| Nagoya is the fourth largest city in Japan. Located on the Pacific coast in the Chubu region on central Honshu, it is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and is one of Japan's major ports along with those of Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Yokohama, Chiba, and Hakata. It is also the center of Japan's third largest metropolitan region, known as the Chukyo Metropolitan Area. As of 2000, Chukyo Metropolitan Area has 8.74 million people, of which 2.17 million live in the city of Nagoya.
Nagoya's two most famous sightseeing spots are Nagoya Castle and Atsuta Shrine.
Nagoya Castle was built in 1612. Although a large part of it burned down in the fires of World War II, the castle was restored in 1959, adding some modern amenities such as elevators. The castle is very famous for two magnificent Golden Orca on the roof, often used as the symbol of Nagoya.
Atsuta Shrine is known as the second-most venerable shrine in Japan, after Ise Shrine. It enshrines the Kusanagi sword, one of the three imperial regalia of Japan. It holds around 70 festivals in a year, and many people visit the shrine year-round. Also, the shrine has over 4,400 national treasures representing its 2,000 years' history.
Nagoya is served by Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) in the city of Tokoname and by Nagoya Airport (Komaki Airport) (NKM) which is located in the cities of Komaki and Kasugai. On February 17, 2005, all of Nagoya Airport's commercial flights (except for flights operated by J-Air) moved to Centrair. Nagoya Airport is now used as a general aviation and airbase facility.
Nagoya Station, the world's largest train station by floor area, is on the Tokaido Shinkansen, Tokaido Main Line, and Chuo Main Line, among others. The Nagoya Railroad and Kinki Nippon Electric Railway provide regional rail service to points in the Tokai and Kansai regions. The city is also serviced by the Nagoya Subway.
Nagoya Port is the largest port by international trade value in Japan. Toyota Motor Corporation uses Nagoya Port for export of their products.
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