Aichi Prefecture offers a diverse range of experiences to enjoy at any time of the year.
Below are four types of experiences: Japanese cultural experiences, industrial experiences, nature experiences, and excursions.
Located in Nagoya City, the Tamesaburo Memorial Museum, a branch of the Furukawa Art Museum, allows you to explore a serene Japanese garden and traditional tea rooms. Additionally, the museum features a charming café where you can indulge in matcha tea and traditional Japanese sweets. Step into the world of refined tea ceremony culture within the elegant premises of this former residence of a prosperous merchant.
Traditional Crafts
Aichi Prefecture is a region deeply rooted in a variety of traditional crafts.
Seto City and Tokoname City, renowned for their 1,000-year legacy in pottery production, hold a special place as home to six distinguished kilns in Japan. Here, you can engage in various hands-on experiences, including crafting tea bowls and plates, painting beckoning cats, and more.
In Ama City, you can unleash your creativity by crafting your unique cloisonné ware, such as accessories and hand mirrors. This intricate art form involves the application of vivid glassy glazes in an array of colors to metal surfaces.
Arimatsu, situated in Nagoya City, is renowned for its 400-year-old Arimatsu Shibori tie-dyeing technique. You can witness mesmerizing shibori demonstrations by skilled traditional craftspeople and even partake in the hands-on experience of shaping handkerchiefs and tenugui (hand towels) using shibori techniques.
By engaging in these timeless experiences deeply rooted in the region's history, you can appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship of traditional Japanese culture.
Festivals
Aichi Prefecture hosts an array of intriguing traditional festivals.
During April, the Inuyama Festival takes place amidst the enchanting cherry blossoms. The festival is highlighted by the grandeur of the yama floats, towering and majestic, as they gracefully proceed through the festivities.
Come July, Minamichita hosts the Toyohama Sea Bream Festival, renowned as the strange festival on Earth. Witness the spectacle of a colossal sea bream, ingeniously crafted from bamboo and wood, weighing approximately one ton. This magnificent creature parades through the town, leaving spectators in awe. Meanwhile, in Toyohashi, the Toyohashi Gion Festival dazzles attendees with a unique fireworks display. Fireworks are launched into the sky using handheld devices held skillfully under the arm.
At the onset of each year, on the 13th day of the first lunar month (typically falling around January or February in the Gregorian calendar), the Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri unfolds. This extraordinary event sees thousands of courageous men, adorned solely in sarashi loincloths and white tabi socks, strive to touch the chosen man, known as the shin-otoko, to pass on their future misfortunes to him.
These traditional festivals, deeply rooted in the local community, with their exceptional and extraordinary celebrations, are bound to ignite a passionate frenzy within you.
<Industrial Experience>
Aichi Prefecture thrives as a region famous for its manufacturing prowess. Consequently, the prefecture is adorned with an abundance of industrial sightseeing destinations.
INAX MUSEUMS
INAX (now LIXIL), a globally recognized manufacturer of sanitaryware ceramics, has established a museum featuring six pavilions. Here, you can delve into the history and beauty of Japanese clay and ceramic.
The museum conserves kiln structures and chimneys dating back over 100 years, housing a carefully curated collection of over 7,000 tiles from across the globe. There is also a Shiny Clay Ball Workshop for children and adults.
Mizkan Museum
The Mizkan Museum is dedicated to the history of vinegar and run by Mizkan, a renowned Japanese food brand with a history spanning 200 years.
The museum delves into vinegar brewing from the Edo period (1603-1868) to the modern era. There are also fun, hands-on sushi-making experiences for both children and adults to enjoy.
<Experience Nature>
Islands (Sakushima, Himakajima, Shinojima)
Aichi Prefecture boasts three captivating islands: Sakushima, Himakajima, and Shinojima.
Sakushima is an artistic haven with 22 diverse creations, including East House, blending seamlessly with nature's beauty.
Himakajima Island stands out for its octopus and pufferfish delicacies. Lover's Swing overlooks the vast sea leaving you feeling airborne, making for a refreshing and serene vacation.
Shinoshima Island holds a spot among Japan's top 100 sunset-watching destinations, painting the sky in breathtaking hues.
Mountain Climbing and Skiing
Aichi has a bounty of nature.
Engage in outdoor pursuits in Aichi like Mt. Sanage which offers an accessible start for beginners, while Mt Horaiji's maple foliage is famed. The Imo Wetlands, a national natural treasure, captivate with their charm.
When winter blankets the landscape, Mt. Chausu Plateau (Chausuyama Kogen) Ski Resort beckons skiers. Throughout the year, diverse outdoor experiences await adventurers of all kinds.
<Excursions>
Fruit Picking
Aichi Prefecture, blessed with its gentle climate, stands as a fruit paradise cultivating a variety of produce like mandarin oranges, juicy grapes, luscious melons, flavorful blueberries, and succulent strawberries.
Numerous orchards invite you to partake in the joy of fruit picking. Places like Gamagori Orange Park and Strawberry Park Mifune offer easy access to this delightful experience. So, pick your preferred farm and relish the pleasure of savoring these freshly harvested fruits.