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Ieyasu Tokugawa, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, completed this castle in 1612 as a stronghold in central Japan. He assigned it to his ninth son Yoshinao, who became the head of one of the three Tokugawa houses, the Owari-Tokugawas. The house ruled here until the Meiji Restoration in 1867, and many of the structures were designated National Treasures-but most of the castle was destroyed during WWII. The tower was restored in 1959, and the Honmaru Palace, where the lord and his family used to live, is to be restored by 2010. This castle is famous for the pair of Kinshachi, or golden fish-like statues on the tower roof. Often called "dolphins," shachi are actually mythical Chinese creatures said to spew water to douse any fires. 320kg of gold were used for the original 3-meter-long Kinshachi, but the modern restoration contains only 88kg.

The grounds to the north of Nagoya Castle were made into a park in 1931, and contain some relics of the old town. Today the park has extensive gardens and a Flower Plaza where gardening activities and events are held, as well as a ball park, community pool, and trails for walking and jogging. It is a popular place for Cherry Blossom Viewing in spring, but is also host to festivals such as the Natsu Matsuri (Summer Festival) and the Kiku Ningyo Ten (Chrysanthemum Doll Show).

This beautiful brick and granite building was built in 1922 as a district court house. The court was eventually moved to another building in 1979, but the building was designated an Important Cultural Property, and after some restoration work, was reopened as the City Archives. In addition to city documents and records, there are exhibits on the history of Nagoya City, and a reproduction of a courtroom and various meeting rooms. Many of the rooms have been restored with period furniture, and visitors may browse at leisure or even rent space for meetings and events.

Comprised of an Astronomy Building, Science and Technology Building, and the Life Science Building, the Nagoya City Science Museum presents science and technology in a way that is related to everyday life: how does your TV work? How could you prevent a fire at home? What happens to food when you eat it? Hands-on exhibits and demonstrations make a visit to this museum interesting for children and adults alike. The Astronomy Building has one of the largest planetariums in Japan, and the Life Sciences Building has a 340-seat auditorium that is used for public lectures by prominent scientists, and other special events. An English pamphlet with a floor map are available at the ticket booth.

This rather modern-looking building was designed with skylights with an adjustable panel so that lighting can be softened or intensified according to the kind of artwork being displayed. Collections center around artists of the local Ise Bay area, namely Tamiji Kitagawa, Setsuko Migishi, Shusaku Arakawa, On Kawara, and Tadaaki Kuwayama. There are also pieces from the Ecole de Paris and the Mexican Renaissance, which are known to have influenced these local artists. The museum continues to collect paintings, photography, sculpture and other modern work produced by artists in the area.

While individual broadcast companies were building their own transmitters in other cities, Nagoya was the first city to build one large tower to be used by all of its television and radio stations. The Nagoya TV Tower still emits broadcast waves from its 180-meter antenna, and the famous landmark also has an observation deck that is open to the public. From 100 meters above the ground, visitors can enjoy a panorama of the city and beyond to Ise Bay, Suzuka Mountain and Yoro Mountain.

Noritake, known throughout the world for its beautiful yet functional tableware, had its beginnings right here in Nagoya. The original brick factory, built in 1904 and in operation until 1975, now houses a museum of history on Western-style dinnerware in Japan and is called the Historical Zone. There is also a Cultural Zone where visitors can take in exhibits of modern ceramic art, watch ceramic demonstrations, or participate in a class. Last but not least, the Commercial Zone has a Caf・and Restaurant that serve food on (what else?) Noritake dinnerware, as well as high-end, outlet and sundry shops.

Oasis 21, located in Nagoya's downtown district of Sakae, is a futuristic recreational and commercial complex. The environmentally friendly project has won an award for its eye-catching roof, "Water Spaceship," a huge glass oval filled with water and designed to reduce heat transfer to the commercial space below as well as to catch rainwater for the lawn in the park directly below it. Underneath the park is the highway bus terminal, and the open space at the bottom of the structure, called the Milky Way Square, is surrounded by shops and restaurants. Special events are often held in the Square.

The two huge towers atop the JR Nagoya Station were completed in 1999. The smaller tower houses the Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel; the taller tower contains office space. The two are connected via the "Sky Street," a glass-walled walkway on the 15th floor of the main terminal building. Also in the main building are Towers Plaza, which consists of two floors of restaurants, and the Takashimaya department store. At 245 meters, this impressive building has even made it to the Guiness Book of World Records as the tallest station building in the world.

Aichi Prefecture is the number one producer of orchids in Japan. This Garden in the middle of the city showcases orchids of every size, color and shape, in a huge conservatory and gardens fashioned after a southern European mansion. There is also a garden shop, patio caf・ and an upscale French restaurant on the premises.

A must-see for any Japanese history enthusiast, the privately endowed Tokugawa Art Museum contains the art and artefacts accumulated over almost 400 years by the Owari-Tokugawa family, one of the wealthiest in feudal Japan. The collection includes 10 National Treasures, 57 Important Cultural Properties, and 46 Important Art Objects, which are displayed in six themed rooms that are changed seasonally. Swords and armour, personal items and tea bowls, Noh masks, and artwork can be viewed at all times. The museum also owns an extensive library of scrolls that belonged to Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first Tokugawa Shogun himself. In this collection is the Nationally Treasured 12th century hand scroll of the Tale of Genji, which is only brought out for two weeks in November because of its sensitivity to light and moisture. During the rest of the year, visitors can learn about it through a permanent exhibit of photographs and replicas.

TOYOTA Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology was established jointly by the 13 companies that make up the Toyota Group. It was Sakichi Toyoda and his eldest son Kiichiro Toyoda who invented the finest automatic loom in the world in 1924, right here in the brick building that used to be the Toyoda Weaving and Spinning Company. Anticipating the advent of the motorization in Japan, Kiichiro , founder of Toyota Motor Corporation decided to enter upon the automobile industry and built the first prototype automobile in 1935. This Museum was established on June 11, 1994 on the 100th anniversary of the Kiichiro's birth. Visitors can pleasantly learn the history of the Toyota Group and see the importance of "Making Things" and "Being Studious and Creative", through hands-on exhibits and demonstrations.