History and Culture of Aichi-Nagoya

Medieval Japan from the 15th to 16th century went through perpetual civil war, which was an embryonic movement toward national unification. It was the time depicted by Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai." It was also during this period that Aichi-Nagoya produced three prominent samurai worriers.

Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu were all born in what is now Aichi Prefecture, as heir to a minor local clan or son of a peasant. The endeavor toward a united Japan, then divided and ruled by numerous feudal lords, was initiated by Nobunaga, passed on to Hideyoshi and completed by Ieyasu, who established the Tokugawa Shogunate at the beginning of the 17th century, laying the foundations of Japan as a modern nation.

In Japanese history, those who ruled the Aichi-Nagoya region always won leadership of the entire country. The dominance of Aichi-Nagoya's manufacturing industries today is a fine testimony to the continuance of this tradition.

Aichi-Nagoya has also been a cultural crossroads since ancient times. Due to its convenient location, this region has always served as a meeting point for the nation's eastern and western cultures.

Aichi-Nagoya has long been progressive in regard to absorbing outside cultural influences and making them into something its own. One example of this is the ceramic techniques that came to Japan from China during the 8th century. There is a city called "Seto" in Aichi, which is known as a mecca of the ceramic industry. Because of their high quality, Seto ceramic ware has been admired and used all throughout Japan, to the extent that the word "Seto-mono (Seto ware)" now refers to ceramic ware in general.

The same cultural progression applies to automobile production. This area has a 300-year history of making karakuri (mechanical) puppets. Driven by springs and clockwork, the karakuri puppets perform surprisingly sophisticated and human-like movements. They are one of the main attractions of regional festivals in this area. Against this background, local puppet makers have competed against each other generation after generation, steadily improving their techniques. It is no coincidence that the production of automobiles and industrial robots took root in Aichi-Nagoya earlier than in any other part of Japan, and has developed most successfully here.

Tourism in Aichi-Nagoya

Aichi-Nagoya is blessed with abundant natural beauty, ranging from sun-lit beaches on the Pacific Ocean in the south, to verdant mountains in the north.

The region also has numerous cultural and historical assets relating to the medieval samurai era, during which the Aichi-Nagoya region played a leading role in Japanese history. Best known among such places is Nagoya Castle, a magnificent fortress constructed in 1612 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. A pair of golden dolphins perched atop the castle are often considered to be the mascots of local residents.

Aichi-Nagoya's excellent location in the center of Japan means easy access to various parts of Japan as well. Kyoto, the ancient capital, is a mere 40 minutes away on the Shinkansen bullet train. Other major attractions in Central Japan, such as the Ise Grand Shrine, Japan's most celebrated Shinto shrine, and thatch-roofed Shirakawa-go village, a UNESCO world heritage, can be reached in a relaxing day trip.

Another pleasure that Aichi-Nagoya has to offer is its unique and traditional cuisine. Kishimen (flat, smooth noodles), miso-katsu (pork cutlet with soybean-based sauce) and tenmusu (small rice balls containing fried shrimp) are some examples of the culinary pride Aichi-Nagoya takes in presenting itself to both domestic and international visitors.

Aichi Tourist Information
Nagoya City Tourist Information

Recreational Facilities in Aichi-Nagoya

Aichi-Nagoya offers various recreational facilities, such as cultural and sports facilities.