JAL Guide to Japan - NAGOYA ( City Information )

	City Information

Nagoya - Japan's fourth-largest city and an industrial center

Map of the Chubu region

Nagoya is located at roughly the geographic heart of Japan. Besides being a major urban center and the capital of Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya is also vital to Japan's manufacturing industry. Japan's image as a world leader in manufacturing is, in a large part, due to the industries based in Nagoya and its surrounding area. On the outskirts of Nagoya, for example, is Toyota City, the location of the headquarters of Toyota Motor Corporation, famous all over the world as a maker of motor vehicles. In addition, the Nagoya area is studded with any number of other manufacturing businesses.
Historically, Nagoya has also been the birthplace of many historic military figures, including shogun. From the latter half of the Muromachi-era (16th century), such historic figures as Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu emerged from the Nagoya area and left their names forever written into Japanese history.
These men also left Nagoya with a monument to their prosperity, Nagoya Castle. Built in the Edo-era in the year 1612 by the Owari Tokugawa family, this castle served as their fortress and living quarters at the height of their achievement. The brilliant gold mythical sea creature that adorns the roof of the castle tower has become synonymous with Nagoya itself.

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Atsuta Matsuri

- Atsuta Jingu Shrine, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
- June 5 (Tue), 2012

This is the largest festival of 70 annual festivals held at the shrine. An imperial envoy is sent to the shrine to offer goheimotsu (strips of white paper for Shinto rituals). The highlight of the festival is five "Kento Makiwara," which are large straw bundles decorated with a total of 365 votive lanterns. Other events, such as fireworks in Jingu Park, martial arts performances, performing art shows, and a portable shrine parade by children, are held.

http://atsutajingu.or.jp/en/fes/index.html

Tokugawaen Dashizoroe (Float Parade)

- Square in front of Tokugawa Art Museum, Higashi-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
- June 3 (Sun), 2012

Five floats with karakuri (wind-up) dolls are paraded in the town and come to the square. Each float shows a performance of the mechanical dolls, which are unique to each float and put on an elegant performance mechanically. The floats also wow viewers with their dynamic changes of direction.

http://www.tokugawaen.city.nagoya.jp/01_event/index.html (Japanese version only)

All information is subject to change without notice.

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