B’fast buffet at the Tokyu was as good as any, we will make more time next day for a conventional Japanese b’fast. We met Fuhito Kato (tour guide) in the hotel lobby at 08:50 h for our tour of Nagoya. Commenced with a walk up to Sakae Station where we received our Metro Day passes. Hopped on the Meijo line to the Shiakyusho Station which is right beside the Nagoya Shiro (Castle).
Very interesting that the most prominent structures are watch towers and were not used for any living quarters. The were used to store food and armaments and to keep watch for attacking armies. These were built during the Edo Shogun era (16th/17th century). Three successive Shoguns held rule over the other war lords in this area culminating in Tokugawa leyasu
who expanded and renovated the Shiro a.k.a. Meijo. The Tokugawa Shoguns were the last shogun warlords to rule over Japan before the return of power to the Emperor, referred to as the Meiji restoration in the 17th century. This was done peacefully as opposed to by conquest. The living quarters were much more modest size wise than the watch towers, but very ornate and meticulously designed to reflect the hierarchy of the Shogunate. Shoguns were powerful feudal war lords supported by Samarai. Ninja were more like spies who would be non-descript to avoid detection (i.e. not the black outfits popularized in Hollywood). We were able to walk through the newly restored palace that was built over the course of a couple of years for the sole purpose of hosting the overlord Shogun Tokugawa lemitsu for a three day stop while travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto. Very interesting how the structures were designed to reflect the hierarchy with floor elevations, sliding doors to maintain separation between the master and audiences. Also separate rooms to hide the body guards. Meal preparation and defense from poisoning was really meticulous, not sure I can reproduce the protocol as Fuhitosan described it here. Quite the experience! We climbed up to one of the watch towers before visiting the bathhouse (steam room) and finally we were able to visit several tea houses which also have very detailed rituals for how to have tea,
including small crawl through entrances that preclude the possession of samurai swords in the tea house. After that, it was back to Sakae for Japanese Lunch at the popular shopping area in the station. This was followed by a stroll around the “space ship” promenade (Oasis 21). Then back on the Meijo line to Kamimaezu Station. We visited the Kasuga Shinto Shrine where we did the ritual cleansing and made a wish, Fuhitosan told us his wish was for us to travel safely and return to Nagoya some day. From there we walked through the Osu shopping district which was very crowded. Saw a Geisha parade (check out those platform flip-flops!) in the mall before visiting a tea roasting shop.
Then on to the Osu Kanon Buddhist Temple which was very old and quite grimy, but there was a monk there carrying out a ritual in front of a blazing fire. This was the last stop on our walking tour of Nagoya and we headed back to the Hotel where we bid sayonara to Fuhitosan. After a very quick stop in our room, we made our way to the Red Rock Aussie pub and watched the English thrash the Wallabies followed by an All Black thrashing of the Irish. Might have had a few Sapporo’s, the food was so bad it was inedible but the beer was good!
who expanded and renovated the Shiro a.k.a. Meijo. The Tokugawa Shoguns were the last shogun warlords to rule over Japan before the return of power to the Emperor, referred to as the Meiji restoration in the 17th century. This was done peacefully as opposed to by conquest. The living quarters were much more modest size wise than the watch towers, but very ornate and meticulously designed to reflect the hierarchy of the Shogunate. Shoguns were powerful feudal war lords supported by Samarai. Ninja were more like spies who would be non-descript to avoid detection (i.e. not the black outfits popularized in Hollywood). We were able to walk through the newly restored palace that was built over the course of a couple of years for the sole purpose of hosting the overlord Shogun Tokugawa lemitsu for a three day stop while travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto. Very interesting how the structures were designed to reflect the hierarchy with floor elevations, sliding doors to maintain separation between the master and audiences. Also separate rooms to hide the body guards. Meal preparation and defense from poisoning was really meticulous, not sure I can reproduce the protocol as Fuhitosan described it here. Quite the experience! We climbed up to one of the watch towers before visiting the bathhouse (steam room) and finally we were able to visit several tea houses which also have very detailed rituals for how to have tea,
including small crawl through entrances that preclude the possession of samurai swords in the tea house. After that, it was back to Sakae for Japanese Lunch at the popular shopping area in the station. This was followed by a stroll around the “space ship” promenade (Oasis 21). Then back on the Meijo line to Kamimaezu Station. We visited the Kasuga Shinto Shrine where we did the ritual cleansing and made a wish, Fuhitosan told us his wish was for us to travel safely and return to Nagoya some day. From there we walked through the Osu shopping district which was very crowded. Saw a Geisha parade (check out those platform flip-flops!) in the mall before visiting a tea roasting shop. 
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