Visiting Nanachan

If you’re new in Nagoya there’s one person you just have to go visit as soon as you get off the shinkansen: Nanachan! Nanachan is as close to a cultural/commercial landmark as you can possibly get here in Nagoya, a 6.1m tall mannequin doll permanently posted outside the famous Meitetsu Department store. Despite her name she is no babe anymore, having been standing tall since 1973. With an impressive 207cm bust size she is usually clothed in whatever is seasonably reasonable, with everything from baseball uniforms of the local team to the latest in bikinis.

Her name, Nana, comes from the fact that she used to be posted outside the old building “seven” of the department store, seven in Japanese is “nana”. Naturally, quite a few people pose for photos beneath Nanachan, imitating her style if not her figure, as best as they can.