The Toyota and Honda factories are the not the only reason millions of travelers flock to Nagoya each year. Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city and is teeming with rich history, futuristic modern architecture, varieties of global and local cuisine, and a fast-paced nightlife.
Nagoya's city center Sakae is full of bright lights, great shopping centers, and pubs, bars, and restaurants without the crowds of Tokyo and Osaka.
Don't miss the oldest castle in Japan, Inuyama, which stands tall and is open for visitors to tour, as well as the nearby Meiji village.
From deep-fried, peppered chicken wings to battered pork cutlet served with red miso and round after round of delicious sake, you can literally eat your way through this city and skip the fine dining.
Nagashima Spa Land is actually a thronging amusement park with the world's longest roller coaster, the Steel Dragon 2000.
Home to vintage clothing boutiques, manga and second-hand record stores, and flea markets, the Osu District will keep you occupied for days.
You're definitely not pressed for choice: Nagoya's best eats are everywhere. Try handmade udon noodles in thick broth at Yamamotoya Sōhonke for ¥1200 or some Tex-Mex fun at Desperados Mexican Restaurant and Bar for around ¥1,100.
Nagoya enjoys steaming hot summers and mild falls and winters. It gets as low as 39.2 degrees in January and gets as high as 95 degrees in August.
Nagoya is serviced by Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) which is 30 minutes away from the city's center. Take the μSKY train service, which costs ¥1200.
Getting in by train, travelers use the high-speed shinkansen service. Depending on where you're coming from (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto), tickets cost between ¥6,180 and ¥10,780.
Driving from Tokyo to Nagoya, you can take the Chuo Expressway or the Tomei. Chou Expressway is the more scenic route. The Tomei is a straighter route and though it has more traffic, you can catch views of Mount Fuji on a clear day.
Overnight buses to Nagoya, run by Willer Express, come from many neighboring cities. Tickets cost between ¥3,000-5,300 and can be booked online.
For no-frills, budget accommodation, check out Kyoya Ryokan hostel. Or check in to the Mielparque Nagoya, for continental service. Luxury lovers can find the perfect suite at Nagoya Kanko Hotel.
Osu - the Osu District is the home to many festivals, Brazilian and Filipino eateries and communities, as well as the self-proclaimed nerds and geeks of manga culture.
Sakae - at the heart of Nagoya is its commercial district, Sakae. It attracts many tourists as the first stop for shopping, pubs, and nightlife spots.
Chikusa-ku - this neighborhood draws those who are spiritually inclined, home to the Tōgan-ji temple and its "Great Buddha of Nagoya" statue.
Between the bus, rail, and subway, Nagoya is well connected. Tickets cost between ¥200 to ¥320, and a one-day pass is ¥850 for both bus and subway.
Fares for taxis start at a basic fee of ¥480 and ¥725 per mile after that.
Use services like JR Eki Rent-A-Car or Nippon Rent-A-Car to get around Nagoya for ¥7,668 a day.
The Osu Shopping Arcade is a great place to begin as it has dozens of vintage, independent, mom-and-pop shops, traditional craft markets, and second-hand electronic stores, and bookstores. Or check out the Oasis 21 mall in Sakae.
A quart of milk costs ¥207 and a dozen eggs is ¥354.