Kyoto — Japan’s ancient capital city — offers an atmosphere found nowhere else: sacred quiet, refined aesthetics, and living tradition.
Nagoya brings a bold contrast — shaped by Tokugawa influence, a gorgeous and flamboyant culture, and deep-rooted craftsmanship.
Kyoto is Japan’s ancient capital city — a place where history is not displayed, but lived.
Kinkaku-ji — A golden pavilion reflected in calm water.
Kinkaku-ji possesses an overwhelming beauty. Especially when it is illuminated by sunlight, when its image is mirrored upon the still surface of the pond, and when it appears in harmony with the changing seasons, it reveals a beauty so profound that it leaves one speechless.
Chion-in — A grand gate, deep silence, and a sense of dignity.
Chion-in is a temple deeply connected with the Tokugawa shogunate, and its history is truly remarkable.
In The Last Samurai, there is a scene in which Tom Cruise ascends a long stone staircase to pay his respects to the Emperor. That memorable sequence was filmed on these very steps at Chion-in.
Ryo’s favorite temple in Kyoto.
This is a place where Kyoto’s people come to pray — for everyday hopes, gratitude, and quiet resilience.
A place shaped by the Tokugawa clan.
Nagoya’s culture carries a confident, gorgeous and flamboyant spirit.
Atsuta Shrine is revered as Nagoya’s guardian deity.
The shrine is said to enshrine the sacred sword known in Japanese mythology as Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi.
People in Nagoya feel a deep spiritual connection to this shrine.
The famous warlord Oda Nobunaga also came here to pray for victory in battle. After his triumph, his remarkable rise to power began from that very moment.
This region is home to the Toyota automobile company.
Toyota originally began as a textile company. Drawing upon that technical foundation, its founder transformed the business into an automobile enterprise.
Guided by the principles of continuous improvement and automation, it has grown into Japan’s leading automobile company.
Many of my guests are surprised, when looking out over the streets of Nagoya, by just how many of the cars they see are Toyotas.