With a population of 2.2 million, Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture, is the core city of Japan’s fourth-largest metropolitan area.
As commerce and industry prospered, and culture flourished in the Edo Period, Nagoya grew into a thriving metropolis. Nagoya has continued to grow since Ieyasu Tokugawa, founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate Government, built Nagoya Castle in 1612. A culture and
tradition of manufacturing blossomed during the Meiji Period and is still evolving today.
These guides have been prepared by
Nagoya International Center Volunteers for foreign residents of Nagoya and visitors to the City who are interested in viewing local tourist attractions.
Contained in each guide is a model walking route applicable to the specified area or spot. You will find a variety of cultural and historical attractions situated around the walking course. We hope that you find these guides useful.
The guides are available in a printer-friendly PDF format.
Please note that AdobeReader is required to view PDF files.
Nagoya Castle was a national treasure until most parts of it were destroyed in 1945 during WW2. However, many cultural assets have survived including the north-west and south-east turrets, the Omote-ni-no-mon Gate, many stone walls, the Nino-maru Garden, and
Fusuma (sliding door) paintings. Why no explore the castle grounds with our handy guide.
Yagoto area is a bustling and active area located to the east of central Nagoya with several university campuses, large shopping centers, hotels, and many buildings with fashion boutiques.
In the olden days however, the area flourished as the temple town of Koyasan Bekkaku Honzan Koshoji, whose remnants can still be observed today.
A 7km walking route starting from Imaike Subway Station around Chikusa Park and the Suidomichi Green Road areas of Nagoya. Discover the history of the temples and shrines of area.
Tsumago-shuku and Magome-shuku are situated on the border of Gifu and Nagano Prefectures. Both were shukuba villages in the mountains on the Nakasendo Highway - a road constructed from Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto during the Edo Period. Both stages are good examples
of well preserved townscapes of the Edo period.
This guide will take you on a hike of Ochiai-shuku, Nakatsugawa-shuku, and Oi-shuku on the Minoji Highway section of the Nakasendo Highway.The Minoji Highway section of the Nakasendo ran through what is now Gifu Prefecture until it mostly fell into disrepair
at the end of the 19th Century.
A 9km walk along Nagoya Castle's "man-made moat" - the Horikawa River - starting at Meitetsu Sato station and ending at JR Nagoya Station. Durin
Construction of the original Nagoya Castle began in 1610. At the same time construction of the Horikawa River also started. The canal ran from the west side of Nagoya Castle to the former seaport (located in current Atsuta Ward) and was used to ship building
materials; the original Horikawa River was 6 km long.
The 6km “Higashiyama 10,000 Step Hiking Course” (東山一万歩コース), which runs around the HIgashiyama Zoo and the Botanical Gardens, is a must-try experience for your health and peace of mind. This well-maintained course stretches through a specially preserved forest
area in the eastern suburbs of Nagoya.
■NIC Walking Guides # 8 - Nagoya Cultural Path (PDF 505KB)
The district between Nagoya Castle and Tokugawa-en is an area rich in preserved historical buildings and is known locally as the Bunka no Michi - “the cultural path”. In the Edo Period (1603-1867), the area was where middle and lower-class samurai lived. From
the Meiji through the early Showa Periods (1868 -1930), the area was home to entrepreneurs, missionaries, journalists, and artists.
This guide will take you on a hike of from Oi-shuku to Takenami on the Minoji Highway section of the Nakasendo Highway.The Minoji Highway section of the Nakasendo ran through what is now Gifu Prefecture until it mostly fell into disrepair at the end of the
19th Century.
This guide will take you on a hike of from Takenami to Hosokute Shuku on the Minoji Highway section of the Nakasendo Highway.The Minoji Highway section of the Nakasendo ran through what is now Gifu Prefecture until it mostly fell into disrepair at the end of
the 19th Century.
Since ancient times, a number of well-known potteries have been located in the Seto area. The long history of the ceramic industry of this area gives this town a fascinating atmosphere.
Tokoname is one of the six historic pottery towns of Japan. The Pottery Path of Tokoname is a walking course of the various points of interest in the pottery town Tokoname. The path is filled with traditional houses, workshops and other unique and
characteristic buildings.
Inuyama City is located in the north-western part of Aichi Prefecture with a population of about 75,000. With the Kiso River as a backdrop it developed as an important place of politics, transportation and distribution. The original Inuyama Castle as well as
many traditional-style houses have been preserved on the streets of this city, making it a beautiful place surrounded by abundant water, greenery and tradition.
Explore the historical area around Nagoya's ancient Atsuta Shrine, and take in Shiratori Gardens, the harbour that was once part of the Edo-era Tokaido Highway, and Takakura-musubi-miko Shrine.
There were 69 shukuba villages (stages) along the Nakasendo Highway between Edo and Kyoto during the Edo Period.This guide will take you on a walk from Ota-shuku to Unuma-shuku.
Explore the Tokaido in picturesque Hakone National Park. Hakone is approximately 400 km east of Nagoya and is a very popular sight-seeing spot, situated at the bottom of Mt. Fuji. Hakone-shuku was the 10th shukuba village (stage) on the Tokaido
Highway from Edo (Tokyo). The section of the Tokaido Highway of this area was called Hakone-kaido (Hakone pass).
■NIC Walking Guides #17 - Castle Town Nagoya (PDF 600 KB) Using an 1870 map as a guide, discover the history of the what was the castle town area of Nagoya City and get a picture of how the city was structured before the industrial area and post-war renewal.
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