nagoya tourist information center

With over two million inhabitants, Nagoya (����) is Japan's fourth most populated city after Tokyo , Yokohama and Osaka . It is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and the principal city of the Nobi plain, one of Honshu's three large plains and metropolitan and industrial centers.

Nagoya developed as the castle town of the Owari, one of the three branches of the ruling Tokugawa family during the Edo Period . Much of the city, including most of its historic buildings, were destroyed in the air raids of 1945. The Toyota Motor Corporation maintains its headquarters just outside of Nagoya.

Top attractions in Nagoya

Railway Museum •

Nagashima Resort •

Tokugawa Art Museum •

Toyota-related Sights •

Nagoya Castle •

Science Museum

Atsuta Shrine

Noritake Garden

Osu Kannon Temple

Nagoya Port Area

Midland Square

JR Central Towers

Ghibli Park

Shirakawago & Gokayama ••

Kiso Valley ••

Takayama ••

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Exciting, vibrant city with a long history and deep culture

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About Nagoya

The centrally located city of Nagoya has a long history and a deep culture that is often overlooked by the rest of the country, let alone the rest of the world. There’s a joke that goes “All travelers within Japan go to Nagoya! The bullet train stops there for a whole two minutes on its run between Tokyo and Osaka!” Despite the put down, the capital of Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya, is indeed seen by many as a conservative, nondescript city, however locals will tell you of its many benefits. One hour forty minutes from Tokyo by bullet train, less than an hour from Kyoto and Osaka, a major commercial hub that remains close to nature. Nagoya is one of Japan’s most important economic centers.

Nagoya has many claims to fame. Many civil war-period daimyo and other famous samurai were born in and around Nagoya. Nagoya Castle’s keep is the biggest of all Japanese castles, and has the most “haafu”, or triangular eves of any castle. Nagoya is home to the second most venerated Shinto Shrine in Japan, Atsuta Jingu, second only to the Great Shrine of Ise. Nagoya was the birthplace of the Japanese national past time of passive gambling, Pachinko . Nagoya’s 158m tall TV broadcast tower was the first of such towers across all major cities, and Nagoya’s CBC Radio was the nation's first commercial radio broadcaster. Nagoya Station is listed as the world’s largest railway station space-wise.

Nagoya Port handles the most international cargo of any port in Japan, and its international airport, Centerair, located 40 minutes drive south of the city was once voted among the world’s top three best designed, easily accessed and convenient airports.

Nagoya’s Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens is one of Asia’s biggest zoos too! Two of the greatest samurai battles, Okehazama and Nagakute, were both fought within the current city confines, and the city, with its surrounding Aichi Prefecture was host to the 2005 World EXPO.

Japan’s third largest city by size and fourth by population, Nagoya is an industrial city, and home to many world-renowned companies including Toyota Motor Corporation, Brother Industries and Noritake Fine China. Having long been a commercial and industrial center meant that Nagoya was heavily targeted and the city was destroyed by allied bombing in World War Two. For that reason, few historical buildings remain, however the city was able to rebuild itself in an easy to navigate and understand grid like pattern with long straight, wide streets and plentiful parklands. Public transport is plentiful and most efficient, and the attractions Nagoya has to offer, such as the Maglev and Train Museum, Toyota Automobile Museum, and the magnificent Tokugawa Art Museum housing the treasures of the prominent Tokugawa family who ruled Nagoya, and the nation with an iron—or in the case of many of the treasures—a golden fist!

Don’t believe any underhyped accounts you may find – Nagoya is an exciting, vibrant city with a long history and a deep culture. Its been kept a secret for some time, but now the cat is out of the bag, we expect to see you here soon!

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Nagoya City Tourist Information Center Nagoya Station Tourist Information Center

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Nagoya City Tourist Information Center Nagoya Station Tourist Information Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sat 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
• (0.23 km) the b nagoya
• (0.21 km) R&B Hotel Nagoya Sakae-higashi
• (0.26 km) Koko Hotel Nagoya Sakae
• (0.28 km) UNIZO INN Nagoya Sakae
• (0.42 km) Nagoya Tokyu Hotel
• (0.03 km) Mitsukoshimae Hirobas
• (0.05 km) Beard Papa Sakae Morino Chikagai
• (0.05 km) Chineese Restaurant Shunju
• (0.06 km) Tokyo Mercato Mitsukoshi Maehirobasu
• (0.06 km) Atsugiri Chashuya Chunichi Building B2

• 1.1 History
• 1.2 Climate
• 1.3 Orientation
• 1.4 Tourist information
• 1.5 Tourist information site
• 2.1.1 Nagoya Airport
• 2.2.1 Shinkansen
• 2.2.2 Limited Express Services
• 2.4.1 Ferry Port Access
• 3.1 By subway
• 3.2 By taxi
• 3.3.1 Parking
• 3.3.2 Cycle sharing
• 3.3.3 Tours
• 6.1 Shopping areas
• 6.3 Electronics
• 7.2 Mid-range
• 7.3 Splurge
• 8.1.1 Sakae
• 8.2.1 Sakae
• 9.2 Mid-range
• 9.3 Splurge
• 10.1.1 Foreign exchange
• 10.2 Consulates
• 10.3 Radio stations
• 10.4 Publications
• 11.1 Hiking

Nagoya (名古屋) is the capital and largest city of Aichi prefecture, in the Chubu region of Honshu . It's not one of Japan's top tourist draws as most tourists just zip through on the bullet train on their way between Tokyo and Kyoto. But if you do decide to stick around, there are plenty of car-related attractions, a restored castle, an ancient shrine, and a surprisingly happening nightlife.

Understand [ edit ]

The hub of the Aichi region, Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city after Tokyo , Yokohama , and Osaka and one of the nation's major economic centers. In terms of manufacturing, as home to auto-making giants Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi Motors, Nagoya is to Japan what Detroit is to the United States — and it was completely flattened during World War II.

History [ edit ]

Now a modern metropolis, Nagoya gets its name from an old manor called Nagono which was built in the area in the 12th century. The manor prospered for two hundred years, and people began to refer to the area by the manor's name. Over time, the pronunciation of the Chinese characters in the name "Nagono" shifted to "Nagoya", by which the city is now known.

Three famous local figures later helped to put Nagoya firmly on the map of Japan. Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu all hailed from around Nagoya, and all shared the ambitious goal of unifying Japan under one government. Tokugawa finally succeeded in 1603 after winning in the Battle of Sekigahara, and established the Tokugawa Shogunate, which would rule Japan for the next 250 years.

Soon after uniting the country, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the construction of Nagoya Castle for his son. He then ordered the people of nearby Kiyosu (on the outskirts of Nagoya) to move to the area around the castle, and a town soon came into being. Cotton, ceramics and lumber were the main industries sustaining the town as it grew into a small city.

Following Japan's opening to the world during the Meiji era, Nagoya rapidly industrialized and established transportation links with the rest of Japan that would allow it to easily export its goods. During World War I, Nagoya became known for its foundries as well as its machinery and heavy industry exports, which would continue to grow throughout the 1930s.

The 1920s marked the beginnings of the automotive industry in Nagoya, which continues in importance to the current day. At the heart of the industry is the Toyota Motor Corporation. Starting from humble beginnings as a loom-making company, Toyota entered into the automobile business in the 1930s. It now stands as the world's largest automaker, and continues to dominate the local economy along with the car-making giants Honda and Mitsubishi.

During World War II, much of Nagoya's manufacturing infrastructure turned to the production of military goods, making it a prime target for bombing raids. Almost 25% of the city was destroyed during the war, with almost half the population fleeing to the countryside to avoid the attacks.

The end of the war marked a new start for Nagoya. Car-friendly wide streets and boulevards were bulldozed through the rubble of war, making for the city of today.

Nagoya now ranks as one of the nation's economic powerhouses, and is home to the head offices of Toyota Motor Corporation, Brother Industries, Daido Steel, Makita, Denso Corporation, INAX, Noritake, NGK Insulators and many others. Unlike other parts of Japan, which borrowed heavily for elaborate and expensive public works projects in the bubble years of the 1980s, kechi ("miserly") Nagoya held to a pay-as-you-go philosophy, and has not been as adversely affected by the post-bubble recession as other major centers.

The booming economy has also brought many foreigners to the area, and the region now hosts a thriving community of Japanese-descent Brazilian immigrants, who help to keep the wheels of the local economy spinning. With its strong economy and growing population, Nagoya is a city to watch in the coming years.

Climate [ edit ]

Nagoya's climate varies greatly throughout the year, with average temperatures ranging from a low of 4 °C (39.2 °F) in January to a high of 27 °C (80.6 °F) in August. The city is known for its incredibly hot and humid summers like many cities in Japan, with high temperatures routinely surpassing 30 °C (86 °F) in August, so those with an aversion to heat would be better off visiting in the milder temperatures of the spring or autumn.

Orientation [ edit ]

While divided into 16 wards or ku (区), the focal points of this sprawling agglomeration are Nagoya Station (名古屋駅) to the north, Sakae (栄) to the east and Kanayama (金山) to the south.

Tourist information [ edit ]

• 35.17115 136.88333 2 Nagoya Station Tourist Information , 1-1-4 Meieki, Nakamura-ku ( JR Nagoya Station Central Concourse (towards Sakura-dori side) ), ☏ +81 52-541-4301 , fax : +81 52-571-1669 . Daily 09:00-19:00, closed Dec 29-Jan 1 .  
• 35.14385 136.90046 3 Kanayama Tourist Information , LOOP Kanayama 1F, 1-17-18 Kanayama, Naka-ku ( at the N exit of Kanayama Station. ), ☏ +81 52-323-0161 , fax : +81 52-323-0162 . Daily 09:00-20:00, closed Dec 29-Jan 1 .  
• 35.17091 136.90953 4 Sakae Tourist Information , Oasis 21 B1F, 1-11-1, Higashisakura, Higashi-ku ( by subway, get off at Sakae Station and take exit 4A; in Oasis 21 underground shopping concourse. ), ☏ +81 52-963-5252 , fax : +81 52-963-5262 . Daily 10:00-20:00 .  

Tourist information site [ edit ]

The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site .

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

The best way of connecting between Centrair Airport and central Nagoya is the Meitetsu Airport Line . The fastest trains are the all-reserved "μSKY" trains, which depart for Nagoya every 30 minutes. The journey takes 28 minutes at a cost of ¥1230. Slower Limited Express trains offer first class (reserved) and ordinary class (non-reserved) seating and take 37 minutes for the run to Nagoya - the standard fare is ¥870. Japan Rail Passes are not valid for the Meitetsu, though you can exchange your rail pass voucher at either the airport or at Nagoya station.

Buses run hourly from Centrair Airport to the Meitetsu Bus Terminal, taking about 1 hr 20 min at a cost of ¥1200. The bus also stops at a few major hotels, including the Nagoya Tokyu, Nagoya Kanko and Hilton Nagoya.

For large groups, Tsubame Airport Limousine offers private van service between Nagoya and Centrair Airport. Vans seat between six and nine passengers, and the cost for the service depends on the destination. As an example, trips to Nakamura-ku, where Nagoya Station is located, cost ¥12000.

Slightly more expensive than the van is a taxi . A trip to Nagoya station will run ¥15000-16000.

Nagoya Airport [ edit ]

By train [ edit ]

Shinkansen [ edit ]

Nagoya is along the Tokaido Shinkansen route between Tokyo , Kyoto and Osaka . To the west are Gifu and Kyoto , and to the east are Hamamatsu and Shizuoka .

The fastest service on the Tokaido Shinkansen is the Nozomi . With the Nozomi you can travel from Tokyo in 1 hr 40 min (¥11090), Kyoto in 35 min (¥5800) and Shin-Osaka in 50 min (¥6560).

Users of the Japan Rail Pass cannot use the Nozomi , but can use the slightly slower Hikari services that run through Nagoya twice every hour. The all-stations Kodama services operate to/from Tokyo twice per hour.

Thru Nozomi trains from western Japan reach Nagoya from Okayama (1 hr 40 min, ¥11290), Hiroshima (2 hr 20 min, ¥14230) and Hakata station in Fukuoka (3 hr 20 min, ¥18540). If using the slower Hikari or Sakura you will need to change trains at least once, either at Okayama, Shin-Kobe, or Shin-Osaka. Note that while there are three direct Hikari trains that leave Nagoya in the morning towards Hiroshima and Fukuoka, there are no such direct Hikari trips from these cities to Nagoya.

If you wish to sacrifice travel speed for savings, you can take advantage of the Puratto (Platt) Kodama Ticket [dead link] , which offers a discount for Kodama services if you purchase at least one day in advance. You get a reserved seat and a coupon for a free drink (including beer) which can be redeemed at a "Kiosk" convenience counter inside the station. With this ticket a trip to Nagoya costs ¥8300 from Tokyo (3 hr; 2 trains per hour), ¥4300 from Kyoto (1 hr; 1 train per hour) and ¥4400 from Shin-Osaka (1 hr 15 min; 1 train per hour). A few early-morning Kodama trains cannot be used with this ticket.

Discounted tickets can also be purchased in advance through Japan Railways' official SmartEX App , available in English and other languages - look for Hayatoku fares.

Limited Express Services [ edit ]

Nagoya serves as the terminal point for the hourly Wide View Shinano , a JR Chuo Line limited express train to the mountain resort town of Nagano (3 hr) via Matsumoto (2 hr). The Wide View Hida JR Takayama Line limited express connects Nagoya with Takayama (2 hr 30 min), with some runs continuing to Toyama (4 hr).

Local trains (which can be used with the Seishun 18 Ticket ) take about 6 hours from Tokyo (¥6260), 2 hr 15 min from Kyoto (¥2590) and 2 hr 45 min from Osaka (¥3350). Multiple train transfers are required (three at minimum when traveling from Tokyo, at Numazu, Hamamatsu, and Toyohashi, and one in Maibara at minimum when coming from Kyoto or Osaka, although more are often required if travel is not optimally timed), and travel times do not include rest stops.

Nagoya is also served by the Meitetsu (名鉄) and Kintetsu (近鉄) private railways. If coming to Nagoya from Osaka , a travel option that comes cheaper than the Shinkansen is a Kintetsu limited express service called the Urban Liner (アーバンライナー), which runs from Osaka-Namba station. The Urban Liner departs at 0 and 30 minutes past the hour, covering the journey in about 2 hr 15 min at a cost of ¥4260. (The shinkansen, by comparison, makes the run from Shin-Osaka to Nagoya in under an hour for ¥6560.) Japan Rail Passes are not valid for the Urban Liner.

By bus [ edit ]

Many day and overnight buses run to Nagoya from other locations throughout Japan. They can be cheaper than the shinkansen or local trains. Some of the main bus operators include Nagoya-based Meitetsu Bus and JR Tokai Bus [dead link] , along with Willer Express . In addition to major cities such as Tokyo , Kyoto , Osaka and Kobe , highway buses run from places including Sendai , Fukushima , Koriyama , Utsunomiya , Tokyo Disneyland , Takasaki , Maebashi , Kofu , Fujiyoshida , Niigata , Toyama , Takaoka , Kanazawa , Fukui , Nagano , Matsumoto , Iida , Ina , Shirakawa-go , Takayama , Shingu , Okayama , Kurashiki , Yonago , Matsue , Izumo , Hiroshima , Miyoshi , Takamatsu , Tokushima , Matsuyama , and Fukuoka .

Most buses will pick up and discharge passengers around Nagoya station, either near the station's shinkansen exit or at the nearby Meitetsu Bus Center [dead link] . An exception is Willer Express, which will use either Sasashima Live south of Nagoya station or Noritake 1-chome west of Nagoya station.

Buses between Tokyo and Nagoya are very frequent. Direct trips take 5–6 hours, but some trips could take up to nine hours depending on the route and stops. Buses charge in the range of ¥3500-5000 for daytime trips and ¥4000-6500 for overnight trips. Discounted fares are sometimes available based on the date of purchase.

Many buses also operate from the Kansai region: Meishin Expressway buses leave several times per hour, operating from Kyoto (2 hr 30 min, ¥2550), Osaka (3 hr, ¥3000) and Kobe (4 hr 15 min, ¥3400). A few buses also travel from Nara (2 hr 30 min, ¥2550). Discounts are given on round-trip purchases.

Willer Express bus journeys can be booked online in English, and Willer's Japan Bus Pass is valid on all of their routes with some exceptions. Willer also sells tickets for Meitetsu Bus and other bus operators on their website, but these trips are not valid with Willer's Japan Bus Pass. Both the Willer and Meitetsu buses leave from the Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal ( Busta Shinjuku ), above the JR tracks at Shinjuku Station, which is served by many of Japan's highway bus operators.

JR Bus reservations can be made in English through their Kousoku Bus Net web site. You can also make reservations in train stations at the same "Midori-no-Madoguchi" ticket windows used to reserve seats on trains. Buses depart from Tokyo Station - Yaesu Exit (八重洲口) and from Busta Shinjuku .

By boat [ edit ]

Ferry Port Access [ edit ]

A Meitetsu shuttle bus to the ferry is available from the downtown Meitetsu Bus Center (名鉄バスセンター) next to Nagoya Station. The bus departs from platform 22 on the 4th floor at 17:20 and arrives at the ferry terminal at around 17:55 (Adults: ¥550 Children: ¥280).

The ferry terminal is also accessible by train and city bus. Take the Aonami line (あおなみ線 Aonami-sen ) south to Noseki stn (野跡駅). From there, you can board a city bus bound for the Feri futo (フェリーふ頭) bus stop (takes 7 to 10 min).

More details are available on the Taiheiyo Ferry access page .

Get around [ edit ]

Nagoya is a big automotive industry center, and it shows. The street network is extensive and even downtown locations can be easily reached by car. On the downside, trains and subways are less convenient than in Tokyo or Kansai, and more expensive. If you're travelling with a JR Rail Pass, the train network doesn't have many stations in the city and you'll probably find yourself using the bus or subway a lot, something your pass won't cover.

By subway [ edit ]

There are 5 main subway lines:

• The red Sakuradōri Line (桜通線, S) curves southwest from Nagoya Station.
• The purple Meijō Line (名城線, M) runs in a loop around the eastern side of the city, connecting Sakae and Kanayama.
• The Meikō Line (名港線, E) spur branches from Kanayama to Nagoya Port.
• The yellow Higashiyama Line (東山線, H) connects Nagoya, Fushimi, Sakae, and Fujigaoka .
• The blue Tsurumai Line (鶴舞線, T) connects Fushimi and Osu Kannon, then goes south.

