Nagoya boasts a long and exciting history. Japan’s second most venerated shrine, the Great Shrine of Atsuta was established here 1,900 years ago. Nagoya is the birthplace of the very first Shogun, Minamoto Yoritomo, and the origins of the Three Unifiers, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu whose successes resulted in forging strong foundations for modern Japan. Being at the heart of the Sengoku, or Warring States period, many of history’s most famous samurai battles happened in and around the greater Nagoya region. Surrounded by sea, mountains, rivers and plains, centrally located Nagoya had long been the envy of the many neighboring warlords. The wide, flat, fertile Nobi Plains were ideal for rice and crop production. The sea to the south was a rich fishing grounds and like the many surrounding rivers, was ideal for transportation and trade. Fine timber, clays and stone from the mountains made it most desirable. It is little wonder the Oda clan, and later the mighty Tokugawa clan chose Nagoya for the site of their great castles. Naturally, increased samurai military presence invited talented craftsmen, and many traditional industries were formed.