Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Aichi Prefecture (愛知県)
Aichi Prefecture (愛知県) is located in the Chubu region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Nagoya and primary transport gateway at Nagoya Station (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Chubu Centrair Airport (NGO). Spanning 54 cities, towns, and villages, Aichi is renowned for Nagoya Castle & Atsuta Shrine, Ghibli Park (Nagakute), original hilltop Inuyama Castle, Toyota industrial & automotive museums, Tokoname & Seto pottery towns, and Okazaki.
| Aichi Prefecture (愛知県) Quick Facts | 2026/2027 Travel Reference |
|---|---|
| Region & Capital | Chubu · Capital: Nagoya |
| Primary Rail / Transit Hub | Nagoya Station (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Chubu Centrair Airport (NGO) |
| Municipalities Covered | 54 cities, towns, wards & villages |
| Top Sightseeing Bases | Nagoya (名古屋市), Toyota (豊田市), Toyohashi (豊橋市), Ichinomiya (一宮市), Okazaki (岡崎市) |
| Best Season to Visit | Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Oct–Nov) |
| Signature Regional Food | Hitsumabushi (grilled eel over rice three ways), Miso-katsu (red Hatcho-miso pork cutlet), Tebasaki (peppery Nagoya chicken wings), Kishimen flat udon & miso nikomi udon, Ogura toast (morning service) |
Top Cities, Towns & Sightseeing Bases in Aichi Prefecture
Whether you are basing in the prefectural capital of Nagoya or planning regional day trips from Nagoya Station (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Chubu Centrair Airport (NGO), these top municipalities in Aichi Prefecture offer the richest concentration of cultural landmarks, rail links, and dining:
- Nagoya (名古屋市) — Designated major city (pop. 2,327,557, 326.45 km²) served by Shiyakusho Station (市役所駅) (0.5 km); key local sights include Gokiso Hachimangū shinto shrine, JR Central Towers is part of the Nagoya Station, Danpusan Kofun.
- Toyota (豊田市) — Core city (pop. 420,286, 918.47 km²) served by Toyotashi Station (豊田市駅) (0.5 km); key local sights include Asuke area, Kampachi Gorge, Kōrankei Gorge.
- Toyohashi (豊橋市) — Core city (pop. 377,045, 261.35 km²) served by Toyohashi Station (豊橋駅) (1.2 km); key local sights include Ishimaki Mountain (7.0 km), Miya-saki (12.5 km), Kichijō-zan (12.3 km).
- Ichinomiya (一宮市) — Core city (pop. 375,939, 113.91 km²) served by Owariichinomiya Station (尾張一宮駅) (0.6 km); key local sights include Ichinomiya Castle, Kuroda Castle, Ōno Castle.
- Okazaki (岡崎市) — Core city (pop. 371,380, 387.24 km²) served by Okazaki Station (岡崎駅) (3.5 km); key local sights include Okazaki Castle & Park — Birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu (岡崎城), Daiju-ji Temple (大樹寺), Hatcho Miso Kakukyu & Maruya Historic Warehouses (八丁味噌の郷).
- Kasugai (春日井市) — Special city (pop. 300,713, 92.71 km²) served by Kasugai Station (春日井駅) (1.3 km); key local sights include Jōjō Castle ruins, Ōdome Castle, Yoshida Castle.
How to get to Aichi Prefecture
1h 39m from Tokyo Station or 34m from Kyoto Station on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi. Once at Nagoya Station (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Chubu Centrair Airport (NGO), JR regional lines, private commuter railways, and local highway buses connect travelers across all 54 municipalities in Aichi. Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Aichi
When visiting cities across Aichi, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Hitsumabushi (grilled eel over rice three ways) — regional culinary specialty across Aichi Prefecture (愛知県).
- Miso-katsu (red Hatcho-miso pork cutlet) — regional culinary specialty across Aichi Prefecture (愛知県).
- Tebasaki (peppery Nagoya chicken wings) — regional culinary specialty across Aichi Prefecture (愛知県).
- Kishimen flat udon & miso nikomi udon — regional culinary specialty across Aichi Prefecture (愛知県).
- Ogura toast (morning service) — regional culinary specialty across Aichi Prefecture (愛知県).
Best time to visit Aichi
Late March–April for Inuyama & Nagoya Castle cherry blossoms; November for Korankei Gorge's 4,000 flaming red maple trees; year-round for museums and dining.
