Nagoya

Nagoya, Japan

In the 16th century, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, three powerful warlords in Japanese history based in the Nagoya area, finally unified Japan.

Today, Nagoya is Japan's 4th largest city and the capital of Aichi Prefecture. It does not look as posh as its big brothers like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, but there's an unpretentious, friendly and soothing edge to the little yearling.

Getting around

• Nagoya Castle

  The symbol of Nagoya traces its origins back to 1612. It was destroyed in a conflagration during World War II but was renovated in 1959. Two golden dolphin statuettes adorn its roof. Visitors can have a tea party in one of the many tea houses.

• Atsuta-jingu

  The 1900-year-old shrine is the oldest of the kind in Japan. It houses the sacred grass-cutting sword which it was believed was presented to Japan’s imperial family by the Sun Goddess. Sacrificial rituals take place from early May to early June.

• Tokugawa-en

  Water reigns supreme in this typical Japanese garden built in the 17th century. In spring, peonies burst into bloom, and in autumn the crimson and yellow display of maple leaves is really an eyeful.

• Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium

  The largest aquarium of Japan contains two sections. The southern section is devoted to the natural environment of the five seas from Japan all the way up to the Antarctic, while the northern section to resident large sea mammals like dolphins and killer whales.

• Toyota Automobile Museum

  Toyota is headquartered in Nagoya. The museum provides a snapshot of the history of Toyota and Japan's auto industry as a whole. It also houses a collection of vintage cars from Europe and the United States.

  
  
  
• Tsuruma Park

  The century-old, 240,000-square-meter urban park is home to about 1000 cherry trees, and is the best place for cherry blossoms watch in spring. Maple leaves jostle for attention in autumn.