Nagoya

Nagoya(名古屋市,Nagoya-shi,[naꜜɡoja])is the largest city in theChūbu regionof Japan. It is thefourth-most populous cityin Japan, with a population of 2.3million in 2020, and the principal city of theChūkyō metropolitan area, which is thethird-most populous metropolitan areainJapanwith a population of 10.11million.Located on thePacificcoast in centralHonshu, it is the capital and most populous city ofAichi Prefecture, with thePort of Nagoyabeing Japan's largest seaport.
In 1610, the warlordTokugawa Ieyasu, a retainer ofOda Nobunaga, moved the capital ofOwari ProvincefromKiyosuto Nagoya. This period saw the renovation ofNagoya Castle. The arrival of the 20th century brought a convergence of economic factors that fueled rapid growth in Nagoya during theMeiji Restoration, and it became a major industrial hub for Japan. The traditional manufactures of timepieces, bicycles, and sewing machines were followed by the production of special steels, ceramic, chemicals, oil, and petrochemicals, as the area's automobile, aviation, and shipbuilding industries flourished.These factors made the city a target forair raidsduring thePacific War.
Following the war, Nagoya's economy diversified, but the city remains a significant centre for industry and transport in Japan. It is linked with Tokyo, Kyōto, and Osaka by theTokaido Shinkansen, and is home to theNagoya Stock Exchangeas well as the headquarters ofBrother Industries,Ibanez,Lexus, andToyota Tsusho, among others. Nagoya is home of educational institutes such asNagoya University, theNagoya Institute of Technology, andNagoya City University. Famous landmarks in the city includeAtsuta Shrine,Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens,Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium,Nagoya Castle,Hisaya Ōdori Park, andNagoya TV Tower, one of the oldest TV towers in Japan. It will be the third Japanese city to host the2026 Asian Games, afterTokyo 1958andHiroshima 1994.
The city's name was historically written as那古野or名護屋(both read asNagoya). One possible origin is the adjectivenagoyaka(和やか), meaning 'calm'.
The nameChūkyō(中京), consisting ofchū(middle) +kyō(capital) is also used to refer to Nagoya. Notable examples of the use of the name Chūkyō include theChūkyō Industrial Area,Chūkyō Metropolitan Area,Chūkyō Television Broadcasting,Chukyo Universityand theChukyo Racecourse.
In theJomonandYayoi period, theŌguruwa Shell Middenwas discovered before the settlement of Nagoya.
In theKofun period, Nagoya was settled and theDanpusan Kofunand Shiratori Kofun was built in this area. TheAtsuta Shrineis of ancient origin, it is home to theImperial Regalia of Japan, the legendary swordKusanagi no Tsurugi. According to traditional sources,Yamato Takerudied in 113 AD. The possessions of the dead prince were gathered together along with the sword Kusanagi; and his widow venerated his memory in a shrine at her home.
TheSeigan-jiwas built by theFujiwara clanin the lateHeian period. A member served as the head priest of the nearby Atsuta Shrine, one of the legendary shrines of Japan. It is believed that Yura-Gozen, also known as Urahime, a daughter ofFujiwara no Suenori, was married toMinamoto no Yoshitomo(1123–60) and their sonMinamoto no Yoritomo's birthplace is Nagoya, he is also the founder of theKamakura shogunate.
Oda Nobunagaand his protégésToyotomi HideyoshiandTokugawa Ieyasuwere powerful warlords based in the Nagoya area who gradually succeeded in unifying Japan. In 1610, Tokugawa Ieyasu moved the capital ofOwari Provincefrom Kiyosu, about seven kilometers (4.3 miles) away, to a more strategic location in present-day Nagoya.
In May–June 1560, theBattle of Okehazamatook place in Dengakuhazama,Owari Provincewhich was just outside of what would become Nagoya city. In this battle,Oda NobunagadefeatedImagawa Yoshimotoand established himself as one of the leading warlords in theSengoku period.
