Located in the center of Japan, Nagoya is an excellent base for excursions into surrounding cities and regions. Below is a list of a few recommended side trips from the expo area:
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Nagoya
Less than one hour from the expo sites
Japan's fourth largest city offers a range of historic and modern attractions, including a feudal castle and a bustling downtown area.
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Toyota
Less than one hour from the expo sites
Toyota's headquarters and many of its domestic production plants are located in Toyota City, just outside of Nagoya. The leading car manufacturer offers factory tours and various other car related attractions.
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Inuyama
30 minutes north of Nagoya
A small city north of Nagoya, Inuyama offers an original feudal castle, a celebrated tea garden and Meiji Mura, an open air museum about the architecture of the Meiji Period.
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Kyoto
45 minutes west of Nagoya
Capital of Japan for more than 1000 years, Kyoto offers more historic attractions than any other Japanese city. A visit to Kyoto is a must for anybody with an interest in traditional Japan.
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Kiso Valley
60 minutes northeast of Nagoya
The Kiso Valley offers several beautifully preserved post towns along the Nakasendo, a former highway connecting Tokyo with Kyoto.
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Ise
90 minutes south of Nagoya
Ise, located on the Shima Peninsula in Mie Prefecture, is home to the Ise Shrines, Japan's most sacred Shinto shrines.
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Takayama
2 hours north of Nagoya
Takayama is a town in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, which has retained a traditional touch like few other Japanese cities.
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Shirakawa-go
3 hours north of Nagoya
A remote, mountainous region in northern Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go is famous for its old farmhouses, which were added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites in 1995.
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