NAGOYA – JAPAN

Nagoya is located at the center of Honshu (the main island of Japan) with a population of 2.24 million. Nagoya has a long history and is the birthplace of three notable feudal lords, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Traditional industries like ceramics and textiles as well as key modern industries like automobiles, aviation and machine tools have also developed in Nagoya, and Nagoya plays an important role in Japan’s industrial society.

Today, Nagoya continues to draw attention and keeps on developing as a Japanese international city.

1. Location and Transportation

Nagoya is located at the center of Japan, you can quickly and easily reach Nagoya by air or rail.

Nagoya is situated in the very center of Japan, serving as a terminal for public transportation services. Whether enjoying travel in Central Japan or in the Hokuriku region, Nagoya is incredibly convenient as a gateway. Via the Shinkansen bullet train, Kyoto is about 35 minutes away, Osaka about 55 minutes and Tokyo about 100 minutes. Getting to anywhere in Japan is easy from Nagoya.

2. Special Wide – Area Train Pass

JAPAN RAIL PASS : These tickets are an economical way for travelers to explore Japan. They are only sold outside Japan and can be used to ride the Shinkansen bullet train (excluding the Nozomi trains) and regular JR lines. (Unlimited rides)

KINTETSU RAIL PASS : These tickets are convenient for riding Kintetsu, a railway that goes from Nagoya to Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, or Ise-Shima within about 2 hours 30 minutes. These are generally only sold outside Japan and can also be used to ride limited express trains. (Unlimited rides)

3. An important role and a long history

Nagoya has a long history dating back 1900 years, when Atsuta Jingu, which has a close relationship with the legendary people who appear in Kojiki (the oldest history book of Japan), was established. Nagoya is especially defined by its history after the establishment of Nagoya Castle. After a prolonged period of war, Tokugawa Ieyasu was victorious at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. That event marked the start of the Edo period, which lasted for 300 years. Ieyasu, who became the first Shogun (military ruler of Japan), built Nagoya Castle and moved the whole town of Kiyosu, the main city of the region until that point, to Nagoya.

This move was called the “Kiyosu-goe” and occurred in 1614. Following that, the first lord of Nagoya Castle, Tokugawa Yoshinao, improved the infrastructure of Nagoya as a castle city, which contributed to the prosperity of the Owari Tokugawa family. During the rule of the seventh lord, Muneharu, culture, including Noh, Kyogen and tea ceremony, blossomed. Examples of this cultural development, along with items ranging from crafts to books that illustrate the development of Nagoya and the prosperity of the Owari Tokugawa family, are preserved and exhibited at Tokugawa Art Museum.

4. Approaches to nature and the environment

Verdant parks, including Higashiyama Park, which contains a sprawling zoo and botanical gardens, dot Nagoya from the northwest to southwest. Fujimae Tidal Flat, a globally important layover for migratory birds located near the Port of Nagoya, was registered under the Ramsar Convention in November 2002. In addition, Nagoya has taken up the philosophies promoted by Expo 2005 Aichi Japan, which was held from March to September 2005, and continues environmental preservation activities with the goal of becoming “Eco-Capital Nagoya.”

5. Cuisine that combines Eastern and Western (the specialties)

Akamiso (reddish-brown fermented bean paste) is a food ingredient peculiar to Nagoya and its environs. Although its appearance is not appetizing, it is an ingredient with a unique flavor that can be used in preparing a wide variety of dishes. The representative examples are miso-nikomi-udon (Nagoya-style udon served hot in a pot with miso soup) and miso-katsu (fried pork cutlets with rich red miso sauce). People can savor different flavors from those of Tokyo or Osaka and enjoy combinations of ingredients or ways of cooking peculiar to Nagoya. The unique cuisine of Nagoya is closely watched.

6. A beautiful city with history and modernity in harmony

The City of Nagoya held the World Design Expo in 1989, and that experience led Nagoya to further emphasize its aesthetic appearance as well as city infrastructure. The City of Nagoya is trying to become a safe and convenient city while practicing innovation in design that beautifies the whole city and allows its citizens to live comfortably.

For example, night illumination not only makes the city attractive but reduces crime. In 2002, Oasis 21 was established in Sakae, one of the busiest areas in Nagoya. It combines parks, public facilities such as a bus terminal, and commercial facilities. Preservation of historical townscapes, including those of Arimatsu and Shikemichi, is emphasized. In Nagoya, urban design with a historical appearance and modern infrastructure is being pursued.

7. What to See

Taking the subway or the Me~guru bus (sightseeing route bus) makes getting around Nagoya easy and provides access to most tourist facilities. Almost all tourist attractions around the outskirts of Nagoya are also easy to reach by train or bus, even for individual travelers.

9. Nagoya Castle

In 1610, Ieyasu Tokugawa began construction of Nagoya Castle as a castle residence for his son Yoshinao. It was lost to flames during WWII, but the large donjon (approx. 48 m) with golden “shachi” ornaments adorning its roof and the small donjon (approx. 24 m) were rebuilt in 1959. In the large, five-story donjon, sliding door murals which are an important cultural property and historical information are displayed; and on the third to fifth floors, you can see a full-scale replica of a golden shachi ornament, experience the pulling of stones used in the castle’s construction as well as riding in a palanquin, and come to know the sights and sounds of life within the castle and the castle town. Anyone can enjoy themselves as they learn the history of Nagoya Castle and the city it resides in.

The Nagoya Omotenashi Bushotai, a performance group of the famous military figures of Nagoya which served as the model for other such popular groups around Japan, greets visitors at the castle gate every day. They also hold their “omotenashi”, or “entertainment” performances on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays.

*Opening its entrance and posterior Omote Shoin study to the public in May 2013, the reconstruction of the Hommaru Palace currently continues to move forward. The remaining sections are all set to be completed on June 8, 2018.

10. Information on suspension (closing) of admission to the Nagoya Castle donjons

Nagoya Castle’s donjons will be suspending admission to them (closing down) from May 7, 2018 (Mon) due to inspections of and reconstruction to their wooden structures. However, excluding the donjons, admission to Nagoya Castle will continue as normal during the period of suspension.
Period: May 7, 2018 (Mon) to the completion of the donjons’ wooden structures
Area: Nagoya Castle donjons (small/large donjon)

11. Nagoya City Science Museum

by Nagoya guide