During this periodNagoya Castlewas constructed, built partly from materials taken fromKiyosu Castle. During the construction, the entire town around Kiyosu Castle, consisting of around 60,000 people, moved from Kiyosu to the newly planned town around Nagoya Castle.Around the same time, the nearby ancientAtsuta Shrinewas designated as awaystation, called Miya (the Shrine), on the importantTōkaidōroad, which linked the two capitals ofKyotoandEdo(now Tokyo). A town developed around the temple to support travelers. The castle and shrine towns formed the city.
During theMeiji RestorationJapan's provinces were restructured into prefectures and the government changed from family to bureaucratic rule. Nagoya was proclaimed a city on October 1, 1889, and designated a city on 1 September 1956, bygovernment ordinance. Nagoya became an industrial hub for the region. Its economic sphere included the famouspotterytowns ofTokoname,TajimiandSeto, as well asOkazaki, one of the only places wheregunpowderwas produced under theshogunate. Other industries includedcottonand complex mechanical dolls calledkarakuri ningyō.
Mitsubishi Aircraft Companywas established in 1920 in Nagoya and became one of the largest aircraft manufacturers in Japan. The availability of space and the central location of the region and the well-established connectivity were some of the major factors that lead to the establishment of the aviation industry there.
Nagoya was the target ofair raidsduring thePacific War. The population of Nagoya at this time was estimated to be 1.5million, fourth among Japanese cities and one of the three largest centers of the Japanese aircraft industry. It was estimated that 25% of its workers were engaged in aircraft production. Important Japanese aircraft targets (numbers 193, 194, 198, 2010, and 1729) were within the city itself, while others (notably 240 and 1833) were to the north ofKagamigahara. It was estimated that they produced between 40% and 50% of Japanese combat aircraft and engines, such as the vitalMitsubishi A6M Zerofighter. The Nagoya area also produced machine tools, bearings, railway equipment, metal alloys, tanks, motor vehicles and processed foods during the war.
Air raids began on April 18, 1942, with anattackon aMitsubishi Heavy Industriesaircraft works, the Matsuhigecho oil warehouse, the Nagoya Castle military barracks and the Nagoya war industries plant.The bombing continued through the spring of 1945, and included large-scalefirebombing. Nagoya was the target of two ofBomber Command's attacks. These incendiary attacks, one by day and one by night, devastated 15.3 square kilometres (5.9 sq mi). TheXXI Bomber Commandestablished a newU.S. Army Air Forcerecord with the greatest tonnage ever released on a single target in one mission—3,162 tons of incendiaries. It also destroyed or damaged twenty-eight of the numbered targets and raised the area burned to almost one-fourth of the entire city.Nagoya Castle, which was being used as a military command post, was hit and mostly destroyed on May 14, 1945,followed by theYokkaichi bombingin June 1945. Reconstruction of the main building was completed in 1959. Later in the same year on July 26, 1945, theEnola Gayalso dropped a conventionalpumpkin bombin theYagotoarea of Nagoya as part of a bombing raid in order to train for their mission toHiroshima.In 1959, the city was flooded and severely damaged by theIse-wan Typhoon.
After the war the city was able to rebuild and take up its role again as one of the country's leading industrial and manufacturing centers, it became known as the "HoustonandMontrealof the Orient". It also plays an increasing role in themeetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions(MICE) industry, hosting theExpo 2005and theNagoya Protocolconference in 2010.
Nagoya lies north ofIse Bayon theNōbi Plain. The city was built on low-levelplateausto ward off floodwaters. The plain is one of the nation's most fertile areas. TheKiso Riverflows to the west along the city border, and theShōnai Rivercomes from the northeast and turns south towards the bay at Nishi Ward. The human-madeHori Riverwas constructed as a canal in 1610. It flows from north to south, as part of the Shōnai River system. The rivers allowed for trade with the hinterland. The Tempaku River feeds from a number of smaller river in the east, flows briefly south at Nonami and then west at Ōdaka into the bay.
The city's location and its position in thecentre of Japanallowed it to develop economically and politically.
