AICHI PREFECTURE

AICHI PREFECTURES

Aichi Prefecture is in Chubu Region on the island of Honshu. The capital of Aichi Prefecture is Nagoya. Aichi Prefecture is famous for being the home of Toyota Company. In addition to the many attractions in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture also features Inuyama Castle, which is thought to be the oldest Japanese Castle and one of the four best preserved.

AICHI PREFECTURE CAPITAL

Nagoya is in Aichi Prefecture, in the Chubu region of Honshu, the main island in Japan. The hub of the Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city. The focal points of this sprawling agglomeration are Nagoya station to the north, Sakae to the east and Kanayama to the south). Nagoya is close to the Ise Shrine, said to be the most venerable Shinto Shrine in Japan.

AICHI WARDS

Naka is one of the 16 wards of Nagoya. Naka covers the central part of Nagoya and thus covers many of the main attractions in Nagoya including Nagoya Castle and Nagoya TV Tower.

AICHI CASTLES

Ina Castle was a Japanese Castle in the Kozakai area of Toyokawa City Aichi Prefecture. Honda Sadatada ordered the construction of Ina Castle around 1440. Ina Castle was afforded natural protection with rice paddies on two sides, a river on another and an inlet connected to Mikawa Bay on the fourth. Ina Castle ceased being used around 1590 when Honda Yasutoshi transferred his headquarters to Shimosa region. Today very little in the way of ruins remains. There is modern reconstruction of a tower on the site.

Inuyama Castle is a Japanese Castle, in the city of Inuyama Aichi Prefecture, near Nagoya.Inuyama Castle is thought to be the oldest Japanese Castle with the original castle starting construction in 1440, however there many additions and upgrades over time. Most of Inuyama Castle is in original condition with the main tower or donjon being a National Treasure.

Iwasaki Castle is a hilltop style Japanese Castle in Nisshin Aichi Prefecture. Oda Nobuhide ordered the construction of Iwasaki Castle in the early 16th century, but lost it in battle to Matsudaira Kiyoyasu in 1529. Iwasaki Castle then became the headquarters of the Matsudaira clan until 1535 when Kiyoyasu was assassinated. Niwa clan were then given control of Iwasaki Castle, but lost it in the Battle of Iwasaki Castle in 1584 to the Toyotomi clan led by Ikeda Tsuneoki. Iwasaki Castle was later destroyed after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Some ruins remain of Iwasaki Castle including a well and part of turret. In 1987 a modern reconstruction of the donjon (tower) was completed with a museum inside.

Kiyosu Castle is a Japanese Castle in Kiyosu Aichi Prefecture. Shiba Yoshishige ordered the construction of Kiyosu Castle in 1394 and it was completed in 1427. Kiyosu Castle was a support castle to Orizu Castle and was used to govern the Owari Province. Orizu Castle was lost in battle in 1476 and the centre of government for the Owari Province moved to Kiyosu Castle. In 1555 Oda Nobunaga from nearby Nagoya Castle captured Kiyosu Castle. In 1586 Kiyosu Castle was upgraded by Oda Nobukatsu. In 1610 Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the capital of Owari Province to be moved to Nagoya. Parts of Kiyosu Castle were deconstructed and used in the upgrading of Nagoya Castle. What remained of Kiyosu Castle was used until the 18th century. In 1989 a modern reconstruction of the donjon (tower) was completed.

Komakiyama Castle is a hilltop style Japanese Castle on Mt Komaki in Aichi Prefecture. Oda Nobunaga ordered the construction of Komakiyama Castle which was completed in 1563. Komakiyama Castle played a key roll in the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute when Tokugawa Ieyasu used it as his base. Today some ruins remain of the castle including stone walls and a well. In 1967 a modern reconstruction of the Komakiyama Castle donjon (tower) was completed.

Nagashino Castle was a flatland style Japanese Castle in what is now Shinshiro Aichi Prefecture. Imagawa Ujichika ordered the construction of Nagashino Castle in 1508 for the protection of his domains from the west. In 1573 control of Nagashino Castle moved to Tokugawa Ieyasu who ordered the upgrading of the castle's defences due to the continued clashes with the Takeda clan. In 1575 Takeda laid siege to Nagashino Castle in the Battle of Nagashino, however Tokugawa Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga brought combined forces of 38,000 men to break the siege and won. After the battle Nagashino Castle was abandoned. Today all that remains is ruins with some stone walls and moat earthwork.

