att.JAPAN

Nagoya City was the domain of one of the three top families of the Tokugawa clan in the Edo period (1603-1687) and has since been developed mainly in the industrial field because of its economic strengths. The city originated from the development by Tokugawa Ieyasu with the construction of a castle and the surrounding town about 400 years ago. Nagoya is strategically located between Edo (now Tokyo) and the Kyoto-Osaka area and has long been a key junction between these areas. Blessed with the fertile land of the Nobi Plain, an abundance of seafood from the Ise Bay, and high quality lumber from the upstream land of the Kiso River, the city has had the potential to develop since its beginnings. Honmaru Palace of Nagoya Castle, constructed by the deep-pocketed Tokugawa family, is said to be the best modern castle palace in Japan. It is currently being restored. Many craftsmen gathered in the town to compete for the opportunity to show off their skills; for example, Japanese clockwork techniques were used in the production of karakuri dolls (wind-up dolls). The manufacturing techniques and their spirit of excellence have carried over into the modern industry.