Aichi

About Aichi

Aichi Prefecture covers about 5,173.26 sq km and about 7.44 million residents (7,446,480 estimated July 2026) ranking fourth Japan, capital Nagoya City designated ordinance city 2.33 million people. Located Tokai Chubu, borders Shizuoka, Nagano east, Gifu north, Mie west, opening south Ise Bay, Mikawa Bay Chita, Atsumi Peninsulas, Mikawa Bay dotted three inhabited islands Himakajima octopus and fugu, Shinosima shirasu, Sakushima art. Topography flat western Owari centered Nobi Plain alluvial soil where population concentrates 70 percent, mountainous eastern Mikawa Sanage peaks up to Chausuyama 1,415 m Nagano border. Rivers Kiso, Yahagi, Toyokawa. History corresponds Owari, Mikawa provinces, birthplace three heroes Oda Nobunaga Nagoya Castle precursor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi Nakamura, Tokugawa Ieyasu Okazaki Castle. In 1871 Haihan-chiken former Owari minus Chita became Nagoya Prefecture, Mikawa plus Chita became Nukata Prefecture, Nagoya Prefecture renamed Aichi April 1872 after Aichi County where Nagoya center lay meaning hot field, merging Nukata November 1872 present. Climate Pacific type hot humid summers over 35 C many days, muggy due south wind Ise Bay, dry sunny winters Ibuki-oroshi dry wind 10 m/s snow small, occasional heavy snow inflow Sekigahara penetrating western Aichi up to 20 cm Nobi such as 1995, slight Central Highland influence northeastern mountains Shitara 500 cm snow limited. Dialect Owari ben famous phrase dandara rin Mikawa ben jan dara rin. Industry Japan largest industrial prefecture 46 consecutive years top manufactured shipments 58 trillion yen peak 2019, anchored Toyota City home Toyota Motor 380,000 employees group, aerospace Nagoya region Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MRJ Boeing parts, ceramics, steel Tokai City. Commercial sales 39.4 trillion yen third nationwide centered Nagoya Station Sakae. Agriculture 311.4 billion yen eighth nationwide including Nagoya Cochin chicken, ichijiku figs, cabbage. Tourism highlights Nagoya Castle rebuilt Honmaru Palace using Kiso hinoki, Atsuta Shrine enshrining Kusanagi sword one Three Sacred Treasures, Inuyama Castle national treasure oldest Tenshu 1601 Japan, Korankei maple valley Toyota City 4,000 maples illuminated evening Heike falling Tsuzumi, Iragomisaki Cape tip Atsumi Peninsula lighthouse romantic love bell, Toyota Commemorative Museum Industry Technology, SCMaglev Park, Legoland Japan, Lake Iruka, Ghibli Park Morikoro Park former Expo 2005 Totoro hill. Chubu Centrair International Airport artificial island air gateway. Tourism and industry coexist with deep cultural traditions preserved for centuries offering visitors nature, history, and cuisine year-round. Nagoya meshi cuisine like hitsumabushi eel, miso katsu, tebasaki chicken wings, and kishimen noodles defines local eating culture. Industrial tourism includes factory tours at Toyota and Noritake ceramics. Seaside activities focus on tidal flats, fishing, and beach walks, while modern shrines hosting summer festivals bring water and light shows to center city. Combined attractions make it suitable for first-time and repeat visitors year-round with efficient public transport and well-signed hiking routes.