Aichi Prefecture is located in the approximate center of the Japanese archipelago. Right in the middle of Aichi is the city of Nagoya, a megalopolis second only to Tokyo and Osaka. To know Nagoya, you first must enjoy its food. It is home to unique cuisine not found in other prefectures, such as hatcho miso, cafe morning sets, hitsumabushi eel bowl, tebasaki chicken wings, and kishimen noodles. Nagoya cuisine is known for its rich flavors, inexpensive prices, and generous servings. It differs from Kyoto’s refined cuisine and Osaka’s starchy cuisine, and the region’s character is evident in every bite.

Aichi is also an area of importance in Japanese history. Nowadays it is a single prefecture, but several hundred years ago it was divided into two provinces: Mikawa (in the east) and Owari (in the west). Owari was ruled by Sengoku-era general Oda Nobunaga, while Mikawa was ruled by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the architect of Japan’s Edo era. Because these two forces were hostile, the culture and language were very different even within the same prefecture.

After you have enjoyed Nagoya, you should head east to sample the atmosphere of Mikawa. Further south, there are also beautiful islands full of nature’s blessings. The luxury of tasting all this is part of Aichi’s appeal.