Aichi Hotels

Aichi is one of Japan’s 47 sub national jurisdictions situated in the Chubu region, also known as the Tokai region. Aichi is home to many well-known Japanese cities including Nagoya (the capital), Gamagori, Ichinomiya, Inuyama, Nagakute, Okazaki, Seto, Tahara, Toyohashi and Toyota (yes, named after the car-making factory). Aichi runs along the Pacific Ocean and is a heavy manufacturing area, one of the biggest industrial regions of Japan. The name ‘Aichi’ comes from a poem, ‘The Cry of the Crane’ by Takechi Kurohito.

There are many things to see and do in the Aichi Prefecture. The Meiji Mura in Inuyama is an open-air museum of architecture that conserves buildings from the Meiji and Taisho periods of Japan’s history. Other places to visit in the area include a tour of the well-known Toyota factory, the monkey park in Inuyama, and castles in Nagoya, Toyohashi, Okazaki and Inuyama. The Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium is another place of interest with an exciting dolphin show. While there are not many beaches to speak of, there are beautiful scenic spots along the eastern seacoast.

Aichi is also known for its culture of ‘miso’, one of Japan’s traditional seasonings. Miso is usually eaten as a soup but can also be used as a paste to spread on fried pork, shrimp or tofu.

When To Go

Aichi is found near the centre of Honshu, the main island of Japan. Known throughout Japan to have a variable climate, the winters can be especially cold with frosty weather and heavy snowfalls. The Nagoya climate is affected by being on the coast of the Pacific Ocean.

• Winter: While city winters can be cold, temperatures are rarely freezing

• Summer: The summer climate has temperatures frequently topping 30°C (86°F) and even 35°C (95°F)

• Weather affected by Pacific Ocean

Getting There

There are two main airports located in the Aichi Prefecture, the Chubu Centrair International Airport (located just south of Nagoya and considered the main international gateway) and the Nagoya Regional Airport. To get around the Aichi Prefecture by train, you will find the Tokaido Shinkansen going through Toyohashi and Nagoya from Tokyo on its way to Osaka and Kyoto. Railway transportation is common in Aichi. The main railroads are the ‘Aichi Kannjyo Tetsudou’ (also called ‘Aikan’ for short), the ‘JR Tokai’ (Japan Railroad), and the ‘Nagoya Tetsudou’ (also called ‘Meitetsu’ for short). Which train you should take depends on where you are going. The JR Tokai services every major city. For visiting local places with the Aichi area, you may opt for the Meitetsu or the Aikan (in particular for the Toyota areas). There is also an underground subway system for getting around the local areas of Nagoya. As in any other First World country, rental cars are also available for getting around. Be forewarned that the streets in Japan are much narrower than what you may be accustomed to, and they drive on the left side of the road.

• Two international airports

• Several railroads that can be used

• Rental cars are available

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