Nagoya, Japan | Image credit: Huu Huynh/Pexels
Nagoya is a city in Japan that you shouldn’t miss. Unlike the bustling atmosphere of Tokyo or Osaka, Nagoya offers a more relaxed and friendly vibe with its unique blend of historic castles, samurai heritage, and delicious local cuisine. Located just a 90-minute bullet train ride from Tokyo, explore and experience the top things to do in Nagoya with our curated guide!
If you visit Japan’s capital city, include Tokyo’s evening charms in your itinerary, where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with vibrant urban energy.
Best time to visit
Nagoya in autumn | Image credit: Sammy Wong/Unsplash
Visiting Nagoya is a delightful experience, as there is always something happening throughout the year. The most popular seasons to visit are spring and autumn, when the weather is pleasant, and you can enjoy the natural beauty at its peak. If you don’t mind the heat, consider visiting Nagoya in the summer to participate in local events and enjoy the fireworks festivals. Alternatively, if you prefer a more peaceful experience, winter is an excellent time to travel, as Nagoya is calm and less crowded during this season.
Check out our seasonal guide to the best time to visit Japan for more details.
Things to do in Nagoya
Explore the historic and iconic landmarks
Nagoya Castle | Image credit: Casia Charlie/Pexels
Nagoya Castle: Built in the early 1600s, Nagoya Castle is recognised as Japan’s National Treasure. It is admired for its intricate architecture, rich history, and the golden shachihoko (tiger-fish) ornaments adorn its roof.
Atsuta Shrine: This over a thousand-year-old Shinto shrine houses the sacred Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi Sword, one of Japan’s three Imperial Regalia.
Osu Kannon Temple: A prominent Buddhist temple, Osu Kannon is one of Nagoya’s key attractions. Originally built in Gifu Prefecture during the Kamakura Period, it was relocated to Nagoya in the 1600s.
Tokugawa Art Museum: This museum provides insight into Edo-period aristocratic life, showcasing a wide collection of notable items, including the illustrated Scroll of the Tale of Genji, samurai armour, tea utensils, and artefacts from the daimyo.
SCMAGLEV and Railway Park: This park is ideal for learning about Japan’s train history and displays classic models.
Also, explore the captivating world of Japanese crafts for an insightful window into the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Fun things to do in Nagoya
Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology | Image credit: Joyofmuseums, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry & Technology: This museum is a fascinating destination for anyone passionate about automobiles and engineering. Visitors can explore Toyota’s journey from producing textile machines to developing automobiles through interactive displays.
Ghibli Park: Unlike traditional amusement parks, Ghibli Park does not have rides. Instead, it features several indoor exhibits showcasing iconic scenes from Ghibli movies. Visitors can also enjoy a souvenir shopping area, a playroom for kids, and a small cinema within the park.
Legoland: This theme park is ideal for families with children under 12 years old. It offers around 40 rides and miniature replicas of famous Japanese landmarks.
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium: One of the most popular attractions in Nagoya, this aquarium allows visitors to see exotic marine life and enjoy live shows featuring dolphins and orcas.
Arcade Gaming in Osu: The Osu Shopping District has numerous arcades, photo booths, and karaoke spots, providing plenty of entertainment options for visitors.
Adventure things to do along Nagoya’s best hiking trails and parks
Pond in Higashiyama Park | Image credit: Tomio344456, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Higashiyama Park & Forest: This park is located within the city and is an ideal spot for viewing cherry blossoms in the spring and fall foliage in autumn. First-time visitors should not miss the botanical garden and zoo located here.
Shonai Ryokuchi Park: This beautiful park runs along the Shonai River. One of the best activities in Nagoya is setting up a BBQ and enjoying a picnic by the river.
Tokugawa-en Garden: This Japanese garden features a large pond at its centre, offering a peaceful environment to enjoy lush greenery, local flowers, and a zen rock garden.
Mount Togoku: Nagoya’s tallest point, Mount Togoku, is a great location for hiking and enjoying scenic views of the surrounding natural beauty.
Yamazaki River: Recognised as one of Japan’s 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in spring, this is the perfect place to picnic with friends beneath the sakura trees.
