Culture

Nagoya and the surrounding Aichi region are home to some of Japan’s most fascinating traditional crafts and cultural experiences. From centuries-old shibori tie-dyeing and pottery to ikebana flower arranging, Japanese sweets making, and tea ceremonies, there are plenty of ways to discover Japan’s creative traditions firsthand. Whether you want to meet local artisans, make your...Read More

Every autumn, as the summer heat fades and the skies become crystal clear, Nagoya embraces one of Japan’s most elegant seasonal traditions: Tsukimi, the Moon-Viewing Festival. Unlike the excitement of summer festivals, Tsukimi is about slowing down. Visitors can enjoy Japanese gardens, seasonal foods, illuminated temples, and peaceful moonlit evenings while experiencing a tradition that...Read More

Every summer, millions of people across Japan return to their hometowns, gather with family, visit ancestral graves, and dance beneath glowing lanterns. Trains fill up, highways become congested, and cities take on a quieter atmosphere as one of the country’s most meaningful holidays begins. Known as Obon, this centuries-old Buddhist tradition is a time to...Read More

Nagoya is often associated with castles, miso cuisine, and samurai history, but it is also one of Japan’s best destinations for sports, both modern and traditional. From cheering alongside thousands of fans at a professional sumo tournament to learning the precise movements of a samurai sword, there are countless ways to experience Japanese sports culture...Read More

Some festivals in Japan end with fireworks. Not the Toyohashi Gion Festival; this one starts with people holding them. And not the safe, distant kind launched from a riverbank, we’re talking about bamboo tubes packed with gunpowder, cradled under one arm while columns of fire explode into the night sky. It sounds slightly unhinged. It...Read More

Rainy season in Japan gets a bad reputation. People hear the word “rain” and immediately imagine canceled plans, gray skies, and spending days stuck indoors. But the rainy season in Nagoya can be one of the most underrated times to visit Japan. From early June to mid-July, the city slows down in the best possible...Read More

Some festivals in Japan are loud. Others are celebratory in a quieter way. The Arimatsu Shibori Tie-Dye Festival in Nagoya is the second kind, a colorful summer event celebrating over 400 years of Japanese textile craftsmanship in one of the city’s most beautiful historic districts. No giant floats. No deafening crowds. Just an entire neighborhood...Read More

Some festivals in Japan hit you over the head with spectacle. Others, like the Wakamiya Festival, are easier to miss. Which is strange, because this one has 17th-century mechanical puppets, a shrine older than most countries, and a location right in the middle of the city. And yet, unless you already know it’s happening, you’ll...Read More

Japan is often seen as a futuristic, highly organized destination, but when it comes to accessibility, the reality is more nuanced. For disabled travelers, the experience can range from impressively accommodating to unexpectedly challenging. The good news? Cities like Nagoya are actively working to close that gap. And, in many ways, they’re leading the charge....Read More

Why Fermentation Matters in Japan (and Aichi) If you want to understand Japanese food culture, fermentation is one of the best places to start. Across Japan, fermentation is more than just a cooking technique, it’s a tradition that has shaped the way people eat for centuries. From savory miso soups to delicate soy sauces and...Read More