Yesterday and tomorrow shake hands in Nagoya

Nagoya started out as a village, but rapid industrialisation has made it the fourth largest city in Japan. This road to power began in the early 17th century when Japan's most famous shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu commissioned a castle at Nagoya for his son. Although the original castle was destroyed by bombing in the closing stages of the Second World War, the structure has been rebuilt following the original pattern.

The architecture of Nagoya is very modern. In spite of this contemporary character, however, the Japanese heritage remains exceptionally vibrant in this city, as its local administrators have favoured typically Japanese cultural and artistic forms throughout.

Technology and good shopping 
Nagoya is the home base of the Toyota Motor Company, which also offers interesting opportunities for tourists visiting the city. Indeed a guided tour of Toyota provides exceptionally interesting insight into the world of motoring and industrial history.

The long traditions of Nagoya in the handicrafts industry and trade also provide attractive shopping opportunities. For example, this is an ideal place to buy Japanese ceramics and kimonos and other textiles, especially when the current favourable euro to yen exchange rate.

Nagoya: at the centre of Japan 
Nagoya is very centrally located in Japan: for example, Kyoto is only an hour away by train. There are also plenty of other places of interest close at hand. One good choice for an excursion from Nagoya is the city of Ise, which is the site of the most venerable Shinto shrine in Japan. Takayama, on the other hand, is a small city in the mountains that has effectively managed to preserve an authentic Japanese character. For a seaside feel, again, the tourist should head for Shima and its numerous picturesque fishing villages.