
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.