Hot summer scenes in Aichi
Aichi’s spectacular summer line up of events and festivals is enough to get anyone revved and ready to go. Enjoy a range of traditional and subculture events, including 1,300-year-old cormorant fishing, sumo wrestling, energetic dance groups, and so much more!
Inuyama CityKiso River Ukai Cormorant Fishing
Bird and man fishing on the Kiso River
Ukai, or cormorant fishing, is a 1,300 year old traditional fishing technique using tethered cormorants to catch sweetfish. A fire hanging from a steel basket at the front of the boat attracts the fish, which are scooped up by the diving birds. The cormorant handler then pulls the cormorants in and the larger fish are thrown up from the birds' beaks.
Inuyama Castle
- Inuyama Castle is the oldest remaining of just five castle keeps designated as national treasures. The Warring States period architecture displays graceful, elegant curves and tried-and-true traditional decorations. A must-see on your trip through Japan!
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Nagoya CityNagoya Grand Sumo Tournament
Tradition, culture, and exciting action-packed fun
There’s no lack of traditional action and excitement when the annual Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament comes to town for two weeks of wrestling every July! See the big men battle it out in the ring in this ancient sport. Action starts with the lower ranked divisions and climaxes with the top-ranked wrestlers later.
Nagoya Castle
- A symbol of Nagoya City, Nagoya Castle was built in 1610 by Tokugawa Ieyasu. It was one of the largest, best-designed castles in Japan. The impressive keep has the greatest floor space of any Japanese castle. And the Hommaru Palace, rebuilt to its original specifications, is absolutely gorgeous.
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Nagoya CityWorld Cosplay Summit
Japan's subculture of cosplay comes together in Nagoya's grand summit
Japan’s anime, manga and game culture has spread around the world, and so has the phenomenon of cosplay, where fans dress as their favorite characters. Join in on the fun at the Osu shopping district’s annual Cosplay Parade, and the World Cosplay Championships at Oasis21!
Osu Kannon Temple
- Nagoya’s Osu Kannon Temple is a phenomenal photogenic temple. Host to a twice-monthly antique fair, it is surrounded by rows of shopping arcades selling electrical to fashion merchandise and everything in between. Dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy and compassion, a wooden statue carved by the Buddhist saint Kobo Daishi is enshrined in the main hall.
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Nagoya CityNippon Domannaka Festival
Enjoy the sights and sounds of Japan’s biggest dance festival!
This Guinness record-holding dance festival, the Nippon Domanaka Festival, welcomes some 1.8 million visitors during the three day August event. Enjoy the sights and sounds of this colorful, lively festival in the city center, where everyone is welcome to take part!
Oasis21
- Oasis21’s futuristic landmark, Spaceship Aqua, is a glass and steel pipe structure holding a shallow pool containing 15 tons of water. Below it are many restaurants, cafes, specialty and fashion stores, and an event space. Lit up at night, Oasis21 is a stunning sight!
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Toyohashi CityFire Festival
Goodness gracious great balls of fire!
See rows of traditional handheld fireworks and the brave men who make and fire them off, sending shafts of hissing, sparkling fire high up into the summer night sky before exploding in a great ball of fire and smoke. An exciting audio and visual spectacular accompanied by Japanese drumming performances.
Yoshida Castle
- Explore the ruins of Yoshida Castle, immortalized in classic woodblock prints depicting the historic Tokai Road.
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