City Guides

Kiyosu with its castle is just minutes from Nagoya Station, and yet it is one of those places generally never mentioned in guidebooks or travel magazines. In fact, I know many people in Nagoya who have never heard of Kiyosu Castle, and even I (Elly) heard about it for the first time after living in...Read More

The Buddha’s ashes, an old villa, and modern delicacies. All of these can be found in Kakuozan, a contemporary and artistic district of Nagoya city. This area extends half a kilometer from Kakuozan Station all the way to Nittaiji temple, which enshrines some ashes of the Buddha (yes, the actual Buddha!) bestowed by the king...Read More

Japan is home to 430 inhabited islands and almost 7,000 total islands!Located a short distance from Nagoya is Sakushima, a crab-shaped island home to amazing seafood and a number of modern art installations that you are able to touch, sit on and crawl all over. Sakushima, also known as “the island of the winds”, is...Read More

If you think that Matcha is only from Kyoto and you can only enjoy it there, then you are in for a big surprise. Matcha tea can be enjoyed across Japan. Three of the most famous tea-producing regions recognized for producing the best Matcha in Japan are Uji in Kyoto, Fuji in Shizuoka, and just...Read More

Tokoname is home to Chubu Centrair International Airport, the largest airport in the region. What many people don’t know, it is also a city with a long tradition of pottery and amazing craftsmanship. Tokoname is an excellent place to visit as a day or half-day trip from Nagoya (or the airport if you have a...Read More

Most people know Toyota as the name of Japan’s leading car brand. But Toyota is also the name of a city in Aichi Prefecture.  Toyota city is the home of Toyota Corp. where thousands of cars are produced every year. The city is a paradise for car lovers with exciting museums to learn more about...Read More

With cheap discount clothing stores and imports from China, people nowadays don’t care enough about high-quality clothing anymore. It’s price over quality all over. But, after a visit to Chita city in the south of Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, you will learn to appreciate the simple textile that is cotton. A material the craftsmen of...Read More

Pottery from Japan dated to 10,000 B.C. is the oldest known in the world. The story of Jomon pottery is the earliest example of this tradition and artform. Pottery making in Japan is a fine art form that is traced back to the beginning of the 13th century, with the introduction of Chinese and Korean ceramic...Read More

A small town at the banks of a tranquil river, a castle at the top of a low hill, streets lined by dark wooden houses. Inuyama is a place where you can experience Japan from another time, with old traditions and masterful craftsmanship such as colorful festivals, pottery, and mechanical puppets. Inuyama Castle: a National...Read More

Are you looking for a place rich in history, with a great atmosphere and excellent food options? Do you want modern entertainment and experience spirituality? Then you need to visit the Osu Shopping Streets! It’s an area that encompasses all of these things and more, making it one of the most popular destinations for tourists...Read More