Nagoya

Nagoya is a large city in Aichi prefecture, located at the heart of central Japan, one of the islands in Japan, some 1.5 hours by train south of Tokyo. Some of the scenic areas of the region include Nobi Plain, and the Omo River valley. As the nucleus of this central area, Nagoya, with its population of more than 2.15 million, is one of Japan's major cities, and an important industrial and cultural center.
The hub of the Aichi region, Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city after Tokyo, Yokohama and Osaka. The focal points of this sprawling agglomeration are Nagoya station to the north, Sakae to the east and Kanayama (金山) to the south.
The main sight in town is undoubtedly the Nagoya Castle, famous for the golden dolphins adorning its rooftop, was constructed in 1612 and a new castle town formed. Nagoya is actively preparing for a future in which lifestyle, technology, and culture work together to create a harmonious environment.

Sightseeing:

• Nagoya Castle (名古屋城 Nagoya-jō). Trumpeted as a famous landmark, particularly the two golden carp (金の鯱 kin-no-shachi) on the roof, but in truth recently rebuilt in concrete. The inside is an interesting enough museum (no pictures allowed) and the gardens surrounding it, nothing special. 500 yen for entry. To get there by subway, take the Meijo line and get off at Shiyakusho station. If you've seen other Japanese castles, you can safely give it a miss.
• Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮 Atsuta Jingū), Jingūmae station. This shrine houses the sacred Kusanagi no mitsurugi (草薙神剣) sword, one of the three Imperial regalia of Japan — but unfortunately nobody but the emperor and a few high priests get to see it. There are some 4,400 other artifacts on the grounds though and the shrine hosts some 70 festivals every year.
• Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts, 1-1-1 Kanayama-cho, Naka-ku (next to Kanayama station), 052-684-0786,. Closed Mondays, Tuesday through Friday 10am to 7pm, Saturday, Sunday, Holidays 10am to 5 pm. Like any world-class art museum, the MFA in Boston has far more in its archives than it can reasonably display. This sister institution is one way to make the most of the extensive collection. Student / Adult admission: 300/400 yen for the general collection, 900/1200 yen for special exhibits.
• Tokugawa Art Museum. Displaying some treasures of the Tokugawa family.
• Nittaiji Temple (日泰寺), Hohocho, Chikusa-ku, tel. 052-751-2121,. Among the 165,000 square meters of temple grounds is the 15 meter Gandala-style Taian Pagoda, which houses relics of the Buddha that were presented to Japan by the king of Thailand.
• Shirakawa Park. Beautiful trees, Nagoya Science and Modern Art Museums. South of Fushimi subway station.
• Hisaya-oodori Park. Nice trees and fountains, Nagoya TV Tower observation deck. Sakae or Hisaya-oodori subway exits.

Things to do:

Higashiyama Park (東山公園 Higashiyama-koen). (Higashiyama-koen station). Features a zoo, conservatory, monorail, roller coasters, "sky tower" and a great deal of open space.