is a major industrial and cultural center

conveniently located at the heart of Japan's largest island of Honshu

and served by Chubu Centrair International Airport

a 30-minute train ride south of the city center

Boasting a unique historical background,

enduring cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes,

the city and its surroundings have a huge amount to offer

so join us as we check out seven great things to enjoy in Nagoya

Toyota and other places in Aichi Prefecture.

Located about 30 kilometers southeast of Nagoya

in the forested hills of Toyota City is the historic area of Matsudaira-gō,

ancestral home to one of Japan's most powerful samurai families, the Tokugawa

Originally known as the Matsudaira, the Tokugawa ruled the country for over 250 years until the 1860s

and several attractions related to the family can be found here.

Matsudaira Tōshōgū is a Shinto shrine built on the former site of the family's residence

and now dedicated to the spirit of Tokugawa Ieyasu

the powerful warlord who united Japan in the early 1600s

A short distance away stands the family temple,

which was generously supported by the Tokugawa and contains several culturally important buildings.

Located on a mountain, 40 kilometers east of Nagoya,

Asuke Castle is one of only a handful of reconstructed castles from the era of warring states

During the period, Japan was split into dozens of smaller countries that constantly fought each other

resulting in the construction of hundreds of small fortresses on difficult-to-access and easy-to-defend mountain tops.

Virtually all these castles were lost over time,

and Asuke Castle is a rare reconstruction of one of them.

It contrasts with the large castles built in the center of cities

in later centuries which often served as much as status symbols as strategic defenses.

Located in the Mikawa Bay to the south of Nagoya, Sakushima is a beautiful island with ocean views,

quaint traditional buildings and displays of contemporary art,

all inside a coastline of just 11 km.

A wide promenade extends most of the way around the island

offering spectacular views out to sea,

while inland paths lead through wooded hills.

The island's two fishing villages feature traditional wooden buildings,

some of which have become cafes and restaurants.

Dotted around the island alongside its many small temples and shrines

is a series of contemporary art works,

referencing religious traditions or interacting playfully with the surrounding views.

In the northeast of Mikawa Bay, the even smaller island of Takeshima or Bamboo Island

lies just off the sleepy coastal town of Gamagori,

connected to the mainland by a long bridge,

the only one in all of Japan to pass under a torii gate,

and said to bring good luck to couples.

The island is home to Yaotomi Shrine which is dedicated to Benten, the goddess of music and entertainers.

After visiting the shrine, visitors can enjoy impressive sea views from a pathway leading around the edge of the island.

Despite being just a few hundred meters from the mainland,

the island's warmer climate forms a separate ecosystem

with unusual vegetation including a rare species of bamboo that gives the island its name.

One of the largest and best-known castles in Japan,

Nagoya Castle is the city's most iconic sightseeing spot and a must-see for visitors.

Built by Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612,

the castle is an immense structure

with five layers of large and small towers, dominated by a seven-story central keep.

Today, the castle's grounds have become an attractive park,

with dramatic views of the double moat and defensive walls.

Another highlight is the Honmaru Goten Palace

a reconstruction of one of the great masterpieces of samurai architecture

and one of only a few Japanese castle palaces in existence today.

Recently, the palace was painstakingly reconstructed

using traditional materials and methods and fully opened to the public in 2018.

Located in central Nagoya, the Osu Shopping district is a vast area of interconnecting shopping arcades,

packed with shops, restaurants, and entertainment of all kinds.

Along its bustling streets, visitors can find a number of small temples,

mechanical puppet shows with characters from history,

a traditional theatre and even a small hot spring.

Just a few steps from the market stands Osu Kannonji,

one of the city's most popular temples dedicated to the Buddhist godde ss of mercy.

With a history of around 400 years,

the Kawabun is Nagoya's oldest restaurant,

serving high end kaiseki cuisine in an elegant, Taisho-inspired setting

that combines traditional Japanese architecture with Western elements.

Drawing on centuries of Japanese culinary tradition,

kaiseki is considered the pinnacle of traditional cooking,

a course meal made up of highly intricate dishes

chosen by the chef to highlight the beauty of individual ingredients

and the constant change of the seasons.

These were just seven of the many attractions and activities available in Nagoya and surroundings.

We hope they prove useful for planning your next trip to central Japan.

For more information about Nagoya or to watch another video,

click the links on the screen now or head over to japan-guide.com,

your comprehensive, up-to-date travel guide first-hand from Japan.

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