city, Aichi ken (prefecture), Honshu, Japan, on the lower reaches of the Yahagi-gawa (Yahagi River). Nishio was a castle town and commercial centre during the Tokugawa era (1603–1867). The opening of two railways through the city in 1911 and 1928 resulted in the establishment of industry, particularly the manufacture of textiles and metal castings. Tea is cultivated on Inari-yama (Mt. Inari) in the western part of the city. Pop. (2005) 104,321.