Nagoya

What to know

With a population of over two million, Nagoya (名古屋) is Japan's fourth most populous city, following Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka. It serves as the capital of Aichi Prefecture and the main urban hub of the Nobi Plain, one of Honshu's three major plains and key metropolitan-industrial zones.

Nagoya grew as the castle town of the Owari clan, one of the three branches of the ruling Tokugawa family during the Edo Period (1603–1868). Much of the city, including most historic buildings, was destroyed in the 1945 air raids. The Toyota Motor Corporation has its headquarters just outside Nagoya.

Activities and attractions

SCMAGLEV and Railway ParkMuseum by the Central Japan RailwaysNagashima ResortLarge amusement park outside NagoyaTokugawa Art MuseumDisplaying the former feudal lords’ treasuresToyota-related attractionsAttractions related to the local manufacturerNagoya CastleReconstruction of the original castleKorankeiValley outside Nagoya famous for fall colorsNagoya City Science MuseumFeaturing one of the world’s largest planetariumsAtsuta ShrineOne of Shinto’s most important shrinesNoritake GardenIntroducing Noritake ceramicsLegoland JapanAmusement park featuring the popular toyOsu Kannon TemplePopular temple in central NagoyaSakaeNagoya's major downtown areaNagoya PortRecently redeveloped leisure districtMidland SquareTall skyscraper with observation deckJR Central TowersTwin towers rising over Nagoya StationGhibli ParkTheme park about the movies by Studio GhibliShirakawa-go and GokayamaMountainous region, known for its farmhousesKiso ValleyValley with nicely preserved post townsTakayamaPreserves one of Japan’s nicest old townsShima PeninsulaSite of Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrinesGujo HachimanSmall town in rural Japan with castleGero OnsenFamous hot spring resort south of TakayamaInuyamaFormer castle town north of Nagoya