Aichi
Prefecture Aichi
Aichi 愛知県

Atsuta Shrine, Inuyama Castle, and town crafts showcase Aichi's samurai heartland. Explore cultural properties with Nagoya base tips.

6 National Treasures
6 Important Cultural Properties
0 World Heritage
6 Other Heritage
— Designation —

Important Cultural Properties

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About Aichi

愛知県
Aichi Prefecture, central prefecture of Chubu region with Nagoya City as capital, represents one of Japan's premier industrial prefectures. While having no World Heritage sites, it possesses rich historical culture as Tokugawa Ieyasu's birthplace, developing as automotive industry center in modern times.

Nagoya Castle, built in 1612 as residence castle for Owari Tokugawa family, head of Tokugawa three branch families, represents flatland castle. Large and small keeps plus Honmaru Palace reconstruction continue current maintenance. Particularly, rooftop golden shachi serve as beloved Nagoya Castle symbols, also called "Kinshachi Castle." Honmaru Palace, reconstruction completed in 2018, features gorgeous Kano school barrier paintings as highlights.

Atsuta Shrine, enshrining Kusanagi sword (one of three imperial regalia), has gathered court and warrior worship since ancient times. As one of Japan's premier shrines with approximately 7 million annual worshippers, New Year shrine visits rank nationally high. Precincts feature camphor trees over 1,000 years old, creating sacred atmospheres.

Inuyama Castle, one of 12 existing keeps, represents beautiful castle built on hills along Kiso River. The keep built in 1537 during Muromachi period is designated national treasure, with top floors overlooking Kiso River flows and Nobi Plain. Also beloved by alternate name "Hakutei Castle," particularly crowded during spring cherry blossom season.

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, corporate museum established in Nagoya City as Toyota Group birthplace, teaches Toyota's technological development history from textile machinery to automobile manufacturing. Facilities featuring actual machine dynamic displays and automobile manufacturing process tours enable experiencing technological progress.

Nagoya food culture is distinctive, with miso-nikomi udon as representative local cuisine. Rich soup using red miso with strong, chewy udon noodles, served simmered in earthenware pots. Hitsumabushi, another Nagoya specialty featuring finely chopped eel over rice, is typically enjoyed through four eating methods.

Miso katsu, pork cutlet with sweet-salty red miso sauce, is beloved as representative Nagoya B-grade gourmet. Chicken wing karaage also allegedly originated in Nagoya, with sweet-salty sauce, sesame, and pepper-seasoned wings spreading nationwide.

Ankake spaghetti also represents unique Nagoya cuisine, featuring thick spaghetti with vegetable starch sauce. Born in the 1950s, numerous specialized restaurants continue serving this beloved Nagoya soul food.

Aichi Prefecture, automotive industry center, concentrates numerous automotive-related companies including Toyota Motor. Toyota Kaikan in Toyota City teaches latest automotive technology and environmental initiatives. Additionally, Aichi Expo (2005 Japan International Exposition) venue sites are currently maintained as Ai-Chikyuhaku Memorial Park (Morikoro Park).

Tokoname ware, pottery made in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, counts among Japan's six ancient kilns. Particularly famous for maneki-neko production, Tokoname City features numerous kilns and pottery experience facilities. Additionally, Arimatsu shibori represents traditional tie-dyeing made in Nagoya City Midori Ward Arimatsu district, known for techniques and beautiful patterns.