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Nagoya

Nagoya

Nagoya is the ancestral home of Japan's 3 heroes:

  • Oda Nobunaga - Unifier of Japan
  • Toyotomi Hideyoshi - Second unifier of Japan
  • Tokugawa Ieyasu - founder of the last Shogunate of Japan

Despite this unifying trend, Nagoya was only unified as a city in 1889.

In 1609, Tokugawa ordered the construction of Nagoya Castle, which was an important outpost for the 16 generations of the Tokugawa family, also known as the Owari clan.

During World War II, Nagoya grew as a center of commerce, industry and transportation. For that reason, it was heavily bombed and almost a quarter of the city was devastated.

From the rubble, the Nagoya of today was reborn, full of wide avenues and skyscrapers.

 

What to do in Nagoya

Hometown of Toyota and pachinko (a Japanese game), Nagoya is more than an industrial superpower. Nagoya has parks, museums, temples and excellent shopping.

It is the main city in the Chubo region, and serves as the gateway to the region's mountains, as well as Gifu and Aichi prefectures.

Nagoya points of interest

Nagoya's points of interest are diverse. The main tourist attractions in Nagoya are:

  1. Nagoya Castle - also known as Nagoya-jô, is a replica of the original that was built between 1610 and 1614 by Tokugawa Ieyasu for his ninth son. It is surrounded by a beautiful garden, Ninomaru-en, where there are several tea houses.
  2. Atsuta Shrine - in Japanese Atsuta-jingû, is a Shintoist temple and one of the holiest in Japan. It houses the sacred Kusanagi-no-tsurugi (grass-cutting sword) which, according to legend, is one of the three offerings given by the goddess Amaterasu-Ômikami to the imperial family.
  3. Tokugawa Museum and Garden - The Tokugawa Museum is a must for anyone interested in Japanese history and culture. It contains more than 10,000 pieces belonging to the Shogun's family. Its garden, Tokugawa-en, was a gift from the Tokugawa family to the city of Nagoya and the predominant element is water.

Know more about other cities in Honshu:

Tokyo

The capital Tokyo, the most densely populated metropolitan area in the world, is located in the Kanto region. It has about 30% of Japan's population.

Learn more about Tokyo

Kyoto

In the Kansai region, as it is where the first capitals were established, it is where great attractions are located, such as Nara and Kyoto. Each with its own history and culture, which makes them mandatory places on a first trip to Japan.

Learn more about Kyoto

Kobe

In the Kansai region, as it is where the first capitals were established, it is where great attractions are located, such as Nara and Kyoto. Each with its own history and culture, which makes them mandatory places on a first trip to Japan.

Learn more about Kobe

 

Yokohama

In the Kanto region is Japan's second largest city, Yokohama. Yokohama is a port city practically adjacent to Tokyo. A bit like Lisbon and Amadora, but on a grand scale.

Learn more about Yokohama

Osaka

The third largest city in Japan, it is also known for Japanese cuisine, which has always been the supplier of fish to the capital of Kyoto. Today it has gained status and fame as the best place to eat in Japan. Japan's greatest comedians also originate from here. Will it be the food?

Learn more about Osaka

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is the largest city in the Chugoku region and the best known, for the worst reason, in Japan's history. Despite its past, today it is a city that has managed to reinvent itself and is a place with many attractions, whether monuments, museums or even culinary attractions.

Learn more about Hiroshima