord of Iwakura Castle, who first served as lord of Oguchi Castle and then as lord of Kinoshita Castle, but built and resided in Shobata Castle until his death in the first year of Kyōroku. Nobuhide, the eldest son of Nobusada, was born in this castle in Eisho 5, and succeeded his father as the third bugyō of the Owari governor.
According to the Bishūkojōshi (尾州古城志), that defined the birthplaces of many famed samurai of Aichi, Nobunaga was born there in 1534.
This castle was a vital spot for Nobuhide's clan, as it covered the rich area of Tsushima, associated the famous temple and the port city. In popular culture, Nobunaga was a fan of its Tenno Matsuri, and would attend it with his family regularly.
This castle would be abandoned in 1538 as Nobuhide moved to Suemori Castle with his retinue.
Nagoya Castle (那古野城)
Nobuhide got hold of Nagoya Castle, and later on he would assign it to Nobunaga, appointing Hirate Masahide, a faithful vassal, as the guardian of the castle.According to different sources, Nobuhide occupied Nagoya Castle on 1532 or 1538.
Originally it was called Yaginomaru (柳ノ丸) and was built in Daiei era by Imagawa Ukijika as his residence. Nobuhide took it from Imagawa Ujitoyo and claimed it his own, renaming it Nagoya (or Nagono) Castle. The supporter of the 1532's theory said that Nobuhide placed Shobata Castle under the control of his vassal Muto Yuumasa (?武藤雄政) and used Nagoya Castle to keep in check the Imagawas.
Many assumed that because of this, Nagoya Castle was where Nobunaga was born, but given its delicate position, it's improbable that Lady Dota and her sons lived there with Nobuhide, suggesting that the Shobata Castle, deep in Nobuhide's hometown, was way more secure for the safety of his family.
As this was the place were Nobunaga spent the most of his youth, it was indeed an important and formative spot.
The training along the Shonai river, the fooling around along the streets of the city-- It's something engraved in the attitude and personality of Nobunaga, a man tied to water, port cities and bustling temple markets since his youngest days.
Among other places in Nagoya that are worth a mention, I'd like to remember Ryounji (凌雲寺), a Buddhist temple of Myoshinji sect, associated to the Rinzai School.
The temple was built by one of Nobunaga's uncles, Tsuda Nobumitsu of Inabaji Castle, and Nobunaga attented lessons here during his formation as the heir of the clan. This guy was the same Oda Nobumitsu who would help Nobunaga grab Kiyosu Castle in 1555.
Furuwatari Castle (古渡城)
Another important place to mention in Nobunaga's youth is Furuwatari Castle.This castle was built by Nobuhide around 1534, as a strategic spot to keep in place the Imagawas. It must be noted that as he moved here from Nagoya, likely, he brought Lady Dota and Nobuyuki with him.
As the castle of the head of the clan, this is where Nobunaga had his coming of age ceremony when he was 13 years old.
Later one this castle would be abandoned as Nobuhide would move permanently to Suemori Castle.
It's interesting to see this attitude of Nobuhide, the way he changed his residence around his domain as he needed to face new, different threats. This wasn't so obvious, as local warlord would keep a single castle all their life as their residence. This suggested how troubled the Owari province was because of its rowdy neighbours.
It's important to notice how Nobunaga would inherit this trait from his father, as he would move his residence around according to political and military needs, too.
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