Nagoya Excursions

Inuyama is a city located to the north east of Nagoya. It is famous for its beautiful castle, Inuyama-jo, the oldest in Japan with a donjon (keep) dating back to 1537. Nearby is the strolling garden Urakuen, in which can be found the tea ceremony house Joan, built in 1618 and widely regarded as one of the finest tea-houses in Japan. From June to September, it is possible to take part in ukai, cormorant-fishing, in which fishermen amazingly make the birds do the actual fishing. The fishing takes places near Inuyama-yuen Station, by the Inuyama-bashi Twin Bridge, and tickets can be bought at the Inuyama Tourist Office (tel: (0568) 616 000).

Arimatsu, some 12km (7.5 miles) south east of downtown Nagoya, has been a centre for the production of tie-dyed fabrics and clothes since 1608. The history of this industry is brought to life in the local museum, Arimatsu-Narumi Shiborikaikan (website: www.shibori-kaikan.com). The town also features the Arimatsu Festival Float Museum, which displays the impressive floats used for the colourful annual festival there. Several of the old houses involved in the tie-dyeing industry are listed buildings because of their architectural and cultural importance.

Toyota City (website: www.city.toyota.aichi.jp) is also worth a visit. Located to the east of Nagoya, it is home to the Toyota Motor Corporation. The Toyota Automobile Museum (website: www.toyota.co.jp) is located in east Nagoya, while the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology (website: www.tcmit.org), which tracks more than a century of motoring history, is located in the city centre.