Subways run every several minutes between about 05:30 until about 00:30. Fares range from ¥200 to ¥320. One day passes can be bought for ¥620 (bus), ¥760 (subway), and ¥870 (bus & subway).

On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays you can also take advantage of the cheaper Donichi-Eco-Kippu (ドニチエコきっぷ) one-day subway ticket which offers unlimited subway travel for ¥620. This pass is available from ticket machines, or can be purchased in person from a station employee at the ticket gate.

City transportation one day passes also offer discounted entry at various attractions in Nagoya, including Nagoya Castle and the Toyota Museum.

More information about public transportation in Nagoya can be found on the official website of the Nagoya Transportation Bureau .

By taxi [ edit ]

Taxis are a viable option in this car city, especially as the basic fee is only ¥500 . The catch is that the basic fee only takes you 1.01 km compared to 2 km in most other parts of Japan. But for shorter distances within the city, a taxi is not only much more convenient than descending to those dark, unappealing subway stations, but also as cheap as the subway if there are at least two of you.

By bicycle [ edit ]

Most parts of central Nagoya were built on landfill just above sea level, making it a relatively flat city and seemingly easy to traverse by bicycle. However, downtown Nagoya is also known throughout Japan for its wide streets, fast moving traffic and crazy drivers. So it's no surprise that you will find most of the city's cyclists (especially mothers riding with young children and the elderly) riding on the sidewalk. Riding on the sidewalk is legal on most city streets in Japan (unless marked). However, the sidewalks can be bumpy, crowded and far from ideal for two-wheeled transport - leading an increasing number of riders to brave the city's roads.

Secondary roads can be more enjoyable to ride and there are some major roads with protected cycling lanes - although these are rare and sometimes seem to have been designed without rhyme or reason. Cyclists have also been known to park their bicycles on some of the lesser sidewalk-adjacent "paths" downtown, making them largely impassible.

Parking [ edit ]

Bicycle parking near train and subway stations is strictly limited to designated and (usually paid) areas. Paid locking bike racks with fare collection machines are common and most charge around ¥100 for a day's worth of parking. There is also usually a window of free parking time (15–30 minutes) for cyclists making brief stops. Near the main train stations there are also attended and unattended indoor areas to park with short term and long term facilities. Be sure not to park in one of the long term facilities by mistake, as you will probably be fined more than it costs to park in a short-term area.

Cycle sharing [ edit ]

Nagoya has two cycle sharing companies: Cariteco Bike (run by the Meitetsu train company) and Derachari [dead link] , which was established by a local merchants' association. Both require returning bicycles to the nearest docking station. As of May 2020, there are relatively few docking stations - which are mostly concentrated around Nagoya Station and Sakae. Both services offer registration and information only in Japanese, so they are probably not a practical option for most visitors with limited Japanese ability.

Tours [ edit ]

• Nagoya Adventure Cycle ( tours meet just outside Exit 4 of Kurokawa Station on the Nagoya City Subway Meijo Line ), [email protected] . Offers cycle rentals and tours of Nagoya in English. ¥5,500-8,500 . ( updated May 2020 )

See [ edit ]

• 35.1613 136.965 12 Tōgan-ji Temple ( 桃巌寺 ) ( Motoyama stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines) ). Dating back to the 16th century, this temple features a statue of the seated Buddha and has many ties to Hindu religion, particularly a temple honoring the Goddess Saraswati, who is honored in a Benzaiten Festival every May 7–8. Toganji also contains a huge wood block said to purge past sins if touched with one hand.  
• 35.164772 136.899667 13 Nagoya City Science Museum ( 名古屋市科学館, Nagoya-shi Kagakukan ) ( Fushimi stn., exit 5 ). Tu-Su 09:30-17:00; closed Monday, third Friday every month, and Dec 29-Jan 3 . Located in the city centre, this museum houses loads of interactive exhibitions and a planetarium. It's mostly geared towards children and there is very little information in English, although they offer a guide app. ¥400 (¥800 incl. planetarium) .  
• 35.136569 136.858225 14 Arako Kannon Temple ( 荒子観音 ), Arako-cho, Nakagawa-ku ( SE of Takabata subway station (Higashiyama line); walk S from the major crossroads with Yagumo-dori; follow the sign to reach the temple, which is a few hundred meters down the street, on the S side ), ☏ +81 52-361-1778 . This small temple is the oldest building in Nagoya, with original construction on the site dating from the Heian Period (8th century). Despite several fires which destroyed older portions of the temple, the Tahoto pagoda on site remains intact after 472 years.  
• 35.1598 136.9 15 Ōsu Kannon Temple ( 大須観音 ), 21-47 Osu 2-chome, Naka-ku ( S of Osu Kannon subway stn. (Tsurumai line), exit 2 ), ☏ +81 52-231-6525 . Founded in the Kamakura era (1192-1333), this temple was moved to its current location by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612. The present main temple on the site was reconstructed in 1970. Check out the main hall or buy an お守り (omamori) charm in the gift shop for good luck. The grounds in front of the temple are host to a small flea market twice every month.  
• 35.1822 137.022 16 Fujigaoka ( by train, 65 min from the airport (¥1400); using the Higashiyama (yellow) subway line, it's 26 min from Nagoya Station and 21 minutes to Sakae -- it is the last stop on this line ). Fujigaoka is known for its cherry blossoms (sakura) trees in the spring lining the streets. It is close to the site of the 2005 World Expo held in Nagakute , a 15-min linear motor car (Linimo) train ride from Fujigaoka station. This quaint little area at the edge of town has a plethora of shops, boutiques, patisseries and coffee shops. They also hold a market the 3rd Sunday of every month. ( updated May 2018 )

Sakae [ edit ]

• 35.1724 136.908 17 Nagoya TV Tower ( 名古屋テレビ塔 Nagoya-terebi-tō ), Hisaya-ōdōri kōen, Naka-ku ( Subway: Hisaya Odori Station (Meijo line/Sakura-dori line) ), ☏ +81 52-971-8546 , fax : +81 52-961-0561 . Daily 10:00-21:00 . Standing 180 meters tall, the Nagoya TV Tower is Japan's oldest - predating even the Tokyo Tower. Take an elevator to the 100-m-high sky balcony for great views of Hisaya-odori park and Sakae. Under the tower is a small terrace with tables and a number of small food stands. Adult ¥500, child ¥250 .  
• 35.168708 136.908383 18 Hisaya-Odori Park ( 久屋大通公園, hisaya-ōdōri kōen ) ( Sakae or Hisaya-Odori subway exits ). Nice trees and fountains, Nagoya TV Tower observation deck. On weekend afternoons and evenings, local musicians set up in and around the park and strut their stuff for the passers-by. Shops and restaurants can be found around the area as well. ( updated Nov 2020 )
• 35.17115 136.911308 19 Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art ( 愛知県美術館 Aichi-ken-bijutsukan ), Aichi Arts Center, 10F, 1-13-2 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku ( 3-min walk via Oasis 21 park from Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines) or Sakaemachi station (Meitetsu Seto Line) ), ☏ +81 52-971-5511 . Tu-Th Sa Su 10:00-18:00; F 10:00-20:00 (last admission: 30 min before closing), closed M (or Tu if M is a public holiday), Dec 28-Jan 3 . Collection features international and Japanese 20th century art, including works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Gustav Klimt, Paul Klee, Joan Miro, Max Ernst, German Expressionists, Surrealists, and postwar US artists. Japanese collection features the art of Yuichi Takahashi, Ryuzaburo Umehara, Sotaro Yasui, Taikan Yokoyama, and Shunso Hishida. Two private collections donated to the museum also include Edo-period paintings and traditional crafts. Permanent collection: ¥500; high-school/college students: ¥300; high-school groups, junior high-school students, children 12 and under, disabled visitors and escorts: free .  

Do [ edit ]

• Ride the gold and white Nagoya Sightseeing Bus Me-Guru [dead link] past many of the city's main attractions. Operates T-Su. Offers hop-on-hop-off hourly service Tu-F from 09:30-17:30, and Sa Su every half hour. Closed M, year-end holidays. Daypass: adults ¥500, children ¥250. (includes discount on featured attractions). Single ride: adults ¥200, children ¥100. Daypasses may be purchased getting on the bus. 1-day transport passes also accepted.
• Catch a traditional Japanese Noh play at the Nagoya Noh Theatre . ( Subway: Shiyakusho stn. )
• Go for a jog (or a walk) around beautiful Meijo Park (名城公園 Meijo Koen ), one of Nagoya's largest green spaces, and take in the great view of Nagoya Castle ( Subway: Meijo-Koen station, Meijo line ). Showers and lockers available.
• Higashiyama Park (東山公園 Higashiyama-koen ). ( Higashiyama-koen station ). Features a zoo, conservatory, monorail, roller coasters, "sky tower" and a great deal of open space.

Events [ edit ]

• 35.183086 136.902561 1 Nagoya Sumo Tournament ( 大相撲名古屋場所 Ō-zumō-Nagoya-basho ), Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, 1-1 Ninomaru, Naka-ku ( a short walk from Shiyakusho stn. (Meijo Line) ), ☏ +81 52-221-0737 , fax : +81 52 221-0739 . 15 days mid-July . Watch the big boys of Japanese sumo battle it out in Nagoya. An annual tradition. Tickets are generally available at the counter unless it is the first or last day. Ticket prices start at ¥3,200 and up. The cheapest seats are fine for first-time sumo watchers and are not much worse than the ¥4,700 seats.  
• Osu Summer Festival ( 大須夏祭り Osu Natsu-matsuri ) ( Short walk from Osu Kannon Stn (Tsurumai line) exit 1 ). Yearly street festival held in the shopping streets around Osu Kannon temple. Featuring live stage performances, street performers, Brazilian samba parade and cosplay parade.  
• World Cosplay Summit ( 世界コスプレサミット Sekai-kosupure-samitto ) ( Parade: Osu Kannon (Tsurumai line) exit 1, World Cosplay Championship: Oasis 21, Sakae stn. exit 4A ). An otaku's dream come true. Watch as anime fans from around the world dress up as their favorite characters and parade around the streets of Nagoya. The Summit culminates with the World Cosplay Championship (世界コスプレチャンピオンシップ Sekai-kosupure-championshippu ), pitting teams from a number of countries as they show off their costumes and perform stage shows. Cheer on your nation's entry or just stare in wonderment at the strangeness of it all.  
• Nagoya Castle Summer Night Festival ( 名古屋城宵まつり Nagoya-jo-yoi-matsuri ) ( Nagoya Castle, Subway: Shiyakusho stn. ), ☏ +81 52-231-1700 , fax : +81 52-201-3646 . A traditional-style summer festival, complete with lanterns, numerous styles of traditional bon-odori (盆踊り) circle dancing (to honour family ancestors), festival stalls, and a beer garden under an illuminated Nagoya castle. ¥500, ¥400 if wearing a yukata, free for middle-school students and younger .  

Movies [ edit ]

• 35.16988 136.8852 2 Midland Square Cinemas ( ミッドランドスクエア・シネマ ), Midland Square Bldg. 5F, Meieki 4 chome 7-1, Nakamura-ku ( across from JR Nagoya Stn. (Subway: Nagoya Stn.) ), ☏ +81 52-527-8808 . On the 5th floor of the towering Midland Square building, this complex boasts 7 screens with stadium seating, and shows a range of popular Hollywood and Japanese mainstream movies.  
• 35.16264 136.8848 3 109 Cinemas Nagoya , La Vamo Sasashima 2F, 4-60-14 Hiraike-cho, Nakamura-ku ( 13-min walk south of JR Nagoya stn. or 5-minute walk from Sasashima Raibu stn (JR Aonami line) ), ☏ +81 52 541-3109 . Located in a relatively new entertainment complex, this large movie theater contains 10 cinemas with stadium seating and shows a mix of Hollywood and mainstream Japanese films.  

Sports [ edit ]

The Chūnichi Dragons (中日ドラゴンズ　 Chūnichi-doragonzu ) , winners of the 2007 Japan Series, play in the Central League of Japanese Professional Baseball. Check out one of their games at the Nagoya Dome (Japanese) in Ōzone, northeast of downtown. ( 15 min walk E of JR Ōzone stn. (Chūō line) via S exit, Subway: Nagoya-dome-mae-yada (Meijō line) )

Buy [ edit ]

Shopping areas [ edit ].

• Akamon-dōri (赤門通り) is known for the bright red banners hung along the street, and hosts a variety of stereo and electronics stores as well as used record shops. On the 28th of every month, Daikō-in temple (大光院) hosts a small temple festival (縁日 ennichi ) on Akamon-dori with traditional street food stalls and lots of burning incense.
• Ōtsu-dōri (大津通り) 　marks the eastern boundary of the Ōsu shopping area. On the lively stretch of Otsu-dori north of Kamimaezu subway station you will find the Ōsu 301 Building (大須301). The building is known for its small dragon sculpture and Chinese theme, and contains a number of small shops. Continuing north on Ōtsu-dōri, you will also find the small but funky Gatten-shōchi (合点承知) building, a mini-mall featuring fashion accessories, food stands, and various fortune tellers.

• Sakae offers good department store shopping, restaurants and night-life. Take a walk atop the rooftop promenade of the Oasis 21 shopping arcade and get a nice view of the TV Tower.

Books [ edit ]

• 35.1672 136.90564 2 Maruzen ( 丸善 ) ( Subway: Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo Lines). Next to the Maruei department store ). M-F 09:00-20:00, Sa Su 09:00-19:00 . Offers a reasonable selection of English books, magazines, and newspapers on the 3rd floor, including travel guidebooks, maps, a wide array of books on Japan, and Japanese language study materials.  
• 35.17216 136.88287 3 Sanseido Books , 11F, JR Central Towers above JR Nagoya Station ( Subway: Nagoya stn (Sakura-dori, Higashiyama, Tsurumai lines). From inside the station, walk towards the Sakura-dori exit and turn right before the exit. You will see a bank of express elevators. Board an express elevator to the 12th floor. Exit the elevator and head towards the open area with windows overlooking Nagoya. You will notice an escalator descending to Sanseido Books on the 11th floor. ). Offers a corner with English books, magazines and newspapers. Features books on Japan plus a decent selection of current nonfiction titles and business books. A small selection of guidebooks are also available.  

Electronics [ edit ]

Best bets for cameras and electronics include Bic Camera , a massive 5 story camera and electronics megastore across the street from Nagoya station (on the Taikō-dōri side). Ōsu Market also has a number of large and small electronics shops, including Goodwill (computers and peripherals - otaku culture fans will also want to check out the maid cafe in the basement), DOS Para and others. Unfortunately, some of the electronics shops in Osu (such as Goodwill) are not located on the main shopping streets, and you may have to ask around to find them. There are also two Eiden electronics superstores located in Fushimi and near JR Ōzone stn on the JR Chūō Line.

Eat [ edit ]

Nagoya is big on miso , a sauce made from fermented soybeans and grain. The preferred style is red miso (赤味噌 akamiso ), fermented up to two years for a stronger taste than the usual "white" miso, with Hatchō miso (八丁味噌) particularly famous.

Classic Nagoya dishes include:

• misokatsu (味噌カツ), fried pork cutlet with a rich miso sauce
• miso nikomi udon (味噌煮込みうどん), a thick miso and chicken stew perfect for winter
• tenmusu (天むす), shrimp tempura wrapped up in rice and dried seaweed and turned into a handy portable package
• tebasaki (手羽先), fried chicken wings marinated in a sweet sauce
• kishimen (きしめん), a flat, broad type of udon wheat noodle often served in a miso or soy sauce broth. Available in most restaurant-gai in shopping centres or close to major railway stations.
• ankake supa(=spaghetti) (あんかけスパ), spaghetti with a starchy gravy-like tomato-based sauce with a kick of black pepper. Often with onions, green peppers, and ham, bacon, or sausage.
• hitsumabushi (ひつまぶし), an eel dish served with rice in a small box. It can be eaten three ways: first, just the eel and rice; second, with green onions and nori, and third, with tea or soup stock poured over it.
• uirō (外郎), a confectionery made out of rice flour and sugar; a little firmer than gelatin but not as sticky as mochi. Many different flavors are available, including red bean (小豆 azuki ) and green tea (抹茶 matcha ) .
• doteni (どて煮), Beef tendons and pork intestine are simmered for a long time in soybean miso such as Haccho miso and mirin .

Budget [ edit ]

• 35.14414 136.90134 1 Café de Metro , 1F Kanayama station ( North Exit ) . Serves up basic curry and donburi dishes, including a decent misokatsu, for ¥480 with coffee/tea, or ¥680 with miso soup and pickles. ( updated May 2022 )
• 35.15832 136.90445 2 Jerry's UNO ( near Fureai Plaza in the Osu shopping district, to the giant manekineko statue's left (your right if you are facing the statue) ). It's a nice little taco shop that will run you about ¥500 per taco. They also have a nice selection of international beers. ( updated May 2022 )

Mid-range [ edit ]

• 35.161677 136.906247 3 Yabaton , Osu, 3−6-18 ( SW of Yabacho subway stn. (Meijo line) ), ☏ +81 52-252-8810 . 11:00-21:00 . The place to try another Nagoya specialty - misokatsu , pork cutlet with red miso. The standard set is teppan tonkatsu , and it comes to your table on a sizzling hotplate over a bed of shredded cabbage; then a special person performs the ritual of drowning it in sauce. If you're really hungry, go for the waraji (straw sandals) - a huge portion of pork loin flattened before frying so that it overhangs the plate (sometimes it'll come cut in half, as two cutlets). From the subway station, go under the highway overpass and look for the building with the sumo champion pig stenciled on its side, to your right. This is the head store; there are five more around the city, including two at the Nagoya station. ¥1200-1800 .  
• 35.16838 136.91833 4 Desperados ( デスペラードス ), Fujimatsu Building 2 FL, 1-8-11 Shinsakae, Naka-ku ( SW of Shinsakae subway stn. (Higashiyama line) ), ☏ +81 52-264-0663 . Tu-Sa 18:00-00:00 (kitchen closes at 23:00) Closed Su, M . Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurant and bar operated by Mexican-born and American-raised owner Rudy and his wife Takako. Features a variety of Mexican dishes and a selection of premium tequilas.  
• 35.17442 136.92341 5 La Marmite ( ラ・マルミット ), ALA Daikan-cho Bldg. 1F, 40-18 Daikan-cho, Higashi-ku ( Subway: Kurumamichi Stn. (Sakura-dori line). 5-minute walk west of Exit 1 (towards Sakae) on N side of Sakura Dori street ), ☏ +81 52-937-7474 . Tu-Su lunch 11:30-14:00, cafe time 15:00-17:00, dinner 18:00-22:30; closed M . French bistro operated by long time expat chef Jean-Luc Ravion, (member, Culinary Academy of France). Offers home-made ham, sausages and other traditional French food. Wine from the Loire also available. ¥4,000-5,000 .  

