Visit Japan Web invites you to explore Nagoya. With a population of over two million people, Nagoya is Japan’s fourth most populous city, following Tokyo, Yokohama and Osaka. It serves as the capital of Aichi Prefecture and is the main city of the Nobi plain, one of Honshu’s three major plains and a key metropolitan and industrial hub.

Nagoya is situated to the north of Ise Bay on the Nōbi Plain. The city was strategically constructed on low-level plateaus to mitigate the risk of floods. The Hori River is a human-made canal built in 1610. It  runs from north to south as part of the Shōnai River system, facilitating trade with the hinterland. Additionally, the Tempaku River, fed by several smaller rivers in the east, briefly flows south at Nonami before turning west at Ōdaka and meeting the bay.

In 1610, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the construction of Nagoya Castle, relocating the center of Owari Province from Kiyosu Castle to Nagoya Castle. This event, known as the Kiyosu suge, marked the beginning of Nagoya’s castle town history. Nagoya quickly formed a grid-like urban layout with Nagoya Castle at its northern end. During the Edo period, it was the central city of the Owari Domain. In 1660, the Great Manji Fire occurred in Nagoya, destroying seventy percent of the castle town area. However, this fire also became an opportunity for Nagoya to revise its urban planning.  Nagoya thrived due to its advantageous location surrounded by Edo, Kyoto and Osaka. Particularly during the reign of the seventh lord, Tokugawa Muneharu, the Owari Domain implemented policies to encourage consumption. It  promoted the development of commerce and industry, making a huge economic development in Nagoya.

Here are some places of interest that Visit Japan Web recommends.