Nagoya has ahumid subtropical climate(Köppen climate classification:Cfa) with hot, humid summers and cool winters. The summer is noticeably wetter than the winter, although rain falls throughout the year.
Nagoya has 16wards.
One of the earliestcensuses, carried out in 1889, counted 157,496 residents. The population reached the 1million mark in 1934 and as of December 2010 had an estimated population of 2,259,993 with apopulation densityof 6,923 inhabitants per square kilometre (17,930/sq mi). Also as of December 2010an estimated 1,019,859 households resided there—a significant increase from 153,370 at the end of thePacific Warin 1945.
The area is 326.45 square kilometres (126.04 sq mi). Itsmetropolitan areaextends into theMieandGifuprefectures, with a total population of about 10million people, surpassed only by Osaka and Tokyo.
TheNagoya International Centerpromotes international exchange in the local community. It houses theU.S. ConsulateArchived2020-12-28 at theWayback Machineon the 6th floor and the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) on the 7th floor.
Nagoya istwinnedwith:
The sister city relationship withNanjing, China was suspended on February 21, 2012,following public comments by Nagoya mayorTakashi Kawamuradenying theNanjing Massacre.
Nagoya Airfield's sister airport is:
Nagoya is the center ofGreater Nagoya, which earned nearly 70 percent of Japan's 2003 trade surplus.
Nagoya's main industry is automotive.Toyota's luxury brandLexus,Denso,Aisin Seiki Co.,Toyota Industries,JTEKTandToyota Boshokuhave their headquarters in or near Nagoya.Mitsubishi Motorshas anR&Ddivision in the suburb ofOkazaki. Major component suppliers such asMagna InternationalandPPGalso have a strong presence here.Spark plugmakerNGKandNippon Sharyo, known for manufacturingrolling stockincluding theShinkansenare headquartered there.
The aviation history has historically been of importance since the industrialization. During the Second World War theMitsubishi A6M Zerofighter was constructed in Nagoya. The aviation tradition continues withMitsubishi Aircraft Corporationheadquartered in theNagoya Airfield's terminal building inKomaki. TheMitsubishi Regional Jet(MRJ) aircraft is produced at a factory adjacent to the airport.The MRJ is a partnership between majority owner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Toyotawith design assistance from Toyota affiliateSubaru Corporation, already a manufacturer of aircraft. It is the first airliner designed and produced in Japan since theNAMC YS-11of the 1960s.The MRJ's first flight was on November 11, 2015.
Japanese pottery and porcelainhas a long tradition due to suitable clay being available inOwari Province. Before and during theEdo periodthere were two main kilns in the region:SetoandTokoname. In Nagoya Castle a type ofoniwa-yaki(literally "garden ware") calledOfukei warewas produced by the feudal lord's court. Almost every feudal lord had his ownoniwa-yaki, also to have gifts made. In the town itselfToyoraku wareandSasashima wareJapanese tea utensilswere made with refined tastes. Ofukei ware started under the first Owari lordTokugawa Yoshinaoand was interrupted once, but continued on until the end of theEdo period. It became widely known in Japan. The lord's taste in ceramics was also imitated by other Owari samurai, such asHirasawa KurōandMasaki Sōzaburō, who made their own pieces.
Toyoraku ware continued on until theTaishō eraunder the 8th generation. Colourful pieces and gorgeous tea utensils were highly valued. Sasashima ware also experienced its heyday during this time. Colourful and soft ceramic items such as sake and tea utensils and objects were produced and intently collected.
An early type of manufactured production was the blue-and-whiteKawana ware. With the advent of industrialization during theMeiji eraof the late 19th century, some export wares were produced. Industrial-scale export porcelain was made by oldNoritake, alsoNagoya E-tsuke(名古屋絵付) became popular.
Production of industrial ceramics continues to be an important economic factor with companies such asINAX,NGK, andNGK Insulators.
The city has an increasing role in themeetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions(MICE) industry. It hosted in 1989 theWorld Design Expo(世界デザイン博覧会) for which theNagoya Congress Centerwas constructed.It hosted theExpo 2005and theNagoya Protocolconference in 2010, as well as theG20Aichi-Nagoya Foreign Ministers' Meeting in November 2019, which was held at theNagoya Kanko HotelandKawabun.