Splurge [ edit ]

Nagoya's nouveaux riche are catered for by several luxury department stores and many first-class restaurants, which are sometimes difficult find for auto-less tourists.

• 35.17448 136.92212 6 Antica Roma , Daikancho 39-18, Higashi-ku ( Subway: Kurumamichi Stn. (Sakura-dori line). 5 minute walk west of Exit 1 (towards Sakae) on N side of Sakura Dori street ), ☏ +81 52-930-2770 , fax : +81 52-930-2771 , [email protected] . Cafe 14:00-16:00 (Terrazza, Pizzeria); dinner 17:30-23:30 (last order 22:30) . Excellent high-class Italian food (like seafood risotto, broccoli pasta or herb-stuffed pork rolls), but also delicious oven-baked pizzas. All this in three superbly furnished rooms. The main room is baroque-style with chandeliers and has not only a live pianist, but also a live opera singer every night (dress code for this room). The course menus start at ¥4,000, the pizzas at ¥1,500, a half-bottle of house wine is ¥2,500 .  
• 35.18431 136.93216 7 Garden Restaurant Tokugawa-en ( ガーデンレストラン徳川園 ), 1001 Tokugawa-cho, Higashi-ku ( 10-min walk from South Exit of JR Ozone Station (JR Chuo line). 15 min. walk from Exit 3 of Ozone Subway Station (Meijo line). ), ☏ +81 52-932-7887 , [email protected] . Restaurant: 11:00-14:00 (last order), 17:00-22:30 (last order). Bar & Lounge 10:00-17:00, 19:00-00:00 . This eatery serves Japanese-French cuisine with views of the beautiful Tokugawa-en Japanese gardens located next door. ¥10,000-15,000 .  

Drink [ edit ]

Around Nagoya station, there are a lot of places for cheap drinking. Sakae is the big nightlife district, in a loose triangle formed by the Sakae, Yaba-cho and Osu Kannon stations. Sakae has a large red light district as well, but as with most of Japan, there's no sense of danger so don't worry about drifting around. There are countless izakayas around Kanayama station, both cheap chains and more upscale places.

If the bar and club scene is not for you, try Nagoya Friends and their bimonthly international parties. Always a dynamic mix of foreigners and Japanese. At the party it's all you can drink and eat (~¥3000).

• 35.17057 136.90223 1 Serge Gen's Restaurant Group Nagoya , 11-26 Nishiki 3-Chome, Naka-ku , ☏ +81 52-209-2333 . 11:00-03:00 . Five top-quality restaurants in the heart of Nagoya, Japan. From Italian cafe, Yakiniku, Sushi, to catered party events. ¥3000 .  

Bars [ edit ]

• 35.16659 166.89806 2 Shooters Sports Bar & Grill ( シューターズ スポーツバー＆グリル ), Pola Building 2F, Sakae 2-9-26, Naka-ku ( S of Fushimi subway stn. (Higashiyama, Tsurumai lines) exit 5 ), ☏ +81 52-202-7077 , [email protected] . M-Th 17:00-02:00, F 17:00-02:00, Sa 11:30-02:00, Su 11:30-00:00 . American and international food and drinks. A friendly, neighborhood sports bar with a mixed crowd and live music on Sundays.  
• Yama-chan ( 山ちゃん ) ( 35 locations in and around Nagoya ). (Japanese) Known for its tebasaki (手羽先) fried chicken wings (one of Nagoya's specialties), this seemingly ubiquitous chain of izakayas is one of Nagoya's favorites. English menu available.  
• 35.16616 136.89522 3 Cigar Club Kanou , Montesharine Bldg. 1F, Sakae 1 chome 10-30, Naka-ku ( near Fushimi Stn. (Higashiyama, Tsurumai Lines), exit via exit 7 and continue W to the Hilton Hotel, turn left in front of the Hilton and continue S, the bar is on the left side of the street ), ☏ +81 52-231-5534 , fax : +81 52-231-5534 . Tu-Sa 16:30-01:00 . Near the Hilton hotel, Cigar Club Kanou offers food, drink and a wide array of cigars (with a walk-in humidor.)  
• 35.16942 136.90406 4 Sakae , Ark Building 1F, 3-22-7, Nishiki, Naka-ku ( 3-min walk from Sakae subway stn. exit 8; W of the Kokusai hotel ), ☏ +81 52-962-8682 . Su-Th 16:00-01:00, F Sa and day before holiday 16:00-05:00. Happy hour daily 16:00-19:00 .   ,
• 35.17274 136.8845 5 Nagoya Station Area (Meieki) , M-san Dainingu Biru 1F, Meieki 3-15-11, Nakamura-ku ( 2 min walk E of Nagoya Station (Sakura Dori side); N of the Royal Park Inn Nagoya ), ☏ +81 52-533-4882 . M-Th 12:00-00:00, F 13:00-02:00, Sa 17:00-02:00, Su and holidays 17:00-23:30. Happy hour daily 17:00-19:00 .  
• 35.14319 136.90286 6 Kanayama ( Washington Hotel plaza 2nd floor ), ☏ +81 120-29-5688 .  
• 35.16805 136.90326 7 Sakae ( A few doors away from iD Bar ), ☏ +81 120-77-1868 .  
• 35.1677 136.91014 8 The Rock Aussie Sports Bar & Grill ( ザ・ロック オージースポーツバー&グリル ), Aster Plaza Bldg. 2F, 4-14-6 Sakae, Naka-ku ( Subway: Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines), directly behind the Chunichi Building, a short walk SE of Sakae subway exit 13 ), ☏ +81 52-262-7893 , [email protected] . Su-Th 17:30-00:00, F, Sa 17:30-01:00 . Australian food; they even crocodile and kangaroo items on the menu. Free Wi-fi. Offers Happy Hour weeknights from 17:30. Live music some Sunday nights.  

Nightclubs [ edit ]

Nagoya has some good clubs. A lot of the DJs who play Tokyo also pass through Nagoya. Many of the most popular clubs are located in Sakae and Shin-sakae-machi (just east of Sakae and south of the Naka ward office).

Even on week-ends, on less popular nights, clubs empty or even close early (02:00-03:00) in Nagoya. This is a sharp contrast to Tokyo, where most people come by train and have to stick around for good or for bad until the first train in the morning. In auto-city Toyota, however, many people come by car; they can and will go home early if they are bored.

Gay and lesbian dance events are held monthly by the 35.16966 136.9163 9 Nagoya Metro Club at LOVER: z across from the CBC-TV building in Shinsakae-machi.

• 35.17058 136.90521 10 Maverick . In Fushimi, it attracts foreigners and Japanese for weekend dance events. Entry fee is usually ¥2000-3000, with a couple of drinks included.  
• 35.16802 136.90326 11 ID club , 3-1-15 Sakae, Naka-ku , ☏ +81 52-251-0382 . Th-Su 20:00-closing (closed at 01:00 on a Friday night) . The most popular and well-known club in Nagoya. Nagoya's largest club, 5 different floors of style and music. R & B, Hip Hop, Reggae, Hard House, All Mix, 1970s & 80s disco. Entry M-Th ¥1000 (2 drinks), F ¥2000 (4 drinks), Sa ¥3000 (4 drinks), Su ¥2000 (4 drinks) .  
• 35.1677 136.9037 12 STEPS , Hasegawa Bldg. 2F, 3-2-29 Sakae, Naka-ku ( close to subway Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines) opposite ID Cafe, around 100 m S of Sakae Tokyu Inn Hotel on the left ), ☏ +81 52-242-7544 . M-Sa 18:00-06:00, closed Su . Food and drinks from ¥500 including pasta, hamburgers, and steak dishes. TVs covering live sports events. Music from noon with DJs, occasional live music. Hip Hop, Reggae, R&B.  
• 35.16815 136.9116 13 Club JB's . Another good Nagoya club, around the corner from Club Daughter.  
• 35.16932 136.92044 14 Club Mago . In Shin-Sakae on the basement level of the Flex-building. Great for house, techno, electro-clash, progressive house. ¥2500-3000 cover.  
• 35.17261 136.91014 15 Jazz Inn Lovely , 1-10-15 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku ( Subway: Hisaya-odori stn. (Sakura-dori, Meijo lines). Exit the subway for ), ☏ +81 52-951-6085 , [email protected] . Daily 18:00-03:00 . Jazz club featuring Japanese and international jazz artists. Cover charge varies per artist. From ¥1500 to ¥5000 .  
• 35.16371 136.90833 16 Club Quattro Nagoya ( クラブクアトロ Kurabu-kuatoro ), Nagoya Parco Department Store East Building (東館 Higashi-kan ), 8F, 3-29-1 Sakae, Naka-ku ( Subway: Yaba-cho stn. (Meijo line); in the east building of the Parco Department Store ), ☏ +81 52-264-8211 . Concerts in early evening (17:30-20:00 start) . One of Nagoya's main live houses, featuring a wide array of Japanese and international rock and pop music acts. Ticket price varies per artist .  

Sleep [ edit ]

• 35.17822 136.89167 1 Kyoya Ryokan ( 京屋旅館 ), 2-11-4 Habashita ( near Meido-cho, where the North-South freeway joins with the East-West counterpart. English directions supplied by the hostel are unclear; best advice is to grab a map from the tourist center. Kyoya is labelled. About a 15-minute walk from JR Nagoya station ), ☏ +81 52-571-2588 , fax : +81 52-571-2580 . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 10:00 . Awesome ryokan-style hostel with a great vibe. Offers internet access, air conditioning, and security lockers. The hostel has a nice garden in the background and an onsen-style bath. Dorm beds from ¥2500 .  
• Toyoko Inn ( 東横イン ). Check-in: 16:00 , check-out: 10:00 . The popular no-frills Toyoko Inn chain operates six hotels in Nagoya. Toyoko Inn Club members can check in from 15:00.  
• 35.17645 136.89577 2 Nagoya Marunouchi ( 名古屋丸の内 ), 1-4-20 Marunochi, Naka-ku ( 2-minute walk from No. 8 exit of Marunochi Station on the Tsurumai and Sakura-Dori Subway Lines ), ☏ +81 52-223-1045 , fax : +81 52-223-1046 . Singles ¥5800-6300, doubles ¥6800-7800, twins ¥7800. Weekly rate ¥5000 per night .  
• 35.17224 136.90342 3 Nagoya Nishiki ( 名古屋錦 ), 3-9-3 Nishiki, Naka-ku ( 5-minute walk from No. 4 exit of Hisaya Odori Station on the Sakuradori Subway Line ), ☏ +81 52-953-1045 , fax : +81 52-951-2045 . Singles ¥6000, doubles/twins ¥8000 .  
• 35.17365 136.88559 4 Nagoya-eki Sakuradori-guchi Honkan ( 名古屋駅桜通口本館 ), 3-16-1 Meieki, Nakamura-ku ( 5-minute walk from Sakura-dori Exit of JR Nagoya Station ), ☏ +81 52-571-1045 , fax : +81 52-561-1046 . Singles ¥5900-6300, doubles/twins ¥8300 .  
• 35.16954 136.87971 5 Nagoya-eki Shinkansen-guchi ( 名古屋駅新幹線口 ), 7-16 Tsubaki-cho, Nakamura-ku ( 3-minute walk from Taiko-Dori (Shinkansen) Exit of JR Nagoya Station ), ☏ +81 52-453-1047 , fax : +81 52-453-1046 . Singles ¥6300-6380, doubles ¥7300, twins ¥8300 .  
• 35.1699 136.91647 6 Nagoya Shin Sakae-machi ( 名古屋新栄町 ), 2-22-21 Higashi-Sakura, Naka-ku ( 6 minute walk from Shin Sakae-machi Station on the Higashiyama Subway Line ), ☏ +81 52-934-1045 , fax : +81 52-934-1046 . Singles ¥5800-6300, doubles ¥7000-7800, twins ¥7800 .  
• 35.16912 136.90347 7 Sauna and Capsule Fuji Sakae , 3-22-31, Nishiki, Naka-Ku ( very close to Sakae station ), ☏ +81 52-962-5711 . Huge capsule hotel right in the middle of Sakae. Excellent spa facilities, clean and cheap. Booking online might be a problem; look it up on a map and just show up. Credit cards accepted. Very limited English understood. Larger hand luggage can be kept by the hotel staff. Fridays and Saturdays might mean no vacancies and a higher price. If you want to experience a real capsule hotel not targeted to foreign tourists this is a very good one to try. Only males allowed, no tattoos. If you are body conscious and fear being naked around other people including some female staff, then you should avoid the spa/onsen. Later checkout than usual at capsules (1PM). Wi-Fi everywhere. No electrical sockets in capsule. ¥3200 .  
• 35.17128 136.90735 8 APA Hotel Nagoya Nishiki , 3-15-30 Nishiki, Chuo-ku ( Sakae subway station, exit 2, one block forward ), ☏ +81 52-953-5111 , fax : +81 52-951-7269 . This business hotel is in the middle of the Sakae dining and shopping district. The rooms are comparatively clean and the staff speaks English; internet access is included. ¥9800/single.  
• 35.16893 136.87965 9 Daiichi Fuji Hotel , 13-17 Tsubaki-cho, Naka-ku ( Nagoya train station, Shinkansen side, cross street 1 block south of Bic Camera, pass one alley, then turn left ), ☏ +81 52-452-1111 , fax : +81 52-452-1762 . This business hotel is a few blocks from train station on a street lined with business hotels. The rooms are very small; internet access is included if you have an Ethernet cable. ¥6200/single, ¥9450/twin.  
• 35.14527 136.90076 10 Meitetsu Inn Nagoya Kanayama ( 名鉄イン名古屋金山 ), 1-11-7 Kanayama, Naka-ku ( Kanayama subway station, exit 6. Turn right at Daiei, left at Coco, look for the blue-and-white Japanese sign ), ☏ +81 52-324-3434 , fax : +81 52-324-3435 . This business hotel was built in 2005 and has very clean rooms; in-room internet access and breakfast is included. The staff has some limited English ability. ¥6800/10,800/13,000 for single/small double/double.  
• 35.17123 136.92889 11 Mielparque-Nagoya , 3-16-16 Aoi, Higashi-ku ( Chikusa subway station, exit 1, right across the street ), ☏ +81 52-937-3535 , fax : +81 52-937-3673 . In-room internet access. The staff has some limited English ability. Large breakfast buffet, Western & Japanese, ¥1,000/adult, ¥800/child, 07:00-09:30. Rooms: ¥6,300 single, ¥12,390/15,540 twin for two/three, ¥23,520/29,400 Japanese-style for three/five.  
• 35.17084 136.88293 12 Marriott Associa Hotel , Nagoya Station ( directly above Takashimaya Department Store ). A 3-minute walk from a Nozomi Shinkansen train to a well-marked elevator portal takes you to the 15th floor check-in level. This often-full five-star hotel (¥20,000-70,000/night) is equipped with ten good restaurants, which tend to be jammed, but the adjacent office tower also has more than 20 restaurants on two levels ranging from inexpensive noodle eateries to high-end sushi places. Note that if you have a concierge room reservation, you need to go to the concierge level (35th floor) to check in. Rooms are extremely clean and comfortable.  
• 35.16878 136.89552 13 Nagoya Kanko Hotel ( 名古屋観光ホテル ), 19-30, Nishiki 1-chome, Naka-ku ( Fushimi station, exits 8, 9 or 10, 2-minute walk ), ☏ +81 52-231-7711 , fax : +81 52-231-7719 . Founded in 1936 as the Nagoya State Guest and still going strong. Rooms from standard (¥15,015) to suite (¥346,500). Free parking.  

Rental [ edit ]

• 35.17667 136.88012 14 Freebell Apartments ( exit Nagoya Station Sakura-dori side entrance and turn left. Continue past the post office, the building will be on your left ), ☏ +81 52-571-5055 . Provides monthly furnished and non-furnished apartments for a range of budgets. Popular with longer-term visitors seeking to avoid the hefty deposits required by traditional Japanese landlords.  

Cope [ edit ]

• 35.17281 136.89019 5 Nagoya International Center ( 名古屋国際センター Nagoya kokusai sentaa ), 1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku ( Subway: Sakura-dori line, Kokusai Center stn. ), ☏ +81 52-581-0100 , [email protected] . Tu-Su 09:00-19:00; closed M, Dec 29-Jan 3, 2nd Su of Aug and Feb . This city-run center for newcomers to Nagoya provides useful information about upcoming local events through their free monthly publication The Nagoya Calendar (available at numerous locations around the city) and offers various multilingual services for foreigners on longer stays or taking up residence in the city. Their headquarters near Nagoya Station also includes a lending library with books on numerous topics in English and other languages. free .  

Banking [ edit ]

As elsewhere in Japan, ATM machines at post offices and 7-Elevens allow international cash withdrawals.

Foreign exchange [ edit ]

• 35.16866 136.84441 6 Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank Foreign Exchange Shop ( 三菱東京UFJ銀行外貨両替ショップ笹島店 Mitsubishi-Tokyo-UFJ-Gaika-ryougai-shoppu-sasajima-ten ), 1-2-4 Meieki, Nakamura-ku ( 1st flr. of Nagoya station near the Meitetsu Bus Terminal ), ☏ +81 52-541-6330 . M-F 10:00-19:30, Sa Su holidays 10:00-17:00, Dec 30: 10:00-15:00. Closed Dec 31-Jan 3 . (Website in Japanese).  

Consulates [ edit ]

Radio stations [ edit ].

• ZIP FM 77.8 [dead link] (site in Japanese) Broadcasts Global Voice Weekend Magic a ten-minute long program in English on daily life and events in the Nagoya area for earlybirds at0 5:40 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Publications [ edit ]

• Avenues: Voices of Central Japan [dead link] Quarterly magazine featuring articles on local history and culture, reviews of attractions, events, restaurants and bars. Available free at International Center and for a fee at Maruzen Bookstore in Sakae.
• Japanzine Monthly tabloid-style magazine published in Nagoya featuring a section on local events, concerts, job listings, and a restaurant/bar map and guide. Available free at numerous businesses catering to foreign residents, and at Maruzen bookstore in Sakae.
• RAN Magazine A magazine focused on life in Nagoya and the city's culture and arts scene. Features articles on a wide array of topics. Available online and for free at businesses catering to foreigners around the Nagoya area.
• Nagoya Calendar Monthly magazine featuring event information, daily-living advice, movie & TV listings, and a community bulletin board. Available free at International Center, the Maruzen Bookstore in Sakae, and several subway stations.
• ET People Small monthly magazine aimed at English learners. Offers restaurant/bar map and listings in English. Available free at numerous bars and restaurants around the city.

