Issue 17, Fall 2009 is a Publication of the Aichi Prefectural Government San Francisco Office

Celebrate ’s Rich History Throughout the Fall

City’s Biggest Festival Premier Nagoya Sites A collection of the documents and artifacts to be Held October 3 and 4 Free on Festival Sunday that tell the long history of the city.

Every autumn, Nagoya resurrects the Visitors to the Nagoya Festival should also Tokugawa-en (Tokugawa Garden) warlords who hailed from the Aichi and be sure to try to pack in a few visits to the http://www.tokugawaen.city.nagoya.jp/engli shaped ’s history. This year the city’s most popular sites. The major sh/index.html Nagoya Festival will be held on October 3 attractions below will offer free admission Stunning garden inspired by the traditions and 4. on Sunday, October 4, the second day of of the Tokugawa court balances water, the festival. stone and plant life. Autumn visitors are The stars of the 55th Nagoya Festival will treated to fragrant tea trees and colorful once again be the region’s proudest sons. maples. Oda Nobunaga achieved unprecedented http://www.nagoyajo.city.nagoya.jp/13_eng unification through his implementation of lish/index.html advanced warfare and cunning strategy. Boasting a 400-year history, the city’s most His successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, would iconic site and former residence of the build on Nobunaga’s success to become Owari Clan of the Tokugawa family. the first daimyo to unify all of Japan. Ieyasu Tokugawa won out in Japan’s most Nagoya City Science Museum famous battle to take over leadership of http://www.ncsm.city.nagoya.jp/english/ the country after Hideyoshi’s death. He Three exhibit halls—Science and established a shogunate that would rule Technology, Astronomy and Life Japan for the next two and a half centuries. Sciences—offer visitors a chance to The West Lake Bridge at Tokugawa-en All three heroes—or, rather, their modern witness the world’s natural wonders. day impersonators—are “unified” in the Cultural Path Futaba Museum festival parade both days and are Nagoya City Art Museum http://www.futabakan.city.nagoya.jp/englis accompanied by a procession of loyal Exhibits spanning local artists to the h/index.html samurai. Mexican renaissance. The sprawling former home of stage star Sadayakko Kawakami, “Japan’s first Orchid Hall actress,” and her wealthy love interest. Two-hundred-fifty species of orchids and One of Nagoya’s most unique tourist exhibits focusing on flower arrangement. attractions.

Shirotori Garden Cultural Path Shumokukan Nagoya’s largest traditional garden http://www.shumokukan.city.nagoya.jp/eng featuring seasonal flowers. lish/index.html The house that pottery built. This former Agriculture Park residence of ceramics exporter Countless treasures of the plant and insect Tamesaburo Imoto is a rare chance to kingdom. explore a tranquil traditional home in the heart of the city.

Nagoya Festival brings the city’s history to life Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens http://www.higashiyama.city.nagoya.jp/14_ Togokusan Fruit Park Also a draw to the parade are nine unique english/index.html An impressive collection of fruit trees from kagura that were built in the Edo period. Giraffes and koalas are the premier around the world. Visitors enjoy picking The traditional floats are designated attractions among 550 animal species. seasonal fruits and will be awed by the cultural assets of Nagoya, and each The 134 meter Skytower provides array of shapes, sizes and colors found in represents the pride of one of the city’s breathtaking views of the city day and the tropical fruit exhibit. Figs, chestnuts, neighborhoods. The float procession, held night. apples and Asian pears are among the on Sunday, begins at Nagoya City Hall and natural treats that can be enjoyed during ends in the Sakae district. Nagoya City Museum the fall season.

Nagoya Castle Marks an Nagoya Castle through September 27. Travelers utilizing Centrair are likely to Important Anniversary Included in the exhibit, which showcases encounter one of four i-REALs, properties of Nagoya Castle and the environmentally friendly personal mobility This year is a momentous one for Nagoya Castle Promotion Association, are vehicles that are a harbinger of ’s Nagoya’s most recognizable landmark, an ancient scroll painting depicting life future product offerings. The personal Nagoya Castle, and visitors still have time around the castle that dates to the middle mobility devices utilize an ultra-modern to be a part of history. of the Edo era and ornate body armor from lithium ion battery and an in-wheel motor the late 16th century. and emit no carbon dioxide. Much of the The original construction of the castle was i-REAL, including its interior trim, seat completed in 1612 and the castle stood as Upcoming Festivals cushions and panels, is made from one of the city’s most imposing structures plant-derived materials. for over three centuries. In 1945, however, Takayama Autumn Festival, October 9, 10 the castle was almost entirely burnt down Breathtaking floats and traditional puppets during World War II air raids. fill the mountain city of Takayama in Aichi’s neighboring prefecture. One of Japan’s biggest festivals.

Owaki Hashigojishi, October 11 The town of invokes a rich harvest with death-defying stunts performed high above the ground. The

highlight is a mid-air lion dance. A Centrair employee takes the i-Real for a spin

Doburoku Festival, October 15 Centrair will utilize four i-REALs in Unfiltered sake flows plentifully at Okazaki total—three for security applications and City’s Kumano Shrine. one to provide information to travelers as a mobile information booth. Festival, October 17, 18 Toyohashi’s biggest extravaganza. The Nagoya Castle, symbol of the city’s rebirth The security-focused Kei operates at brisk highlight is a citywide dance involving walking speeds during most tasks, 10,000 revelers. In 1959, Nagoya Castle was restored to its increasing to almost 10 mph in the event former glory. The castle’s keep and its of emergencies. Kei is also equipped with Koran Kei Autumn Festival tireless guardians, the ornate kinshachi an Automatic External Defibrillator, making Throughout November, the mountainous (golden dolphins) that adorn the main it ideal for life-or-death situations. ridge of the structure, were resurrected northeastern region of and came to symbolize the city’s celebrates the season that turns its i-REAL Ann upends the paradigm of airport emergence from the war and mark a new countless maple trees into a breathtaking information being distributed from era for a city that would be key to Japan’s sight. Evening illumination sets the forest stationary booths. The computer-equipped post-war recovery. around the town of Asuke aglow. Ann enables Centrair’s staff to provide

Yabusame Festival, November 23 on-the-spot guidance about ground At the Tado Shrine in , just transportation and airport amenities to over the Aichi border, able archers and travelers. Ann is also ideal for escorting steady steeds work together to awe passengers through the airport. visitors. The serene shrine and the archers’ traditional garb will take you back 1000 Direct flights into Centrair depart from years. Honolulu and Detroit.

i-REAL Mobility Devices on the Ground at Centrair Aichi Prefectural Government Since opening in 2004, Central Japan San Francisco Office International Airport (Centrair) in Nagoya c/o JETRO San Francisco has been lauded as the most convenient 201 3rd Street Suite 1010 and modern gateway to Japan. This San Francisco CA 94103 summer, Centrair teamed up with Central Phone: 415-392-1333 ex 252 Japan’s best known company, Toyota Fax: 415-788-6927 Motor Corporation, to employ the Email: [email protected] Just one of the castle’s many priceless artifacts automobile manufacturer’s personal Douglas Shelton, mobility devices and further modernize the Yasunobu Sugimoto In celebration of the 50th anniversary, 100 travel experience, making the airport safer or so rare treasures are on display at and more convenient for passengers.