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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Hida no Sato "Tanabata Kazari, Kawadoko Kazari" - Hida no Sato, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture - July 26th (Sat)-August 7th (Thurs), 2008 Tanabata or Star Festival is celebrated annually in Japan on July 7th, while one month behind here in Takayama under the old calendar. A huge bamboo leaf decoration is placed on the entrance of Hida no Sato, traditional Kawadoko Kazari decorations float on the Goami Pond, then Tanzaku Kazari are decorated along the eaves of each house. Various displays of Tanabata are prepared to welcome visitors. Why not try writing your wish on Tanzaku (strip of paper), and then hang it on the leaves of bamboo decorations for your dreams come true. http://www.hida.jp/

July Grand Sumo Tournament - Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture - July 13th (Sun)-27th (Sun), 2008 Kotooshu, who hails from Bulgaria, won the Emperor's Cup at the last tournament in May and became the first European wrestler to win a championship. The match in which he won the tournament in front of his father attracted a huge audience in Japan. While there are expectations for Kotooshu to be promoted to the rank of yokozuna (grand champion), Asashoryu and Hakuho, the two reigning yokozunas who suffered humiliating defeats in the previous tournament, will try to foil Kotooshu in this tournament. http://www.sumo.or.jp/eng/

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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