Like other major cities in Japan, you can also pick up the (Tokyo-centric) English dailies The Japan Times and Japan News (by the Yomiuri Shimbun) at selected bookstores and convenience stores around the city (or read them for free at the International Center library).

Go next [ edit ]

• Inuyama , with its picturesque castle, kinky fertility shrines, and nearby Meiji Village, is a short day trip from the city. From Meitetsu Nagoya station next to Nagoya station, there are express trains (around a 30-minute ride) to Inuyama station or Inuyamayuen station. From either station, Inuyama castle is about a 20-minute walk to the west and is on the south side of the river. The entrance is on the south side of the castle grounds.
• Gifu - Visit Gifu castle (take a bus from the train station). Ride the cable car up the mountain (or hike), feed the squirrels (they jump on your arm and eat from your hand), visit the museum, enjoy the amazing view from the top of the castle. See the Nagaragawa fireworks display during the summer festival.
• Nagakute , former home of Expo 2005, now hosting the whimsical Ghibli Park and the Toyota Museum
• Tokoname , on the first express train stop from Nagoya airport, is a ceramic centre dating back from the 9th-century Heian period. The old town by the hill next to the train station features streets decorated with industrial ceramic pieces and pottery shops with pottery displays inside old brick furnaces.
• Okazaki - Take in the castle, tour the miso factory and enjoy the fresh suburban air.
• Ise , home to Japan's holiest shrine, is within striking distance.
• Tsushima - Visit Tenno River park in the spring to see amazing cherry blossoms and wisteria.
• Tajimi - Visit Eihoji Zen Temple. A beautiful walk down to the river. Be sure to see the bamboo grove (takebayashi).
• Hida-Takayama - Check out the Edo-era atmosphere of this famous historic town.
• Kiso Valley - Walk the historic Nakasendo highway, an old post road running through the valley's beautiful green hills and well-preserved towns.

Hiking [ edit ]

• Asuke , where you can visit the Korankei Gorge and enjoy the changing of leaves in autumn and blossoms in spring.
• Gujo Hachiman , an idyllic town where 80% of Japan's plastic food replicas are created.
• Magome to Tsumago , a nice hike between the two historic villages in the Nagiso/Nakatsugawa area.
• Tadachi , a nice hike along many waterfalls.
• Yoro - Waterfalls, fancy onsen and Japan's most bizarre park.

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Top 30 Nagoya Tourist Attractions

Nagoya, one of Japan’s leading metropolises, is home to historical landmarks such as Nagoya Castle and Atsuta Shrine, Osu Shopping Street and Kinshachi Yokocho where you can enjoy Nagoya gourmet food, Oasis 21 where you can take Instagram-worthy photos, and places to visit with your family. 

There are lots of fun tourist attractions such as Tai Legoland (R) and Japan Resort! 

Introducing the popular ranking of tourist spots in Nagoya and the latest information on things to do in Nagoya, selected by Japan Truly readers. 

Page Contents

Top Nagoya Tourist Attractions

Nagoya castle.

Nagoya Castle , a Tokugawa clan stronghold, is famed for its golden shachihoko ornaments, the city’s symbol. Once Japan’s first national treasure castle, it boasted the largest castle tower ever built.

Built in 1612 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, victor of Sekigahara, it guarded against the Toyotomi clan. Though destroyed in WWII, Nagoya meticulously restored it.

Explore the Honmaru Palace, residence of feudal lords, and marvel at the Kano school’s artistry in the Omote Shoin audience room. Tour the war-surviving Sumiyagura building and unwind in the vast Ninomaru Garden. Don’t miss Kinshachi Yokocho, a haven of local delicacies!

• Address : 1-1 Honmaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access : 5 minutes walk from Exit 7 of Nagoya Castle on the Meijo Subway Line, 15 minutes walk from Higashi Ote Station on the Meitetsu Seto Line

• Related: Guide to Koenji Tokyo’s Retro Hub

Atsuta Shrine

Steeped in 1,900 years of history, Atsuta Jingu ranks second only to Ise Shrine as a protector of Japan. Explore its vast grounds, offering year-round festivals (check their website!). 

Three entrances make access easy: East Gate near Meitetsu Jingumae and JR Atsuta Stations, West Gate near Atsuta-Jingu Nishi Station, and South Gate near Atsuta-Jingu Denmacho Station.

Within the sprawling 190,000-square-meter precincts, discover a legendary camphor tree (planted by Kobo Daishi 1,000 years ago!) and the serene Kokoro no Komichi path (opened in 2012). 

Witness the vibrant culture through 70 annual rituals and festivals, including the prestigious Atsuta Festival on June 5th, featuring fireworks and imperial messengers. 

After exploring, unwind at the charming Atsuta Jingu Shopping Street with its retro cafes and sweet treats.

• Address: 1-1-1 Jingu, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: 3 minutes walk from Jingumae Station on the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line

Esca Underground Shopping Center

Esca, right by JR Nagoya Station’s Shinkansen platform, is your gateway to Nagoya’s delights. 

Discover local specialties at souvenir shops, or dive into Nagoya’s culinary scene with restaurants serving miso cutlet, miso nikomi udon, kishimen, and Nagoya Cochin.

This arcade, open since 1964, offers a taste of Nagoya from breakfast cafes to takeout options. 

Savor hitsumabushi, miso katsu, miso nikomi udon, tebasaki (chicken wings), and kishimen.

Need souvenirs? Esca’s got you covered! Plus, find convenience stores, fast fashion, ticket shops, and beauty salons for a pick-me-up before hitting the town.

• Address : 6-9 Tsubaki-cho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access : 1 minute walk from JR “Nagoya Station”

JR Central Towers/JR Gate Tower

Soaring above JR Nagoya Station, JR Central Towers and JR Gate Tower are iconic landmarks. Take a break from shopping and soak in panoramic views, or delve into the massive restaurant district, boasting one of Japan’s largest selections!

These three towers form a complex directly connected to the station. Inside, discover department stores, hotels, offices, electronics stores, fast fashion, and more.

A must-see is the 15th-floor Sky Street, featuring a breathtaking glass wall. On clear days, admire the distant Tokai mountains like Mt. Ontake and Mt. Norikura. At night, witness the dazzling cityscape come alive.

If you gettin’ hungry, head to the Towers Plaza/Gate Tower Plaza Restaurant District on the 12th and 13th floors. With over 70 restaurants across both buildings, you’ll find everything from Japanese fare to Western cuisine, Chinese delights, and Asian specialties.

• Address : JR Central Towers, 1-1-4 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture / JR Gate Tower, 1-1-3 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access : Directly connected to Nagoya Station (Tokaido Shinkansen, JR conventional Lines (Tokaido Main Line, Chuo Main Line, Kansai Main Line), Meitetsu Line, Kintetsu Line, Subway (Higashiyama Line, Sakuradori Line), Aonami Line)

Nagoya City Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden

Immerse yourself in nature at the sprawling Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden, covering 60 hectares. 

This all-day adventure park offers a zoo, botanical gardens, an amusement park, and even the Higashiyama Sky Tower!

The zoo itself boasts the most animal species in all of Japan, with over 450 fascinating creatures, including endangered species like Asian elephants, koalas, red pandas, and western gorillas.

Explore the diverse plant life at the botanical garden, showcasing 7,000 varieties across various natural landscapes. Witness the changing seasons, from spring’s cherry blossoms to vibrant autumn leaves.

Don’t miss the greenhouse front building, a nationally designated treasure known as the “best crystal palace in the East.” Here, you can marvel at tropical and subtropical flora year-round.

• Address: 3-70 Higashiyama Motomachi, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: Approximately 3 minutes walk from Exit 3 of Higashiyama Koen on the Nagoya Municipal Subway Higashiyama Line

Osu Shopping Street

Unleash your shopping spree at Osu Shopping Street, Nagoya’s largest with over 1,200 stores! Immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant culture through year-round events.

Spring brings the lively Osu Spring Festival (Mucha Baisai), where 120 stores offer incredible deals. Witness the colorful Oiran Dochu parade, where participants dress as flamboyant courtesans. 

In summer, the Osu Summer Festival pulsates with energy. Fall welcomes the Osu Daido Townspeople Festival, and winter ushers in the unique Osu Setsubun Treasure Ship Procession. Don’t miss out on experiencing Nagoya’s cultural heart

• Address: 2-3 Osu, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: 2-minute walk from Exit 8 or Exit 12 of Kamimaezu Station on the Meijo Subway Line and Tsurumai Line, 2-minute walk from Osu Kannon Station on the Tsurumai Subway Line 3 minutes walk from Exit No.

Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium

Dive into an aquatic wonderland at the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, a leader among Japanese aquariums. Witness over 50,000 creatures from 500 species!

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Marvel at impressive dolphin performances in the massive main pool, one of Japan’s largest. Be charmed by the public training sessions of the adorable beluga whales. 

Don’t miss the mesmerizing “Sardine Tornado,” where thousands of sardines swirl in a synchronized dance! This aquarium is a feast for the senses, showcasing the wonders and beauty of the underwater world.

• Address: 1-3 Minato-cho, Minato-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: 5 minutes walk from Exit 3 of Nagoya Port Station on the Nagoya Municipal Subway

Tokugawa Art Museum

Step back in time at the Tokugawa Art Museum, a venerable institution established in 1935. Explore over 10,000 treasures passed down through generations of the Owari Tokugawa family, descendants of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Marvel at 9 National Treasures, including the iconic “Tale of Genji Emaki” scroll, one of Japan’s most prized artworks. Don’t miss the 59 Important Cultural Properties, showcasing the family’s exquisite taste and the pinnacle of Japanese craftsmanship.

Walk in the footsteps of feudal lords within a partially restored section of Nagoya Castle’s Ninomaru Palace.  

Free guided tours are offered three times daily on weekdays, providing deeper insights into this historic collection.

• Address: 1017 Tokugawa-cho, Higashi-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: 10 minutes’ walk from the south exit of Ozone Station on the JR Chuo Main Line, 3 minutes’ walk from the Tokugawaen Shindeki bus stop on the main city bus route. 

Immerse yourself in history at Osu Kannon, a revered Buddhist temple and one of Japan’s three major Kannon temples (alongside Asakusa Kannon and Tsu Kannon). 

Locals know it by this nickname, though its official name is Kitanosan Shinpukuji Hoshoin. Founded in 1333 and relocated by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612, the temple boasts a rich past. 

Explore its collection of 15,000 ancient documents, including national treasures and even the oldest manuscript of Japan’s Kojiki chronicle.

Spring paints the temple grounds with vibrant blooms, creating a picture-perfect scene. Twice a month, an antique market comes alive within the spacious grounds.  

This bustling energy extends to the nearby Osu Shopping Street, renowned as one of Japan’s most lively shopping districts.

• Address: 2-21-47 Osu, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: 2 minutes walk from exit 2 of Osu Kannon Station on the Nagoya Subway Tsurumai Line

Oasis 21 is a multi-level park offering a unique blend of nature and urban energy.

Soar 14 meters above ground on a skyward stroll through the spaceship-shaped “Spaceship Aqua,” a glass rooftop awash with natural light.  

Below, unwind in the verdant “Field of Green” or explore the vibrant “Galaxy Platform” with its 30 shops and eateries.

Come nightfall, “Spaceship Aqua” transforms into a magical spectacle, adorned with seasonal illuminations and special lighting displays.  This captivating landmark is a must-see for any Nagoya visitor.

• Address : 1-11-1 Higashizakura, Higashi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access : Immediately outside the east ticket gate of Nagoya Municipal Subway Higashiyama Line/Meijo Line “Sakae Station” (directly connected to the station)

Step back in time at Tokugawaen, a captivating Japanese garden reflecting the grandeur of the Edo period. 

Stroll along the pond’s edge, admiring the symbolic landscape design and impressive stonework reminiscent of samurai power. 

Explore the park’s varied terrain, taking in the vibrant blooms of peonies and irises throughout the year, and the blaze of autumn leaves. 

Designated cultural properties within the park, like the well-preserved “Tokugawaen Kuromon” gate, offer a glimpse into the garden’s rich history. 

• Address: 1001 Tokugawa-cho, Higashi-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: From Nagoya Station, take the bus terminal number 10 and get off at the “Tokugawaen Shindeki” stop on the main city bus line 2, then walk 3 minutes

Nagoya City Science Museum

Unveiling the wonders of science like a theme park, Nagoya City Science Museum is a must-visit. 

The giant domed sphere is a striking landmark, housing the Guinness World Record-holding “Brother Earth” planetarium – one of the world’s largest, with a mesmerizing 35-meter inner diameter.

Embark on a cosmic adventure in the planetarium’s reclining seats, complete with live commentary from a curator. Witness a starry sky recreated with breathtaking realism. 

The museum itself boasts three exciting halls: Science and Engineering, Astronomical, and Life. 

Brace yourself for a -30°C room showcasing mesmerizing auroras, or witness the power of a 9-meter-tall artificial tornado!

Don’t miss the “Museum Café” with its unique space-themed menu, featuring delights like “Space Ramen” and the red bean and cream-filled “Ogura Dock.”  For a science-inspired souvenir, head to the “Museum Shop.”

• Address: 2-17-1 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Shirakawa Park, the Forest of Art and Science
• Access: Get off at Fushimi Station on the Higashiyama Subway Line and Tsurumai Line, and walk 5 minutes south from exits 4 and 5. Minutes

Outdoor Observation Deck “Sky Promenade”

Ascend to breathtaking new heights at Sky Promenade, Nagoya’s crown jewel observation deck. 

Located on the 44th to 46th floors of the iconic Midland Square skyscraper, this open-air paradise offers unparalleled panoramic views.

Unwind on the expansive strolling deck – soak in the city’s daytime majesty or be dazzled by the twinkling cityscape at night. 

Find your perfect spot to relax: the serene deck bench area with its wooden staircase benches, the comfortable outdoor sofas with tables, or the chaise longues nestled on a patch of artificial grass. 

Feeling stylish? Perch yourself at a high table with a sleek artificial marble top.

For the ultimate Instagram moment, strike a pose on the cloud-shaped chairs at the dedicated photo spot – your pictures will scream “floating on air”!

• Address: 44-46th floor, Midland Square, 4-7-1 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya (Entrance is on the 42nd floor)
• Access: 5 minutes walk from JR “Nagoya Station”, Meitetsu/Kintetsu “Nagoya Station” 3 minutes walk, approximately 1 minute walk from Nagoya Subway Station *Directly connected to 5 entrances to Midland Square from Meieki Underground Mall Sunroad

Kinshachi Yokocho

Devour Nagoya’s culinary delights at Kinshachi Yokocho, a gourmet haven steps from Nagoya Castle! This two-zone food paradise caters to every craving.

Step back in time at the Yoshinao Zone, named after the first Owari Tokugawa lord. Here, tradition reigns supreme. Wooden buildings reminiscent of Edo-period merchant houses house 12 renowned Nagoya Meshi restaurants and local favorites. 

Savor the city’s signature dishes and discover one-of-a-kind menus exclusive to Kinshachi Yokocho. 

Don’t miss the souvenir shop brimming with Nagoya specialties, where a full-size Kinshachi replica awaits your perfect photo op!

Seeking something trendy? Head to the Muneharu Zone, named after the 7th Tokugawa lord. Embracing “new style and change,” this area boasts 8 vibrant restaurants with large glass facades. 

Innovative chefs, on the rise to national acclaim, offer creative takes on Nagoya cuisine. The zone stays open until 10 pm, so you can indulge in a delicious meal after exploring the illuminated castle!

• Address: Yoshinao Zone: 1-2-3-5 Sannomaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture / Muneharu Zone: 1-2-3, Ninomaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: Yoshinao Zone: Subway Meijo Line “Nagoya” 10 minutes walk from Exit 7 of Nagoya Castle on the Subway Meijo Line / Muneharu Zone: Immediately from Exit 7 of Nagoya Castle on the Meijo Subway Line

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology

Journey through Toyota’s innovative spirit at the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology! 

Established by 17 Toyota companies, this museum safeguards a treasured piece of history – a red-brick Taisho era factory, the birthplace of Toyota’s legacy.

Explore the fascinating evolution of technology through engaging exhibits. Witness real textile machinery come alive with demonstrations, showcasing the roots of the company. 

Interactive displays and explanations by knowledgeable staff unveil the transformation from textiles to automobiles.

Immerse yourself in Toyota’s automotive journey. See production machinery in action, feel the power of the assembly line, and admire rows of historic vehicles. The museum shop, restaurant, cafe, and library offer a delightful way to extend your visit.

• Address: 4-1-35 Noritake Shinmachi, Nishi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: 3 minutes walk from Sakae Station on the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line

Escape the urban bustle at Meijo Park, a sprawling 80-hectare oasis north of Nagoya Castle. 

Lush forests and a babbling stream wind through the park, creating a serene atmosphere.

Relax on the grassy fields, bask in the beauty of seasonal flowers, or capture a photo with the iconic Dutch windmill as your backdrop.

For a dose of floral enchantment, head to the Meijo Park Flower Plaza, a haven for flower-themed events. 

After exploring, unwind at the Flower Cafe, a charming spot where you can sip on beverages, savor delicious desserts, and admire vibrant blooms all around – a perfect pitstop to refresh after a walk in this picturesque park.

• Address: 1-2-25 Meijo, Kita-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: 3 minutes walk from Exit 2 of Meijo Park on the Meijo Subway Line

Higashiyama Sky Tower

Soaring 100 meters above Higashiyama Park, the Higashiyama Sky Tower offers breathtaking panoramic views of Nagoya’s iconic landmarks. This observation deck, perched at 180 meters above sea level, promises an unforgettable vista.

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New in Fall 2023, “Moet & Dining” graces the top floor, inviting you to indulge in a delectable Italian meal while captivated by the dazzling cityscape.  (Please note, accessing the restaurant requires a separate 300 yen admission fee for the Sky Tower, and reservations are only available for evening hours.)

Seeking a touch of romance? The Sky Tower has been designated a “Lover’s Sanctuary,” making it the perfect spot to pop the question!  

Write a heartfelt message on a heart-shaped strap and display it on the “Compass of Love” monument on the 4th-floor observation deck for an unforgettable memory.