Mechanized puppets, called "karakuri ningyō", are a traditional craft from the area.Robottechnology is another rapidly developing industry.
Amaterials engineeringindustry is developing.
Brother Industries, which is known for office electronics such asmultifunction printersis based in Nagoya, as is Hoshizaki Electric, which is known for commercial ice machines and refrigeration equipment. Many smallmachine tooland electronics companies are also based in the area.
TheWorld Expo 2005, also known as Aichi Expo was held near Nagoya in the neighboring cities ofNagakuteandSetofrom March 25 to September 25, 2005.
Retail is of importance in the city. Traditional department stores with roots in Nagoya areMatsuzakaya,Marueiand theMeitetsu Department Store.Oriental Nakamurawas bought by Mitsukoshi from Tokyo in 1977.
The Owari province was historically well known for thecloisonnéart form. TheAndo Cloisonné Companycontinues the long tradition.
TheconfectionerycompanyMarukawais well known.
The city offers venues for conferences and congresses such as theNagoya Congress Centerand the Nagoya International Exhibition Hall.
Nagoya has mostly state-run primary and secondary schools. The area in the city limits includes international schools such as theNagoya International Schooland Colégio Brasil Japão Prof. ShinodaBrazilian school.
State and private colleges and universities primarily located in the eastern area. Some Western-style institutions were founded early in theMeiji era, with more opening during theTaishōandShōwaeras.Nagoya Universitywas set up in 1871 as a medical school and has produced sevenNobel Prizelaureates in science.Nanzan Universitywas established by the Roman CatholicSociety of the Divine Wordin 1932 as a high school and expanded to includeNanzan Junior Collegeand theNanzan Institute for Religion and Culture. The main campus was designed in the 1960s by the renowned architectAntonin Raymond. Some universities specialise in engineering and technology, such as Nagoya University Engineering school,Nagoya Institute of TechnologyandToyota Technological Institute; these universities receive support and grants from companies such asToyota.
Other colleges and universities include:Aichi Prefectural College of Nursing & Health,Aichi Shukutoku Junior College,Aichi Toho University,Chukyo University,Daido University,Doho University,Kinjo Gakuin University,Kinjo Gakuin University Junior College,Meijo University,Nagoya City University,Nagoya College of Music,Nagoya Future Culture College,Nagoya Gakuin University,Nagoya Management Junior College,Nagoya Women's University,St. Mary's College, Nagoya,Sugiyama Jogakuen University,Sugiyama Jogakuen University Junior College,Tokai Gakuen Women's College. Various universities from outside Nagoya have set up satellite campuses, such asTokyo University of Social Welfare.
TheHōsa Librarydates to the 17th century and houses 110,000 items, including books of classic literature such as historic editions ofThe Tale of Genjithat are an heirloom of theOwari Tokugawaand were bequeathed to the city. TheNagoya City Archivesstore a large collection of documents and books.Tsuruma Central Libraryis a public library andNagoya International Centerhas a collection of foreign-language books.
Nagoya is served byChubu Centrair International Airport(NGO), built on an artificial island inTokoname. The airport has international flights and a high volume of domestic flights.
A second airport isNagoya Airfield(Komaki Airport, NKM) near the city's boundary withKomakiandKasugai. On February 17, 2005, Nagoya Airport's commercial international flights moved to Centrair Airport. Nagoya Airfield is now used forgeneral aviationand as anairbaseand is the mainFuji Dream Airlineshub.
Nagoya Station, the world's largest train station by floor area, is on theTōkaidō Shinkansenline, theTōkaidō Main Line, and theChūō Main Line, among others.JR Central, which operates theTōkaidō Shinkansen, has its headquarters there.Meitetsuis also based in Nagoya, and along withKintetsuprovides regional rail service to theTōkaiandKansai regions.
Nagoya Subwayprovides urban transit service.
