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Nagoya

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Nagoya

Nestled in the heart of Japan's main island of Honshu, Nagoya is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and the country's fourth-largest city. The climate follows four distinct seasons, with hot, humid summers (June-August) reaching the 30s°C, mild springs and autumns perfect for exploration, and relatively mild winters with occasional light snowfall. Located between Tokyo and Kyoto, Nagoya serves as an excellent hub for exploring central Japan, with mountains to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south.

Often overlooked by international travelers, Nagoya offers an authentic glimpse into Japanese urban life without the overwhelming tourist crowds found in Tokyo or Kyoto. Locals are known for their practical, hardworking nature—this is, after all, the manufacturing heartland of Japan, home to Toyota, among other industrial giants. The pace here feels more relaxed than Tokyo, with wide streets, efficient public transportation, and a lifestyle that balances tradition with modernity.

What makes Nagoya special is its unique position in Japanese history and culture. As the birthplace of three of Japan's most important historical figures—Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu—the city played a crucial role in the unification of Japan. This historical significance is reflected in Nagoya Castle, with its iconic golden shachihoko (mythical dolphin-like roof ornaments) and the surrounding cultural institutions that preserve the region's samurai heritage.

Food lovers will delight in Nagoya's distinctive cuisine, which locals proudly differentiate from other Japanese regional cooking. Don't miss hitsumabushi (grilled eel served three different ways in one meal), misokatsu (fried pork cutlet with red miso sauce), and tebasaki (crispy chicken wings). The city's deep connection to red miso creates rich, bold flavors unlike anything else in Japan, exemplified in dishes like miso nikomi udon (thick noodles in miso broth).

While in Nagoya, make time for the Toyota Museum complex, which includes both the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology (showcasing the company's evolution from textile looms to automobiles) and the Toyota Automobile Museum (featuring an impressive collection of vehicles from around the world). For a taste of traditional Japanese aesthetics, visit Tokugawa Art Museum and adjacent Tokugawa Garden, housing priceless samurai artifacts and a beautiful Japanese landscape garden that changes dramatically with the seasons.

Get to Know Nagoya

Take a tour of this destination's highlights

Travel Tips for Nagoya

What you need to know before traveling here

Getting Around Nagoya

A guide to Nagoya's local transportation

Bicycle Rental

Subway

Bicycling

City Bus

Meguru Tour Bus

City Bus

Train

Taxis

Taxis & Rideshare

JR Trains & Shinkansen

In Japan, bicycles are the main favorite transportation used daily by the locals to do various errands, be it to take children to school, shopping, or even going to work. Not just the locals, you can also explore Nagoya city by bicycle; there are a plethora of bicycle rental shops that you can find in the city. The main roads in Nagoya are bicycle friendly, making it very suitable strolling around the city while admiring your surrounding. The bicycle rental fare in Nagoya is around ¥ 1,500 per day with an additional fee of ¥ 500 for the next day and a parking fee of around ¥ 100 per day. Ride on designated bicycle lanes and obey the existing traffic regulation. Park your bicycles in the designated parkies areas only.

Practical Tips for Nagoya

Things to prepare and best way to visit

Where can I experience Nagoya's nightlife?

Sakae district offers the most diverse nightlife, with everything from casual izakayas to upscale cocktail bars and nightclubs. Fushimi area caters to a more sophisticated crowd with jazz bars and stylish lounges. For an authentic local experience, explore the small bars and eateries of Osu or the yokocho (alleyways) near Nagoya Station. Most venues stay open until midnight on weekdays and until 2-3 AM on weekends.

How do I get around Nagoya?

Explore Nagoya City with the Me~guru Nagoya Sightseeing Route Bus. This convenient bus offers a tour of popular attractions. Enjoy unlimited rides on the Me~guru Bus for a day with a special one-day pass (500 yen for adults and 250 yen for kids). Show this pass for discounts at various sites, eateries, and souvenir shops. For a single ride (210 yen for adults and 100 yen for kids), pay by cash or an IC card. IC cards are rechargeable payment cards for train tickets and electronic transactions. Manaca is a widely used IC card in Nagoya, available at the city's train stations.

Are there any day trips I can take from Nagoya?

Absolutely! Nagoya's central location makes it perfect for day trips. Visit Inuyama for its feudal castle and traditional cormorant fishing, Gifu for the scenic Gifu Castle and historic old town, or Okazaki to explore the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Nature lovers should consider Gujo Hachiman for its pristine rivers and traditional dance, or Ise for Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine and beautiful coastal scenery.

Do I need to speak Japanese to get around Nagoya?

While less English is spoken in Nagoya than in Tokyo, you can manage with English in tourist areas, major stations, and international hotels. Station signs, subway announcements, and many restaurant menus include English. Having a translation app like Google Translate and learning a few basic Japanese phrases will significantly enhance your experience. Locals appreciate visitors who make an effort, even if it's just simple greetings.

Can I take a day trip to Nagoya?

The short answer is yes. The Shinkansen bullet train takes an hour and 40 minutes from Tokyo and 35 minutes from Kyoto, so a day trip to Nagoya is possible. Make sure to visit Nagoya Castle, which features a museum displaying its rich history and is a must-see attraction in the city. Within 15 minutes from the Nagoya Station, explore the world's largest planetarium at the City Science Museum. Discover Aichi Prefecture's famous company history at the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, or delve into samurai culture at the Tokugawa Art Museum. Explore Hisaya-odori Garden Flarie and Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine, among other beautiful parks and shrines.