All 54 cities & municipalities in Aichi Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, local landmarks, nearest rail station, food specialties, and 5 closest neighboring stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nagoya 名古屋市 | Designated major city | 2,327,557 | 326.45 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Toyohashi 豊橋市 | Core city | 377,045 | 261.35 km² | City guide → |
| Okazaki 岡崎市 | Core city | 371,380 | 387.24 km² | City guide → |
| Ichinomiya 一宮市 | Core city | 375,939 | 113.91 km² | City guide → |
| Seto 瀬戸市 | City | 132,311 | 111.61 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Handa 半田市 | City | 117,927 | 47.24 km² | City guide → |
| Kasugai 春日井市 | Special city | 300,713 | 92.71 km² | City guide → |
| Toyokawa 豊川市 | City | 161,595 | 150.71 km² | City guide → |
| Tsushima 津島市 | City | 65,646 | 25.08 km² | City guide → |
| Hekinan 碧南市 | City | 73,024 | 35.86 km² | City guide → |
| Kariya 刈谷市 | City | 145,117 | 50.45 km² | City guide → |
| Toyota 豊田市 | Core city | 420,286 | 918.47 km² | City guide → |
| Anjō 安城市 | City | 176,046 | 86.01 km² | City guide → |
| Nishio 西尾市 | City | 106,643 | 75.78 km² | City guide → |
| Gamagōri 蒲郡市 | City | 82,264 | 56.81 km² | City guide → |
| Inuyama 犬山市 | City | 75,304 | 74.97 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Tokoname 常滑市 | City | 52,837 | 55.63 km² | City guide → |
| Kōnan 江南市 | City | 100,064 | 30.17 km² | City guide → |
| Komaki 小牧市 | City | 149,060 | 62.82 km² | City guide → |
| Inazawa 稲沢市 | City | 137,475 | 79.30 km² | City guide → |
| Tōkai 東海市 | City | 106,708 | 43.36 km² | City guide → |
| Ōbu 大府市 | City | 83,097 | 33.68 km² | City guide → |
| Chita 知多市 | City | 84,782 | 45.43 km² | City guide → |
| Chiryū 知立市 | City | 68,216 | 16.34 km² | City guide → |
| Owariasahi 尾張旭市 | City | 79,197 | 21.03 km² | City guide → |
| Takahama 高浜市 | City | 43,467 | 13.00 km² | City guide → |
| Iwakura 岩倉市 | City | 48,042 | 10.49 km² | City guide → |
| Toyoake 豊明市 | City | 69,124 | 23.18 km² | City guide → |
| Nisshin 日進市 | City | 80,921 | 34.90 km² | City guide → |
| Tahara 田原市 | City | 66,698 | 188.81 km² | City guide → |
| Aisai 愛西市 | City | 65,481 | 66.63 km² | City guide → |
| Kiyosu 清須市 | City | 56,635 | 13.31 km² | City guide → |
| Shinshiro 新城市 | City | 51,326 | 499.00 km² | City guide → |
| Kitanagoya 北名古屋市 | City | 80,112 | 18.37 km² | City guide → |
| Yatomi 弥富市 | City | 43,145 | 48.92 km² | City guide → |
| Miyoshi みよし市 | City | 62,001 | 32.11 km² | City guide → |
| Ama あま市 | City | 86,876 | 27.59 km² | City guide → |
| Nagakute 長久手市 | City | 57,764 | 21.55 km² | City guide → |
| Toyoyama 豊山町 | Town (町) | 15,139 | 6.18 km² | City guide → |
| Tōgō 東郷町 | Town (町) | 52,799 | 18.03 km² | City guide → |
| Shitara 設楽町 | Town (町) | 5,580 | 273.94 km² | City guide → |
| Ōharu 大治町 | Town (町) | 30,942 | 6.59 km² | City guide → |
| Ōguchi 大口町 | Town (町) | 23,343 | 13.61 km² | City guide → |
| Mihama 美浜町 | Town (町) | 23,062 | 46.2 km² | City guide → |
| Kōta 幸田町 | Town (町) | 39,172 | 56.72 km² | City guide → |
| Tōei 東栄町 | Town (町) | 3,722 | 123.38 km² | City guide → |
| Toyone 豊根村 | Village (村) | 1,273 | 155.88 km² | City guide → |
| Higashiura 東浦町 | Town (町) | 50,273 | 31.14 km² | City guide → |
| Kanie 蟹江町 | Town (町) | 37,596 | 11.09 km² | City guide → |
| Tobishima 飛島村 | Village (村) | 4,609 | 22.42 km² | City guide → |
| Minamichita 南知多町 | Town (町) | 19,777 | 38.37 km² | City guide → |
| Taketoyo 武豊町 | Town (町) | 42,808 | 26.38 km² | City guide → |
| Agui 阿久比町 | Town (町) | 27,419 | 23.8 km² | City guide → |
| Fusō 扶桑町 | Town (町) | 34,323 | 11.19 km² | City guide → |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places and cities to visit in Aichi Prefecture (愛知県)?
Top highlights across Aichi Prefecture (愛知県) in Japan's Chubu region include Nagoya Castle & Atsuta Shrine, Ghibli Park (Nagakute), original hilltop Inuyama Castle, Toyota industrial & automotive museums, Tokoname & Seto pottery towns, and Okazaki. Major cities and sightseeing bases in Aichi include Nagoya (名古屋市), Toyota (豊田市), Toyohashi (豊橋市), Ichinomiya (一宮市), Okazaki (岡崎市).
How do I get to Aichi Prefecture and get around by train?
The primary rail and transit hub for Aichi Prefecture is Nagoya Station (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Chubu Centrair Airport (NGO) (prefectural capital: Nagoya). 1h 39m from Tokyo Station or 34m from Kyoto Station on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi. Compare bullet-train fares with our Shinkansen Fare Calculator and JR Pass Calculator.
What local food and regional dishes is Aichi Prefecture famous for?
Signature regional specialties across Aichi Prefecture (愛知県) include Hitsumabushi (grilled eel over rice three ways), Miso-katsu (red Hatcho-miso pork cutlet), Tebasaki (peppery Nagoya chicken wings), Kishimen flat udon & miso nikomi udon, Ogura toast (morning service)—served at station restaurants around Nagoya Station (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Chubu Centrair Airport (NGO), local morning markets, and izakaya in Nagoya and Toyota.
When is the best time of year to visit Aichi Prefecture?
Late March–April for Inuyama & Nagoya Castle cherry blossoms; November for Korankei Gorge's 4,000 flaming red maple trees; year-round for museums and dining. Check month-by-month weather, cherry blossom windows, and autumn foliage dates in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.