Aichi

Overview

Aichi is a first-level administrative division of Japan in the Chubu region. Its area is about 7,172 km2 and its population about 0.1 million (2024), with its capital at Nagoya.

History

The birthplace of the three unifiers Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Owari domain (a Tokugawa collateral branch) and Kariya domain existed in the Edo period; the present prefecture dates from 1872.

Geography and industry

A world-leading automobile industry centered on Toyota Motor. Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Shrine and Inuyama Castle are famous, along with miso katsu and hitsumabushi of 'Nagoya-meshi' cuisine.

Transport

Tokaido Shinkansen reaches Nagoya in about 95 minutes from Tokyo; Meitetsu and Kintetsu lines link to Chubu Centrair International Airport.