Nagoya Travel Guide

Castle grounds at opening time

Arrive by 9am to walk the Honmaru Palace before tour groups fill the corridors.

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  Nagoya Castle

  The city's landmark keep, with reconstructed palace rooms and wide moat gardens.

Shrine forest and eel lunch

The Meijo and Meitetsu lines connect the castle area to Jingu-mae in under 30 minutes.

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  Atsuta Shrine

  An ancient shrine set in old-growth camphor trees, quiet even on busy weekends.

Arcades and Nagoya-style dinner

Most Osu shops close around 7pm, so browse first and eat after.

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  Osu Kannon

  Covered arcades beside a red temple, good for tebasaki wings and secondhand finds.

Golden dolphins and gilded screens

Arrive near opening at 9am to see the Hommaru Palace rooms before tour groups fill them.

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  Nagoya Castle

  The city's landmark keep, with the reconstructed Hommaru Palace and its painted sliding doors.

Arcades, temple steps, and street snacks

Wear easy shoes; the arcades run for several blocks and shops close earlier than restaurants.

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  Osu Shopping District

  Covered shopping streets around Osu Kannon temple, good for vintage finds and skewers.

Sakae after dark

The observation deck stays open into the evening, so time your visit for sunset.

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  Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER

  A 1954 tower in Hisaya Odori Park with city views over the Sakae district.

Camphor trees and quiet paths

Enter by the main south gate, then follow the shaded loop past the thousand-year camphor tree.

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  Atsuta Shrine

  One of Japan's most revered shrines, set in a deep urban forest south of the city center.

Looms, engines, and hands-on halls

Demonstrations run on a set schedule; check the board at the entrance when you arrive.

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  Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology

  A red brick mill in Noritake district tracing weaving looms to car manufacturing.

Eel over rice, three ways

Popular hitsumabushi counters take names early, so put yours down before you wander.

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  Atsuta Hōraiken Honten

  A long-running Atsuta restaurant known for hitsumabushi, grilled eel served over rice.

The oldest keep on the Kiso

The final stairs to the top floor are steep and narrow, so take them slowly.

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  Inuyama Castle

  A small original keep on a bluff above the Kiso River, about 30 minutes north of Nagoya.

Machiya lanes and sweet dumplings

Many shops here trade in cash only, so carry some yen for snacks.

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  Inuyama Castle Town Showa Alley

  Merchant houses and food stalls lining the street below the castle gate.

A teahouse garden before the train

Last entry is late afternoon, so arrive with an hour to spare for the garden walk.

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  Urakuen

  A strolling garden beside the castle holding the Jo-an teahouse, a national treasure.

Castle grounds and gold dolphins

Arrive near opening at 9am to walk the outer gardens before the crowds build.

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  Nagoya Castle

  The city's landmark keep and Honmaru Palace, a short walk from Shiyakusho Station.

Osu arcades and temple lanes

The covered arcades stay dry in rain, and most shops close by 7pm.

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  Osu Kannon

  A red temple hall anchoring the Osu shopping arcades, two stops south by subway.

Miso katsu for dinner

Expect a queue at peak hours; put your name down, then browse nearby shops.

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  Misokatsu Yabaton Yabachō Honten

  The original home of Nagoya's miso-glazed pork cutlet, walkable from Osu.

Ancient cedars at Atsuta

Enter through the south gate to walk the full tree-lined approach.

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  Atsuta Shrine

  A vast forested shrine complex in southern Nagoya, minutes from Jingu-mae Station.

Hitsumabushi eel over rice

Try all three servings: plain, with condiments, then with broth.

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  Atsuta Hōraiken Honten

  A long-running eel restaurant near Atsuta Shrine, known for hitsumabushi.

Harbor views and a research ship

Buy the combined port ticket if you plan to visit more than one attraction.

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  Garden Pier - Nagoya Port

  A waterfront promenade with the Fuji icebreaker, at the end of the Meiko subway line.

Train north to Inuyama

Limited express trains from Meitetsu Nagoya reach Inuyama in about 30 minutes.

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  Inuyama Castle

  An original wooden keep above the Kiso River, with steep stairs to a wraparound balcony.

Old town snacks and a garden

Many Honmachi-dori shops sell small skewers and sweets meant for eating as you walk.

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  Urakuen

  A quiet tea garden below the castle, home to the Jo-an teahouse.

Return for tebasaki wings

Order the wings first, since they take a few minutes to fry to order.

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  Sekai no Yamachan

  The original branch of Nagoya's peppery chicken wing chain, near Fushimi.

Looms to automobiles

Live loom and machining demonstrations run through the day; check the posted schedule.

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  Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology

  A red-brick former mill in Noritake-Shinmachi tracing textile and car manufacturing.

Kilns and porcelain gardens

The craft center offers painting sessions; book ahead on weekends.

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  AEON MALL Nagoya Noritake Garden

  A porcelain factory site with brick kiln chimneys, a short walk from the industry museum.

Skyline from the station towers

Sunset views are best from the upper floors; dining floors get busy after 7pm.

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  JR Central Towers

  Twin towers above Nagoya Station with observation-height restaurant floors.

Lake paths and pavilions

The lakeside loop is flat and stroller friendly, with rental boats on clear days.

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  Tsuruma Park

  Nagoya's oldest public park, known for cherry trees and rose beds near Tsurumai Station.

Planetarium under a silver globe

Planetarium tickets sell out early; reserve online before you arrive.

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  Nagoya City Sci. Museum

  A giant sphere planetarium in Shirakawa Park, a few stops from Tsurumai.

Television tower and Oasis 21

The glass water roof is lit after dark and free to walk across.

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  Hisaya Odori Park

  A central green strip below Chubu Electric Power Mirai Tower, lined with cafes.