Also read | Sakura Of The Tropics: This Asian Country Is Secretly Known For Its Cherry Blossoms
Festival calendar 2025: Top events to attend in Nagoya
File photo of Belgian Beer Weekend | Image credit: belgianbeerweekend
Belgian Beer Weekend at Hisaya Odori Park (April 24 to May 6): This event spans 11 days and is dedicated to sampling various Belgian beers.
Atsuta Festival at Atsuta Shrine (June 5): This festival marks the beginning of summer with art, dance, drum performances, and Shinto religious rites.
Nagoya Port Festival at Nagoya Port Garden Pier (July 21): A spectacular fireworks display that features performances by Japanese drummers, marching bands, and baton twirlers.
Grand Sumo Tournament at Dolphins Arena (July 13 to July 27): A unique and valuable opportunity to witness a real-life sumo tournament.
World Cosplay Summit Championship 2025 at Dolphins Arena and Oasis 21 (early August): Thousands of hobbyists and cosplayers are expected to attend the event.
Nagoya Castle Summer Festival at Nagoya Castle (mid-August): An evening festival where locals enjoy Nagoya food, watch dance performances, admire fireworks, and socialise.
Yokai Immersive Exhibition Nagoya 2025 at Kanayama Minami Building Museum of Art (July 19 to September 23): Using advanced digital technology, this event offers guests visual and interactive experiences of Japan’s folklore creatures.
Nagoya Festival 2025 at Central Nagoya (late October): A historical parade featuring traditional performances celebrating the ‘Three Heroes of Nagoya’: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Tomica Expo in Nagoya 2025 at Fukiage Hall (October): The perfect event for kids to see, learn about, and play with miniature Tomica cars.
Dai Nagoya Winter Illumination 2025 (mid-November to late December): This year’s winter illumination installations will be themed around love.
Looking to explore affordable places? Read our story on the most budget-friendly cities in Japan.
Food lover’s guide to Nagoya
Tebasaki dish | Image credit: Andurinha/Flickr
Nagoya-meshi, or Nagoya local food, is renowned for its bold seasonings, strong flavours, and unique textures. Here are some must-try dishes to delight your taste buds in Nagoya:
Tebasaki: This popular starter dish can be found at local Japanese-style pubs and restaurants like Furaibo and Sekai No Yamachan. Tebasaki features delicious, deep-fried, peppery chicken wings that blend sweet and savoury flavours.
Hitsumabushi: This dish consists of charcoal-grilled eel glazed with a sweet soy sauce, served on a bed of sticky rice. For the best hitsumabushi in the city, visit Hitsumabushi Uya at the Nagoya Station or Hitsumabushi Bincho.
Doteni & Doteyaki: This rich stew includes beef tendons simmered in a flavorful miso broth. For an authentic experience, we recommend trying it at Doteni ESCA or Dote Mania.
Miso Katsu | Image credit: Evelyn Rose, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Miso Katsu: A deep-fried pork cutlet smothered in rich miso sauce. This dish from Yabaton pairs perfectly with a chilled glass of beer, an unbeatable combination!
Ogura Toast: A thick slice of bread topped with a sweet adzuki bean jam and a generous cube of butter. It’s the ideal breakfast when enjoyed with coffee at Kissa Morning or Kato Coffee Sakae.
Piyorin: Located at Nagoya Station, the Piyorin Shop is famous for its chicken-shaped custard pudding, which sells quickly every morning.
Kishimen: These are flat udon noodles served in a flavorful hot broth, accompanied by fish cakes, spinach, and spring onions. Considered the soul food of Aichi Prefecture, locals love to enjoy kishimen at Ekikama Kishimen and Nadai Kishimen Sumiyoshi.
Shopping in Nagoya
Osu Shopping District | Image credit: Minh/Unsplash
Whether you are into fashion, anime merch, luxury merchandise, local food ingredients, or vintage finds, Nagoya will spoil you for choice. Here’s where to shop in the city!
Osu Shopping District: This long shopping street features over 1,000 stores specialising in secondhand fashion, small eateries, and electronic appliances. The Osu Kannon Temple is also just a 5-minute walk from this shopping district.
Nagoya Station Area: For those short on time, the Nagoya Station area is a convenient option for exploring nearby malls. Key shopping spots include JR Nagoya Takashimaya, Meitetsu Department Store, Esca, and Termina.
