Born in 1558 as the third son of Oda Nobunaga. In February 1568, when Nobunaga pacified northern Ise Province, Nobutaka was sent as adopted heir to Kanbe Tomomori, a powerful local lord of northern Ise, and married Tomomori's daughter, Suzuyo-hime — part of Nobunaga's characteristic policy of installing sons as adopted heirs to absorb local houses. In 1580, having consolidated his hold over the domain, Nobutaka undertook a major renovation of Kanbe Castle, rebuilding it into an early-modern fortress with a five-story keep and numerous turrets. At the time of the Honnoji Incident in June 1582, Nobutaka was stationed at Sakai preparing for a campaign against Shikoku. Amid the chaos he killed his untrustworthy relative Tsuda Nobuzumi to secure his position, then supported Hashiba Hideyoshi at the Battle of Yamazaki. He was excluded from the Kiyosu Conference but was granted Mino Province and Gifu Castle. Chafing at Hideyoshi's growing power, he allied with Shibata Katsuie, rising in revolt in April 1583, but after Katsuie's defeat and death at the Battle of Shizugatake, his Gifu Castle was surrounded by Hideyoshi's forces and surrendered. Sent to Anyo-in in Noma, Owari, he was forced to commit suicide at age 26. His death poem — 'Since ancient times my lord has been the sea of Noma; await your retribution, Hashiba Chikuzen' — conveys his deep resentment toward Hideyoshi.

Among Nobunaga's sons, he showed considerable martial spirit and was an energetic domain administrator, as seen in his major renovation of Kanbe Castle. Yet in the political maneuvering after the Honnoji Incident he struggled — notably being outmaneuvered by his brother Nobukatsu at the Kiyosu Conference — and ultimately lost his life in conflict with Hideyoshi. The intense resentment toward Hideyoshi expressed in his death poem speaks to his fiery temperament.

The keep foundation and stone walls of the Kanbe Castle that Nobutaka substantially rebuilt still stand today in Suzuka, Mie, and the site has been designated a National Historic Site and a Sequel 100 Fine Castle. The prosperity of Kanbe as a post town on the Ise pilgrimage road also traces back to his rule. As a tragic warrior who met a violent end in his struggle against Hideyoshi, he remains an essential figure in the story of the Battle of Shizugatake.