Discover Nagoya : 15 Highlights You Can’t Miss【JPTourist Guide】
Hi everyone! It’s Ruber! Today, I’m taking you to a city in Japan
that’s full of hidden gems and surprises—Nagoya! Discover Nagoya : 15 Highlights You Can’t Miss Nagoya is right in the heart of Japan,
making it a super convenient hub for travelers. It’s located between Tokyo and Osaka,
so it’s really easy to include in your Japan trip. And the best part? Nagoya has something for everyone—
history lovers, culture fans, shopaholics, and even families with kids. If you want to go deeper into Japanese culture,
Nagoya is a city you definitely shouldn’t skip! So today, I’ve picked out 15 of the very best things about Nagoya! And to make it super easy to follow, we’ll go through them in five chapters: Access, History & Sightseeing, Shopping, Leisure, and of course… Gourmet food! 【Access】 Getting to Nagoya is super easy from Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto. By bullet train—the Shinkansen—it’s about : 1 hour 40 minutes from Tokyo. 1 hour from Osaka. Just 35 minutes from Kyoto! And, your journey will usually start at Nagoya Station. This isn’t just a train station—it’s a massive transportation hub where Shinkansen, regular trains, subways, and buses all connect. From here, you can get anywhere in Nagoya. And honestly, the station area itself is a destination. It’s surrounded by skyscrapers, shopping malls, and tons of restaurants. You could easily spend an entire day just exploring around the station! 【History and Tourism】 Now, when people think of Nagoya, history is one thing you can’t leave out. While Tokyo grew as the center of the shogunate and Osaka flourished as a merchant city, Nagoya developed as a stronghold of samurai culture. It was the home of the Owari branch of the Tokugawa family, and traditions like samurai armor, tea ceremony, and Noh theater are still alive here. So, Nagoya is a city where the spirit and aesthetics of the samurai remain, something you won’t find in other major cities. If you’ve seen the show “Shogun”
that was recently popular on Disney Channel in the U.S. Nagoya connects to that world perfectly. For anyone curious about Japan’s samurai and the Sengoku era,
it’s the ultimate place to explore! Now, let me show you some must-visit spots where you can really feel Nagoya’s history and culture! •Nagoya Castle. First up is the city’s icon—Nagoya Castle, built by Tokugawa Ieyasu. It’s famous for the golden “shachihoko”
(mythical tiger-fish ornaments) on the roof. The original main keep was destroyed during the war, but it was rebuilt as a symbol of pride for the people of Nagoya, and it’s still deeply loved today. Right now, you can’t actually go inside the keep, but here’s the exciting part—there’s a huge project underway to rebuild it in
its original wooden form, just like it was before it burned down! And the goal is to finish by around 2028! The highlight is the restored Hommaru Palace, with its gorgeous wall paintings and lavish décor. Walking inside feels like stepping back in time. Nearby, you’ll also find historical buildings like the Aichi Prefectural Government Office and Nagoya City Hall. And right next to the castle, “Kinshachi Yokocho” is the perfect spot to try Nagoya’s famous local foods! •Nagoya Sword Museum : Nagoya Token World. You can’t talk about samurai culture without swords! Nagoya is home to a museum dedicated to the art of Japanese swords. Here, you’ll see stunning blades on display, learn about how they were made, and discover their history. For sword enthusiasts, this place is like a dream come true. •Tokugawa Art Museum & Tokugawa-en Garden. The Tokugawa Art Museum houses treasures passed down through the Owari Tokugawa family, one of the three major Tokugawa clans. Here you’ll find national treasures
like the illustrated scrolls of The Tale of Genji, as well as samurai armor, tea ceremony utensils, and more. Right next to it is Tokugawa-en, a breathtaking traditional Japanese garden designed in the style of a daimyo (feudal lord) garden. It’s the perfect spot to relax and enjoy
the beauty of nature through the seasons. •Atsuta Shrine. With over 1,900 years of history,
Atsuta Shrine is one of Japan’s most sacred places. It’s said to enshrine the legendary Kusanagi Sword, one of Japan’s Imperial Regalia. The shrine grounds are surrounded by a deep forest, giving it a mystical atmosphere. It’s a place where you can truly feel
the Japanese sense of harmony with nature. Besides worship, visitors also enjoy seeing the ancient camphor tree, considered sacred, and tasting Nagoya’s famous kishimen noodles at a teahouse within the grounds. 【Shopping Streets】 After diving into history, let’s switch gears and go shopping! •Sakae. Just a 10-minute subway ride from Nagoya Station, Sakae is the city’s main downtown shopping area. Here you’ll find department stores, fashion buildings, and all the latest trend shops. Think of it as Nagoya’s version of Tokyo’s Ginza— plenty of luxury brands everywhere! But don’t worry, there are also super popular shops like UNIQLO, Don Quijote, MUJI, and DAISO, all within walking distance. Perfect for grabbing everything in one go. Right in the middle of Sakae is Hisaya Odori Park, a long boulevard that’s been turned into a huge park. It’s such a fun place where you can enjoy nature, food, and shopping all at once. On weekends, you might catch amateur rock bands or street performers putting on live shows. You won’t find a space like this in Tokyo or Osaka! Don’t miss Sunshine Sakae, a shopping mall with a Ferris wheel attached! It’s also a super popular photo spot. In the basement, there’s even a concert hall dedicated to amateur idols, so you can experience Japan’s world-famous idol culture—sometimes for free! Another must-see is Oasis 21, a futuristic complex with a giant glass roof
