Travel Japan by H.I.S.

Nagoya Castle boasts over 1600 cherry trees of various varieties that reach full bloom one after another beginning in late March. At night, the castle and cherry blossoms are illuminated creating the perfect location for night-time viewing!

Atsuta shrine's biggest festival, with various performances by parishioners, including a procession of floats. At night, several visually stunning floats, each comprised of 365 lanterns, are displayed at the east and west gates. Also there will be fireworks near Atsuta Jingu park.

Nagoya Port's Garden Pier and environs host a myriad of events that help us appreciate the ocean. The highlight of the festivities is an evening fireworks display. Come and enjoy the overwhelming site of thousands of fireworks illuminating the evening sky!

Firework makers from all over Japan are selected for this festival. More than 550,000 people become intoxicated with the creative decorations of more than 10,000 fireworks exploding in the night-time sky!

People enjoy many events such as a Noh Play and a variety of booths (food, games, etc.) on the castle grounds. During this festival, the donjon also opens at night, and serves as a museum of artefacts form Edo period.

The summer festival "Maruhachi Day" which was first held on August 8(8th year of the Heisei period) will again take place this year and is growing in popularity each year. The Maruhachi is Nagoya's city seal, the Chinese character of read as "hachi", means eight while "maru" means circle. In this day, various events and sales that stuck to "Nagoya" and "8" will be held in the whole area of Nagoya city. As the key event, there will be stage performances and stalls at Hisaya-Odori Park.

This festival, known as the Nippon Domannaka Festival (nicknamed DoMatsuri) began with the dreams of local university students wanting to create a "festival that will make all of Japan happy." During the festival the streets of Nagoya are filled with dancers boasting colourful costumes and noisemakers. The entire city is drawn to this exciting festival!

The Nagoya Festival is grand event that adds bright colours to the autumn sky in Nagoya. Our city's most popular event, the annual Nagoya Festival, is rich in history and has been enjoyed by name people from all over Japan. It will be held in various locations throughout the Nagoya from October 10th-12th in 2003. During the festival a great variety of events will be held, such as the spectacular festival parade with its dazzling procession of the Three Feudal Lords of the 16th Century; Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyosi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, along with parades showcasing "dashi" floats, and musical performances. Additionally, every night will feature the vibrant "Yoi" Festival.

This Festival is known to attract street performers from throughout Japan and is also famous for its parade of women dressed as Oiran (Edo period courtesans). There will also be performances of "modern kabuki", rearranged kabuki with rock music and other various events. The festival will be held around Osu-kannon temple and the Osu shopping malls.