Nagoya city, Japan

Located in the geographical center of Honshu, Nagoya Japan is the fourth most populated city in the country. Known primarily as a center of automobile and construction material production, Nagoya is also famous for its pickles (known as moriguchizuke) and for its flat, white kishimen noodles. Nagoya Japan developed as the castle town of the Owari during the Edo Period. Sadly, much of the city was destroyed during the air raids of 1945. Nonetheless, Nagoya travel is still an option for tourists, as many of the ancient buildings were reconstructed in the years after WWII. Additionally, bullet train service from Tokyo and Osaka makes Nagoya travel among the easiest in Japan.

Perhaps the biggest impetus for Nagoya travel is the bullet train, known as Shinkansen, which takes you there. Inaugurated in 1964, the Tokaido Shinaksen line connects Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka. The world's first high speed bullet train, the Tokaido Shinkansen, runs at a speed of over 300 km/h and completes the trip from Nagoya Japan to Tokyo in just over 90 minutes.

The city's main tourist attraction is the Nagoya Castle. The Nagoya Castle was first built in the beginning of the Edo Period for one of the three Tokugawa family branches, the Owari. Consequently, Nagoya developed into an important castle town and ultimately Japan's fourth largest city. Like many of the Nagoya's historical buildings, however, the Nagoya Castle was largely destroyed in the air raids of 1945. Subsequently rebuilt in 1959, the castle is now the centerpiece of Nagoya tourism. In the spring, the Nagoya Castle gardens are a popular spot for the Japanese tradition of viewing cherry blossoms.

After witnessing the historic grandeur of the Nagoya Castle, vacationers can experience the city's modern beauty with a visit to the 245-meter tall JR Central Towers, Nagoya's newest landmark. An observation deck with great views of the city is located on the Tower's top floor. As the city's main train station, the JR Tower also has Nagoya tourism information kiosks with information about hotels and restaurants.

Along with its beautiful castle and modern tower, Nagoya tourism also boasts an excellent downtown shopping area known as Sakae. A little over a mile away from the main Nagoya rail station, Sakae's major attraction is the futuristic Oasis 21 complex which opened to the public in 2002. And before you say "Sayonara Nagoya" make sure you visit Sakae's Nadya Park. This small "city within a city" is home to art museums, department stores and some of the city's best restaurants.

So even though Nagoya is not a major tourist destination, its easy access via the shinkansen high speed train makes a one or two day trip a perfect reprieve from the craziness of Tokyo. And once you arrive in Nagoya, the combination of castles, cherry blossoms and great shopping will make you want to never say, "Sayonara Nagoya."