Nagoya

Nagoya is the largest city in the Chūbu region of Japan and the capital of Aichi Prefecture. Located on the Pacific coast of central Honshu, it sits at the end of a natural harbor on Ise Bay and serves as a major industrial and transportation hub. As of the early 2020s, the city proper has a population of about 2.3 million people.

Historically, Nagoya grew from a castle town surrounding Nagoya Castle, built in the early 17th century by Tokugawa Ieyasu as the seat of the Owari Domain. It expanded through the Edo period and modernized in the Meiji era, eventually becoming a municipal city in 1889.

Economy and transport: The Port of Nagoya is one of the world's largest by cargo tonnage, supporting manufacturing, logistics, and international trade. The city is a major center for automotive and aerospace supply chains in the Chūbu region, with companies in nearby Toyota City and other locations. It is served by the Tokaido Shinkansen and JR lines, Meitetsu and Kintetsu railways, and the Nagoya subway. Chubu Centrair International Airport serves both domestic and international routes near Tokoname; the port and airport connect the region to Asia and beyond.

Culture and landmarks: Nagoya Castle is known for its golden shachihoko ornaments; Atsuta Shrine houses the sacred Kusanagi sword; Osu Kannon temple and shopping district, Nagoya City Science Museum, and the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology highlight local industry and innovation. The city is also known for miso katsu and hitsumabushi, local dishes.

Education and science: Nagoya University, a national university, and other institutions support research in engineering and sciences. Notable modern events: The Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit-sharing to genetic resources was adopted in Nagoya in 2010.