In 1610, the shogunTokugawa Ieyasu moved the capital ofOwari Province fromKiyosu to Nagoya. This period saw the renovation ofNagoya Castle. The arrival of the 20th century brought a convergence of economic factors that fueled rapid growth in Nagoya during theMeiji Restoration, and it became a major industrial hub for Japan. The traditional manufactures of timepieces, bicycles, and sewing machines were followed by the production of special steels, ceramic, chemicals, oil, and petrochemicals, as the area's automobile, aviation, and shipbuilding industries flourished.[6] These factors made Nagoyaa target for air raids during thePacific War.
In theJomon andYayoi period, theŌguruwa Shell Midden was discovered before the settlement of Nagoya. In theKofun period, Nagoya was settled and theDanpusan Kofun and Shiratori Kofun was built in this area. TheAtsuta Shrine is of ancient origin, it is home to theImperial Regalia of Japan, the legendary swordKusanagi no Tsurugi. According to traditional sources,Yamato Takeru died in 113 AD. The possessions of the dead prince were gathered together along with the sword Kusanagi; and his widow venerated his memory in a shrine at her home.
Oda Nobunaga and his protégésToyotomi Hideyoshi andTokugawa Ieyasu were powerful warlords based in the Nagoya area who gradually succeeded in unifying Japan. In 1610, Tokugawa Ieyasu moved the capital ofOwari Province from Kiyosu, about seven kilometres (4+1⁄2 miles) away, to a more strategic location in present-day Nagoya.
During this periodNagoya Castle was constructed, built partly from materials taken fromKiyosu Castle. During the construction, the entire town around Kiyosu Castle, consisting of around 60,000 people, moved from Kiyosu to the newly planned town around Nagoya Castle.[9] Around the same time, the nearby ancientAtsuta Shrine was designated as awaystation, called Miya (the Shrine), on the importantTōkaidō road, which linked the two capitals ofKyoto andEdo (now Tokyo). A town developed around the temple to support travelers. The castle and shrine towns formed the city.
Ōsu Kannon is a Buddhist temple, originally built in 1333, later relocated in 1612.
During theMeiji Restoration Japan's provinces were restructured into prefectures and the government changed from family to bureaucratic rule. Nagoya was proclaimed a city on October 1, 1889, and designated a city on 1 September 1956, bygovernment ordinance. Nagoya became an industrial hub for the region. Its economic sphere included the famouspottery towns ofTokoname,Tajimi andSeto, as well asOkazaki, one of the only places wheregunpowder was produced under theshogunate. Other industries includedcotton and complex mechanical dolls calledkarakuri ningyō.
Taisho period
Mitsubishi Aircraft Company was established in 1920 in Nagoya and became one of the largest aircraft manufacturers in Japan. The availability of space and the central location of the region and the well-established connectivity were some of the major factors that lead to the establishment of the aviation industry there.
Nagoya wasthe target of air raids during thePacific War. The population of Nagoya at this time was estimated to be 1.5million, fourth among Japanese cities and one of the three largest centers of the Japanese aircraft industry. It was estimated that 25% of its workers were engaged in aircraft production. Important Japanese aircraft targets (numbers 193, 194, 198, 2010, and 1729) were within Nagoya. Others, notably 240 and 1833, were to the north ofKagamigahara. It was estimated that they produced between 40% and 50% of Japanese combat aircraft and engines, such as the vitalMitsubishi A6M Zero fighter. The Nagoya area also produced machine tools, bearings, railway equipment, metal alloys, tanks, motor vehicles and processed foods during the war.
Air raids began on April 18, 1942, with anattack on aMitsubishi Heavy Industries aircraft works, the Matsuhigecho oil warehouse, the Nagoya Castle military barracks and the Nagoya war industries plant.[10] The bombing continued to the spring of 1945, and included large-scalefirebombing. Nagoya was the target of two ofBomber Command's attacks. These incendiary attacks, one by day and one by night, devastated 15.3 square kilometres (5.9 sq mi). TheXXI Bomber Command established a newU.S. Army Air Force record with the greatest tonnage ever released on a single target in one mission—3,162 tons of incendiaries. It destroyed or damaged twenty-eight of the numbered targets and raised the area burned to almost one-fourth of the entire city.[11][full citation needed]
Nagoya Castle, which was being used as a military command post, was hit and mostly destroyed on May 14, 1945,[12] followed by theYokkaichi bombing in June 1945. Reconstruction of the main building was completed in 1959. On July 26, 1945, theEnola Gay dropped a conventionalpumpkin bomb in theYagoto area of Nagoya while training for their nuclear mission toHiroshima.[13] In 1959, the city was flooded and severely damaged by theIse-wan Typhoon.
