Nagoya Station

Nagoya Station is the main transit point of Nagoya. Here is where the Higashiyama and Sakura-dori Subway lines, Kintetsu, Meitestsu, JR and Shinkansen (Bullet Train) lines converge. Above the JR Station are the JR Central Towers, the tallest buildings in the area. One of these towers is where the new Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel is located. There is also the new Takashimaya department store, Tokyu Hands (a shop where you can find many imported goods) as well as a Starbucks coffee shop. Also in the area is Tower Records where you can purchase CD's, DVD's and various English magazines. Also in the area is the Nagoya International Center (Kokusai Center or NIC), which is connected to the Nagoya Station area via an underground shopping center. The NIC also has an English library on the 3rd floor which has a variety of research, non-fiction and fiction materials. There is a help counter where bilingual staff are available to answer questions. As well there are live broadcasts of CNN and other satellite channes, and Intenet use is also possible for a small fee. On a seperate floor the American Center is located,

Fushimi Sakae The Fushimi/Sakae area is the hub for business and nightlife in Nagoya. In this area are many famous clubs and bars as well as hotels, consulates and offices. Here is where the Hilton, Kanko, Tokyu, Precede, Fuji Park, Nagoya International and Nagoya Creston Hotels are located. As for restaurants and clubs, there are the Shooter's Sports Bar and Grill, the Nagoya Hard Rock Cafe, the Down Under, Marky's Restaurant and Bar, and Sizzlers are all in this area. For the more culturally minded there is the Misona Theater, Nagoya City Art Museum, Nagoya City Science Museum and the Aichi Arts Center are good place to visit. There are also three bookstores which sell foreign-language publications, Kinokuniya, Sakae Booksellers and Maruzen. Of these the largest is Maruzen, the foreign book section is on the 3rd floor. Next to Maruzen is the Medi-ya (pronounced Meiji-ya in Japanese) International food store. This area is accessible via the Higashiyama, Meijo, and Tsurumai subway lines, as well as by bus. It is also within walking distance of Nagoya Station. Also in the area are the Nagoya Tourist and Vistors Bureau inside the Chunichi Building, the Nagoya Visitors and Convention Bureau, the American Consulate, the Australian Consulate, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan Chubu (ACCJ Chubu).

Issha

Issha is fourth to last station on the Higashiyama Subway Line and is the focal area for expatriates in Meito-ku. Issha is located right next to the Nagoya Interchange and has many facilities for expatriates. In Issha is the Hallo 2 International Food Store, many fine restaurants, recreational facilities. There are many expatriates who live in the surrounding areas of Issha, which combined with the larger housing availble makes it a prime location for those with families. Getting together with other expatriates many go to the nearby Heiwagaoka or Higashiyama parks to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Chikusa Ward

Chikusa-ku is renowned for the Higashiyama Park Zoo and its good shopping! The main area for expatriates in this area are the Motoyama and Higashiyama Koen Subway Stations. Near the Hoshigaoka Station is the Mitsukoshi Department Store which offers a wide variety of goods to choose from. Also at the Motoyama station is a branch of the Hallo 2 International Food Stores. Chikusa-ku is accessible via the Higashiyama Subway line and is situated between the main expatriate area of Meito-ku and the city.

Showa Ward

Showa-ku is accessible via the Tsurumai Subway Line and is most famous for the Yagoto shopping district. Yagoto has many brand shops, such as Laura Ashley, and large department stores. There is also a large selection of restaurants and cafes to choose from. Showa-ku is located just to the south of Chikusa-ku and next to the Central ward of Nagoya.

Moriyama Ward

Moriyama-ku is well-known for it's parks, greenery and Sento's (Public Baths). Although this area only has a small expatriate population. Many people come to the Moriyama-ku area to take advantage of the beautiful parks and scenery that it has to offer. Moriyama-ku is accessible by the JR-Chuo or the Meitetsu-Seto line.