Planning to visit Nagoya for the 2026 Asian Games? This is a complete guide that covers everything you need to know, including venues, ticket information, transportation, accommodation tips, and the best things to do in Nagoya between competitions. From September 19th to October 4th, 2026, Nagoya and the wider Aichi region will welcome thousands of...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
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
Cosplay, the art of dressing up as characters from anime, manga, video games, TV shows, or any other media — has become a global phenomenon over the years. Once dressed in their cosplay, cosplayers attend conventions to take photos, enter competitions, or perform theatrical routines. The World Cosplay Summit is a perfect occasion to do...Read More
When people plan a trip to Japan, the usual route often looks the same: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka. Somewhere in between, many travelers pass through Nagoya without ever leaving the station. That’s a mistake. Nagoya is Japan’s fourth-largest city, yet it remains one of the country’s most underrated destinations. It has the food, history, nightlife, culture,...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
Nagoya’s live music scene is easy to overlook, but it is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the city after dark. On any given night, you can find everything from underground indie bands and jazz sessions to massive arena tours and late-night DJ parties. Spring and summer are especially lively, with tours rolling...Read More
Summer in Nagoya is not for the faint of heart. It’s hot, humid, and intense, but also one of the most exciting times to visit. As the temperatures rise, the city transforms into a festival playground filled with fireworks, street food, dancing, and late-night events. Is Nagoya worth visiting in summer?Yes, if you plan smart....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
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...Read More
