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
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