Several private and public bus companies operate with of routes throughout the region. Most local bus routes complement existing rail service to form an effective intermodal transit network.
Nagoya Portis the largest port by international trade value in Japan.Toyota Motor Corporationexports via this port.
Nagoya is known for its orderly grid street plan for which the shōgunTokugawa Ieyasuis ultimately responsible.
Nagoya's two most famous sightseeing spots areAtsuta ShrineandNagoya Castle.
Other attractions include:
Nagoya is a starting point for visits to the surrounding area, such asInuyama,Little World Museum of Man,Meiji Mura,Tokoname,Himakajima,Tahara,ToyohashiandToyokawaandHamamatsu. Reachable with at most a two-hour journey areGifu, Gujo Hachiman, Gifu,Ise Shrine,Takayama, Gifu, Gero Onsen and the hill stations in the Kiso ValleyMagomeandTsumago.
Nagoya was a major trading city and political seat of the Owari lords, the most important house of the Tokugawa clan. They encouraged trade and the arts under their patronage, especiallyTokugawa Muneharu, the 7th lord, who took a keen interest in drama and plays and lived lavishly. Under his rule, actors and actresses began to visit Nagoya. Arts and culture was further supported by the city's wealthy merchants. Culture flourished after the feudalEdo periodand the beginning of the Meiji era. During the Pacific War many old buildings and artefacts were destroyed. The region's economic and financial power in the post-war years rekindled the artistic and cultural scene.
Nagoya has multiple museums, including traditional and modern art, handicrafts to industrial high-tech, natural and scientific museums.
Nagoya Castle's collection is from the Owari Tokugawa era. The main tower is a museum that details the history of the castle and the city. The Honmaru Palace, destroyed in the Pacific War, was reconstructed in 2018;it is a prime example of theShoin-zukuriarchitecture of the feudal era.Tokugawa Art Museumis a private museum belonging to the Owari Tokugawa, who lived in Nagoya castle for 16 generations. Among other things, it contains 10 designatednational Treasures of Japan, including some of the oldest scrolls ofThe Tale of Genji.The Nagoya Noh Theatre houses various precious objects ofNoh theatre. TheNagoya City Museumshowcases the history of the town.
Yōki-sōis a villa and gardens located in Chikusa-ku, close to Nittai-ji. It was constructed in the Taishō era for Ito Jirozaemon Suketami XV, the first president ofMatsuzakaya.
Paintings and sculpture are exhibited at theNagoya City Art Museum. Modern art is displayed at theAichi Arts Center. The Aichi Arts Center also is the venue of rotating exhibitions.
The art ofporcelainand ceramics can be seen at theNoritake Garden. Toyota has two museums in the city, theToyota Automobile Museumwhich shows vintage cars, and theToyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, which showcases company history, including its start as atextile mill.
TheNagoya City Tram & Subway Museumhas trams and subway cars, as well as theNagoya City Science Museum. TheSCMaglev and Railway Parkopened in March 2011 with various trains from the Central Japan Railway Company.
Other art museums in Aichi prefecture are theAichi Prefectural Ceramic Museumand theToyota Municipal Museum of Art.Meiji Murais an open-air museum with salvaged buildings from the Meiji, Taishō and Showa eras. Another museum in Nagoya is theMandolin Melodies Museum.
Other museums in the city include theInternational Design Centre Nagoya, theJapan Spinning Top Museumand theBank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Money Museum.
The civic authorities promote tourism and have taken steps to safeguard architectural heritage by earmarking them as cultural assets. Apart from the castle, temples, shrines and museums in the city, a "Cultural Path" was instituted in the 1980s, located between the Tokugawa Art Museum and Nagoya Castle. This residential area has historic buildings such as the Nagoya City Archives, the Nagoya City Hall main building, the Aichi Prefectural Office main building, the Futaba Museum, the former residence of Sasuke Toyoda, the former residence of Tetsujiro Haruta and the Chikaramachi Catholic Church. Most buildings date from the Meiji and Taishō era and are protected.