Nagoya Castle is a flat land sytle Japanese Castle with a massive inner moat and wall in the city of Nagoya. Nagoya Castle is particularly famous as it Tokugawa Ieyasu who ordered the construction of the castle in 1612. Nagoya Castle was badly damaged during World War II. Although the donjon (tower) of Nagoya Castle is a modern reconstructed, some of the original turrets remain.

Nirengi Castle was a Japanese Castle in what is now Toyohashi Aichi Prefecture. Toda Munemitsu ordered the construction of Nirengi Castle in 1493 as a forward base to be used against Tame Matasaburo who had completed Funagatayama Castle only the year before. Ordered by Makino Kohaku, Imabashi Castle was completed 1505, a mere 2km from Nirengi Castle and many battles took place in the fields in between over the following years. In the end Munemitsu forced an alliance with the Makino clan. In 1571 Nirengi Castle played a key role in the battle between Takeda Shingen and Tokugawa Ieyasu, but after 1590 Nirengi Castle was abandoned and control of the area shifted to Yoshida Castle.

Nishikawa Castle was a Japanese Castle in what is now Toyohashi Aichi Prefecture. Saigo Kiyokazu ordered the construction of Nishikawa Castle around the 1530's to provide support to Wachigaya Castle. After the Siege of Odawara Castle in 1590, there was a great redistribution of territories and Nishikawa Castle was no longer a valued military asset. In 1661 Nishikawa Castle was completely abandoned by Ogasawara Naga'aki who moved his base to Yoshida Castle. Today little remains of Nishikawa Castle, with earthworks being the only obvious signs.

Noda Castle was a Japanese Castle in what is now Shinshiro Aichi Prefecture. Suganuma Sadanori constructed a fort on the site in 1508, which was lost in battle to the Imagawa clan in 1560. Suganuma Sadanori won control of the fort again in 1562, only to loose it again briefly to the Takeda clan in 1571. Between 1571 and 1573 Suganuma Sadamichi upgraded the fort to a castle with much better defences, however Tadeda clan lay siege to Noda Castle for weeks and drained the moats, leading to the surrender of the castle. Noda Castle was abandoned (around 1590) after Tokugawa Ieyasu moved to Edo Castle. Today little remains of Noda Castle, with earthworks being the only signs.

Okazaki Castle is a Japanese Castle in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture. Okazaki Castle was demolished in during the Meiji Restoration (1874). A modern reconstruction of donjon was built in 1959.

Tahara Castle (also known as Hako Castle) was a Japanese Castle in Tahara Aichi Prefecture. Munemitsu Toda constructed Tahara Castle in 1480. Today the Tahara Municipal Museum is on the site.

Yoshida Castle (also known as Imahashi Castle and Toyohashi Castle) is a flatland style Japanese Castle in Toyohashi Aichi Prefecture. Makino Kohaku ordered the construction of Yoshida Castle which was completed in 1505. on a strategic river crossing, Yoshida Castle was involved in many battles during the Sengoku Period. Control of the castle changes several times and it suffered great damage many times, but was reconstructed each time. In 1565 Tokugawa Ieyasu had control over the Yoshida Castle, however after the 1590 Battle of Odawara the Tokugawa clan moved to the Kanto region and Yoshida Castle passed to Ikeda Terumasa. Ikeda later moved to Himeji Castle without completing the reconstruction of donjon (tower). As part of the Meiji Restoration control of Yoshida Castle went to the Imperial Japanese Army in 1871, however most of the castle was destroyed by fire two years later. In 1954 a modern reconstruction of the donjon was completed.

AICHI LANDMARKS

With its unique design, Nagoya Lucent Tower is a complex of office space & restaurants. Nagoya is Japan's third largest city with the central city focused around the massive Nagoya Station complex.

Nagoya Midland Square is a complex of office space, restaurants, shops and cinemas. Nagoya is Japan's third largest city with the central city focused around the massive Nagoya Station complex.

Spiral Towers is a complex of office space and restaurants. It is one of the outstanding pieces of architecture in Nagoya. Nagoya is Japan's third largest city with the central city focused around the massive Nagoya Station complex.

AICHI OBSERVATION DECK or LOOKOUT

Nagoya Port Building Observation Deck, in the redeveloped Nagoya Port area, has an observation deck at 53 meters high, which provides great views of the Nagoya Port and ocean.