• Address: 1-8 Bingo, Tashiro-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: Exit 6 of Hoshigaoka Station on the Higashiyama Subway Line and turn left (toward Hoshigaoka Terrace) for about 15 minutes, then take the Higashiyama Subway Line From Higashiyama Koen Station, exit 3, head south (toward the main gate of Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden) for about 15 minutes.

Maglev/Railway Museum: Museum of dreams and memories

Take the controls of the life-size “Shinkansen Simulator N700” (fee applies) and experience the rush of piloting a high-speed bullet train. 

Explore Japan’s largest, meticulously detailed railway diorama, then delve deeper into the fascinating world of technology with exhibits showcasing the inner workings of Shinkansen and the futuristic superconducting maglev. 

Whether you’re a train enthusiast or simply curious, there’s something for everyone at this interactive museum.

For the little ones, a dedicated “kids corner” provides a fun and engaging space for play. 

Additionally, a nursing room and a multipurpose restroom ensure a comfortable visit for all.  Be sure to check the official website to stay updated on exciting events held mainly on weekends!

• Address: 3-2-2 Kinjofuto, Minato-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: From Nagoya Station, get off at Kinjofuto Station on the Aonami Line and walk for about 2 minutes (24 minutes one way between Nagoya Station and Kinjofuto Station)

Tsurumai Park

Established in 1909 as Nagoya City’s first public park, it’s a cherished haven for locals seeking relaxation.

Immerse yourself in vibrant blooms – cherry blossoms paint the spring, roses perfume the summer air, and irises add a touch of elegance. 

The park’s rich history resonates in landmarks like the fountain tower, the Universal Selection Memorial Platform, and the Music Hall. Notably, in 2009, much of the park earned national recognition as a registered scenic monument.

Exciting news for foodies! May 2023 saw the grand opening of “TSURUMA GARDEN” – a vibrant commercial complex within the park. 

Here, you can indulge in an array of gourmet delights, from savory meat dishes to delectable sweets. Spread out a picnic blanket on the lush lawn and savor your treats while surrounded by nature’s splendor

• Address: 1 Tsurumai, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: Immediately from Exit 4 of Tsurumai Station on the JR Chuo Line or Tsurumai Municipal Subway Line

Chubu Electric Power Mirai Tower

Unwind at the cafe inside the tower, taking in captivating panoramic views.  Soak up the cityscape from the “Sky Deck” (indoor, 90-100 meters above ground) or challenge yourself to the open-air “Sky Balcony” for unparalleled vistas.  

At night, the city transforms into a dazzling spectacle, certified as a “Japanese Night View Heritage.” Witness this magical scene come alive with a breathtaking 360-degree projection mapping event.

This innovative tower takes guest experiences even further.  In 2020, it unveiled the world’s first in-tower hotel!  Designed by talented artists from the Tokai region, this unique accommodation promises an unforgettable stay.

• Address: 3-6-15 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: 3-minute walk from Exit 3 or 4 of Nagoya Municipal Subway Higashiyama Line/Meijo Line “Sakae” Station, Nagoya Municipal Subway Sakuradori Line・Get off at Meijo Line “Hisaya Odori” station. Immediately from the south ticket gate/Exit 4B

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Nagoya Port Building

Towering 63 meters, this architectural marvel resembles a majestic white ship setting sail. 

Ascend to the top floor’s observation room, perched 53 meters above ground, and be rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views of the bustling Nagoya Port and the city skyline. 

Don’t miss the 3rd-floor exhibition, where fascinating displays delve into the history and significance of Nagoya Port, Japan’s leading international trading hub.

Anchored at the pier is the iconic bright orange research vessel, Fuji. This 100-meter giant served valiantly for 18 years, venturing into the icy depths of Antarctica. 

Today, Fuji stands preserved in its original state, allowing you to explore the captain’s quarters, the medical bay, and more. Step aboard and experience firsthand the life of an Antarctic explorer!

• Address: 1-9 Minato-cho, Minato-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: 5 minutes walk from Exit 3 of Nagoya-ko Station on the Meiko Subway Line

Yamazaki Mazak Museum

Immerse yourself in the elegance of French artistry at the Yamazaki Mazak Museum. This haven for art lovers showcases the personal collection of the late Teruyuki Yamazaki, former chairman of Yamazaki Mazak Co., Ltd.

Embark on a captivating journey through 300 years of French art, from the 18th to the 20th centuries.  The permanent collection boasts masterpieces that adorned the walls of refined salons, allowing you to experience the artistic spirit of the era.

Marvel at a captivating display of Art Nouveau works, a late 19th-century French artistic movement celebrated for its intricate craftsmanship. 

This collection features exquisite glassware and furniture pieces, including later works by the renowned Emile Gallé, offering profound insights into the artist’s life philosophy.

Step into recreated salon settings, transporting you to a bygone era of European art appreciation. Indulge in an enriching art viewing experience akin to visiting a prestigious overseas museum.

And to complete your visit, the museum offers on-site restaurants, cafes, and a museum shop, ensuring a delightful and enriching cultural outing.

• Address: 1-19-30 Aoi, Higashi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: Directly connected to “Shin-eicho” Exit 1

Hisaya-odori Park

Unwind and explore at Hisaya-odori Park, a unique blend of urban oasis and vibrant shopping destination. 

Unfurl a picnic blanket on the sprawling “Lawn Plaza” and soak in the seasonal beauty, perhaps practicing yoga or browsing a lively market. 

Follow the meandering “Small Path Area,” where art installations and illuminations change with the seasons, creating a constantly evolving open-air gallery.

For a refreshing break, head to the mist-adorned water basin near the iconic Nagoya TV Tower. 

Don’t miss the park’s integrated commercial complex, boasting over 40 stores, including exciting first-time arrivals in Nagoya. 

From fashion and sports to delectable gourmet delights, this one-stop hub caters to all your needs, making Hisaya-odori Park a perfect spot for relaxation, exploration, and retail therapy.

• Access: 1 minute walk from Hisaya Odori Station on the Municipal Subway Sakuradori Line, 1 minute walk from Hisaya Odori Station on the Municipal Subway Meijo Line, 1 minute walk from Hisaya Odori Station on the Municipal Subway Higashiyama Line 1 minute walk from Sakae Station, 1 minute walk from Sakae Station on the Municipal Subway Meijo Line, 1 minute walk from Sakaemachi Station on the Meitetsu Seto Line

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Noritake Forest

Step back in time and celebrate the legacy of ceramics at Noritake Garden! Established on the centennial anniversary of Noritake, a renowned Western tableware manufacturer, this verdant park honors its heritage.

Six evocative chimney monuments stand tall, reminiscent of the red brick factories of the Meiji era, a lasting reminder of Noritake’s role in shaping modern pottery.

Immerse yourself in a world of exquisite craftsmanship. Explore the expansive Noritake tableware store, where you’ll find everything from discounted treasures to perfect gifts. 

Delight your taste buds at innovative French restaurants and charming cafes. Throughout the year, captivating events unfold, adding vibrancy to the park.

Noritake Garden offers a haven for relaxation and exploration – a perfect place to spend a leisurely day surrounded by beauty and artistry.

• Address: 3-1-36 Noritake Shinmachi, Nishi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: 5 minutes walk from Exit 2 of Kamejima Station on the Higashiyama Subway Line, 15 minutes walk from JR Nagoya Station

LEGOLAND(R) Japan Resort

Unleash your inner builder at LEGOLAND® Japan, an interactive wonderland brimming with over 17 million LEGO® bricks and 10,000 awe-inspiring models!

Soar to new heights on the 60-meter Observation Tower, offering breathtaking panoramic vistas.  Immerse yourself in iconic landmarks recreated in miniature at Miniland, where LEGO® magic brings renowned structures like Sky Three and Tokyo Tower to life.

But the fun doesn’t stop there!  Witness the fascinating process of LEGO® brick creation firsthand on the LEGO® Factory Tour.  

For an even more immersive experience, consider a stay at the LEGOLAND® Japan Hotel, where you can drift off to sleep surrounded by your favorite building blocks.

And that’s not all! LEGOLAND® Japan is conveniently located next to Sea Life Nagoya, an aquarium teeming with fascinating sea creatures waiting to be discovered. Prepare for a day (and possibly a night) of endless LEGO® adventures!

• Address: 2-2-1 Kinjofuto, Minato-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: 10 minutes walk from Kinjofuto Station on the Aonami Line

Swan Garden / Shirotori Garden

Unveiling the tranquility of nature, Tokugawa Garden ranks among Nagoya’s largest Japanese gardens. 

Meticulously designed to mirror the Chubu region’s topography, its sprawling landscape boasts a picturesque strolling pond and a captivating fountain.

Immerse yourself in traditional beauty at “Seibatei,” an authentic Sukiya-style tea house. 

Witness a mesmerizing spectacle as the “Shioiri Garden” mimics the rhythm of the tides with a captivating ebb and flow happening every hour.

No matter the season, Tokugawa Garden offers a feast for the senses.  Spring bursts with delicate cherry blossoms, while early summer paints the scene with fresh greenery and vibrant hydrangeas. 

Summertime brings a flourish of lotuses and water lilies, while autumn ignites the landscape with fiery foliage. Winter offers a serene beauty with cascading snowdrops.

Beyond the visual delights, Tokugawa Garden invites cultural immersion.  Partake in seasonal tea ceremonies and events, or delve deeper with classes exploring Japanese culture. 

Savor a cup of matcha alongside delectable sweets at Saryo Shioiri. Unwind in the tranquil gazebo or amidst the serenity of nature on a comfortable bench.  

Tokugawa Garden’s enchanting atmosphere makes it a perfect destination for relaxation and a popular choice for romantic strolls.

Nayabashi Bridge AKA Barn Bridge

Stepping back in time, Nayabashi Bridge stands as a proud testament to Nagoya’s rich history. One of the iconic “Horikawa Seven Bridges” built during the Edo period, it gracefully arches over the Hori River, a central waterway that bisects the city.

Nayabashi Bridge pulsates with life throughout the year. The surrounding area frequently hosts events, and the bridge itself transforms with captivating illuminations at night. 

COLORS.366, a vibrant commercial complex offering a delectable array of dining and entertainment options, recently opened nearby. This new addition boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing for stunning views of the bridge from within.

Venture beyond the bridge and explore the charming riverside promenade. Here, a water plaza and docks offer the perfect setting for open-air events like the lively “Nayabashi Yoichi” night market. 

Take a leisurely boat ride or simply soak in the picturesque scene – the riverside seawall bathed in a warm amber glow reminiscent of Taisho-era gas lamps, and the bridge itself transforming colors to resonate with specific seasons or events.

Adding to the area’s historical charm is the former Kato Shokai Building, a registered tangible cultural property located east of the bridge. 

Its basement level houses the Horikawa Gallery, a space dedicated to exhibitions and cultural exchanges that delve into the rich heritage of the Horikawa district.

Nayabashi Bridge beckons you to explore its vibrant surroundings – a delightful blend of history, entertainment, and captivating riverside beauty.

• Address: 1-chome Meieki Minami, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, 1-chome Sakae, Naka-ku, 1-chome Nishiki, Naka-ku 
• Access: 8-minute walk to the west from Exit 8 of Fushimi Station on the Higashiyama Subway Line, Sakuradori Subway Line 8 minutes walk south from Exit 3 of Kokusai Center Station

Higashitaniyama Fruit Park

Escape the urban sprawl and discover a world of delicious delights at Higashitaniyama Fruit Park! 

Nestled at the foot of Mount Higashitani, Nagoya’s highest peak, this agricultural haven offers a unique blend of nature, education, and delectable treats.

Explore the sprawling orchards, teeming with over 17 varieties of fruit trees like apples, pears, and peaches. But the bounty doesn’t stop there! The park boasts an impressive collection of nearly 190 fruit varieties, including figs, apricots, and even kiwi.

Delve into the world of exotic fruits at the two large and small domes – the “world’s tropical fruit greenhouse.” Here, over 100 rare fruit trees from tropical and subtropical regions flourish, from bananas and papayas to guavas.

• Address: 2110 Higashitani, Kamishidanami, Moriyama-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: 25 minutes walk from the south exit of JR “Kozoji Station”, from JR “Ozone Station”, take Yutorito Line “Togokubashi” bound for Kozoji ” 15 minutes walk from the bus stop

Nagoya Port Sea Train Land

Unveiling dazzling cityscapes and thrilling adventures, Nippon Land promises a day (or night!) of unforgettable fun.  While admission is free, exciting attractions await, each available for a separate fee.

Take center stage on the park’s iconic Ferris wheel!  This soaring giant offers breathtaking 360-degree panoramas.  

By day, marvel at the sprawling cityscape.  As dusk descends, witness the magical transformation as Nagoya Port ignites with a dazzling nighttime display.  And the Ferris wheel itself becomes a radiant centerpiece, adding its vibrant colors to the dazzling scene.

Prepare to be exhilarated!  Nippon Land boasts a variety of attractions to satisfy every thrill seeker.  

Step into the “4D King,” a state-of-the-art 360-degree super three-dimensional theater, where special effects bring the action to life.  

Test your problem-solving skills in the “Card Maze Gururimori Daibouken,” a challenging maze brimming with puzzles.  Or face the supernatural in “Ghost Hunter 2,” an augmented reality shooting game.  

With 16 attractions in total (some with restrictions), and the option to purchase a free pass for unlimited rides on select attractions, Nippon Land guarantees hours of electrifying entertainment!

• Address: 1-51 Nishikura-cho, Minato-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
• Access: 5 minutes walk from Nagoya Port Station on the Nagoya Municipal Subway/Meiko Line, approximately 10 minutes by car south from the Komei Exit on Nagoya Expressway Route 4 Tokai Line

My writing focuses on the various aspects of Japanese lifestyle, from traditional tea ceremonies and flower arrangement to modern fashion trends and pop culture. Through my articles, I aim to share my passion for Japan and provide readers with a glimpse into the rich and diverse world of Japanese culture.

I believe that the key to understanding Japanese lifestyle is to appreciate the balance between tradition and innovation. While Japan has a rich cultural heritage that dates back centuries, it is also a country that is constantly evolving and embracing new ideas and technologies.

Whether you’re interested in learning about the latest fashion trends in Tokyo, or want to explore the ancient art of calligraphy, my writing will take you on a journey through the many facets of Japanese lifestyle. So join me as we explore the beauty and complexity of this fascinating culture together!

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11 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Nagoya

Written by Bryan Dearsley and Meagan Drillinger Updated Dec 26, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Thanks to its position opening onto the Pacific Ocean, Nagoya has developed into Japan's busiest port. It has also long been an important manufacturing site of such traditional industries as ceramics and textiles. The ceramics industry was established here in the 12th century and has become somewhat of a tourist attraction thanks to its numerous workshops and factory tours.

Many of the city's historic sites remain intact and are great places to visit for tourists. These include the magnificent 16th-century castle, which like much of the city center, was rebuilt after the destruction of WWII.

These days, this large city is a pleasure to explore for its excellent network of wide modern streets; world-class attractions, including museums and art galleries; and countless points of interest, such as its many historic shrines and temples. You'll find no shortage of things to see and do.

Discover the best places to visit in the city with our list of the top tourist attractions in Nagoya.

1. Atsuta Jingu (Shrine)

2. nagoya castle, 3. the museum meiji-mura (meiji village), 4. the tokugawa and nagoya city art museums, 5. the port of nagoya, 6. higashiyama zoo and botanical gardens, 7. nagoya tv tower and hisaya ōdori park, 8. toyota techno and toyota automobile museums, 9. the temples of ōsu, 10. noritake garden and ceramics factory tour, 11. legoland japan, where to stay in nagoya for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to nagoya, map of tourist attractions in nagoya, nagoya, japan - climate chart.

Highlight : The most important Shinto shrine in Japan with one of only three preserved Imperial insignias in the country

The Atsuta Shrine , widely considered the most important Shinto shrine in Japan, was established in the first century AD. It's most famous for its preserved Imperial insignia, the "grass-mowing sword" (kusanagi-no-tsurugi), one of only three in the country.

According to Japanese mythology, the sword originally belonged to the storm god Susanoo but was presented to the legendary hero Yamato-takeru as he set out to conquer the eastern provinces. When his enemies tried to kill him by setting the long grass on fire, he saved himself by mowing the grass with his sword (the name of the shrine, Atsuta, means "burning field").

In the northern part of the wooded precinct is the principal shrine, Hongu, surrounded by an enclosing wall. To the east is the Treasury, a modern building that contains a large number of works of art including old and modern paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and traditional masks. Hot Tip: With nine million visitors annually, the Atsuta Shrine is busy, so try to time your visit near opening or closing to avoid the crowds, or during the off-peak seasons such as spring or autumn.

Address: 1 Chome-1-1 Jingu, Atsuta Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 456-8585

Highlights : A moated complex with a 48-meter-tall tower that houses a museum and has beautiful city views

Nagoya Castle was completely rebuilt in 1959 and remains one of the city's most important (and visited) landmarks. Originally constructed in 1612, this splendid moated complex includes highlights such as its splendid 48-meter-tall main tower. Famous for its two gilded dolphins (shachi) high up on its gables, the tower now houses a museum containing numerous art treasures, including painted wall screens, sliding doors, and wall paintings mainly of the Kano school.

From the fifth floor of the tower, visitors can enjoy extensive views of the city and the Nobi Plain. Three of the original corner towers survive, along with the second gateway and walls, and they are fun to explore. So, too, is the nearby Ninomaru Garden with its teahouse.

Be sure to look out for the golden fish statues perched atop the castle, too. They represent the mythological "shachihoko ," a creature that's half fish and half tiger, perched some 50 meters above the ground. If you're not averse to winter travel, seeing the castle shrouded in snow is a never-to-be-forgotten experience.

Address: 1-1 Honmaru, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0031

Highlights : Beautifully preserved examples of Japanese architecture that date back to the Meiji period, as well as other examples of international architecture

Just 24 kilometers north of Nagoya's city center, the Meiji-mura Village Museum in Inuyama is an open-air museum featuring many fine examples of Japanese architecture from the Meiji period of 1868 to 1912.

All told, the site consists of more than 60 buildings of interest that were brought here and reassembled from across the country. Of special interest are elements of the old Imperial Hotel, a unique design created by famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright .

Other fascinating structures include a prison, post office, bathhouse, churches, and homes, many of them influenced by design elements from Western nations. Numerous buildings are open to the public and house interesting collections of furniture, temporary exhibits, and other items related to the respective buildings. There's also a historic tram and bus service (as well as a vintage steam train), which makes this a fun diversion for kids.

