Nagoya City

Introduction
A bit like Toyko with a dash of Osaka. Nagoya, Japan's fourth-largest city, isn't a traditional tourist destination, but it has a number of worthwhile sights, some good restaurants and places to shop. In spirit, this major industrial centre, the capital of Aichi-ken, feels like a scaled-down, less breakneck-paced Tokyo.

Destination Facts
Time zone: GMT +9
Area: 5150
Coordinates: 35.1549987793 latitude and 136.921005249 longitude
Population: 2184000
Area codes: 52

Getting There
Since Nagoya is not a 'hot' tourist destination, it is safe to visit any time of year. However, the best time to come is probably autumn, from late September to November, after the intense heat of summer, when the weather is usually sunny and warm. Spring, from March to May, is another beautiful season; the temperature is mild and Nagoya's cherry blossoms bloom. Winter, from December to March, is dry and temperatures hover just above zero. You may wish to avoid the rainy season (June), and the rest of summer (July and August), when the weather is often unpleasantly hot and humid.

Getting there and away
Nagoya airport is linked by air with most of Japan's major cities. If you're coming from Tokyo, however, the shinkansen (high-speed train, or 'bullet' train) is much quicker than flying: the shinkansen takes 2hrs, whereas the bus ride from the airport to Nagoya's city centre takes 30mins. Nagoya is a major shinkansen stop between Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima. Ise is connected to Nagoya by the private Kintetsu line. Tokky ū (limited express trains) run to Ise and other trains run to Nara on the Kintetsu line. Other lines have trains to the Japan Alps, Takayama and Gifu. Direct trains run to Inuyama from Nagoya every 30mins. JR and Meitetsu highway buses run between Nagoya and Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo. JR and Meitetsu also run overnight buses to Hiroshima, K ō chi, Fukuoka and Nagasaki. Taiheiyo ferries run between Nagoya and Tomakomai (Hokkaid ō , 40hrs) via Sendai (21hrs) every second evening.

Getting around
Express buses run from Nagoya airport to Meitetsu bus station, which is just southeast of JR Nagoya station. A taxi ride from the city to the airport takes around 30mins. Nagoya has an excellent subway system with four lines, all clearly signposted in English and Japanese. There is an extensive city bus system, but the subway is easier to use for those who don't know much Japanese. If you plan to do a lot of travel by subway or bus, you can save money with a one-day pass, available at subway stations. The one-day 'Ikomai Pass' includes all transport plus free or discounted admission to selected attractions.

Weather
From April to October Nagoya is usually fairly warm or hot, but from November all the way to March a definite chill creeps in, with temperatures regularly falling below 10 ° C (50 ° F).