Sakae District: Located just 2 km east of Nagoya Station, Sakae District is a bustling area filled with multiple department stores, various dining options, and fashionable malls such as Lachic and Parco.
Shop the best travel experiences here
Mozo Wonder City Shopping Centre | Image credit: Gnsin, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mozo Wonder District: This indoor shopping mall is only a 10-minute train ride from Nagoya Station. Plan to spend a couple of hours exploring its diverse shops, restaurants, and entertainment offerings.
Lalaport Nagoya Minato AQULS: This expansive shopping complex features over 200 stores, including those specialising in home goods, character-themed merchandise, fashion, and beauty products, as well as an entertainment centre.
Aeon Mall Nagoya Dome Mae: This Aeon Mall has everything you need under one roof. You can easily spend hours grocery shopping, enjoying local Nagoya cuisine at various restaurants, and having fun at the gaming arcade.
Mitsui Outlet Park Jazz Dream Nagashima: Although this place is not in Nagoya, but in Kuwana, it is only a 30-minute train ride from Nagoya Station. It is one of the largest and best outlet malls in Japan for shopping for luxury goods.
For an interesting shopping experience, explore our mini guide to Japanese streetwear culture.
Tips for visitors
A street in Nagoya | Image credit: Yongzheng/Unsplash
Nagoya has a breakfast culture known as ‘moningu’, or morning service. Tourists can enjoy this service at either a café or their hotel.
Most local shops and attractions close by 6 pm, so starting your day early is best.
Seven Bank ATMs at 7-Eleven stores accept most international debit and credit cards.
Ghibli Park tickets can only be purchased online and are unavailable at the venue.
During spring and autumn, days can be warmer than evenings. Since temperatures drop after 7 pm, we recommend bringing a jacket or scarf to stay warm later in the day.
The best time to visit shrines and temples is between 7 am and 10 am, as they are less crowded and more peaceful during this time.
(Feature image credit: Romeo A/Unsplash)
Related | Exploring Yokohama – This Japanese Port City Is The Perfect Day Trip From Tokyo
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How can I get to Nagoya from Tokyo?
Taking a Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo is the fastest way to reach Nagoya. The Nozomi or Hikari bullet trains will help you get there in 2 hours. If you are on a budget, highway buses are another option. Expect a 4-5 hour journey on the road, but the ticket is half the price of a Shinkansen ticket.
What are the best day trips from Nagoya?
The best day trips from Nagoya are Ghibli Park, Inuyama Castle, Shirakawa-go, Nishio, Tokoname, the Nakasendo Trail, and Nagashima.
When is the best time to experience Nagoya’s cherry blossoms?
The best time to experience the Sakura season in Nagoya is from late March to early April. Some of the best hanami spots in Nagoya are Meijo Park, Tsuruma Park, Arakogawa Park, Higashiyama Zoo, and Nagoya Castle.
Are there any family-friendly places in Nagoya?
Parents and children can enjoy the Nagoya City Museum, Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, Legoland Japan Resort, and Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden.
What are the best things to do at Nagoya Castle?
The best things to do in Nagoya Castle are to join a free guided tour, stroll through Ninomaru Garden, and explore the Honmaru Palace.
What are the unique cultural experiences in Nagoya?
Nagoya is known for its rich food culture, samurai legacy, and skilled craftsmanship. To learn more about the city’s history, visitors can attend the Misono-za Theatre, make pottery at Noritake Garden, and sample local dishes like hitsumabushi (grilled eel on rice) and Tebasaki (chicken wings) around Nagoya Station.
Where can I go hiking near Nagoya?
While Nagoya is quite urban, it is home to several hiking spots, including Higashiyama Park, Mount Togoku, Mount Ontake Trail, Heiwa Park, and Mount Wakakusa.
Written By
Sharon Alphonso
Sharon is from Mumbai and currently lives in Tokyo with her Japanese husband. Before moving to Japan, ..Read Moreshe worked with POPxo, Grazia and MTV India. She now writes for several English magazines in Japan, including Savvy Tokyo, Tokyo Weekender, and GoConnect Japan. Her favourite way to unwind is to listen to lo-fi music while reading a book and sipping on a matcha latte. Read Less
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