After the war Nagoya was able to rebuild and take up its role again as one of Japan's leading industrial and manufacturing centers. It became known as the "Houston andMontreal of the Orient". It also plays an increasing role in themeetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions (MICE) industry, hosting theExpo 2005 and theNagoya Protocol conference in 2010.
Nagoya lies north ofIse Bay on theNōbi Plain. Nagoya was built on low-levelplateaus to ward off floodwaters. The plain is one of the nation's most fertile areas. TheKiso River flows to the west along the city border, and theShōnai River comes from the northeast and turns south towards the bay at Nishi Ward.
The human-madeHori River was constructed as a canal in 1610. It flows from north to south, as part of the Shōnai River system. The rivers allowed for trade with the hinterland. The Tempaku River feeds from a number of smaller river in the east, flows briefly south at Nonami and then west at Ōdaka into the bay.
Nagoya's location and its position in thecentre of Japan allowed it to develop economically and politically.
Gallery
Nagoya and the Nobi Plain seen from Mirokuzan (Kasugai city)
A view of the Nōbi Plain,Kiso Three Rivers and Nagoya from Mount Sanpo and Mount Yōrō
One of the earliestcensuses, carried out in 1889, counted 157,496 residents. The population reached the 1million mark in 1934 and as of September 2025 had an estimated population of 2,337,864 with apopulation density of 7,161.5 inhabitants per square kilometre (18,548/sq mi). Also as of July 2025[update] an estimated 1,193,148 households resided there—a significant increase from 153,370 at the end of thePacific War in 1945.[4]
The area is 326.45 square kilometres (126.04 sq mi). Itsmetropolitan area extends into theMie andGifu prefectures, with a total population of about 10million people, surpassed only by Osaka and Tokyo.
TheNagoya International Center promotes international exchange in the local community. It houses the U.S. Consulate and the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD).
The aviation history has historically been of importance since the industrialization. During the Second World War theMitsubishi A6M Zero fighter was constructed in Nagoya. The aviation tradition continues withMitsubishi Aircraft Corporation headquartered in theNagoya Airfield's terminal building inKomaki. TheMitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) aircraft is produced at a factory adjacent to the airport.[22]
The MRJ is a partnership between majority owner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Toyota[23] with design assistance from Toyota affiliateSubaru Corporation, already a manufacturer of aircraft. It is the first airliner designed and produced in Japan since theNAMC YS-11 of the 1960s.[24][25] The MRJ's first flight was in November 2015.[26][27]
Japanese pottery and porcelain has a long tradition due to suitable clay being available inOwari Province. Before and during theEdo period there were two main kilns in the region:Seto andTokoname. In Nagoya Castle a type ofoniwa-yaki (literally "garden ware") calledOfukei ware was produced by the feudal lord's court. Almost every feudal lord had his ownoniwa-yaki, also to have gifts made.
Toyoraku ware continued on until theTaishō era under the 8th generation. Colourful pieces and gorgeous tea utensils were highly valued. Sasashima ware also experienced its heyday during this time. Colourful and soft ceramic items such as sake and tea utensils and objects were produced and intently collected.
An early type of manufactured production was the blue-and-whiteKawana ware. With the advent of industrialization during theMeiji era of the late 19th century, some export wares were produced. Industrial-scale export porcelain was made by oldNoritake, alsoNagoya E-tsuke (名古屋絵付) became popular.[28]
Production of industrial ceramics continues to be an important economic factor with companies such asINAX,NGK, andNGK Insulators.
Brother Industries, which is known for office electronics such asmultifunction printers is based in Nagoya, as is Hoshizaki Electric, which is known for commercial ice machines and refrigeration equipment. Many smallmachine tool and electronics companies are also based in the area.[33]
TheWorld Expo 2005, also known as Aichi Expo was held near Nagoya in the neighboring cities ofNagakute andSeto from March 25 to September 25, 2005.
The old Nagoya Court of Appeals building, today the city archiveTheNagoya University campus in Higashiyama. The university has produced sevenNobel Prize laureates in science.Nanzan University main campus, designed by renowned architectAntonin Raymond in the 1960s
Nagoya has mostly state-run primary and secondary schools. The area in the city limits includes international schools such as theNagoya International School and Colégio Brasil Japão Prof. ShinodaBrazilian school.[34]
Nagoya is served byChubu Centrair International Airport (NGO), built on an artificial island inTokoname. The airport has international flights and a high volume of domestic flights.
A second airport isNagoya Airfield (Komaki Airport, NKM) near the city's boundary withKomaki andKasugai. On February 17, 2005, Nagoya Airport's commercial international flights moved to Centrair Airport. Nagoya Airfield is now used forgeneral aviation and as anairbase and is the mainFuji Dream Airlines hub.
Several private and public bus companies operate with of routes throughout the region. Most local bus routes complement existing rail service to form an effective intermodal transit network.
