- Aichi Prefecture — The center of the Warring States period is a city of world-class companies. It also has unique cuisine.
- From Historical Heritage to Natural Scenery — Exploring Aichi’s Diverse Attractions
- Kingdom of Nagoya Cuisine — A World of Rich and Distinctive Flavors
- Birthplace of “Yashi no mi” — The Story of Aichi’s Famous Song
Aichi Prefecture — The center of the Warring States period is a city of world-class companies. It also has unique cuisine.
Aichi Prefecture is located in the Chuubu(Chubu) region of Japan, with Nagoya as its capital and most populous city. During the Warring States period, it produced three great military leaders: ODA Nobunaga, TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi, and TOKUGAWA Ieyasu. Nobunaga laid the foundation for national unification, Hideyoshi completed it, and Ieyasu established the Edo(Tokugawa) Shogunate for long-term governance. Today, it serves as a hub for world-class manufacturing companies like Toyota Motor Corporation.
ODA Nobunaga, TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi, TOKUGAWA Ieyasu
The prefecture’s people are characterized by practical and efficient thinking, with an innovative spirit that embraces new ideas. They speak the distinctive Nagoya dialect with warm expressions like “dagaya” and “myaa.” The residents possess a strong commercial spirit, being both prudent and progressive.
From Historical Heritage to Natural Scenery — Exploring Aichi’s Diverse Attractions
Aichi Prefecture offers diverse tourist spots combining history and nature. Nagoya Castle is famous for its golden shachihoko (dolphin-shaped roof ornaments), while Atsuta Jinguu Shrine houses one of Japan’s three sacred treasures, the Kusanagi sword. Inuyama Castle is designated as a national treasure with beautiful views along the Kiso River.
Miya(Atsuta-jinguu) – UTAGAWA Hiroshige “Toukaidou 53 tsugi” By Utagawa Hiroshige – The fifty-stree stages of Tokaido (one of 53 prints, +2 for start and terminus), Public Domain, Link
Koijigahama Beach on the Atsumi Peninsula offers romantic sunset views, while the Chita Peninsula features hot springs and beaches as hidden gems. The Kourankei Gorge in Toyota City is nationally famous for autumn foliage and seasonal natural beauty.
The Museum Meiji-Mura is also popular. The central entrance of the Imperial Hotel, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, has been relocated there.
Museum Meijimura, By Bariston – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40941304
Kingdom of Nagoya Cuisine — A World of Rich and Distinctive Flavors
Aichi Prefecture is renowned for its unique “Nagoya-meshi” food culture. Miso katsu features thick red miso sauce and is beloved as the prefecture’s soul food. Hitsumabushi consists of finely chopped eel served over rice, enjoyed with condiments or as ochazuke (tea over rice).
Misokatsu
Hitsumabushi
Ogura toast
Birthplace of “Yashi no mi” — The Story of Aichi’s Famous Song
Koijigahama Beach at Cape Irago on the Atsumi Peninsula is the setting for the beloved Japanese song “Yashi no mi” (The Coconut Palm Fruit). In 1898, renowned folklorist YANAGITA Kunio discovered a coconut that had drifted ashore on this beautiful beach. Moved by YANAGITA’s experience, poet SHIMAZAKI Touson wrote the lyrics for “Yashi no mi.”
Beginning with “From an unknown distant island, a single coconut drifts ashore,” this song with OONAKA Toraji’s beautiful melody continues to be cherished and sung by many people today. Visiting Koijigahama Beach allows you to experience the nostalgia and romance embedded in this famous song, representing Aichi Prefecture’s cultural charm.
