Nagoya - Japan's fourth-largest city and an industrial center Map of the Chubu region Nagoya is located at roughly the geographic heart of Japan. Besides being a major urban center and the capital of Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya is also vital to Japan's manufacturing industry. Japan's image as a world leader in manufacturing is, in a large part, due to the industries based in Nagoya and its surrounding area. On the outskirts of Nagoya, for example, is Toyota City, the location of the headquarters of Toyota Motor Corporation, famous all over the world as a maker of motor vehicles. In addition, the Nagoya area is studded with any number of other manufacturing businesses. Historically, Nagoya has also been the birthplace of many historic military figures, including shogun. From the latter half of the Muromachi-era (16th century), such historic figures as Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu emerged from the Nagoya area and left their names forever written into Japanese history. These men also left Nagoya with a monument to their prosperity, Nagoya Castle. Built in the Edo-era in the year 1612 by the Owari Tokugawa family, this castle served as their fortress and living quarters at the height of their achievement. The brilliant gold mythical sea creature that adorns the roof of the castle tower has become synonymous with Nagoya itself.

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Messe Nagoya 2008 - Port Messe Nagoya, Minato-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture - September 11th (Thur)-14th (Sun), 2008 Messe Nagoya is an international trade fair started in 2006 to continue the spirit of the "2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan," and the third version of the fair is being held this year. Under the theme of "Environment & Energy," various types of corporations and organizations present their technologies, products and services related to the environment. A lot of companies with innovative and competitive technologies participate in the fair and seek new business opportunities. http://www.messenagoya.jp/english/

Gujo Odori - Gujo Hachiman area, Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture - July 12th (Sat)-September 6th (Sat), 2008 - All night dancing: August 13th (Wed)-16th (Sat) The Gujo Odori dance festival dates back some 400-years. During the Edo Period (1603-1867) the Gujo Odori was founded and soon prospered to encourage people to interact and get along regardless of social status. Visitors and local people enjoy dancing together today and by dancing, visitors can enjoy the event far more than if they just sit and watch. http://www.gujohachiman.com/kanko/index_e.htm

Kurobe Dam Kanko Hosui - Kurobe Dam, Tateyama-machi, Nakaniikawa-gun, Toyama Prefecture - June 26th (Thur)-October 15th (Wed), 2008 A dam spillway display is held annually for sightseers at Kurobe Dam, where over ten cubic meters of water per second is released through the dam's spillway gate. On a sunny day with the sun in the right position, this creates a beautiful manmade rainbow. Kurobe Dam's New Observatory Square provides visitors an exciting view at point-blank range and sometimes lets visitors feel the coolness of the spray drift over them. http://www.kurobe-dam.com/ (Japanese version only)

Nagara River Ukai Fishing (fishing with cormorants) - Nagara River, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture - May 11th (Sun)-October 15th (Wed), 2008 Ukai is an ancient fishing method catching Japanese trout by using tamed cormorants. Against the background of the historic Mt. Kinka and Gifu Castle on its peak, with fires blazing on the river's surface to attract fish, the scene of the master and the cormorants cooperating together enthralls visitors, taking them back some hundred years ago. http://www.ukai-gifucity.jp/ukai/ (Japanese version only)

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