Atsuta Shrine is the second-most venerable shrine in Japan, afterIse Grand Shrine. It is said to hold theKusanagi sword, one of the threeimperial regalia of Japan, but it is not on public display. It holds around 70 festivals per year. The shrine hosts over 4,400national treasures that span its 2,000-year history.
Nagoya Castle was built in 1612. Although a large part of it burned down during the Pacific War, the castle was restored in 1959, adding amenities such as elevators. The castle is famous for two magnificent Golden tiger-headed carp (金の鯱,Kin noShachihoko) on the roof, often used as the symbol of Nagoya.
TheNoritake factory: The home of Noritake fine chinaware is open to visitors and allows people to learn about the history of the establishment. It includes a cafe, information/technology displays, and shopping facilities. It also holds a few unrestored areas that serve as reminders of devastation caused by the final stages of the Pacific War.
Nagoya was a major trading city and political seat of the Owari lords, the most important house of the Tokugawa clan. They encouraged trade and the arts under their patronage, especiallyTokugawa Muneharu, the 7th lord, who took a keen interest in drama and plays and lived lavishly. Under his rule, actors and actresses began to visit Nagoya. Arts and culture was further supported by the city's wealthy merchants. Culture flourished after the feudalEdo period and the beginning of the Meiji era. During the Pacific War many old buildings and artefacts were destroyed. The region's economic and financial power in the post-war years rekindled the artistic and cultural scene. The city is recognized as a "Design City" by UNESCO.
The Tokugawa Art Museum, which houses some of the finest art treasures of Japan
Textile Machinery Pavilion in the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
Nagoya has multiple museums, including traditional and modern art, handicrafts to industrial high-tech, natural and scientific museums.
Nagoya Castle's collection is from the Owari Tokugawa era. The main tower is a museum that details the history of the castle and the city. The Honmaru Palace, destroyed in the Pacific War, was reconstructed in 2018;[41] it is a prime example of theShoin-zukuri architecture of the feudal era.Tokugawa Art Museum is a private museum belonging to the Owari Tokugawa, who lived in Nagoya castle for 16 generations. Among other things, it contains 10 designatednational Treasures of Japan, including some of the oldest scrolls ofThe Tale of Genji.[42] The Nagoya Noh Theatre houses various precious objects ofNoh theatre. TheNagoya City Museum showcases the history of the town.
Yōki-sō is a villa and gardens located in Chikusa-ku, close to Nittai-ji. It was constructed in the Taishō era for Ito Jirozaemon Suketami XV, the first president ofMatsuzakaya.
Paintings and sculpture are exhibited at theNagoya City Art Museum. Modern art is displayed at theAichi Arts Center. The Aichi Arts Center also is the venue of rotating exhibitions.
The civic authorities promote tourism and have taken steps to safeguard architectural heritage by earmarking them as cultural assets. Apart from the castle, temples, shrines and museums in the city, a "Cultural Path" was instituted in the 1980s, located between the Tokugawa Art Museum and Nagoya Castle. This residential area has historic buildings such as the Nagoya City Archives, the Nagoya City Hall main building, the Aichi Prefectural Office main building, the Futaba Museum, the former residence of Sasuke Toyoda, the former residence of Tetsujiro Haruta and the Chikaramachi Catholic Church. Most buildings date from the Meiji and Taishō era and are protected.
Nō andKyōgen theatre date back to the feudal times of the Owari Tokugawa lords. TheNagoya Noh Theater at Nagoya Castle continues that tradition and is a prominent feature in the cultural life of the city, with monthly performances.
Developed during the Edo period, one of Japan'skabuki grand stages isMisono-za, which also hosts various other Japanese entertainment such as concerts.
In 1912, the musician Gorō Morita invented theNagoya harp music instrument.
In 1992, the large, modernAichi Arts Center was opened in Sakae. It is the main venue forperforming arts, featuring a main hall that can be used foropera and theatre and a concert hall. TheNagoya Philharmonic Orchestra performs there, as well as many visiting guest orchestras.
Major events include the June Atsuta Festival, the July Port Festival, the August Nagoya Castle Summer Festival and the October Nagoya Festival. Wards and areas host local festivals such as theDaidō-chōnin Matsuri (大須大道町人祭,Street Performer's Festival) in Ōsu.
TheNagoya dialect (名古屋弁,Nagoya-ben) is spoken in the western half of Aichi Prefecture, centering on Nagoya. It is also called Owari dialect (尾張弁,Owari-ben). The Nagoya dialect is relatively close tostandard Japanese and to theKansai dialect, differing in pronunciation and vocabulary.
