Middle of Japan: Nagoya

The capital of Aichi prefecture, Nagoya city is Japan’s fourth largest city.

Situated in the center of Japan, Nagoya is a city of beauty and history.

Population is over 2.15million. Compared with Vancouver, Nagoya is bigger than Vancouver and I think Nagoya is more crowded than here.

Nagoya Castle

Nagoya rose to power as a castle town in the 16 th century. Three of Japan's great historical samurai heroes, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, were born here or nearby the end of 16 th century, this era is called Momoyamajidai. Toyotomo Hideyosi had a big power about 20 years; Tokugawa Ieyasu built the castle Nagoya-castle for one of his sons from 1610 to 1614.

Nagoya castle’s symbol is a gold killer whale. There are two killer whale ornaments made from gold on the top of the castle tower.

Sports

In Nagoya there is a baseball team, the Chunichi Dragons, and a soccer team, Nagoya Grampus Eight. This year the Dragons won the central league. Ichiro, who is a major league player in the Seattle Mariners, is from Aichi.

Expo 2005

Next year the World EXPO is to be held in the suburb of Nagoya. The first World Exposition of the 21 st century will portray the interactive exchange of culture, tradition and technology.

The theme is “Nature’s Wisdom”, and there are three sub-themes.

First, Nature’s Matrix, second, the Art of Life, and the third is Development for Eco-Communities. The nations participating total 127 countries!

These two characters are the official mascots.

Tourist Attraction

Do you like to see fishes and animals?

There is the Port of Nagoya Aquarium. It’s a really large aquarium. You can see many fishes and dolphin shows. And there is the Higashiyama Zoo in Nagoya. This zoo is also large because zoo belongs to botanical garden and Higashiyama amusement ground. If you really like monkeys, you should go to Japanese Monkey Park. It’s located in Inuyama city in Aichi.

Are you interested in temples and shrines?

There is a lot of temple and shrines. Atsuta Jingu is very important shrine in Japan. In the summer there is a festival. Osu Kannon is a symbol of Osu. It was built in 1323 in another city, but Tokugawa Ieyasu rebuilt in Nagoya in1612.

Are you interested in shopping or do you like the city?

In Nagoya station, there are many shopping centers. You can buy many things! If you feel it’s not enough for you, you should go to Sakae station.

Do you like Japanese food?

Nagoya is famous for Miso. Do you know miso soup? Do you like it? If you like, you should try to eat Misonikomi Udon noodle. And also we have specialty sweets! It called Uirou. It’s a kind of rice cake.

 

Nagoya Dialect

When we converse with friends or family, we usually don’t use standard Japanese.

In Nagoya it’s called Nagoya ben. This is an example.

English: It’s so delicious!

Japanese: Koreha totemo oisii desu.

Nagoya ben: Doerai umaide kanwa.

English: Can you move that table?

Japanese: Ano tukue wo ugokasite kureru?

Nagoya ben: Ano tukue wo tutte kureru?

English: Long time no see.

Japanese: Ohisasi buridesune.

Nagoya ben: Yatto kame da namo.