From Wikitravel

Nagoya (名古屋, [1]) is the capital and largest city of Aichi prefecture, in the Chubu region of Honshu, one of the islands in Japan.

[edit] Understand

The hub of the Aichi region, Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city after Tokyo, Yokohama and Osaka and one of the nation's major economic centers. While divided into 16 different wards or ku (区), the focal points of this sprawling agglomeration are Nagoya Station (名古屋駅) to the north, Sakae (栄) to the east and Kanayama (金山) to the south.

[edit] History

Now a modern metropolis, Nagoya gets its name from an old manor called Nagono which was built in the area in the 12th century. The manor prospered for two hundred years, and people began to refer to the area by the manor's name. Over time, the pronunciation of the Chinese characters in the name "Nagono" shifted to "Nagoya", by which the city is now known.

Three famous local figures later helped to put Nagoya firmly on the map of Japan. Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Hideyoshi all hailed from around Nagoya, and all shared the ambitious goal of unifying Japan under one government. Hideyoshi finally succeeded in 1603, and established the Tokugawa Shugunate, which would rule Japan for another 250 years.

Soon after uniting the country, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the construction of Nagoya Castle for his son. He then ordered the people of nearby Kiyosu (on the outskirts of Nagoya) to move to the area around the castle, and a town soon came into being. Cotton, ceramics and lumber were the main industries sustaining the town as it grew into a small city.

Following Japan's opening to the world during the Meiji era, Nagoya rapidly industrialized and established transportation links with the rest of Japan that would allow it to easily export its goods. During World War I, Nagoya became known for its foundries as well as its machinery and heavy industry exports, which would continue to grow throughout the 1930's.

The 1920's marked the beginnings of the automotive industry in Nagoya, which continues in importance to the current day. At the heart of the industry is the Toyota Motor Corporation. Starting from humble beginnings as a loom-making company, Toyota entered into the automobile business in the 1930s. It now stands as the world's largest automaker, and continues to dominate the local economy along with the car-making giants Honda and Mitsubishi.

During World War II, much of Nagoya's manufacturing infrastructure turned to the production of military goods, making it a prime target for bombing raids. Almost 25% of the city was destroyed during the war, with almost half the population fleeing to the countryside to avoid the attacks.

The end of the war marked a new start for Nagoya. Car-friendly wide streets and boulevards were bulldozed through the rubble of war, making for the city of today.

Nagoya now ranks as one of the nation's economic powerhouses, and is home to the head offices of Toyota Motor Corporation, Brother Industries, Daido Steel, Makita, Denso Corporation, INAX, Suzuki Motor, Honda Motor, Noritake, NGK Insulators, Olympus Optical, Yamaha and many others. Unlike other parts of Japan, which borrowed heavily for elaborate and expensive public works projects in the bubble years of the 1980's, ketchi (cheap) Nagoya held to a pay-as-you-go philosophy, and has not been as adversely affected by the post-bubble recession as other major centres.

The booming economy has also brought many foreigners to the area, and the region now hosts a thriving community of Japanese-descent Brazilian immigrants, who help to keep the wheels of the local economy spinning. With its strong economy and growing population, Nagoya is a city to watch in the coming years.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Not arriving via Centrair Airport? If you happen to arrive in Japan at Osaka's Kansai International Airport, Nagoya can be reached in no less than two hours by taking the Haruka limited express train to Shin-Osaka station, then changing to the Tokaido Shinkansen. A small number of air flights operate daily from Tokyo's Narita Airport to Centrair Airport, for the benefit of international passengers. Otherwise, Nagoya is no less than three hours away by taking the Narita Express limited express train to Tokyo station, then changing to the Tokaido Shinkansen.

Chubu Centrair International Airport, Japan's third major international gateway, is located on an artificial island 30 minutes south from the center of town. Facilities include two hotels, restaurants, a shopping concourse, and an onsen spa with views of the runways. Centrair opened in 2005, and this airport replaces the existing Nagoya airport, also taking over its IATA code NGO.

The best way of connecting between Centrair Airport and central Nagoya is the Meitetsu Airport Line. The fastest "μSKY" (myuu-sukai) express trains take 28 minutes cost ¥850 plus a mandatory ¥350 (ミューチケット　myuu-chiketto) seat reservation in a First Class "Green Car". Slower trains are the same price, but do not require a reservation. Note that Meitetsu trains are not free for JR Railpass riders.

[edit] Nagoya Airport

While all other companies have moved to Chubu, regional flights by J-Air [2] still use the old Nagoya Airport [3] (NKM), also known as Komaki Airport, to the north of the city. Shuttle buses [4] (¥850) connect to Nagoya station in 28 minutes.

[edit] By train

Nagoya is located along the Tokaido Shinkansen route between Tokyo and Osaka. To the west are Gifu and Kyoto, and to the east are Hamamatsu and Shizuoka.

• A one-way ride from Tokyo is about 1 hour, 40 minutes via Nozomi (¥10780) and between 1 3/4 and 2 hours via Hikari (¥10580).

• From Kyoto, Nagoya is reachable in 36 minutes via Nozomi (¥5640) and between 36 and 55 minutes via Hikari or Kodama (¥5440).

• From the Shin-Osaka station in Osaka, Nagoya is 53 minutes away via Nozomi (¥6380) and between 53 and 70 minutes away via Hikari or Kodama (¥6180).

Thru Nozomi trains from western Japan reach Nagoya from Okayama (1 hr 40 mins, ¥10980), Hiroshima (2 hrs 20 mins, ¥13830) and Hakata station in Fukuoka (3 hrs 20 mins, ¥18030). It is slightly longer via the Hikari service; you will need to change trains at least once, either at Okayama, Shin-Kobe, or Shin-Osaka.

If you wish to sacrifice travel speed for savings, you can take advantage of the Puratto Kodama Ticket [5] (in Japanese), which offers a discount for Kodama services if you purchase at least one day in advance. You get a reserved seat and a free drink on board. With this ticket a trip to Nagoya costs ¥7900 from Tokyo (3 hours; 2 trains per hour), ¥4100 from Kyoto (1 hour; 1 train per hour) and ¥4200 from Shin-Osaka (1 1/4 hours; 1 train per hour). A few early-morning Kodama trains cannot be used with this ticket.

Nagoya also serves as the terminal point for the hourly Wide View Shinano, a limited express train that runs from the mountain resort towns of Nagano and Matsumoto. Nagoya is reached in 3 hours and 2 hours, respectively.

Local trains from Tokyo take about 6 hours at a cost of ¥6090, requiring several train changes along the way. However, trips on local trains are more valuable if you purchase and use a Seishun 18 Ticket during the valid time period. Otherwise, consider using a bus starting from ¥5000, or step up to the bullet train for ¥7900 using the Puratto Kodama Ticket.

Remember that the Japan Rail Pass covers all journeys described above, EXCEPT for Nozomi trains.

Nagoya is also served by the Meitetsu and Kintetsu private railways. If coming to Nagoya from Osaka, a travel option that comes cheaper than the Shinkansen is a Kintetsu limited express service called the Urban Liner (アーバンライナー), which runs out of Namba station. The Urban Liner departs at 0 and 30 minutes past the hour, covering the journey in as little as two hours, but at a cost of ¥4150 each way. (The shinkansen, by comparison, makes the run from Shin-Osaka to Nagoya in under an hour for ¥5670). Japan Rail Passes are not vaild for the Urban Liner.

[edit] By bus

A cheaper method of reaching Nagoya is by bus. Day and night services run to Nagoya from most parts of the country, particularly from Kanto. For example, a night service from Tokyo to Nagoya on JR Kanto Bus costs ¥6420 one way (discounted trips ¥5000 each way), while daytime services cost ¥5100 one way. The trip takes roughly 6 hours to complete.

123bus [6] has nightly bus service to Nagoya from Tokyo. With online booking service available in English.

[edit] By boat

Taiheiyo Ferry (太平洋フェリー) [7] (Japanese) +81-52-398-1023. Offers overnight car ferries to Sendai and Tomakomai City (in southern Hokkaido) from the Nagoya Ferry Terminal.

Getting there: Ferry terminal is located south of Nouseki stn. (野跡駅) on the JR Aonami line (あおなみ線 Aonami-sen）. Shuttle bus also available from Meitetsu Bus Center (名鉄バスセンター）next to Nagoya Station. Bus departs from 4F, platform 2 at 18:30 and arrives at the ferry terminal at 19:05. For further details, check out ferry website [8] (Japanese)

[edit] Get around

Nagoya is a big automotive industry center, and it shows. The street network is extensive and even downtown locations can easily reached by car. On the downside, trains and subways are less convenient than in Tokyo or Kansai, but more expensive. For those travelling with a JR Rail Pass, note that the train network doesn't have many stations in the city and you'll probably find yourself using the bus or subway alot, something your pass won't cover.

[edit] By subway

There are 4 main subway lines:

• The red Sakuradōri Line (桜通線) curves southwest from Nagoya Station.

• The purple Meijō Line (名城線) runs in a loop around the eastern side of the city, connecting Sakae and Kanayama; the Meikō Line (名港線) spur branches from Kanayama to Nagoya Port.

• The yellow Higashiyama Line (東山線) connects Nagoya, Fushimi, Sakae, and Fujigaoka.

• The blue Tsurumai Line (鶴舞線) connects Fushimi and Osu Kannon, then goes south.

Subways run every several minutes between about 05:30 until about 00:30. Fares range from ¥200 to ¥320. One day passes can be bought for ¥600 (bus), ¥740 (subway), and ¥850 (bus & subway).

On Saturdays and Sundays you can also take advantage of the cheaper Donichi-Eco-Kippu (ドニチエコきっぷ）one day subway ticket which offers unlimited subway travel for \600. Please note that this pass is often not available from subway ticket machines and may have to be purchased in person from a station employee at the ticket gate.

More information about public transportation in Nagoya can be found on the official website of the Nagoya Transportation Bureau [9].

[edit] By taxi

Taxis are a viable option in this car city, especially as the basic fee is only 480 yen (compared to 710 yen in Tokyo or Yokohama). The catch is that the basic fee only takes you 1.3km compared to 2km in most other parts of Japan. But for shorter distances within the city, a taxi is not only much more convenient than descending to those dark unappealing subway stations, but (from 2 persons) also as cheap as the subway.

[edit][add listing] See

• Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology (トヨタ産業技術記念館　Toyota-sangyou-gijutsu-kinenkan), 4-1-35 Noritake Shinmachi, Nishi-ku (3 minute walk from Meitetsu Sako Stn (Nagoya line), 10-minute walk from exit 2, Subway: Kamejima Station (Higashiyama Line)), ☎ +81-52-551-6115, [10]. Tu-Su 9:30AM-5:30PM (Last admission 4:30PM), (restaurant open until 9:00PM), Closed M, (T if M is a holiday), New Years' holidays. Built on the site of one of Toyota's original loom factories, this museum tells the story of the Toyota corporation, from its beginnings as an industrial loom manufacturer to its transformation into one of the world's largest car manufacturers. Includes large loom machinery and car display halls as well as a hands-on "Technoland" with interactive science exhibits. Museum also includes a library, video library with personal viewing booths, restaurant, cafe, and gift shop. Displays, brochures, and audioguides available in English and several other languages. Barrier-free access for disabled visitors. FREESPOT Wi-Fi access available. Adults \500, Jr. & Sr. high school students: \300, Elem. School Students: \200.  edit

• Nagoya City Art Museum (名古屋市美術館　Nagoya-shi-bijutsukan), 2-17-25 Sakae, Naka-ku (8 mins on foot S of Fushimi stn (Higashiyama, Tsurumai Line), exit 5), ☎ +81-52-212-0001, [11]. Tu-Su 9:30-17:00(F 9:30-20:00) (Last admission 30mins before closing). Closed M, (T when M is a national holiday), Dec 29-Jan 3. Collection of 2,000 works including pieces by Modigliani, Laurencin, and Utrillo, as well as those of local artists, such as Takanori Ogisu and Tamiji Kitagawa. Permanent Collection: Adults ¥300, Students (over 16): ¥200, (under 15): Free.  edit

• Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art (愛知県美術館 Aichi-ken-bijutsukan), Aichi Arts Center, 10F, 1-13-2 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku (3 min walk via Oasis 21 park from Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines) or Sakaemachi station (Meitetsu Seto Line)), ☎ +81-52-971-5511, [12]. Tu-Th, Sa, Su:10:00-18:00; F:10:00-20:00 (Last admission: 30 mins before closing). Closed M (or Tu if M is a public holiday), Dec 28-Jan 3. Collection features international and Japanese 20th century art, including works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Gustav Klimt, Paul Klee, Joan Miro, Max Ernst, German Expressionists, Surrealists, and postwar US artists. Japanese collection features the art of Yuichi Takahashi, Ryuzaburo Umehara, Sotaro Yasui, Taikan Yokoyama, and Shunso Hishida. Two private collections donated to the museum also include Edo-period paintings and traditional crafts. Permanent Collection: ¥500; High-school/college students: \300; Groups of 20+ people: adults ¥400, students ¥240; High-school groups, junior high-school students, children 12 and under, disabled visitors and escorts: free.  edit

• Nagoya TV Tower (名古屋テレビ塔 Nagoya-terebi-tou), Hisaya-odori koen, Naka-ku (Subway: Hisaya Odori Station (Meijo line/Sakura-dori line)), ☎ +81-52-971-8546 (fax: +81-52-961-0561), [13]. M-F 10:00-18:00, Sa-Su 10:00-21:00. Standing 180 meters tall, the Nagoya TV Tower is Japan's oldest - predating even the Tokyo Tower. Take an elevator to the 100m-high sky balcony for great views of Hisaya-odori park and Sakae. Adults: ¥500, Children ¥250.  edit

• Nagoya Castle (名古屋城 Nagoya-jō) (Subway: Shiyakusho Stn (Meijo line). 5 min. walk from exit 7.), ☎ +81-52-231-1700, [14]. Open daily 9:00-16:30. Closed Dec 29-Jan 1. Trumpeted as a famous landmark, particularly the two golden carp (金の鯱 kin-no-shachi) on the roof. The original castle was home to Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan's famous warlords. Largely destroyed during the war, the current castle is a concrete replica of the original, and was completed in 1959. The Castle houses an interesting museum (no flash photography on 1st floor), observation deck, and surrounding gardens. Adults: ¥500, Jr. high school students and younger: free.  edit

• Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮 Atsuta Jingū), Jingūmae station. This shrine houses the sacred Kusanagi no mitsurugi (草薙神剣) sword, one of the three Imperial regalia of Japan — but unfortunately nobody but the emperor and a few high priests get to see it. There are some 4,400 other artifacts on the grounds though and the shrine hosts some 70 festivals every year.

• Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts (名古屋ボストン美術館 Nagoya-bosuton-bijutsukan), 1-1-1 Kanayama-cho, Naka-ku (next to Kanayama station), ☎ +81-52-684-0786, [15]. Tu-F 10AM-7PM, Sa, Sun, Hols 10AM-5PM Closed M. Like any world-class art museum, the MFA in Boston has far more in its archives than it can reasonably display. This sister institution is one way to make the most of the extensive collection. Student / Adult admission: ¥300/400 for the general collection, ¥900/1200 for special exhibits.  edit

• Tokugawa Art Museum. Displaying some treasures of the Tokugawa family.

• Nittaiji Temple (日泰寺), 1-1 Hohocho, Chikusa-ku, tel. 052-751-2121, [16]. Among the 165,000 square meters of temple grounds is the 15 meter Gandala-style Taian Pagoda, which houses relics of the Buddha that were presented to Japan by the king of Thailand.

• Shirakawa Park. Beautiful trees, Nagoya Science and Modern Art Museums. South of Fushimi subway station.

• Hisaya-oodori Park. Nice trees and fountains, Nagoya TV Tower observation deck. Sakae or Hisaya-oodori subway exits.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Higashiyama Park (東山公園 Higashiyama-koen). (Higashiyama-koen station). Features a zoo, conservatory, monorail, roller coasters, "sky tower" and a great deal of open space.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit] Shopping Areas

• Osu Market, subway Osu Kannon exit 2 (straight ahead one block, turn left into the temple grounds and go straight on through the gravelled temple area). A series of old style shopping arcades packed with mom-and-pop stores, ¥100 shops, traditional crafts, used computers and a fantastic range of clothing stores. There is a little bit of everything. Osu is the shopping area and Osu Kannon the temple just to the west side.

• Sakae is a good choice for your mainstream department store shopping, restaurants, and night-life. Take a walk atop the rooftop promenade of the Oasis 21 shopping arcade and get a nice view of the TV Tower.

[edit] Books

• Maruzen (丸善) (Subway: Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo Lines). Next to the Maruei department store). M-F 9:00-20:00 Sa-Su 9:00-19:00. Offers a reasonable selection of English books, magazines, and newspapers on the 3rd floor, including travel guidebooks, maps, a wide array of books on Japan, and Japanese language study materials. edit

• Sanseido Books, In the JR Central Towers above JR Nagoya Station (Subway: Nagoya stn (Sakura-dori, Higashiyama, Tsurumai lines)). Offers a corner with English books, magazines and newspapers. A decent selection of current nonfiction titles and business books. A small selection of guidebooks are also available. edit

[edit] Electronics

Best bets for cameras and electronics include Bic Camera, a massive 5 story camera and electronics megastore across the street from Nagoya station (on the Taiko-dori side). Osu Market also has a number of large and small electronics shops, including Goodwill (computers and peripherals - otaku culture fans will also want to check out the maid cafe in the basement), DOS Para and others. Unfortunately, some of the electronics shops in Osu (such as Goodwill) are not located on the main shopping streets, and you may have to ask around to find them. There are also two Eiden electronics superstores located in Fushimi and near JR Ozone stn on the JR Chuo Line.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Nagoya is big on miso, a sauce made from fermented soybeans and grain. You should not leave the city without trying misokatsu (味噌カツ), fried pork cutlet with a rich, red miso sauce on it.

The other Nagoya classic is shrimp tempura, particularly when wrapped up in rice and dried seaweed and turned into a handy portable package known as a tenmusu (天むす).

The city is also known for uiro, basically red bean jelly, a substance a little firmer than gelatin, with a subtle flavour.

Nagoya's noodle specialty is kishimen, a flat, broad noodle served in a miso or soy sauce broth. Available in most restauran-gai in shopping centres or close to major railway stations.

[edit] Budget

• Café de Metro, 1F Kanayama station (North Exit). Serves up basic curry and donburi dishes (including a decent misokatsu) for ¥480 with coffee/tea, or ¥680 with miso soup and pickles.

[edit] Mid-range

• Kanran aka Marche du Soleil, [17], map on the website. European style restaurant, near Osu Kannon subway station. Plenty of vegetarian options on the (available in English) menu - the organic vegetable sticks and vegetable pizza are good choices. Staff are friendly and speak a usable amount of English.

• Yamamotoya Sōhonke (山本屋総本家), 25-9 Meieki, B1F Horinouchi Bldg (on Sakura-dori not far from Exit 6 of the Nagoya subway station). The home of the classic Nagoya miso dish nikomi udon, consisting of thick, chewy, handmade udon noodles served in boiling hot miso sauce/stock. Fairly pricy at ¥1200 for a basic bowl and rather difficult to eat — diners are provided with bibs to protect themselves from soup spray — but the effort is worth it.

[edit] Splurge

The natives of Nagoya and its Aichi region are (in)famous throughout Japan for being indecently rich (because of the car industry?!) and for loving to spend their money big time, as opposed, for instance, to the Osaka people, who are brothers in stinginess to the Scottish or the Swabish in Germany.

Nagoya's nouveaux riches are catered by several luxury department stores and many first-class restaurants, which are sometimes difficult find for auto-less tourists.

• Arena Venini is an outstanding yet small Italian restaurant in a very small on the street behind the Chikusa Ward office across the street from Ikeshita station.

• Antica Roma (Higashi-ku, Daikancho 39-18, Tel 052-930-2770, close to Kuruma-michi subway) has it all. For me, a long-time resident of Tokyo, it is simply the best Italian place in Japan. It has excellent high-class Italian food (like seafood risotto, broccoli pasta or herb-stuffed pork rolls), but also delicious oven-baked pizzas. All this in three suberbly furnished rooms. The main room is baroque-style with chandeliers and has not only a live pianist, but also a live opera singer every night (dress code for this room). The course menus start at 4,000 Yen, the pizzas at 1,500 yen, a half-bottle of house wine is 2,500 yen.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Around Nagoya station, there are a lot of places for cheap drinking. Sakae is the big nightlife district, in a loose triangle formed by the Sakae, Yaba-cho and Osu Kannon stations. Sakae has a large red light district as well, but as with most of Japan, there's no sense of danger so don't worry about drifting around. There are countless izakayas around Kanayama station, both cheap chains and more upscale places.

If the bar and club scene is not for you, try Nagoya Friends [18] and their bimonthly international parties. Always a dynamic mix of foreigners and Japanese. At the party it's all you can drink and eat (~¥3000).

[edit] Bars

• Hard Rock Cafe, ZXA Bldg 3F, 1-4-5 Sakae, Naka-ku (Subway: Fushimi stn (Higashiyama, Tsurumai lines) Exit 7. Close to Hilton.), ☎ +81-52-218-3220. Su-Th: 11:30-23:00, F and before natl. holidays: 11:30-24:00, Sa: 11:30-3:00. Serves the usual mix of rock music and American food. edit

• Misfits [19], a small bar located behind the post office in Imaike, usually live music on Saturdays.
• Shooter's [20], close to Fushimi station. An American sports bar that attracts a mixed crowd with live music on Sundays.
• St. James's Gate, Miyaki Bldg. 1F, 3-14-22 Nishiki, Naka-ku (Subway: Sakae stn (Higashiyama, Meijo lines). Short walk NW of Exit 1.), ☎ +81-52-973-4560. M-Sa 18:00-5:00. Closed Su. Large Irish pub offering imported beer, whiskey, and a selection of cigars. edit

• The Red Rock [21], located directly behind the Chunichi Building in Sakae. An Australian pub experience.
• Yama-chan (山ちゃん) (35 locations in and around Nagoya), [22]. (Japanese) Known for its tebasaki (手羽先) fried chicken wings (one of Nagoya's specialties), this seemingly ubiquitous chain of izakayas is one of Nagoya's favorites. English menu available. edit

[edit] Nightclubs

Nagoya has some of the best clubs in Japan, possibly second only to Tokyo. A lot of the DJs who play Tokyo also pass through Nagoya. Many of the most popular clubs are located in Sakae and Shin-sakae-machi (just east of Sakae and south of the Naka ward office).

• ID club [23] - the most popular and well-known club in Nagoya. Offers a variety of musical choices on 5 floors. In Sakae.

• Club Mago [24] In Shin-Sakae on the basement level of the Flex-building. Great for house, techno, electro-clash, progressive house. 2500-3000 cover.

• Radix [25] - one of the bigger clubs in Nagoya, a lot of big house, jungle and dub Djs play here. Expect to pay from ¥2000-3000, usually with a free drink included.

• Club Daughter [26] has something happening almost every night, so you'll never be stuck for something to do. It's a small place though. To western clubbers, it may seem more like a basement party than a club, and if you're going out on a Monday or a Tuesday, you may find it pretty empty. Fridays and Saturdays, though, the place is normally packed. Drinks are about ¥600 each, entry varies, check on the site.

• Club JB's [27] is another good Nagoya club. Right around the corner from Club Daughter.

• J-Max [28] in Fushimi attracts foreigners and Japanese alike for weekend dance events. Entry fee is usually ¥2000-3000, with a couple of drinks included.

• The Underground, Marumi Kanko Bldg. 3-4F, 4-3-15 Sakae, Naka-ku (In Shin-sakae-machi entertainment district.), ☎ +81-52-242-1388. Tu-Su 22:00-5:00. Closed M.. Has two floors for one price, upstairs is hip-hop at maximum volume levels, while downstairs more dance music is played. Always a happy crowd without annoying bouncers, ladies pay 1500 and guys 2000 with 2 drinks included. Foreigners welcome. edit

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[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Capsule Inn Nagoya (カプセルイン名古屋), 7F Kanayama 4-1-20 (on Otsu-dori near Kanayama stn), tel. (052)331-3278, [29]. Showing its age, but kept clean and still a perfectly functional capsule hotel. Reservations accepted and you're free to come and go, payment on arrival by cash or credit card. ¥2800 gets you a capsule for night, plus ¥800 if you want to sample the sauna/spa downstairs (there are no bathing facilities in the capsule levels) and ¥500 extra if you check-in after midnight. You get ¥300 off if you present a paper with the printout of the online coupon at check-in time. Hotel is men only.

[edit] Mid-range

• APA Hotel Nagoya Nishiki, 3-15-30 Nishiki, Chuo-ku (Sakae subway station, exit 2, one block forward), 052-953-5111, fax 052-951-7269. This business hotel is located in the middle of the Sakae dining and shopping district. The rooms are comparatively clean and the staff speaks English; internet access is included. ¥9800/single. [30]

• Meitetsu Inn Nagoya Kanayama (名鉄イン名古屋金山), 1-11-7 Kanayama, Naka-ku (Kanayama subway station, exit 6. Turn right at Daiei, left at Coco, look for the blue-and-white Japanese sign), 052-324-3434, fax 052-324-3435. This business hotel was built in February 2005 and has very clean rooms; in-room internet access and breakfast is included. The staff has some limited English ability. ¥6800/10,800/13,000 for single/small double/double [31] (in Japanese)

[edit] Splurge

• Marriott Associa Hotel, Nagoya Station (directly above Takashimaya Department Store). A three minute walk from a Nozomi Shinkansen train to a well-marked elevator portal takes you to the 15th floor check-in level. This often-full five star hotel (¥20,000-70,000/night) is equipped with ten good restaurants, which tend to be jammed, but the adjacent office tower also has more than 20 restaurants on two levels ranging from inexpensive noodle eateries to high-end sushi places. Note that if you have a concierge room reservation, you need to go to the concierge level (35th floor) to check in. Rooms are extremely clean and comfortable. [32]

[edit] Cope

[edit] Tourist Information

• Nagoya Station Tourist Information (JR Nagoya Station Central Concourse (towards Sakura-dori side)), ☎ +81-52-541-4301. Open daily 9:00-19:00.  edit

• Kanayama Tourist Information (Located at N exit of Kanayama Station. (Asunal Side)), ☎ +81-52-323-0161. Open daily 9:00-20:00.  edit

• Sakae Tourist Information (Subway: Sakae Stn (Higashiyama/Meijo lines) Exit 4A. Located in Oasis 21 underground shopping concourse.), ☎ +81-52-963-5252. Open daily 10:00-20:00.  edit

• Nagoya International Center (名古屋国際センター Nagoya kokusai sentaa), 1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku (Subway: Sakura-dori line, Kokusai Center stn.), ☎ +81-52-581-0100 (info@nic-nagoya.or.jp), [33]. Tu-Su, 9:00-19:00. Closed M, Dec 29-Jan 3, 2nd Su of Aug and Feb. This city-run center for newcomers to Nagoya provides useful information about upcoming local events through their free monthly publication The Nagoya Calendar [34] (available at numerous locations around the city) and offers various multilingual services for foreigners on longer stays or taking up residence in the city. Their headquarters near Nagoya Station also includes a lending library with books on numerous topics in English and other languages. free.  edit

[edit] Banking

Nagoya has two Citibank [35] branches for foreign-friendly cash withdrawals with a main branch in Sakae and a mini-branch in the North Tower above Nagoya Station:

• Citibank Nagoya Branch, 1F, 8F, Sugi Bldg., 3-14-15 Sakae, Naka-ku (Subway Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines), Exit 7. 5 min walk from Crystal Hiroba in the Sakae subway mall. In Sugi Building, 8th floor, which is across the street from Sakae Gas Building at Shirakawa Street Ohtsu Crossing on Ohtsu Street.), ☎ (M-F 9:00-17:00) +81-52-243-9252, [36]. M-F 9:00-15:00, Sa (ltd. services) 10:00-16:00. Closed Su and Hols. ATM Open 24/7.  edit

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• Citibank Nagoya Station Mini-Branch, 33F Office Tower, JR Central Towers, 1-1-4 Meieki, Nakamura-ku (Located the North tower.), ☎ (M-F 9:00-17:00) +81-52-565-4430, [37]. M-F 9:00-19:00, Sa (ltd. services) 10:00-16:00. Closed Su and hols. ATM only open during branch hours..  edit

There is also a 24/7 Citibank ATM across from the Meitetsu station entrance gate at the airport. As elsewhere in Japan, post offices and 7-11s also allow international ATM withdrawals.

Those seeking to send or receive money via Western Union should note that there is only one agent in Nagoya where this is possible:

• Suruga Bank (スルガ銀行 Suruga Ginkou), 3-22-26 Nishiki, Naka-ku (Subway: Sakae stn (Higashiyama, Meijo lines) Exit 8. Located on Hirokoji Dori, East of Mitsubishi UFJ bank branch and across the street from Maruzen bookstore.), ☎ +81-52-961-5311 (fax: +81-52-951-4509), [38]. M-F 9:00-15:00 Closed Sa, Su. (Japanese) edit

[edit] Consulates

• Australian Consulate Nagoya (オーストラリア領事館 Osutoraria-ryoujikan), Level 13, AMMNAT Bldg. 1-3-3 Sakae, Nakaku, ☎ +81-52-211-0630 (Emergency line: +81-3-5232-4111) (fax: +81-52-211-0632), [39]. M-F 9:00-17:30. Closed Sa, Su. Offers limited consular services for Australians by appointment only. edit

• Consulate General of Brazil (ブラジル総領事館 Burajiru-souryoujikan), Shirakawa Daihachi Bldg. 2F, 1-10-29 Marunouchi, Naka-ku, ☎ +81-52-222-1077, +81-52-222-1078 (Emergency line: +81-90-3483-6949, +81-80-6637-6131) (consulado@consuladonagoya.org, visa@consuladonagoya.org, fax: +81-52-222-1079), [40]. General: M-F 9:00-15:00, Visa desk: M-F 9:00-14:30 Closed Sa, Su, and Hols.. Provides consular services for Brazilians and issues Brazilian visas for foreign visitors to Brazil edit

• Consulate of Canada (カナダ領事館　Kanada-ryoujikan), Nakato Marunouchi Bldg. 6F, 3-17-6 Marunouchi, Naka-ku (Subway: Hisaya-odori stn (Meijo, Sakura-dori lines) Exit 1. Walk 2 blocks N on Otsu-dori to Uonotana-dori. Consulate located at the intersection of Otsu-dori and Uonotana-dori and directly across the street from Circle K convenience store.), ☎ +81-52-972-0450 (ngoya@international.gc.ca, fax: +81-52-972-0453), [41]. Offering limited consular services for Canadians in Nagoya edit

• U.S. Consulate (アメリカ領事館 Amerika-ryoujikan), Nagoya Kokusai Center Bldg. 6F, 1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku (Subway: Kokusai Center (Sakura-dori line).), ☎ +81-52-581-4501 (fax: +81-52-581-3190), [42].  edit

[edit] Publications

• Avenues: Voices of Central Japan [43] Quarterly magazine featuring articles on local history and culture, attractions and events. Available free at International Center and for a fee at Maruzen Bookstore in Sakae.
• Japanzine [44] Monthly magazine published in Nagoya featuring a section on local events and a restaurant/bar guide. Available free at numerous businesses catering to foreign residents, the International Center, and at Maruzen bookstore in Sakae.

Like other major cities in Japan, you can also pick up the (Tokyo-centric) English dailies The Japan Times [45] and Daily Yomiuri [46] at selected bookstores and convenience stores around the city (or read them for free at the International Center library).

[edit] Get out

• Inuyama, with its picturesque castle, kinky fertility shrines, and nearby Meiji Village, is a short day trip from the city.

• Ise, home to Japan's holiest shrine, is within striking distance.

• Gifu - Visit Gifu castle (take a bus from the train station). Ride the cable car up the mountain, feed the squirrels (they jump on your arm and eat from your hand), visit the museum, enjoy the amazing view from the top of the castle. See the Nagaragawa fireworks display during the summer festival.

• Tsushima - Visit Tenno River park in the spring to see amazing cherry blossoms and wisteria.

• Tajimi - Visit Eihoji Zen Temple. A beautiful walk down to the river. Be sure to see the bamboo grove (takebayashi).

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