Nagoya, with it population of 2.17 million, is situated in the center or Japan and its location makes it an ideal venue for congresses. It is it city with strong cultural, historical and industrial identity.

Nagoya's history began with Nagoya Castle, built by the famous Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612. Since then, his successors encouraged (lie growth of cultural arts such its Noh & Kabuki theater, Nihon Buyo (Japanese dance), tea ceremonies, and flower arrangement. All traditional Japanese arts are enjoyed in Nagoya today.

Many of Japan's world-renowned high-tech industries: those of automobiles, aviation, machine tools, fine ceramics and industrial robots, are based in and around Nagoya. Also the area is a major production center for Japan's furniture and textile industries.

Technical visits to the plants of these industries can easily be arranged for convention delegates.

Yet, what really sets Nagoya apart from other convention cities is our blend of country-style warmth and simple tastes with a big city feeling and atmosphere.

Convention delegates Can quickly and easily reach Nagoya by air or rail. Nagoya International Airport is served by 25 international airlines from and to 26 major overseas cities. It also has direct connecting flights to New Tokyo International Airport at Narita, as well as all other major Japanese airports. International access to Nagoya is about to expand further with the opening of Central Japan International Airport, in 2005, just 30 minutes south of the city.

Nagoya's excellent location in the center of Japan means easy traveling all over the country. By Shinkansen (bullet train) it takes a mere 1 hr. 40 min. to Tokyo, 50 min. to Osaka and only 40 min. to the ancient capital of Kyoto Public transportation Within the City includes subway, bus and rail, all of which are easy and safe to Use.

Greetings

An island country, Japan has long been importing different cultures from overseas, integrating them and creating a new Japanese culture. Nagoya, situated in the center of Japan, is perhaps the epitome of this. People, information and culture met here and they became the power to create new culture. The meeting of people, information and culture; that surely is what a convention is about. We in Nagoya not only know how to welcome you but also what we can offer you. For your next convention, 1, on behalf of the people of Nagoya, hope that you will seriously consider our city, and look forward to welcoming you to some very special Japanese hospitality.

Takehisa Matsubara Chairman
Nagoya Convention & Visitors Bureau
Mayor, City of Nagoya.

- Nagoya Convention & Visitors Bureau