Okazaki is a peaceful city with a rich history that can be seen in its castle, temples, and historical sites. It is a city that prides itself as being the birthplace of one of the most famous men in Japanese history Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was a major player in the unification of Japan and the establishment of the feudal system that ruled Japan for centuries.  It was able to thrive...

At first glance, Ankake Spaghetti may look like the Italian pasta that Mama used to make, but it’s certainly no Ragu. Give this to an Italian chef and he would probably spit it out and smash the plate on the floor! From shock and in a very Gordon Ramsey sort of way, you understand. Don’t let the theatrics mislead you; by no means is this Nagoya specialty anything but a...

Japanese kites are considered some of the most spectacular in the world, appreciated both for their aesthetic value, and as traditional toys. They have many different styles and types of kites, and each region of Japan has its own distinctive shape. Here we have some cicada kites. Thankfully they don’t make the same noise! In Aichi, and more specifically in Nagoya, there is a variety of kites called Nagoya Koryu...

You probably won’t be surprised to hear that Japan loves its noodles, or Men as it’s called in Japanese. There are all sorts of kinds: Ramen, Somen, Tsukemen, Tantanmen, Ikemen… OK, that last one actually isn’t a type of noodle, but to anyone who knows some Japanese, you might get the joke! Along with other well-known Meibutsu (specialty dishes), Nagoya has its own noodle dish to add to this list,...

Every February, a rather unique festival is held in the Owari Okunitama Jinja Shrine in Inazawa that would make even your grandmother blush! This festival is known as the Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri or Konomiya Naked Festival, and as the name suggests, men will do the Full Monty as they brave the cold and treat the locals and travelers alike to a display of partial nudity as part of this exceptional...