called the “Water Spaceship.” From here, you get a fantastic view of the Sakae area. Right next door is Chubu Electric Power MIRAI Tower,
one of Nagoya’s main landmarks. Head up to the observation deck for a panoramic city view— the night scenery is especially romantic! Another spot I highly recommend is Osu Shopping Street. This area blends history with youth culture— you’ll find vintage clothing stores, street food stalls, and tons of quirky subculture shops. Want to stroll in a kimono or yukata? You can rent traditional outfits here, or even buy them! Anime and manga stores are also everywhere, making Osu a hotspot for otaku culture
and super popular with international visitors. It’s a great place to experience local Japanese vibes up close. 【Leisure Facilities】 Nagoya isn’t just about sightseeing—
it’s also packed with fun spots for families and friends. Let’s check out some favorites loved by locals! •Nagoya City Science Museum. Home to one of the world’s largest planetariums! It’s fun for both kids and adults. There are also live science shows featuring tornadoes and lightning— yep, real ones! •Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens. This massive zoo is famous for its “handsome gorilla” Shabani, adorable red pandas, and Japan’s only Komodo dragon. With about 500 species, it’s one of the largest zoos in the country. •Port of Nagoya Aquarium. Here you’ll see dynamic dolphin shows and even exhibits featuring killer whales. It’s one of the most exciting aquariums in Japan! •LEGOLAND Japan. A colorful theme park full of LEGO-inspired rides, attractions, and even a hotel where you can immerse yourself in the LEGO world. Perfect for kids and LEGO fans alike! •Ghibli Park. And of course—if you love Studio Ghibli, this is a must! It’s a little outside the Nagoya area,
but…it’s about an hour from Nagoya Station by public transportation. Some areas are free to explore, but for the main area, you’ll need to book tickets in advance online. They sell out quickly,
so plan ahead if you want to fully dive into the magical world of Ghibli films. 【Gourmet】 Now, let’s talk about one of the biggest highlights of any Nagoya trip—the food! Nagoya has its own unique food culture called “Nagoya Me-shi”,
and it’s famous all across Japan. Here are three must-try dishes and the best places to enjoy them. •Hitsumabushi. This is Nagoya’s signature grilled eel dish, served over rice with a special sauce. The fun part is you eat it three ways : The fun part is you eat it three ways : first as it is, then with condiments,
and finally with broth poured over for a kind of rice soup. It’s like three meals in one! Yes, it’s a bit pricey, but totally worth it if you’re in Nagoya. Recommended spots •Atsuta Houraiken (near Atsuta Shrine). •Miso Katsu. A breaded pork cutlet topped with a rich, sweet-savory Hatcho miso sauce. Heavy, bold, and seriously addictive! Recommended spot •Yabaton (main shop in Yabacho). •Tebasaki (Chicken Wings). Nagoya-style wings are seasoned with a perfect balance of sweet sauce
and black pepper. They go amazingly well with beer! Recommended spot •Sekai no Yamachan (with locations around Sakae and more) So, what do you think? Nagoya is right in the center of Japan, but it offers a mix of history, culture, food, shopping, and entertainment that makes it unique. Compared to Tokyo or Osaka, it might be less famous— but that just means it’s full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered! On your next trip to Japan, definitely add Nagoya to your itinerary. I promise, it’ll be an unforgettable experience. This is the Earst Japan Channel, bringing you the best travel tips for Japan. Don’t forget to like and subscribe, and stay tuned for more videos! Bye! See you!
Welcome to our travel guide video showcasing Nagoya, one of Japan’s most underrated yet fascinating cities! Whether you’re planning your first trip to Japan or looking for new destinations beyond Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka – Nagoya offers a unique blend of tradition, innovation, and authentic local experiences.
Why visit Nagoya?
✔ Easy access from Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka
✔ Less crowded than other major cities
✔ Perfect for culture lovers, foodies, and history buffs!
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Japan travel tips and local insights.
✈️ Ready to explore Nagoya? Let’s go!
#NagoyaJapan
#VisitJapan
#JapanTravel
#TravelNagoya
#HiddenJapan
#NagoyaCastle
#JapaneseFood
#JapanVlog
#ExploreJapan
#NagoyaTrip
#ThingsToDoInNagoya
#JapanItinerary
#OffTheBeatenPathJapan
#OsuShoppingStreet
#SCMAGLEV
AloJapan.com