If you're traveling with kids, try to allocate some time in your itinerary to visit the nearby Little World Museum of Man . They'll love the opportunity to dress up in traditional costumes from around the world and learn about different cultures.

Address: 1 Uchiyama, Inuyama, Aichi 484-0000

Highlights : Two impressive picture scrolls, one of which contains 43 parts and was made by Fujiwara Takayoshi.

Perhaps the best-known of Nagoya's world-class art facilities is the excellent Tokugawa Art Museum . This excellent gallery is home to many treasures that once belonged to the city's wealthy Tokugawa family, including numerous fine paintings, items of porcelain, weapons, and documents.

Of particular note are the 43 parts of the famous Genji-monogatari-emaki, a picture scroll made by Fujiwara Takayoshi. Another must-see here is the Saigyo-monogatari-emaki, an ancient scroll depicting scenes from the life of the priest Saigyo from 1118-90.

Also worth seeing is the Nagoya City Art Museum (Nagoya-shi Bijutsukan). Opened in 1987, this museum is home to a permanent collection that includes the work of Surrealist artists from around the globe, including Sean Scully, Kansuke Yamamoto, and Alexander Calder, as well as temporary exhibits.

Finally, be sure to squeeze in a visit to the Nagoya Museum of Fine Arts (Nagoya Bosuton Bijutsukan). Sister museum to Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, it's notable for bringing items from the latter's collection of Impressionist and other artworks to Japan, and is also worth a visit for art lovers.

Address: 1017 Tokugawacho, Higashi Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 461-0023

Highlights : Home to the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, the historic Fuji vessel that sailed to the South Pole, and a small amusement park

In addition to being a bustling harbor, the Port of Nagoya in Ise Bay has become something of a tourist attraction in recent years. One of the most popular things to do, particularly for those traveling with kids, is to visit the excellent Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium . Highlights include its large collection of native marine life, many exotic species of fish from across the Pacific, as well as a popular dolphin show.

Also worth checking out is the Fuji , a historic Antarctic-going vessel that now serves as an interesting museum dedicated to the exploration of the South Pole. There's also a small amusement park (Sea Train Land) that's fun for the kids, along with a lovely wildflower garden.

Numerous fine walkways crisscross the port, connecting it to the main parts of the city, and are fun to explore.

Hot Tip: For a truly memorable experience, try to time your visit for the fireworks displays held on Marine Day and Christmas Eve.

Address: 1-3 Minatomachi, Minato Ward, Nagoya, Aichi

Highlights : A combination of a zoo, amusement park, and botanical garden that features 125 species of animals, as well as the Higashiyama Sky Tower observation platform

Opened in 1937 and one of the oldest (and largest) such establishments in Japan, the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens (Higashiyama Dōshokubutsuen) makes for an excellent excursion that can easily occupy the best part of a day.

Part zoo, part amusement park, and part botanic garden, this popular tourist attraction offers plenty of fun for visitors of all ages. For animal lovers, the zoo area includes some 125 different species including gorillas, hippos, elephants, lions, tigers, giraffes, and koalas, along with tropical fish, numerous birds, and a reptile house.

Afterward, be sure to wander the pathways through the lovely botanical gardens section with its collections of both native and non-native species. From here, you can also visit the 100-meter-tall Higashiyama Sky Tower with its observation platforms and restaurant offering great views over the city.

Address: 3-70, Higashiyama-motomachi, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-0804

Highlight : The best views in the city from the 100-meter outdoor Sky Balcony

Some of the best views over Nagoya are from the 180-meter-tall Nagoya TV Tower (Nagoya Terebi-tō). Built in 1954 in the heart of Hisaya Ōdori Park, the tower holds the record as the oldest electric wave tower in the country. It also boasts two observation decks: the Sky Balcony (outdoors) at 100 meters, and the Sky Deck (indoors) at 90 meters.

Looking not unlike the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, the site includes an informative exhibition about its history, as well as a restaurant.

Be sure to spend time also exploring the nearby Hisaya Ōdori Park. This pleasant two-kilometer-long green space in the heart of the city boasts many trees, fountains, and sculptures, and is regularly used as a venue for events and festivals. A highlight is the famous Nagoya Festival (Nagoya Matsuri) with its parades, traditional costumes, and music.

Address: 3 Chome-6-15 Nishiki, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0003

Highlights : A science and tech museum with exhibits that show Toyota's transition to one of the largest auto manufacturers in the world

Opened in 1994 to celebrate Nagoya's largest and most famous company, the excellent Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology (Sangyo-Gijutsu Kinenkan) makes for a fun day out.

Highlights of a visit to this science and technology museum, often simply referred to as "Toyota Techno," include numerous still-working exhibits of the huge looms and textile manufacturing processes that Toyota started out making in 1933.

You can also see interesting displays detailing its eventual transition into the world's largest automobile manufacturer, including numerous robots. Car buffs will also want to visit the huge Toyota Automobile Museum in nearby Nagakute , home to a superb collection of vintage cars made by Toyota and other leading manufacturers from around the globe.

Also well worth a visit is the SCMaglev and Railway Park (Rinia Tetsudōkan), a superb museum dedicated to the Central Japanese Railway Company featuring 39 trains, along with models and a fun simulator.

Address: 4 Chome-1-35 Noritakeshinmachi, Nishi Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 451-0051

Highlight : The iconic red paper lantern in the main hall, where pilgrims can hang their prayers

One of Nagoya's most popular districts is Ōsu, much visited for its many fine temples and shrines. One of the most important is the Buddhist temple of Ōsu Kannon (Kitanosan Shinpuku-ji Hōshō-in), built in the early 14th century in an area that turned out to be prone to flooding and moved to its current location around 1612.

Rebuilt in the 1970s, this magnificent building is home to the famous red paper lantern hanging from the ceiling of the main hall to which pilgrims attach their prayers.

After visiting some of Ōsu's other important temples, most notably Bansho-ji and Hongan-ji Betsuin , be sure to wander the surrounding historical streets with their many small shops offering traditional Japanese crafts and food.

Address: 2 Chome-21-47 Ōsu, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0011

Highlights : Displays that show off the company's antique porcelain, alongside demonstrations of how the ceramics are made

Started in 1876 by two brothers looking to increase Japan's trade with Western markets, the Noritake ceramics company has a long and storied past in the city of Nagoya. An interesting attraction for both collectors and the curious alike is Noritake Garden, a fascinating insight into the manufacturing process of this historic ceramics company housed on the original factory grounds.

Highlights include displays showcasing the company's history and antique porcelain, as well as demonstrations of the manufacturing process, hands-on workshops, and gift shops. The site's gardens are beautiful, and the grounds are also home to restaurants.

Address: 3 Chome-1-36 Noritakeshinmachi, Nishi Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 451-8501

Highlights : Rides, attractions, and a Lego reconstruction of some of Japan's most famous landmarks

One of the newest major theme parks to have been built in the country for some decades, Legoland Japan in Nagoya only opened in 2017 and is already attracting well over two million visitors a year.

In addition to its numerous rides and attractions, the park includes a fascinating and extremely detailed miniature town, complete with accurate scale Lego reconstructions of recognizable landmarks from across Japan, including the famous Nagoya Castle. A new hotel opened up at the site in 2018, and future plans include the addition of an aquarium.

Address: 2-2-1 Kinjoufutou, Minato-ku Nagoya-shi, Aichi 455-8605

Luxury Hotels :

• In Nakamura near Josen-ji Temple, the Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel is one of the most luxe hotels in town. There is a mix of rooms and suites, including family rooms if you're traveling with kids. Amenities here include a swimming pool, hot tub, workout room, and a spa. There is also a restaurant on-site, and room service is available. If you are driving, there is parking at the hotel.
• Hilton Nagoya is another relatively luxe option. Located in the heart of Nagoya's business, shopping, and entertainment district, it runs a free shuttle service to nearby attractions like Nagoya Castle. It is also just five minutes from the main train station. Rooms and suites are modern and comfortable with traditional Japanese style. There are great city views from large windows, and blackout curtains for when you want to sleep. Choose from multiple restaurants when it is time to dine. There is also a 49-foot indoor swimming pool, a 24-hour gym, and a sauna on-site.
• There are not a lot of luxury hotels in Nagoya, but the brand-new Hotel Keihan Nakoya is one option. The 4-star property is in the central Naka district and has contemporary western-style rooms with king beds and giant flat-screen TVs. These also have sitting areas and are quite large.

Mid-Range Hotels :

• Nishitetsu Hotel Croom Nagoya is brand new and offers small but very clean and comfortable rooms in a central location in the Naka district. Suites have more space to move around. The decor is Western with Japanese-style elements. Expect comfy beds draped in thick white duvets, and pale wood minimalist furnishings. Amenities at this family-friendly hotel include a restaurant, hot tub, and free breakfast.
• Located right above Nagoya main station, the JR Gate Tower Hotel is a contemporary hotel with great views from rooms on higher floors - corner rooms have windows on two sides and a bright and airy feel. There is a restaurant on-site that serves a morning breakfast buffet. There is also a coffee shop, hot tub, currency exchange, laundry service, and fitness center on-site. Paid public parking is available nearby.
• Daiwa Roynet Hotel Nagoya Taikodoriguchi is another good mid-range choice. In Nakamura, it is within walking distance of a number of attractions and restaurants. The Western-style rooms are tidy and comfortable and even feature small sitting areas. There is a restaurant with a breakfast buffet on-site, as well as a hot tub and paid private parking.

Budget Hotels :

• n a convenient location, Nagoya B's is a good budget choice. The Western-style rooms feature sitting areas, fridges, and desks. On-site amenities include private paid parking, a hot tub, a spa, and a workout room. Breakfast is also included in the rate.
• Nagoya at Night : Japan is an extremely safe country, so those interested in spending time exploring the best bits of Nagoya should certainly feel comfortable doing so after nightfall. Popular things to do at night in Nagoya include wandering the quaint old streets of the Endoji Shotengai Shopping Street and checking out the traditional crafts and artisan wares (as well as enjoying authentic Japanese food). Also fun is walking the perimeter of Nagoya castle, which is beautifully illuminated at night.
• Experience Rural Japan : There's also plenty to see and do in the area surrounding Nagoya. A great option for those with a full day to spare is a private tour to Shirakawago, Hida Furukawa, and Takayama, an immersive journey that provides an unforgettable slice of life in rural Japan. Highlights include a walk around the town of Hida Furukawa, as well as a chance to explore the old town of Takayama and visit Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its well-preserved traditional architecture.

Nagoya has a temperate climate year-round, but the best time to visit Nagoya is March, April, May, October, and November . Nagoya's springtime falls over the months of March, April, and May. Days during this period are between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius, and the end of March through early April in Nagoya is prime time to view the beautiful cherry blossoms. Expect lots of crowds at the end of April and early May, which is when domestic travel peaks.

Nagoya is also beautiful during October and November. Temperatures range between 13 and 18 degrees Celsius. Days are warm and sunny, while nights are a bit cool. Throughout November, the leaves in Nagoya begin to change colors, so expect crowds to rise as travelers come to see the beautiful colors.

The summer months in Nagoya include June, July, August, and part of September. This is the rainiest, hottest, and most humid time of year in the city, but the crowds will also have thinned out.

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Great Day Trips from Nagoya : Its position on the main rail routes means Nagoya is perfectly situated for fun day trips to other nearby cities. A must is taking the train to historic Kyoto , just 1.5 hours away and considered the quintessential Japanese cultural destination. From here, you can also venture off and explore the area around Kyoto , too, including such gems as Arashiyama for an authentic taste of small-town Japan. And just a short ride farther west of Kyoto is Osaka , another marvelous destination for those in search of a great cultural experience.

Longer Trips from Nagoya : For those willing to travel farther afield, Nagoya is the perfect jumping-off point for all kinds of adventures. An approximately five-hour-long return trip will expose you to the very best of Nara , considered to be the epicenter of Japanese culture and home to many fine historical buildings, museums, and quaint streets, which haven't changed in centuries. Then there's Hiroshima , a three-hour rail journey (each way) to one of the world's most historically significant reminders of the cruelty of war, yet home to some of the most beautiful shrines in the world, including the remarkable Island Shrine of Itsukushima.

Japan Vacation Ideas : Japan certainly has no shortage of great vacation options. If you're not averse to traveling in the shoulder season, consider the beautiful city of Sapporo on the northernmost island of Hokkaido. Come winter, the city bursts into life with its annual Sapporo Snow Festival, as well as activities such as skiing at the Mount Moiwa Ski Resort. Also worth considering are the tourist attractions of Tokyo ; the nearby icon that is Mount Fuji ; and the city of Fukuoka , popular for its lovely castle, shrines, and temples.

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NAGOYA CITY TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER NAGOYA STATION TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Sun - Sat 08:30 - 19:00
• (0.15 mi) the b nagoya
• (0.13 mi) R&B Hotel Nagoya Sakae-higashi
• (0.16 mi) Koko Hotel Nagoya Sakae
• (0.17 mi) UNIZO INN Nagoya Sakae
• (0.26 mi) Nagoya Tokyu Hotel
• (0.02 mi) Mitsukoshimae Hirobas
• (0.03 mi) Beard Papa Sakae Morino Chikagai
• (0.03 mi) Chineese Restaurant Shunju
• (0.04 mi) Tokyo Mercato Mitsukoshi Maehirobasu
• (0.04 mi) Atsugiri Chashuya Chunichi Building B2

Nagoya City Tourist Information Center Nagoya Station Tourist Information Center

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NAGOYA CITY TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER NAGOYA STATION TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Sun - Sat 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
• (0.23 km) the b nagoya
• (0.21 km) R&B Hotel Nagoya Sakae-higashi
• (0.26 km) Koko Hotel Nagoya Sakae
• (0.28 km) UNIZO INN Nagoya Sakae
• (0.42 km) Nagoya Tokyu Hotel
• (0.03 km) Mitsukoshimae Hirobas
• (0.05 km) Beard Papa Sakae Morino Chikagai
• (0.05 km) Chineese Restaurant Shunju
• (0.06 km) Tokyo Mercato Mitsukoshi Maehirobasu
• (0.06 km) Atsugiri Chashuya Chunichi Building B2

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ITINERARIES Discover Nagoya Castles, cars, and culinary delights, Nagoya is home to a vibrant culture waiting to be explored

Visit japan's fourth most populated city, a castle town and the heart of the country's automobile industry., how to get there, from tokyo: 1 hour 40 minutes.

Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen from Tokyo or Shinagawa stations.

From Osaka: 50 minutes

Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station.

Photo: ©Nagoya Convention & Visitors Bureau / None / None / None

Surrounding the castle is Meijo Park. Filled with seasonal flowers, the park transforms throughout the year. Flower exhibits are regularly held on the grounds. Early May is a particularly good time to visit when the wisterias are in full bloom.

Take the Subway Meijo Line from City Hall Station next to Nagoya Castle for 3 minutes to Ozone Sakae Station. The Tokugawa Art Museum is a 10-minute walk from the station.

Walk 15 minutes from the museum to Ozone Station. Take the JR Chuo Line for 9 minutes and change at Kanayama Station. Take the Meitetsu Line 7 minutes to Sako Station. The museum is a short 5-minute walk from the station.

Photo: Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology

The garden is a short 10-minute walk southeast from the museum in the direction of Nagoya Station.

Walk south from the garden in the direction of Nagoya Station. Midland Square is directly opposite the station.

Photo: None / None / ©Nagoya Convention & Visitors Bureau / None

The dining floors of the towers are great to sample some of Nagoya’s local specialties. Try miso-katsu pork cutlets covered in red bean hatcho miso paste, kishimen flat noodles, and ogura toast, pieces of bread covered in chunky red bean spread.

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1 Day In Nagoya Itinerary; The Perfect Trip Plan For The First Visit Nagoya, Japan

Nagoya is the biggest city in the central region (Chubu region), and 4th largest city by population in Japan. However, it is very common that Nagoya is hardly put in the Japan sightseeing bucket list, even among Japanese travelers.

When looking at the glory of popular attraction spots in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and other cities, each spot in Nagoya is not enough to stand out, but it doesn’t mean Nagoya has nothing to see.

Since the transportation networks are developed and the city size is compact to get around, so I am saying 1 day is enough for sightseeing.

Especially the unique local cuisine, called “Nagoya Meshi” (名古屋飯), you can’t miss if you are in Nagoya.

Today, I am going to introduce the 1-day itinerary that getting around staple sightseeing spots by Nagoya city subway.

Get Nagoya city subway map

• Itinerary overview
• “Morning set” as the beginning of the day
• Get a subway pass
• Nagoya-castle
• Lunch at Kinsyachi Yokocho
• “Oasis 21” & Nagoya TV tower (Sakae)
• Atusta Jinugu Shrine
• Osu Shopping District & Osu Kannon
• Finish at Nagoya station

SHORYUDO Nagoya Subway & Bus 1-Day Ticket

Where to go for “morning set”, go to nagoya castle, fill up your stomach with “nagoya meshi” at kinshachi yokocho, go to nagoya’s downtown, sakae district, the substitute plan, have a tea break at atsuta shrine; kiyome chaya, osu shopping district, finish at nagoya station, get the subway pass at a closest station.

To save money and make travel handy, get a prepaid transportation card or a 1-day pass for the Nagoya subway.

There is a “Nagoya subway 24-hour ticket” for unlimited Nagoya city subway rides if you think it has a good deal for you.

• Price…¥760 (Adult) ¥380 (Child)
• Available for all subway lines (only) in Nagoya

You can buy the ticket via ticket vending machine, station officer booth, station master’s office, Transportation Bureau Service Center (Commuter Tickets)

• Price…¥620 (2 tickets limited by one passport)
• Available for all subway lines & Nagoya city buses, and the sightseeing route bus “Me~guru”
• Available for non-Japanese passport holders

It is a discount travel pass for only international visitors. “Shoryudo ticket” gives you unlimited ride for subways, Nagoya city buses, and the sightseeing route bus for all day when you purchase.

This ticket is available in only certain places listed below and requires you to show a non-Japanese passport.

• Chubu Centrair Int’l Airport, Meitetsu Travel Plaza
• Chubu Centrair Int’l Airport, Central Japan Travel Center
• Nagoya City Kanayama Tourist Information Center (Kanayama Station, Loop Kanayama 1F)
• Oasis 21 iCenter (Sakae Station, Oasis 21 B1F)
• Transportation Bureau Service Center (at Nagoya, Kanayama, Sakae subway stations)

Start A Day With “Morning Set” At Kissaten

For the beginning of the Nagoya trip, find “Kissaten” (喫茶店) which means a “coffee shop” around you.

