Nagoya - Japan's fourth-largest city and an industrial center Map of the Chubu region Nagoya is located at roughly the geographic heart of Japan. Besides being a major urban center and the capital of Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya is also vital to Japan's manufacturing industry. Japan's image as a world leader in manufacturing is, in a large part, due to the industries based in Nagoya and its surrounding area. On the outskirts of Nagoya, for example, is Toyota City, the location of the headquarters of Toyota Motor Corporation, famous all over the world as a maker of motor vehicles. In addition, the Nagoya area is studded with any number of other manufacturing businesses. Historically, Nagoya has also been the birthplace of many historic military figures, including shogun. From the latter half of the Muromachi-era (16th century), such historic figures as Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu emerged from the Nagoya area and left their names forever written into Japanese history. These men also left Nagoya with a monument to their prosperity, Nagoya Castle. Built in the Edo-era in the year 1612 by the Owari Tokugawa family, this castle served as their fortress and living quarters at the height of their achievement. The brilliant gold mythical sea creature that adorns the roof of the castle tower has become synonymous with Nagoya itself.

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Illuminated Autumnal Leaves in Hida-no-sato - Hida-no-sato, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture - October 25th (Sat)-November 16th (Sun), 2008 Leaves carrying the shades of autumn will be lit up in the district of the older houses of the Hida area, and look perfectly suited to the steep rafter roofs. http://www.hida.jp/

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