When tourists do the ‘Nagoya skip,’ do they know what they’re skipping?

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, September 26, 2026

The Sekigahara battlefield in Gifu Prefecture, site of a pivotal 1600 samurai battle that ended Japan’s civil wars, remains largely overlooked by international tourists despite its historical importance. This underexposure reflects a longstanding trend known as the "Nagoya skip," where foreign visitors often bypass Gifu and nearby Aichi Prefecture despite their rich cultural crafts and distinctive local cuisine.

On a foggy morning atop the observatory of the Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum, the scene evokes the atmosphere of a historic clash that unfolded over four centuries ago. The battle, fought on October 21, 1600, between more than 160,000 samurai, marked a decisive turning point that ended prolonged civil strife and ushered in the Edo Period, a time of peace and cultural development in Japan. Despite its historical significance, the site draws only a small number of visitors, primarily Japanese, highlighting a broader trend in regional tourism.

The Sekigahara battlefield, located in Gifu Prefecture, lies along the route of the Tokaido Shinkansen, one of Japan’s busiest high-speed rail lines that transports millions of travelers rapidly past this landmark. Yet, the area remains largely overlooked by international tourists. In 2025, while Japan welcomed 42.7 million foreign visitors, only 3.3% visited Gifu Prefecture, and just 6.8% stopped in neighboring Aichi Prefecture, which houses the city of Nagoya.

This phenomenon, referred to locally as the "Nagoya-tobashi" or "Nagoya skip," has roots dating back to the 1980s, when touring musical acts often bypassed Nagoya, Japan’s fourth-largest city, considering it less appealing than other destinations. Today, the region still struggles to capture the attention of inbound tourists despite its rich cultural offerings.

South of Nagoya, the towns of Gifu and Aichi showcase traditional crafts reflecting centuries-old heritage. Arimatsu, a small town near Nagoya, sustains the Arimatsu shibori technique, a hand-tied and dyed fabric method originating in the early 17th century. At the Arimatsu Narumi Shibori Tie-Dyeing Museum, skilled artisans continue to produce intricate textiles using traditional tools and techniques, while visitors can participate in beginner-friendly dyeing workshops creating patterned cloth items.

Further south on the Chita Peninsula lies Tokoname, renowned for its pottery and regarded as one of Japan’s “Six Great Kilns.” Potters here employ the local clay to produce predominantly unglazed teapots with distinctive reddish finishes, sometimes adorned with subtle seaweed-wrapped firing marks. Studios and shops around Tokoname offer both displays of this craft and interactive pottery experiences for visitors.

Nagoya’s urban core contrasts with its quieter outskirts, offering a vibrant nightlife concentrated in the Sakae district. Traditional izakaya serve regional specialties known as Nagoya meshi, featuring dishes such as tebasaki (seasoned chicken wings), tenmusu (tempura rice balls wrapped in seaweed), and various preparations utilizing akamiso, a type of red miso distinctive to the area. Small bars known as sunakku, often run by female hosts called mama-sans, provide intimate venues for socializing and karaoke, reflecting Nagoya’s mix of metropolitan energy and local character.

Despite these cultural and culinary assets, Nagoya and its surrounding prefectures remain largely absent from the itineraries of most foreign tourists, who tend to gravitate toward more internationally famous destinations. While the "Nagoya skip" persists, the region’s historical sites, traditional crafts, and unique food culture offer a compelling if underappreciated glimpse of Japan’s diverse heritage.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.