You can’t leave Nagoya without the experience of “Morning Set”.

• What’s the “Morning set”???

“Morning set” custom is seen mostly in only the central region of Japan, it is the service offered during a certain time in the morning at coffee shops.

• Komeda coffee
• Kako Bucho coffee
• Katou coffee
• Bera coffee
• Kissa Karasu

Take Meijo (Purple) Line and Get off “Shiyaku-sho(city hall) station”(市役所 M07).

Nagoya Castle is a popular sightseeing spot, especially “Honmaru Goten”(本丸御殿) , the castle palace, is the new attraction opened in 2018.

Don’t miss the traditional luxurious paintings that incorporate ancient techniques and wisdom on the Fusuma door (traditional Japanese door) and ceiling.

Unfortunately, the iconic castle tower has been reconstructed and is planning to complete hopefully in three years.

Also, Nagoya Castle Park is famous for spectacular cherry blossoms in Spring . Many visitors enjoy vibrant pink blossoms with the “Ohanami” party in the park.

“Kinshachi Yokocho” (金シャチ横丁) is the new attraction in Nagoya Castle, has been lively with foodies since it opened in 2018.

You can find “Nagoya Meshi” such as “Miso Nikomi Udon noodles”, “Hitsumabushi”, “Miso Katsu”, and more.

After lunch, head to Sakae downtown area from the castle. Return to “Meijo Koen” (M08) or “Shiyakusho”(M07) station, get on the subway toward Sakae . The Meijo Line is a loop line, so take the subway that runs counterclockwise .

After you take selfies with Spaceship-aqua and Nagoya TV tower , take a peek the underground shopping malls.

Hundreds of shops and eateries in the underworld, it is actually three big shopping malls which are “Sakae Chika” (サカエチカ), “Central Park” (セントラルパーク), and “Mori no Chikagai” (森の地下街).

Only even walking though is very fun, stop to buy cheap and cute hair accessories, bags, and stationaries.

It is one of the big underground shopping malls in Japan so don’t get lost. To the next spot, get on Meijo Line again, get off “Jingu Nishi”(M27) .

Sakae Downtown area is mostly for shopping or as the terminal station, not so many things to do for sightseeing. If you want to skip Skakae for now and come back later, (Osu shopping district and Sakae downtown are in a walking-distance,) “Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium” is recommended as the substitute plan.

From Nagoya castle, go to Kanayama station(金山, M01) and transfer to “Meiko Line”(the purple double line) toward “Nagoyako-Nagoya Port'(名古屋港, E07).

Feel 1900-year History & Peaceful Atmosphere At Atsuta Jingu Shrine

Atsuta Jingu Shrine(熱田神宮) has 7 million visitors every year and is a famous and sacred place as one of three Imperial Regalia of Japan, Kusanaginomitsurugi (the sword). There are 28 shrines in the precincts, including the main shrine.

Get off “Jingu Nishi” station follow the sign marked 300 meter to the west entrance.

If you are lucky, you can meet the famous messengers – “Chickens”.

If you visit the main shrine, you should definitely stop by at “ Kiyome Chaya”(きよめ茶屋) . In this tea house, you can enjoy the “ Kiyome Mochi”(きよめ餅) with Matcha green tea looking out at the Japanese garden. “Kiyomemochi” is the specialty of Atsuta Jingu. It is the silky rice cake with sweet bean paste filling, there is also another type with chestnut in it.

Before going back to Nagoya station, one more stop. My husband’s favorite place, Osu Shopping District.

Get on Meijo line (clockwise) and get off “Kamimaezu” station(上前津 M03) .

“Osu Shopping District” is the arcade shopping streets surrounded by four major streets in Nagoya, close to Sakae, Yaba-cho, and Fushimi. It does not only have a lot of street food stalls but also many shops where you can buy anything for a good price.

A typical traditional shopping street with a unique mix of culture and generation. Lots of shops selling gifts and food. This place is like a small town, each street and alley has a different aspect. It is a good place to take a peek of the local resident’s life and one of my husband’s favorite places.

Osu is also well-known for the Cosplay festival held.

Take Tsurumai (Blue) Line from “Osu Kannon station” (大須観音) near Osu Kannon temple to Nagoya station.

Nagoya station is another downtown, as the terminal station of central Japan, fills with numbers of eateries in underground shopping malls, big department stores( JR Takashimaya, JR gate tower, Midland square, Meitetsu Department store, Kintetsu Passe ) overground around the station.

If you don’t have the whole day to spend in Nagoya, just take a stroll around Nagoya Station.

Go to ESCA where almost all kinds of “Nagoya Meshi” gathered in one place.

This staple Nagoya trip plan is the golden route that is perfect for your first sightseeing in the town.

Yet, there are more places that I can’t squeeze in the one-day itinerary.

Hoping you get interested in Nagoya and read other posts about Nagoya.

Feel the Nagoya power and head to the next destination!!

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Nagoya City Tourist Information Center Nagoya Station Tourist Information Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sat 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• (0.23 km) the b nagoya
• (0.21 km) R&B Hotel Nagoya Sakae-higashi
• (0.26 km) Koko Hotel Nagoya Sakae
• (0.28 km) UNIZO INN Nagoya Sakae
• (0.42 km) Nagoya Tokyu Hotel
• (0.03 km) Mitsukoshimae Hirobas
• (0.05 km) Beard Papa Sakae Morino Chikagai
• (0.05 km) Chineese Restaurant Shunju
• (0.06 km) Tokyo Mercato Mitsukoshi Maehirobasu
• (0.06 km) Atsugiri Chashuya Chunichi Building B2

Nagoya Sightseeing & Nagoya Attractions

• Published on : 24/12/2012
• by : Japan Experience
• Add to favorites

Things To Do In Nagoya & Its Surroundings 名古屋

Nagoya Castle

Tokugawa Art Museum

• Tokugawa-en
• Noh Theatre

Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium

• Atsuta Shrine
• Shiroyama Shrine

Toganji Temple

• Museum of Industry & Technology

Toyota Automobile Museum

Nagoya/boston museum of fine arts, nagoya city museum.

Nagoya City Science Museum

Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum

• IdcN Design Center
• Higashiyama Zoo
• Villaggio Italia

Pachinko Museum

Nittaiji Temple

Nunoike Cathedral

Toyota Municipal Museum of Art

Nagoya City Tram & Subway Museum

Nagoya Agricultural Center

Little World

• Magome & Tsumago
• Gujo Hachiman
• Food & Drink

Nanachan - a popular meeting spot outside the main entrance to Meitetsu Nagoya Station

Nagoya unfairly gets a bad rap from most guidebooks and usually only enters the traveller's consciousness as a brief stop on the shinkansen (bullet train) journey from Tokyo to Kyoto.

Once a beautiful wooden town in historical times, Nagoya is one of the few modern Japanese cities to have been carefully planned and zoned after the destruction of World War II.

In fact, the city is a spacious, well-planned, urban center that oozes prosperity due to the location of Japan's largest company - Toyota - in the town as well as a substantial number of blue-chip precision-engineering companies driven by Toyota's success.

In 2005, Nagoya's new off-shore Centrair Airport opened and Nagoya City & Aichi Prefecture played host to Aichi Expo 2005 .

Nagoya is easily accessible from Tokyo by shinkansen and takes under an hour to get to from Kyoto and Osaka - or a more leisurely 2 hours by Kintetsu railway's Urban Liner from Osaka's Tsuruhashi and Namba stations - and has a lot to offer the first time visitor.

Nagoya, located in central Japan, is ideal as a base for exploring the historic towns and onsens of nearby Gifu, Mie, Shizuoka and Nagano Prefectures.

Nearby places of interest within a radius of around two hours by train include Gifu City , Inuyama , Ise-Toba , Gujo Hachiman , Takayama , Toyohashi , Gero Onsen and Magome and Tsumago .

Nagoya Castle (first completed in 1612) was built on the orders of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu and houses a worthwhile museum displaying Edo period armor, fusama-e (paintings on sliding doors) and other art treasures that escaped bombing in World War II. The adjacent Hommaru Palace is presently being restored to its original glory and the first stage is now open to the public.

Meijo Koen, the park surrounding Nagoya Castle, is famous for its cherry blossoms. Ninomaru Garden just to the east of the castle is an original Japanese-style garden.

Less than five minutes walk from Meijo Park and Shiyakusho-mae subway station, the luxurious Five Star Westin Nagoya Hotel makes for an excellent central base for any business or pleasure trip to Nagoya.

Other accommodation nearby to Nagoya Castle includes the much recommended Kyoya Ryokan with an excellent spa, Japanese food and garden. This is a must if you want to experience a truly, traditional Japanese inn.

Nagoya Castle Admission 500 yen. Access : Shiyakusho subway station on the Meijo Line or Sengen-cho on the Tsurumai Line .

Nagoya Castle with its distinctive, fan-shaped, sloping walls

The hip area of Osu Kannon in Nagoya known for its flea markets and electronics stores

Tokugawa Art Museum, Nagoya

The nearby Tokugawa Art Museum is the city's must-see attraction, housing the old ruling Owari family's legacy of art and heirlooms, which include maki-e (gold lacquer work), fearsome samurai armor, swords and helmets, a Noh stage and theater costumes and the original twelfth-century painted scroll of The Tale of Genji by Takayoshi Fujiwara. The original is kept locked away most of the time but is represented by video and panel displays. Photography is not allowed inside the exhibition. The museum, which dates from 1935, is set in the beautiful Tokugawaen (Tokugawa garden), which can be visited separately. Admission 200 yen. 10 am-5 pm, closed Monday. Access : Ozone subway station. Read more about Tokugawa Art Museum

Tokugawaen Garden

Tokugawa Garden

Adjacent to the Tokugawa Art Museum is the beautiful Tokugawaen (Tokugawa Garden), which can be visited separately from the museum. The garden was built in 1695 as a retirement villa for Mitsutomo, Lord of the Owari Tokugawa, but was destroyed in World War II and only opened as a Japanese garden again in 2004. A large lake forms the strolling garden's centerpiece which is also noted for its waterfalls, wooden bridges, a samurai teahouse, restaurant and its peonies and irises. Visitors can enter through the wooden Kuro-mon (Black Gate) which survived the bombing and dates from 1900. Admission 500 yen. 10 am-5.30 pm, closed Monday. Tel: (052) 935 8988 Access : Ozone subway station. Read more about Tokugawa Garden

Nagoya Noh Theatre

Noh drama is a prominent feature of Nagoya and the Nagoya Nohgakudo is the venue for regular monthly performances. There is also an exhibit room of precious Noh artifacts (free). Admission from 500 yen. Daily 9 am-5 pm. Access : Shiyakusho subway station.

Interested in sumo ? The annual Nagoya basho (tournament) is held in July at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium. Day tickets (from ,200) are available there 9 am-5 pm, or you can phone 052 962 9300 for advance sales. Access : Shiyakusho subway station.

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Osu Kannon - TVs and Temples

Located just south of Sakae and Fushimi, Nagoya's main shopping centers, is Osu Kannon Temple - a great place to stroll and take in the mix of old and new. Osu Kannon Temple is Nagoya's oldest and the surrounding area of Osu Kannon or just "Osu" is home to a vibrant fusion of old-style arcades selling everything from discount electronics to second-hand kimono, antique markets on the 18th and 28th of each month, and a number of intriguing Brazilian shops and cafes. Brother Computer Solutions is a foreigner-friendly new and used store in Ameyoko Biru #1. Access : Osukannon subway station. Bars & Restaurants in Osu

Atsuta Jinja

Atsuta Jinja ('jinja' meaning Shinto shrine) is one of the most important shrines in Japan. Lined with attractive cypress trees, it dates back to the third century and is supposed to house the sacred imperial sword, one of the three regalia of the imperial family, the others being a sacred mirror at Ise and sacred jewels in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The shrine is Nagoya's number one must-visit shrine at New Year and is also a popular venue for shichi-go-san festivals. Shichi-go-san , literally 'seven-five-three', is a celebration held on November 15 for when a girl turns 3 or 7 and when a boy turns 5. Atsuta Jingu is said to visited by over 8 million people per year. The shrine was bombed in World War II and subsequently rebuilt. Atsuta Jingu is seen as a protector of the area's agriculture and the shrine's festivals include an opulent planting ceremony. The precincts include a 1,300 year old giant camphor tree said to be planted by the renowned Buddhist priest Koubou Daishi, a Noh theater, and the 'Bunka-den' treasure storehouse museum full of important cultural assets, especially swords. (9 am-4.30 pm, closed last Wed and Thu of every month. Closed Dec 25-31. No admission after 4.10 pm). Access : Jingu Nishi Meijo Subway Line, 8 minutes walk from JR Atsuta (Tokaido Honsen line) or 5 minutes from Meitetsu Jingumae station .

The soaring Twin Towers of Nagoya Station - the world's largest station building by area

Shinkansen bullet train at Nagoya Station

Koshoji Temple

Koshoji Temple Pagoda, Yagoto

Koshoji Temple , which was established by the Tokugawa family, dates from the 17th century and consists of a number of fine buildings including an impressive five-storey wooden pagoda completed in 1808. The temple and grounds of its attached graveyard are situated in pleasant woodland on Yagoto Hill just a few minutes walk towards Imaike from Yagoto on the Iida-kaido. Koshoji temple hosts an annual "1,000-Lantern Festival" at the harvest moon on the third Saturday of October and is a pleasant place to walk or just relax. There are small flea-markets on 5th and 13th of every month. Nearby Yagoto has some good restaurants, bars and shops catering to the many university students in the area. Nagoya University, Chukyo University, Nanzan University and Meijo University are all within easy reach of Yagoto. Tel: 052 832 2801 Access : Yagoto subway station (5 minutes walk)

Shiroyama Hakusan Shrine

Shiroyama Hakusan Shrine, formerly Suemori Castle, is located to the north west of Motoyama station on the Higashiyama subway line. The original Suemori castle dates from the sixteenth century and the present-day shrine now hosts colorful night-time festivals (matsuri) in both July and October featuring traditional Japanese music and dance performances. Access : Motoyama subway station (5 minutes walk uphill to the north).

Toganji Temple in the Motoyama area also dates from the sixteenth century and includes an impressive 15m high statue of the seated Buddha. Toganji has many links to India as one of the high priests completed his studies there. The temple grounds contain a Shiva-Lingam and a shrine dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati, who is honored in a Benzaiten Festival every May 7-8. Toganji also contains a huge wood block said to purge past sins if touched with one hand. Access : Motoyama subway station.

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology

Toyota, now world famous for its cars, started life as a textile firm and the fascinating Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology , housed in an old red-brick textile factory, displays textile looms and a history of automobile design in its two pavilions. Check out their hi-hi-hi-tech car-making robots. Admission 500 yen. 9.30 am-5 pm; closed Monday. Access : Sako Station on the Meitetsu line or Kamejima subway station.

Toyota Automobile Museum, Nagoya

If you need even more of a car fix, head out east of the city to the amazing Toyota Automobile Museum , which has separate floors dedicated to European/American motors and Japanese cars. Never seen a 1926 Bugatti Type 35B or a 1912 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost in mint condition? You can here. 500+ different miniature cars, and other assorted souvenirs available in the museum shop. Admission 1000 yen; 9:30 am-5:00 pm; Closed Monday. Access : Fujigaoka subway station, then Meitetsu bus.

The former Nagoya - Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Kanayama

Rumors abound that the Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts - the sister museum of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston - may be closing, so see it while you can ( Update : the museum did close in 2018). Displays of both Japanese and Western art from the Boston museum's peerless collection. This is the first example of an American museum having a "sister" institution in Asia. The museum opened in 1999. Admission 200 yen; 10 am-5 pm (to 9 pm Friday); closed Monday. Access : Kanayama subway station.

This museum in the city center houses some interesting permanent collections, including some striking samurai armor and weaponry, and hosts international class exhibitions, a notable example being that of Gandhara sculpture in 2003. Admission 500 yen; 9.30 am - 5 pm; closed Monday. Access : Sakurayama subway station.

Nagoya City Science Museum houses one of Japan's largest planetariums and has interesting sections on modern technology, life sciences and general science with a variety of hands-on exhibits which will appeal to children, especially the extremely well-done model railways on the third floor in the transport section and the kids' play area on the ninth floor. The museum also has features on the local Chubu area's links to science and industry. English materials and a floor-plan are available at the entrance. Recommended for visitors and residents with children alike. Admission fee; 9.30 am-5 pm; closed Monday/3rd Friday of the month. Access : Fushimi subway station (Exit 5).

The Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum exhibits a vast collection of pottery ranging from the Jomon period (circa 10,000 BC - circa 300 BC) to contemporary ceramics produced by some of Japan's most famous potters. Some historians claim that the world's first pottery was produced in Japan and the country has a rich tradition of ceramic art. The museum is located in Seto City, which has been producing fine ceramics ( setoyaki ) for well over a 1,000 years. The museum also contains a restaurant, a traditional tea-ceremony room where visitors can drink from tea bowls made by famous artists and a studio for guests to try their hand at making and decorating their own pottery. Open 9.30 am-4.30 pm; Closed Mondays. Tel: (0561) 84 7474. Access : From Fujigaoka station on the Higashiyama subway line, take a Meitetsu bus to Toji Shiryokan (Ceramic Museum) stop.

IdcN International Design Centre

Tracing the history of design from Art Deco to the present day, the museum is housed on the 4th floor of the Nadya Park Building, which also contains an impressive library dedicated to design. Admission free. 11 am-8 pm; closed Tuesday. Access : Yabacho subway station.

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Nagoya's zoo - first established in 1937 and set in Higashiyama Koen (Park) - is one of the largest zoological gardens in Asia with around 125 species of mammals, over 70 species of reptiles and more than 86 species of birds. This spacious, well-planned zoo is adjacent to the city's Botanical Gardens (complete with an extensive greenhouse and Insect Hall), an amusement park and the recently opened Higashiyama Sky Tower, which has spectacular views of the city from its observation decks and restaurant 100 meters above ground. (Extra admission charge necessary). The park also contains a 10 meter high statue of Kannon (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) which was transferred from Nittaiji Temple. The zoo and botanical gardens offer a good day out for all the family, with good eating and drinking in the upmarket Motoyama area nearby. Admission 500 yen. 9.30 am-4.30 pm daily. Tel: (052) 782 2111 Access : Higashiyamakoen subway station or Hoshigaoka subway station on the Higashiyama Line.

