While many urban universities struggle to maintain green spaces, Nagoya University’s Higashiyama Campus embraces nature as part of daily campus life. Located in the hills of eastern Nagoya, the campus forms part of a forested corridor that extends to the nearby Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The university was built to follow the natural contours of the land, with buildings situated among wooded slopes and pathways connecting different elevations across the campus.
This hilly landscape supports a diverse range of flora and fauna. The campus is home to cherry trees, ginkgos, and Japanese maples which produce vivid autumn colors each November. In autumn, the campus offers a welcome change of scenery for students and staff moving between classes and meetings. It’s a practical reminder that even in one of Japan’s largest metropolitan areas, a university campus can still feel connected to the natural environment.
