Exploring Nagoya: A Journey Through History and Cuisine

Inuyama Castle is accessible by a 30-minute subway ride from Nagoya Station, followed by a 20-minute walk. It is one of the oldest among the 12 existing castles in Japan, with a history of about 400 years. In 2004, it was designated as a national treasure. Unlike other castles, Inuyama Castle doesn't have a significant historical background and was privately owned until financial difficulties led the owner to transfer it to the government. The designation as a national treasure is mainly due to the scarcity of surviving castles in Japan. The top floor of the castle offers a great view, and although I didn't explore the castle town due to the heat, it's worth visiting for beautiful photos from below the castle, which is situated on a hill. Atsuta Shrine houses one of Japan's three sacred treasures, the Kusanagi Sword. With a reservation, you can see a model of the sword. The shrine is large and free to enter, making it a nice spot for a stroll if you're in Nagoya. It's worth visiting as two of the three sacred treasures are located near Nagoya, with the Yata Mirror at Ise Shrine, which is also easily accessible from Nagoya. I tried Nagoya's signature dish, Hitsumabushi, at Maruya Honten near Nagoya Station. The average price is around 4000 yen, and I ordered a premium set for 5000 yen. The first bite of eel had a distinct charcoal-grilled aroma and crispiness, but as I continued eating, it felt similar to other meals and became increasingly greasy. Although Maruya is a well-known restaurant, they didn't serve the final dashi broth for the Hitsumabushi, which I realized was missing after reading several guides. I had to request it from the waiter, which was a bit disappointing.