NōandKyōgentheatre date back to the feudal times of the Owari Tokugawa lords. TheNagoya Noh Theaterat Nagoya Castle continues that tradition and is a prominent feature in the cultural life of the city, with monthly performances.
Developed during the Edo period, one of Japan'skabukigrand stages isMisono-za, which also hosts various other Japanese entertainment such as concerts.
In 1912, the musician Gorō Morita invented theNagoya harpmusic instrument.
In 1992, the large, modernAichi Arts Centerwas opened in Sakae. It is the main venue forperforming arts, featuring a main hall that can be used foroperaand theatre and a concert hall. TheNagoya Philharmonic Orchestraperforms there, as well as many visiting guest orchestras.
Ishida-ryū(石田流)is a school ofIkebana, orJapanesefloral art. It was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Nagoya.
Apart from the main nationalfestivalsand holidays, otherfestivals in Nagoyaare unique to the city/region.
Major events include the June Atsuta Festival, the July Port Festival, the August Nagoya Castle Summer Festival Castle and the October Nagoya Festival. Wards and areas host local festivals such as theDaidō-chōnin Matsuri(大須大道町人祭,Street Performer's Festival)in Ōsu.
TheNagoya dialect(名古屋弁,Nagoya-ben)is spoken in the western half of Aichi Prefecture, centering on Nagoya. It is also called Owari dialect(尾張弁,Owari-ben). The Nagoya dialect is relatively close tostandard Japaneseand to theKansai dialect, differing in pronunciation and vocabulary.
The industry ofJapanese handicraftsin the city is centuries old.
The city and the region are known for their unique localNagoya cuisine(名古屋めし,Nagoya meshi). Dishes include:
The world premiere of the firstGodzillamovie was in Nagoya on October 27, 1954.The city, especially Nagoya Castle, has been featured in two other Godzilla movies:Mothra vs. GodzillaandGodzilla vs. Mothra. The city is also featured inGamera vs. Gyaosand is the main setting of 2003 filmGozu.The 1995 filmThe HuntedstarringChristopher Lambertand the 1992 filmMr. BaseballstarringTom Selleckwere also filmed in the city.
The city was the setting for the 2007 movieAshita e no yuigon(translated asBest Wishes for Tomorrow), in which aJapanesewar criminal sets out to take responsibility for the execution of U.S. airmen.The animeThe Wind RisesbyHayao Miyazaki, released in 2013, is a highly fictionalized biography of theMitsubishi A6M Zero's chief engineerJiro Horikoshiand takes mostly place in Nagoya of the 1920s and 1930s.Nagoya is also the setting for the manga and anime seriesYatogame-chan Kansatsu Nikki, which highlights many of the sites and traditions of the city.
Haruki Murakami called Nagoya "another world" (異界, ikai) in the book "Tokyo Surume Club: Chikyuu no Hagurekata".
Nagoya is home to several professional sports teams:
In 2007, the Chunichi Dragons won theJapan Seriesbaseball championship. In 2010, Nagoya Grampus won the J. League championship, their first in team history. Nagoya is also the home of the Nagoya Barbarians semi-prorugby footballclub.
Ahonbashosumotournament is held every July at theAichi Prefectural Gymnasium. The city has hostedThe Crownsgolf tournament since 1960 and the women'sNagoya Marathonsince 1984.
In September 2016 the city was awarded the right to host the 2026Asian Gamesafter it was the only city to lodge a bid. It will be the third time Japan hosts the event after Tokyo in 1958 andHiroshimain 1994.
The city had a bid to host the1988 Summer Olympicsbut lost toSeoul.
The city hosted the official1979 Asian Basketball Championship. Later, it became one of the host cities of the officialWomen's Volleyball World Championshipfor its1998,2006and2010editions.
Minamoto no Yoritomowas the firstshōgunof theKamakura shogunate. His family had roots as the high priests of Atsuta Shrine and he was born in the family villa what is Seigan-ji today.
The three samurais who unified Japan in the 16th century all have strong links to Nagoya:
Other samurai include: