NAGOYA

Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle was built in the beginning of the Edo Period as the seat of one of the three branches of the rulingTokugawa family, the Owari branch. As such, it was one of the largest castles in the country, and the castle town around it ultimately grew to become Japan's fourth largest city.

Most castle buildings were destroyed in the air raids of 1945, including the castle keep and the palace buildings. The current ferro-concrete reconstruction of the castle keep dates from 1959 and contains a modern museum with exhibits about the castle's history. The park surrounding the castle keep features two circles of moats and impressive walls with corner turrets. It becomes an attractive hanami spot during the cherry blossom season which usually peaks in late March or early April.

From Nagoya Station, take the Higashiyama Subway Line to Sakae Station (5 minutes) and change to the Meijo Subway Line to Shiyakusho Station (2 minutes). The total one way journey takes about ten minutes and costs 240 yen. From the nearest exit, it is a three minute walk to the castle's east gate.Alternatively, the caste's main gate can be reached from Nagoya Station by the Meguru tourist loop bus in about 25 minutes. The fare is 200 yen per ride or 500 yen for a day pass.

Completed in 1999, the JR Central Towers rise elegantly above Nagoya Station. The building consists of the 245 meter tall Office Tower and the slightly shorter and slimmer Hotel Tower. The neighboring Midland Squaresurpassed the JR Central Towers in 2007 as Nagoya's tallest building.

The building's lower floors are shared between the two towers and house a Takashimaya department store, the Tower Plaza shopping mall and JR Nagoya Station. True to their names, the Hotel Tower houses a Marriotthotel, while the Office Tower provides 30 floors of rental office space.

Formerly an observation deck, the top floor of the Office Tower has been converted into the "Panorama Salon", featuring a cafe, wine lounge, beauty salon and health spa with great views over the city. Likewise, the Hotel Tower offers a lounge and restaurant with nice views on its top floor.

View from the JR Central Towers

Sakae

Nagoya's downtown district, Sakae (栄), is located about two kilometers east of Nagoya Station. It offers multiple department stores and malls catering to all kind of shoppers, as well as a plethora of dining options.

Osu Kannon (大須観音, Ōsu Kannon)

Osu Kannon (大須観音, Ōsu Kannon) is a popular Buddhist temple in central Nagoya. Originally built during theKamakura Period (1192-1333) in neighboring Gifu Prefecture, the temple was moved to its current site byTokugawa Ieyasu in 1612 after the original temple had been repeatedly damaged by severe flooding. The current buildings are 20th century reconstructions.

The main object of worship at the temple is a wooden statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, which was carved by Kobo Daishi, an instrumental figure in Japanese Buddhism. Underneath Osu Kannon's main hall is the Shinpukuji Library which contains over 15,000 classic Japanese and Chinese texts. Among these texts are several national treasures and important cultural properties, including the oldest copy of the Kojiki, a chronicle of the early history of Japan including its mythological origins.

A flea market is held on the temple grounds on the 18th and 28th of every month. The modestly sized market includes around 60 stalls selling everything from souvenirs and antiques to clothes and second hand goods. Just beside the temple is the entrance to the Osu Shopping Arcade, a network of aging but charming covered shopping streets with over 400 shops and restaurants. The area is sometimes compared to Tokyo's Akihabaradistrict as there are a lot of stores that specialize in electronics, cosplay, anime, J-pop and idol goods.

Osu Shopping Arcade next to the temple

Noritake 

Noritake is a leading company in the ceramics industry with a history of more than 100 years. The Noritake Garden (Noritake no Mori) was built on the company's former factory grounds and introduces the company and its products while providing a recreational space in the middle of Nagoya.

In the Craft Center, visitors can observe the delicate creation process of porcelain, or try it themselves in a workshop. There is also a museum exhibiting exceptional, old Noritake pieces, such as vases, jars and dishes from the early 1900s.

In the Welcome Center's Celabo Showroom, you can take a look at the diverse ceramics products produced by Noritake today, which are not only limited to tableware, but also include various industrial products, electronics and cutting edge technologies.

Several stores and a few restaurants are also located in the Noritake Garden.

Korankei 

Korankei (香嵐渓, Kōrankei) is a valley near Nagoya reputed to be one of the best spots for autumn colors in theChubu Region. Shaping the valley is the 254 meter tall Mount Iimori, on which Kojakuji Temple stands. In the 17th century, the head priest of Kojakuji planted some maple trees along the temple approach, prompting many locals to do the same in the area. Today, visitors to Korankei can see the fruits of these past efforts, in the form of excellent autumn scenery that peak around mid to late November each year.

the Sanshu Asuke Yashiki Village, which preserves many old houses in a village-like atmosphere. Visitors can participate in one of the many workshops held in the various houses, and try to make some handicrafts such as bamboo baskets, straw sandals, indigo dyed handkerchiefs and washi paper postcards.

Atsuta Shrine 

(熱田神宮, Atsuta Jingū) is one of Shinto's most important shrines. It enshrines the Sun Goddess Amaterasu and stores the sacred sword Kusanagi, which is one of the three imperial regalia. Note, however, that the sword is never displayed to the public.

Atsuta Shrine stands in a pleasant, wooded park in southern Nagoya. During the Meiji Period, the shrine was remodeled after the Ise Shrines in the purely Japanese Shinmei-zukuri architecture style.A pleasant thing to do after viewing the shrine buildings is to try Atsuta Shrine's version of the kishimen noodles, one of Nagoya's local specialties. A restaurant is found on the shrine grounds.

Shirotori Garden

Enjoy a leisurely stroll in a traditional Japanese garden. In the center of the garden is a pond that replicates the Kiso River, originating from the Kiso-Ontakesan flowing into the large sea of Ise Bay. A Japanese tea ceremony house Seiutei is available in the garden to try green tea with Japanese confectionery.

Adress 2-5 Atsuta-nishimachi, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya

Opening Hours 9:00AM - 4:30PM

Closed Mondays (or the following day if a public or substitute holiday falls on a Monday)

Website            http://www.shirotori-garden.jp/

Weeping Cherry Blossom Festival

   

Togoku san Fruits Park is the most famous weeping cherry trees(Shidare-zakura) viewing spot in Nagoya, there are over 1,000 trees blooming at the park.

Weeping Cherry Tree usually bloom about a week later Somei-Yoshino Cherry bloomed, and has more vivid pink flowers.

During the festival period, various fruits are available to purchase, food stalls, bounce house, and jugling performance are scheduled to be held.

Schedule          Early April (9 AM - 4:30 PM) *No closing day during this period

Place    Togokusan Fruits Park

Access Take City Bus to "Togokusan Fruits Park" from "Fujigaoka" station or "Obata" station, 13 minute-walk from the bus stop

URL      http://www.fruitpark.org/External Link

Admission Fee Free

Nagoya Castle Spring Festival

 

Nagoya castle is one of the most popular place to enjoy Sakura (Cherry Blossom) flowers in Nagoya.

There are over 1,000 sakura trees in many varieties, during the full bloom period there is special lighting available to enjoy the sakura flowers in the evening.

Many events are scheduled to be held on weekend such as The Koto (Traditional Japanese stringed instruments) concert, Japanese Taiko drum performance and Japanese tea ceremony.

Schedule          Late March to early May

(Special lighting from the end of March to the beginning of April, Open until 7:30 PM. Entrance to the castle tower closes at 7 PM )

Place    Nagoya Castle

Access Subway Meijo-Line Shiyakusho station

Nagoya Sightseeing Route Bus Me-Guru Nagoya Castle station

URL      http://www.nagoyajo.city.nagoya.jp/13_english/index.htmlExternal Link

Admission Fee Adults: 500yen

Cherry blossom viewing at Nagoya Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

3,800 cherry trees (Yoshino cherry trees, wild cherry trees, curcumas, and other varieties) are beautifully blooming around the entire park.

Schedule          Late March to early May

Place    Nagoya Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Access Subway Higashiyama Line Higashiyama-Koen station, 3 miniute-walk from Exit 3

URL      http://www.higashiyama.city.nagoya.jp/spring_festival/2013/index.htmlExternal Link

Admission Fee Adults: 500yen

Contact            Nagoya Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens