What is Nagoya? Its appeal

Saxophone Samurai playing the saxophone in front of Nagoya TV Tower

What is Nagoya? Its appeal ／ WHY NAGOYAIn the middle of Japan,
There is a town that is not known.Nagoya is located right between Tokyo and Kyoto. By ShinkansenAbout 1 hour and 40 minutes from Tokyo, and only about 35 minutes from KyotoYet, many travellers simply pass through this city. As a Nagoya Tourism Ambassador, I will guide you through its charms.

SERIESDiscovering the Saxophone Samurai: All 8 Chapters01 02 03 040506 07 08CHAPTER 05Chapter 5: What is Nagoya? Its appeal

This page isThose who have never been to Nagoya beforeI wrote this especially for those visiting from abroad. Where Nagoya is, what kind of city it is, and why it is worth stopping by. This isn't an advertisement; I'm sharing it as honestly as possible.

1Time: 40 minutesBy Shinkansen from Tokyo35分From Kyoto by Shinkansen28分From Chubu Centrair International Airport by train3人The ruler of the realm born from this land1900Year-end bonusHistory of Atsuta ShrineNo.1Manufactured goods shipments (Aichi Prefecture)

Right in the middle between Tokyo and KyotoRIGHT IN THE MIDDLE

Many travellers visiting JapanTokyo → Kyoto → Osakaand move in that order. This route is known as the "Golden Route".

Nagoya is right in the middle. That meansThe Shinkansen you are catching will almost certainly stop at Nagoya.All that's left is to decide whether to get off.

TokyoTokaido Shinkansen 'Nozomi'About 1 hour and 40 minutesKyotoTokaido Shinkansen 'Nozomi'About 35 minutesShin-OsakaTokaido Shinkansen 'Nozomi'About 50 minutesChubu Centrair International AirportMeitetsu "μ-SKY"About 28 minutesTakayama and Shirakawa-go areaLimited Express "Hida"About 2 hours and 20 minutesFor Ise Grand ShrineKintetsu Limited ExpressAbout 1 hour 20 minutes

As you can see by looking at this table, NagoyaA well-designed base for travelling. From Nagoya, it is the easiest route to get not only to Kyoto and Osaka, but also to popular destinations for foreign visitors such as Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Ise Jingu.

The proximity of being just 35 minutes from Kyoto completely changes how you plan your trip. For example,Stay in Nagoya and take a day trip to Kyoto.Because accommodation is easier to book and prices are reasonable, it is often actually more comfortable that way.

A half-day stay is also fine. Leave your large luggage in a station coin locker and just walk around for a few hours. Even that is a town you can enjoy thoroughly.

The luxury of being uncrowdedNO OVERTOURISM

Right now, crowding is becoming a major problem at famous tourist spots in Japan. You queue up to take photos, wait to get into shops, and stay standing on trains. It can make a trip you've been looking forward to a bit tiring.

Nagoya has very little of that.Whether at Nagoya Castle or Atsuta Jingu, you can walk at your own pace. You can take photos with fewer people around. Most restaurants can also be entered without waiting in long queues.

01You don't need to queueThere are hardly any queues at tourist spots or restaurants. Naturally, the number of places you can get around in a day increases.02Easy to book and quietDespite being a major city, accommodation costs are reasonable. It is not uncommon to be able to stay in a higher-grade room for the same budget.03Close to the localsBecause they are not entirely used to tourists, if you speak to them they are genuinely delighted. Conversations with the local people will stay in your memory of the trip.

iI will be completely honest with you about one thing.

Nagoya is not a place where "the whole city is a tourist spot" like Kyoto or Nara. It is a large city where people simply work and live.

That is precisely why, rather than a landscape polished up as a tourist destination,Contemporary everyday life in JapanYou can see it. If you come expecting something flashy, you might be underwhelmed, but by the time you leave, very many people say, "It was better than I thought."

The land that gave birth to three unifiers of JapanBIRTHPLACE OF THREE UNIFIERS

When it comes to the three most famous figures in Japanese history,Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa IeyasuThey are the ones who brought an end to the Sengoku period and united Japan.

These three people are allOriginally from what is now Aichi Prefecture (Nagoya and its surrounding area)Here it is. The story of the unification of Japan began from this land. The centre of the age of the samurai was right here.

Nagoya CastleNAGOYA CASTLEA castle built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612. The golden shachihoko gleaming on the roof are a symbol of Nagoya. Honmaru Palace, located next to the castle, has been faithfully restored based on plans and photographs from the Edo period, allowing visitors to walk through a daimyo's palace surrounded by golden sliding-door paintings.Atsuta ShrineAtsuta ShrineA shrine with a history spanning over 1,900 years, enshrining the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, one of the Three Sacred Treasures symbolizing the Imperial Throne of Japan. Despite being only about 10 minutes by subway from Nagoya Station, the shrine grounds are enveloped in a deep forest.ArimatsuARIMATSUAn area where the townscape along the Edo period highway remains intact. It has been selected as a Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. It is the birthplace of "Arimatsu-shibori", a traditional dyeing technique where fabric is bound with thread and dyed in patterns, and there are workshops where you can try it.Inuyama CastleINUYAMA CASTLEAbout 30 minutes by train from Nagoya, it is one of the few castles with a keep that has been standing since the Edo period, and is designated as a National Treasure. From the top floor, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Kiso River and the townscape.Tokugawa Art Museum and Tokugawa GardenTOKUGAWA ART MUSEUMA museum housing swords, suits of armour, tea ceremony utensils and other items passed down through generations of the Tokugawa family. Alongside the adjacent Japanese garden, it is a place where you can spend a quiet and relaxing time.

Saxophone Samurai standing in a Japanese garden in Nagoya

At a Japanese garden in Nagoya. The figure of a samurai blends naturally into the scenery of this land.

Me standing in the street wearing a sedge hat and kimono is not just a whim.Because this was the centre of the age of the samurai, and walking through Nagoya is also walking through the place where that story began.

A single genre known as Nagoya-meshiNagoya food

In Japanese cities,A style of food named after a townNot many places have. Nagoya has "Nagoya meshi". It's food with a strong, distinct flavour that is hard to forget once you've tried it.

hitsumabushiHitsumabushiA dish of chopped grilled eel with soy-based glaze served on rice. First enjoy it as it is, then add condiments, and finally pour dashi broth over it to make chazuke.Three ways to enjoy in a single bowlIt is customary to enjoy it. It is perhaps Nagoya's most famous dish.Miso-braised udon noodlesMiso Nikomi UdonUdon noodles simmered in a rich soybean miso broth. The noodles are very firm, which is the Nagoya style. Served in a clay pot, it stays piping hot until the very end.chicken wingsChicken wingsDeep-fried chicken wings coated in a sweet and spicy sauce and pepper. They go brilliantly with beer and are a Nagoya evening classic. You eat them with your hands.miso katsuMiso KatsuA dish consisting of a deep-fried pork cutlet topped with a sweet and savoury red miso sauce. It is neither sauce nor salt. For the people of Nagoya, this is the standard way to eat tonkatsu.KishimenKISHIMENFlat and thin udon noodles. They are smooth and easy to eat, and can be eaten in a short time. Kishimen noodles eaten at standing-eat noodle shops on Shinkansen platforms are well known as a pleasure before leaving Nagoya.ankake spaghettiAnkake spaghettiThick spaghetti served with a peppery, thick and rich sauce. It doesn't exist in Italy. It's a unique Western-style dish born in Nagoya.Taiwanese ramenTaiwan ramenEven though the name includes "Taiwan",food not found in Taiwan. A spicy minced meat ramen created at a Taiwanese restaurant in Nagoya. Many places allow you to adjust the spice level when ordering.Ogura toastOGURA TOASTThick-cut toast topped with butter and sweet azuki red bean paste. It is a classic café menu item. People are often surprised by the idea of "bread and red bean paste?", but those who try it almost always love it.

iMorning Surprise ── Nagoya's "Morning Service"

In Nagoya and its surrounding areas,Morning setThere is a café tradition where, if you order a single cup of coffee during the morning hours,Toast, a boiled egg, and other items come included at no extra charge.That is how it works.

Depending on the place, you might even be served a salad, Ogura sweet red bean paste, or chawanmushi savoury egg custard. First-time visitors are usually surprised, thinking they've placed the wrong order. Please do try it out at least once, whether as breakfast on your travels or as an introduction to local life in this region.

Behind the strong flavour is the miso of this region. The type used around Nagoya isbean paste(Hatcho miso). Because it is brewed over a long period using only soybeans and salt without mixing in rice or barley, it has a dark colour, a deep flavour, and a slight astringency. This is a miso culture unique to this region of Japan.

town of craftsmanshipCITY OF MAKING THINGS

Aichi Prefecture, including Nagoya,Value of manufactured goods shipments has been the highest in Japan for many yearsregion. Starting with Toyota Motor Corporation, a diverse range of manufacturing industries including automobiles, aircraft, machine tools, ceramics, and textiles are concentrated in this area.

The interesting thing is that many of themOpen as a museum that can be visitedthat is the case. Actual machines move, and you can touch and experience them with your hands. It is also suitable for trips with children.

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and TechnologyTOYOTA MUSEUMToyota originally started as an automatic loom company. Here, you can watch in sequence from the actual movement of the looms of that time to the process of assembling automobiles. It is within walking distance from Nagoya Station.SCMAGLEV and Railway ParkSCMAGLEV AND RAILWAY PARKA museum featuring a line-up of actual successive Shinkansen bullet trains. A maglev (magnetic levitation) experimental vehicle that set the world speed record is also on display. It is especially recommended for railway enthusiasts.Noritake GardenNoritake GardenThe former factory site of Noritake, a world-famous Western tableware manufacturer. Red-brick buildings still remain, and you can also try china painting. It is a quiet, green oasis located close to Nagoya Station.Seto and Tokoname potterySETO & TOKONAMEThere are two pottery-producing areas with a history of nearly a thousand years in Aichi Prefecture. Since Tokoname is right near Chubu Centrair International Airport,A few hours before the flight homeIt is also convenient as a place to drop by.

A city you can get around in half a dayEASY TO EXPLORE

The subway lines extend radially from Nagoya Station,Most of the main highlights can be reached by tube.It is a city with easy transfers where it is hard to get lost. For those with limited time, here are three examples of half-day itineraries.

AA half-day journey through historyNagoya Castle and Honmaru Palace → Tokugawa-en and Tokugawa Art Museum → Atsuta Shrine. This is a route that traces the heart of the samurai era in chronological order.Bhalf a day of eating your way aroundOsu Shopping District (a working-class shopping street) -> Sakae -> Nagoya Station's underground shopping malls. You can try a variety of local Nagoya foods in small portions as you walk around.CWalking through the city at nightSakae Oasis 21 -> Nagoya TV Tower -> Hisaya-odori. A photogenic time to walk through the illuminated city.

Nagoya TV Towerwas completed in 1954 and is Japan's first integrated radio tower. It has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Right next to it is Oasis 21, a rather unusual building featuring a large glass roof filled with water that you can walk across. Both offer particularly beautiful night views and are places where I frequently perform.

The Saxophone Samurai playing the saxophone with the Ferris wheel at night behind him

Sakae at night. The Ferris wheel and city lights make this the city's most glamorous time.

For those who are willing to travel a bit further, the following places are also available.

Ghibli Park (approx. 40 minutes by car or train)Museum Meiji-muraInuyama Castle and castle townPort of Nagoya Public AquariumLegoland JapanTsurumai ParkHisaya Odori Garden FlarieOsu Kannon

Opening hours, closure days and admission fees for facilities are subject to change. Please check the official website of each facility for the latest information before you visit. The required times are a guide only.

You might meet a samurai on a street corner.MEET THE SAX SAMURAI

There is another unusual sight in Nagoya. It's me.

I am "human tourist spotIt's called ". This means it's not a fixed building, but a tourist spot that appears all over the town. Wearing a woven straw hat and a kimono, they play the saxophone in parks, shopping arcades, and at event venues.

The Saxophone Samurai playing on a street corner overlooking the Nagoya TV Tower

At a street corner with a view of the Nagoya TV Tower. I play music here almost every day.

The performance is free.No fees or bookings are required for street performances. Feel free to stop by as you pass, listen for as long as you like, and simply walk away.Please feel free to take as many photos and videos as you like.There are no restrictions on photography. You can also take pictures together. Please feel free to ask.It is fine even if we don't speak the same languageI only speak Japanese, but music needs no words. People from any country in the world can greet one another in this place through sound.

When and where to perform isLive scheduleIt's posted on. When your date for coming to Nagoya is decided, please take a look. If you're lucky, we might be able to meet during your travels.

View live schedule

To residents of NagoyaFOR THOSE WHO LIVE HERE

Up to this point, I have written for those coming from outside. Finally, a word for those who live in this town.

I am "In that case, I'll become a tourist attraction myself" and started standing on the street corners.

However, when playing every day, people who have come from other prefectures or overseasBeing surprised by things we take for grantedIt really gives you a good sense of. Morning breakfast service. Rich miso. The scale of the underground shopping malls. The golden orcas. All of these are everyday things to the people of this city.

It's not that you lack charm,
It just hadn't been communicated.I think the appeal of Nagoya is the kind of thing that's hardest to notice the longer you live there.
This page also rearranges those "subtle qualities that are easy to miss".

This page is, as it isMaterial to describe one's own townI have written it so that you can use it. I would be happy if you could send this page when showing friends from other prefectures or overseas around Nagoya. The website has a translation feature, so people from abroad can read it as it is.

Hearing visitors to Nagoya say "It was better than I expected." Increasing that single phrase is my job as a Nagoya Tourism Ambassador.

Read the initiatives for tourism revitalisation

WHY NAGOYAFrom the passing town,
To a town you'll want to get off at.The charm of Nagoya is not flashy.
However, those who do come usually say, "It was better than I expected."
I believe it is my role to bridge that gap.

Continue readingREAD NEXT← Previous chapterChapter 4: Initiatives for Tourism EnhancementAs a Nagoya Tourism Goodwill Ambassador, these are ongoing activities I undertake to promote the vibrancy of the city and attract tourists.Next chapter →Chapter 6: The Saxophone Samurai's MarketingDesigning myself as a product. Here is the blueprint for the Sax Samurai business.Discovering the Saxophone Samurai: All 8 Chapters01What is Sax Samurai?02The story of Saxophone Samurai 03Passion for sound 04Initiatives to boost tourism05What is Nagoya? Its appealThe page you are currently reading06The marketing of the Saxophone Samurai 07Media appearances and coverage 08Saxophone Samurai data

Please also seeRELATED PAGESINTROSaxophone Samurai in 3 minutesWho they are, and why a samurai. Through 7 questions, the full picture of their activities in 3 minutes.AreaNational activities and expedition achievementsStages in 19 prefectures and the conditions for travelling to remote locations.dataSaxophone Samurai dataNumber of performances, regions, and reach. The scale of our activities summarised in a single figure.

The story of Saxophone Samurai so farRECORD & VOICESThe list of venues visited and the feedback received from everyone who stopped by have been put together on their respective pages.VOICES7,100That particular feedbackFeedback from everyone who listenedWe are collecting the genuine words sent to us from everyone who stopped by at the venue.Reading your feedback RECORD1,300performances exceeding the showPerformance historyYou can view a list of the venues and regions we have visited, including large commercial facilities, hotels, halls, and tourist spots.View past performances

Please do come and see me when you are in Nagoya.You can check our live schedule to see when and where we are playing.
We also accept requests for performances at events.View live schedule What is Sax Samurai?