Nagoya TV Tower is the oldest TV tower in Japan, and was completed in 1954. Nagoya TV Tower is 180 metres high, and has two observation decks

AICHI SHRINES

Atsuta Shrine (Nagoya) is a particularly important Shinto Shrine with over 4,000 relics and National Treasures. Atsuta Shrine attracts over 9 million visitors a year

AICHI MUSEUMS and ART GALLERIES

Fuji Antarctic Museum, in the redeveloped Nagoya Port area, is focused around the icebreaker "FUJI". The FUJI was a primary observation ship in Japan's exploration of the Antarctic and worked from 1965 to 1983. Today it is moored at Nagoya Port to serve as the Antarctic Museum.

Nagoya Maritime Museum, in the redeveloped Nagoya Port area, exhibits the histories of maritime commerce and ships of Nagoya.

AICHI GARDENS and PARKS

Okazaki Park, in the city of Okazaki Aichi Prefecture, is famous for its cherry blossom and is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. Okazaki Park also features the reconstructed Okazaki Castle.

Tsuruma Park, in Nagoya is most famous for its cherry blossom and considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

Yamazaki River in Mizuho ward Nagoya is famous for the cherry blossom along its banks and is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

AICHI AQUARIUM

Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium - Nagoyako in the redeveloped Nagoya Port area. Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium features marine life from Japan to Antarctica in 5 different zones and you can see how various species have adapted respectively to each environment and also succeeded in reproducing their descendents. In the North Building, they show the long journey (3.5 billion years) of killer whales, belugas and dolphins who once lived on the ground and have returned to the ocean.

AICHI RIVERS

Gojo River in Iwakura Aichi Prefecture, is famous for its cherry blossom and considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

AICHI AMUSEMENT PARKS

Nagoya Port Sea Train Land, in the redeveloped Nagoya Port area, does not have a thrilling roller coaster which you expect in Japan. It is a rather small and relaxing amusement park where you don't need to scream. The Ferris wheel is the biggest in Chubu region.

AICHI SPORTING VENUES

Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium is used not for sports events but for concerts, Sumo, and other events. Nagoya is Japan's third largest city with the central city focused around the massive Nagoya Station complex.

AICHI AIRPORTS

Chubu Centrair International Airport, (IATA: NGO, ICAO: RJGG), also known as Central Japan International Airport, is the international airport servicing Nagoya and the surrounding area.

AICHI TRAIN STATIONS

Nagoya Station is the world's largest train station. Nagoya Station is the central focus of the city of Nagoya.

AICHI PORTS and FERRY TERMINALS

Nagoya Port is a redeveloped water front area in Nagoya, which features some great attractions, many which feature some outstanding architecture. You can buy a pass for 2,400 yen for the following 4 facilities: Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium - Nagoyako, Nagoya Maritime Museum, Fuji Antarctic Museum and Nagoya Port Building Observation Deckt.

AICHI SHOPPING

JETTY is a three story shopping complex in the Nagoya Port area.

Matsuzakaya Department Store Nagoya Main is one of the Matsuzakaya Department Stores, a major Japanese department store with headquarters in Nagoya. Established in 1611, Matsuzakaya Department Stores are one of the oldest department stores in Japan. There are three Matsuzakaya Department Stores in Nagoya, this one is known as the Main store.

Matsuzakaya Department Store Nagoya North is one of the Matsuzakaya Department Stores, a major Japanese department store with headquarters in Nagoya. Established in 1611, Matsuzakaya Department Stores are one of the oldest department stores in Japan. There are three Matsuzakaya Department Stores in Nagoya, this one is known as the North store.

Matsuzakaya Department Store Nagoya South is one of the Matsuzakaya Department Stores, a major Japanese department store with headquarters in Nagoya. Established in 1611, Matsuzakaya Department Stores are one of the oldest department stores in Japan. There are three Matsuzakaya Department Stores in Nagoya, this one is known as the South store.

Mitsukoshi Department Store Nagoya is part of an international department store chain founded in 1673 with the yago (shop name) Echigoya. The Mitsukoshi Department Store chain has its headquarters in Tokyo. The Mitsukoshi Department Store chain was the basis for the development of the massive Mitsui Group. Mitsukoshi Department Store Nagoya is in Nagoya.