Arimatsu and Narumi dye: during the construction of Nagoya Castle in the 17th century, the lords of Owari called in skilled craftsmen fromBungo Province inKyushu, known for their tie-dyed fabrics. These craftsmen and their families were treated generously by the Owari and settled in the Arimatsu und Narumi neighbourhoods. Only the base fabric is dyed, leaving parts that were knotted as white spots. This highly specialised process requires 6–12 months to complete.
Getaclog straps: wooden clogs calledgeta were the shoes of the feudal era. The Owari devised a unique pattern for the cotton straps of the clogs and ordered them to be made by local weavers. The technique has developed over the generations. The straps became stronger and more resilient but more comfortable for the feet with the discovery of cotton velvet.
Shippo: the technique forenamelware calledshippo arrived from the Netherlands towards the end of the Edo period. The patterns appear almost transparent and are often used on pottery.
Candles:wax is taken from awax tree and painted around a rope made of grass and Japanese paper (washi) over and over again into layers. When cut in half, the candle looks as if it grew like a tree with rings. Japanese candles produce less smoke and are harder to blow out, since thewick tends to be larger. Artists paint the candles in coloured patterns.
Yuzen: the art ofsilk dyeing was introduced by craftsmen from Kyoto during the rule of Owari Togukawa. The initial designs were extravagant and brightly coloured, but over time became more muted and light-coloured.
Sekku Ningyo: festival dolls were introduced by markets during the Meiji era. Nagoya craftsmen rank among the top producers.
The city also gave its name to a type ofobi, the sash that is used to tie akimono. The termNagoya obi can refer to an older type ofobi used centuries ago. This type was cord-like.[43] The currentNagoya obi (名古屋帯?) – or to differentiate from thefukuro Nagoya obi, also calledkyūsun Nagoya obi (九寸名古屋帯?; "nine-inch nagoya obi") – is the most-usedobi type today. It was developed by a seamstress living in Nagoya at the end of the 1920s. The new, easy-to-use obi gained popularity among Tokyo's geisha, from whom it then was adopted by fashionable city women for their everyday wear. TheNagoya obi was originally for everyday wear, not for ceremonial outfits, but one made from exquisite brocade can be accepted as semi-ceremonial wear. A more formal version is called theFukuro Nagoya obi (袋名古屋帯?) orhassun Nagoya obi (八寸名古屋帯?; "eight-inch Nagoya obi"), which is more formal.[44]
The city and the region are known for their unique localNagoya cuisine (名古屋めし,Nagoya meshi). Dishes include:
Tebasaki: chicken wings marinated in a sweet sauce with sesame seeds, basically a type ofyakitori
Tenmusu: a rice ball wrapped with nori that is filled with deep-fried tempura shrimp[47]
Kishimen: flatudon noodles with a slippery texture, dipped in a light soy sauce soup and a slicedleek or other flavouring added. It can be eaten cold or hot.
Redmiso: various dishes that use redmiso, such asmiso katsu (pork cutlet) with sweetmiso sauce andmiso nikomi udon (hardudon stewed inmiso soup)
Hitsumabushi: rice dish withunagi in a lidded wooden container. This dish is enjoyed three ways; asunadon, with spice and aschazuke.
Miso nikomi udon: Firmer texture udon noodles. It is served in a Donabe pot and it usually arrives still bubbling and steaming hot at the table.
The city was the setting for the 2007 movieAshita e no yuigon (translated asBest Wishes for Tomorrow), in which aJapanese war criminal sets out to take responsibility for the execution of U.S. airmen.[49] The animeThe Wind Rises byHayao Miyazaki, released in 2013, is a highly fictionalized biography of theMitsubishi A6M Zero's chief engineerJiro Horikoshi and takes mostly place in Nagoya of the 1920s and 1930s.[50][51] Nagoya is also the setting for the manga and anime seriesYatogame-chan Kansatsu Nikki, which highlights many of the sites and traditions of the city.
Haruki Murakami called Nagoya "another world" (異界, ikai) in the book "Tokyo Surume Club: Chikyuu no Hagurekata".
In 2007, the Chunichi Dragons won theJapan Series baseball championship. In 2010, Nagoya Grampus won the J. League championship, their first in team history. Nagoya is also the home of the Nagoya Barbarians semi-prorugby football club.
In September 2016 the city was awarded the right to host the 2026Asian Games after it was the only city to lodge a bid. It will be the third time Japan hosts the event after Tokyo in 1958 andHiroshima in 1994.[52]
Minamoto no Yoritomo was the firstshōgun of theKamakura shogunate. His family had roots as the high priests of Atsuta Shrine and he was born in the family villa what is Seigan-ji today.
The three samurais who unified Japan in the 16th century all have strong links to Nagoya:
^Campbell, Richard H. (2005).The Silverplate Bombers: A History and Registry of the Enola Gay and Other B-29's Configured to Carry Atomic Bombs. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc.ISBN0-7864-2139-8.
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