Port of Nagoya Aquarium

Legoland in the port area of the city

The modern Nagoya Aquarium is one of several attractions at the still-developing Garden Pier area of Nagoya port in the south of the city, which includes Legoland , a maritime museum and Port Tower. The aquarium is divided into five different ecosystems all found in the Pacific Ocean. Don't miss the popular penguin tank. The aquarium is well known for its involvement in marine research and conservation. Admission fee (reductions for children); 9.30 am-5 pm (to 8 pm July 21-August 31). Access : Nagoyako subway station.

Little Italy - Villaggio Italia

Little Italy

Opened in the spring of 2005, Little Italy (Villaggio Italia) was a shopping/restaurant complex situated at Nagoya Port across from the aquarium, which closed in May 2008. There were facades of classical Italian buildings, gondola rides on a mini Venetian canal, Italian dining al fresco and lots and lots and lots of shopping: both for Italian designer goods and more prosaic pasta, olive oil and Parmesan cheese in the supermarket. There were also occasional live performances by a traditional Italian band. Admission charge; 10 am-9 pm (for shopping); 10 am-11 pm (for dining). Tel: 052 659 1422 Access : Nagoyako subway station.

Villaggio Italia - Photos

Urban legend has it that Nagoya is home to the modern gambling pursuit of pachinko , and there used to be a small museum on the 3rd floor of the Masamura Building dedicated both to the game itself and to Takeichi Masamura, the godfather of the post-war pachinko boom. Admission free. Weekdays 11 am-4 pm. Access : Joshin subway station. (The building were the museum was housed was demolished in 2014 and rebuilt).

Koma (Spinning Tops) Museum

Koma Museum

The "Japan Koma (Spinning Tops) Museum" is a must-see for enthusiasts of koma (spinning tops) and modern-day gyroscope toys and gyroscopes. The pastime of 'spinning toys' originated in Ancient Egypt and spread worldwide, especially throughout Europe and Asia and has gained particular enthusiasm in Japan. This family-run shop-cum-shrine to spinning tops exhibits spinning tops from numerous countries from throughout the ages as well as being a meeting-place and purchasing center for collectors and traders. Admission free. Tel: (052) 661 3671 Access : A 10-12 minute walk from Tsukijiguchi subway station on the Meiko Line (change at Kanayama subway station on the Meijo line) or closer from Inaei station on the Aonami Line. Japan Spinning Top Museum (in Japanese)

The Nittaiji Temple (lit. Japan-Thailand Temple) in Kakuozan in the north east of the city was established in 1904 and rebuilt in 1984 as a repository for a Thai-style golden image of Buddha and Buddhist relics present by the King Chulalongkorn of Siam in 1900. The Temple is maintained by various sects of Buddhism as an international, non-sectarian temple. The 21st of each month sees the approaches to the temple play host to a large flea-market. Admission free. Access : Kakuozan subway station (Higashiyama Line).

The Nunoike Cathedral is Nagoya's Catholic Cathedral and the large Gothic-style building with two impressive spires was completed in 1962. The church holds masses everyday with multiple services on Sundays. There are also monthly masses celebrated in both English and Tagalog. Next door is St. Mary College - an English language college. The diocese of Nagoya includes churches in Aichi, Gifu, Fukui, Ishikawa and Toyama Prefectures. 12-23 Aoi 1chome, Higashi-ku, Nagoya, 461-0001 Tel: 052 935 6305 Access : Shinsakae-machi subway station (Higashiyama Line) or Kuramamichi subway station (Sakuradori Line).

Toyota Municipal Museum of Art features works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Edvard Munch, and others. Not only strictly for art lovers, it is worth the trip just to see the building. The architect, Yoshio Taniguchi, better known for his recent work on the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)'s renovations in Manhattan has created a building that appears to float on water. Spectacular. Adults 300 yen, high school/university Students 200 yen for the permanent collection (reductions for groups over 20). Elementary/junior high school students free. 10 am-5.30 pm (entrance until 5 pm), closed Monday. Access : From Nagoya Station, take the Higashiyama line to Fushimi station. Then take the Tsurumai line bound for Toyota city and get off at the last stop. Approximately 12 minutes walk. Tel: 0565 34 6610

Nagoya City Tram & Subway Museum , a few minutes walk from Akaike subway station, houses a collection of the city's old subway trains and streetcars. The museum is popular with children (and their fathers!), who can practice driving Nagoya's present-day subway trains and older models of streetcars using Playstation-style computer simulators, watch model train displays as well as run around inside the carriages and try on railway staff uniforms and hats. Outside the museum is a giant drill used to dig Nagoya's subway lines. Admission free. Access : 5 minutes walk from Akaike Station on the Tsurumai line. Open 10 am-4 pm; closed Wednesday. Tel: 052 807 7587

Nagoya Agricultural Center is free to get in, there's a cafe, a shop selling often organic vegetables as well as plants and health foods, temperate glass houses, streams and even a model farm with battery chickens, pigs, sheep, goats and cows. The grounds are a popular picnic center for families and couples and everything gets very busy at plum and cherry blossom time. Admission free. Access : 15 minutes walk east from Hirabari Station on the Tsurumai line. Open 10 am-4 pm. Tel: 052 801 5221

Inuyama is located just outside the city on a beautiful river often referred to as Japan's Rhine. The toy-like castle on the hill is Japan's oldest dating from 1537. Nearby Tagata shrine plays host to an annual fertility festival on March 15th when through the shrine grounds freshly carved 3m-long wooden phalluses are drunkenly paraded, which women trying to have children come in hope to touch. Access : Meitetsu train from Nagoya station.

Little World Museum of Man

This large (approximately 1,230,000 square meters) open-air anthropological museum contains 33 homes from 22 countries in South East Asia, Europe, Africa and other parts of the world transported all the way to Inuyama . You can sample not only food, but beer and wine, from the different countries as well as catch a variety of ethnic shows and musical performances as you stroll through the pleasant grounds set in the countryside. More fun for the whole family. Admission 1,700 yen (1,500 yen for foreign visitors). 9.30 am-5 pm daily. Summer evening openings. Access : Bus from Inuyama Meitetsu Station or Nagoya Station.

Also near Inuyama, Meiji Mura , opened in 1965 the brainchild of Yoshiro Taniguchi and Motoo Tsuchikawa, is another fascinating open-air attraction. It features buildings preserved in their original state from the Meiji Period of Japanese history (1868-1912) when the country fully opened up to the West. You can stroll through the pleasant parklands (approximately 1,000,000 square meters) or ride the steam train or Kyoto street car, taking in the various architectural delights, including the lobby of Frank Lloyd Wright's Imperial Hotel (built in 1923 and demolished in 1965), Lafcadio Hearn's summer house and the smooth, shiny all-wood Maebashi Prison. Altogether 67 structures have been carefully and tastefully renovated and preserved. Each building has an explanation in both English and Japanese of the history behind the structure. There are also performances on site by a kabuki troupe in the Kurehaza Theater and sake tastings in Kyoto's former Nakai brewery. Admission 600 yen. 9.30 am-5 pm (Mar-Oct) 9.30 am-4 pm (Nov-Feb). Access : 20 minutes by bus from Inuyama Station. Tel: 0568 670 314

Kasadera Kannon

Kasadera Kannon or Ryufukuji was founded by the priest Zenko and belongs to the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. The temple has a fine Niomon entrance gate, a number of small subsidiary temples and a two storey pagoda. Kasadera Kannon stages a colorful Setsubun Festival on February 3 each year and a temple flea market on the 18th of every month. Listen to a Buddhist prayer at Kasadera Access : A five minute walk from Moto Kasadera Meitetsu Station.

Arimatsu is famous for its shibori textiles

Arimatsu , just outside central Nagoya in Midori-ku, was an old Edo-period (1603-1867) post station town on the Tokaido highway between Kyoto and Tokyo. Arimatsu's claim to fame are its intricate Arimatsu shibori (tie-dyed fabrics). The technique is used to produce colorful designs for cotton kimonos and yukata . As the industry is still carried on to this day, many of the original merchant houses have been preserved. There are a number of shops and shibori museums where visitors can purchase both traditional and more contemporary tie-dyed products as well as try their hand at producing them. Arimatsu Narumi Shibori Kaikan is a good place to start. The technique found its way to the Nagoya area when craftsmen from Oita in Kyushu skilled in shibori were ordered to help in the construction of Nagoya castle by the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu and later settled in the area. Arimatsu's festival is held on the first Sunday of October and consists of a street parade with floats and participants in traditional costume. Access : Arimatsu station on the Meitetsu Honsen Line from Nagoya station.

Oda Nobunaga statue at JR Gifu Station

Gifu , around 30 km north of Nagoya city, and accessible by either the Meitetsu or JR Line from Nagoya station is worth visiting for its twin attractions of cormorant fishing ( ukai ) on the Nagara River and Gifu castle (Gifujo), perched on top of Kinka-zan, which affords great views of the surrounding area even as far as the Hida mountains and Mt. Hakusan. The cormorant fishing takes place at night from May 11 to October 15 and visitors can book a place on the long, canopied boats hung with paper lanterns to watch the birds in action as they catch, but can't swallow, the local ayu sweet fish. Gifu is famous for its production of paper umbrellas and lanterns and it is possible to visit the workshops and purchase directly. Other attractions include Shohoji Temple which contains an impressive 13 meter Buddha made of lacquered paper and Zuiryuji Temple near the cable car station in Gifu Park at the foot of Kinka-zan. Gifu Park also contains Nawa Insect Museum with over 300,000 specimens on display making it one of the largest such museums in the country. Gifu tourist office is located on the 2nd floor the JR station (Tel: 0582 62 4415).

Street cars may no longer run in the city streets, but the town retains an unhurried and relaxed air. Last July, however, the Mayor of Gifu, Shigemitsu Horie, announced the city could not continue to operate the streetcar system, which is deep in the red. Meitetsu, the operator of the 36.6- kilometer-long system, said service would discontinue at the end of March 2005. With the city unwilling to pump taxpayer yen into the system, municipalities along tram routes floated a plan where they would purchase the Meitetsu assets and entrust operation of the system to Okayama Denki Kido. But negotiations broke down over the transfer price. A provisional estimate put the cost of infrastructure development and operation at 8.4 billion yen over 10 years. Though street cars are making a comeback around Japan, they may be a thing of the past in Gifu very soon. Access : Meitetsu or JR Lines from Nagoya station. Bars & Restaurants in Gifu

Read a detailed guide to Gifu city

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Accommodation in nagoya.

Nagoya has a nice range of accommodation including hotels and ryokan. Most of Nagoya's hostels cluster near Nagoya Station in the Meieki district of the city. Other groupings of hotels are in Fushimi and Sakae , the financial and entertainment areas of the city, respectively.

Some recommendations near Nagoya Station include the luxury Nagoya Marriott Associa in the JR Central Towers, the 3-star Hotel Resol Nagoya, the Meitetsu Grand Hotel, the Castle Plaza Hotel, the Chisun Inn, the budget Toyoko Inn Nagoya-eki Shinkansen-guchi, the Meitetsu Inn Nagoya Eki-mae, the large Daiwa Roynet Hotel Nagoya Eki Mae, the basic and cheap Eco Hotel Nagoya and the Royal Park Hotel.

In Fushimi try the Hilton Nagoya, the  Nagoya Kanko Hotel , a deluxe five-star hotel, the landmark Hamilton Hotel Black, Nagoya Rich Hotel Nishiki (formerly Green Hotel), Fushimi Montblanc Hotel and the 3-star Nagoya Grace Inn with complimentary breakfast.

Some of Sakae's best hotels include the b Nagoya, the Hotel Creston, the stylish Hotel Trusty business hotel, the no-frills but affordable Hotel Econo Nagoya Sakae, the four star Nishitetsu Hotel Croom Nagoya near Hisaya Odori Station and the reliable Tokyu Inn.

Food and Drink

Don't leave town without slurping down some kishmen : the flat noodles that are a city specialty available in any noodle restaurant.

Recommended Bars, Restaurants, Cafes and Clubs in Nagoya

• Bars, clubs & restaurants in Sakae
• around Yagoto

Anadolu Turkish kebabs - authentic Turkish restaurant and kebab takeaway.

Casablanca - Nagoya's one and only Moroccan restaurant.

The 59's - American style bar and diner.

My Bar - elegant cocktail bar.

STEPS - cool club and bar.

Red Rock - Aussie bar & grill.

The Elephant's Nest - a spacious British style pub.

Shooters - American style sports bar and grill.

Osu, Kamimaezu & Tsurumai

Jerry's Uno - Mexican tacos and world beers.

Yagoto, Irinaka, Shiogamaguchi, Hara

Torikomachi - delicious beer and yakitori in Hara.

The 12th and 13th floors of the Twin Towers at Nagoya station also have a good choice of Japanese and international cuisine coupled with stunning views. For further information on where to eat and drink in Nagoya visit our entertainment page or inquire at the tourist information center at Nagoya Station.

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Sightseeing in Nagoya: read a Nagoya city guide with information on temples, shrines, theme parks, museums, day-trips to Inuyama and Gifu, hotels and attractions.

Our activities in Nagoya

Nagoya Sumo Tournament (July) Nagoya

• Duration : 3 hour
• Location : Nagoya

Our tours in Nagoya

Discover Japan Group Tours in Japan

• Duration : 13 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima
• Included : Visits & meals, English-speaking tour leader, Hotel temple, 3*/4* Hotels & Ryokan

The Tokaido Road Group Tours in Japan

• Duration : 14 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Koyasan, Osaka
• Included : English-speaking tour leader, 3*/4* Hotels & Ryokan, Hotel temple, Visits & meals

Autumn Leaves Photography Group Tours in Japan

• Duration : 12 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Mt Fuji (Kawaguchiko), Osaka, Himeji, Kyoto, Nara
• Included : English-speaking tour leader, 3* Hotels & Ryokan, Visits & meals

Cherry Blossoms Photography Group Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kawaguchiko, Tokyo
• Included : English-speaking tour leader, 3*/4* Hotels & Ryokan, Visits & meals

Urban and Rural Japan Group Tours in Japan

• Duration : 21 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Koyasan, Osaka, Kobe, Takachiho, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Miyajima

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Nagoya has a sizable number of tourist places to check out, including museums, amusement parks, historical sites and of course, Nagoya Castle. Many attractions are located right in the heart of Nagoya, within a few subway stops from downtown. Use the travel map and the listing information below to plan out your itinerary. Also included are options for day and overnight trips.

This impressive traditional looking castle was first built in 1612, and then after being bombed during WWII, the current concrete structure was built. The museum has items from the Edo period. ¥500 entry.

NAGOYA TV TOWER   Tourist Map D-3

The observation deck offers a great way to learn about the city and get one's bearings. The observation platform is at only 100 meters, but it is a nice view and food and beverages are available. Open 10am-10pm daily.

TOKUGAWA ART MUSEUM   Tourist Map F-1

One of the most famous collections in all of Japan, with over 10,000 pieces, art work, swords, robes, samurai goods, and more. The Tokugawa family was one of the first ruling dynasties of Japan.

NAGOYA INTERNATIONAL CENTER   Tourist Map C-2

Above is the Kokusai Center station, the 3rd floor has the Nagoya International Desk, offering information and help for tourists and residents in English, Japanese, and seven other languages.

ATSUTA-JINGU SHRINE   Tourist Map C-6

The largest shrine in Nagoya. The surrounding area is forested with 1000 year old Japanese cypress. There are also ancient structures, and an exhibition hall with several national treasures and goods.

TOYOTA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM  

Learn about the evolution of the automobile and see a large variety of classic cars at this beautiful collection run in connection with Toyota motors. Closed National holidays.

OSU-KANNON TEMPLE   Tourist Map C-4

Osu-kannon temple is Nagoya's most prestigious temple. On the 18th and 28th of every month there is an antique market. There are several other smaller temples also in the area.

OSU SHOPPING STREET   Tourist Map C-4

Near the Osu-kannon temple district, beyond the main temple is the Osu Shopping Arcade - a little bit on the dilapidated side, but full of small shops and eateries.

It's not huge, but it's right downtown, making Nagoya's Central Park a nice side trip if in the area. There is a plaza of new fashionable shops and restauratns, fountains, and the TV Tower, so its easy to find.

NORITAKE GARDEN & CRAFT CENTER   Tourist Map A-3

One of the more famous things to come out of Nagoya is the Noritake brand of ceramics. At this large facility, there is a museum exhibiting items and products. Tours are offered daily.

OASIS 21   Tourist Map D-3

Across from the Nagoya TV Tower Oasis21 is a neat place to walk around for different views of Nagoya, with especially stunning views at night. Lower floors have a small mall as well as a tourist information counter.

MIDLAND SQUARE SKY PROMENADE   Tourist Map B-3

Showcasing the Maglev system this great museum can be appreciated whether a train buff or not. On display are whole trains from different eras, and there are several simulators visitors can try.

Near Fushimi station in downtown Nagoya, learn science at this fun museum with hands on exhibits as well as the world’s biggest planetarium.

Nagoya's city zoo and botanical gardens with koalas, lions, elephants and other crickey stuff. Open 9am-4:30 daily. Closed Mondays and Dec 29-Jan 2.

Located near Nagoya Port, the Nagoya Aquarium is one of Japan's best, and well worth a visit.

The Nagoya Dome is where the professional baseball team the Nagoya Dragons play. There isn't all too much to do around the stadium on non-game days, but it is an impressive site.

TSURUMA PARK   Tourist Map E-5

INUYAMA CASTLE   Tourist Map A-1

Inuyama Castle was built in the 16th century structure and survived WWII intact, making it Japan's oldest 'donjon' and it has been named a National treasure.

One of the top three hot spring locations in Japan, this can be a day or over night trip out of the city. There is a special pass which allows entry up to three different participating onsens.

ISE SHRINE   Tourist Map A-4

The most scared Shinto shrine in Japan, Ise Jingu has two areas with bus service between. There are also lakes, forest paths, and a traditional street full of shops and tasty eateries.

See reproductions of Meiji era buildings and exhibitions at this unusual museum.

OUTSIDE OF THE TOURIST PLACES:

Sumo tournaments are held once a year in July at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium. Tickets available from May. See their website for details.

Nagoya's team on the Japanese National J-League. Home stadium is either Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya or Toyota Stadium in Toyota city.

Catching a baseball game in Japan is good even if you don't watch the game. Tickets from less than 1000 yen to over 10,000 yen depending on seating. Season is from late March to September.

Shopping in Nagoya usually means around the downtown area of Sakae station, although there are some stations known for certain goods:

Nagoya has a fair amount of parks for jogging and excercise, as well as Public Sports centers. Most have indoor pools and training rooms.

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