The 13 Best Things to Do in Nagoya, Japan

Japan’s fourth-largest city, Nagoya may lack the celebrity status of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka – and that makes those who go out of their way to discover its pleasures feel like true insiders.

Without the crush of mass tourism, Nagoya makes a very appealing place to visit for a few days, with everything from great eating, lively nightlife and family attractions to ancient shrines and historic fortifications (many reconstructed in the 20th century). Its handy location on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen (Bullet Train) line that links Tokyo, Mt Fuji, Osaka and Kyoto makes it an easy add-on to a trip around Japan’s blockbuster tourist sites.

Though large areas of the ancient city were destroyed during WWII, Nagoya still manages to hit the sweet spot between old and new, with plenty of traditional culture found throughout its neon-lit streets. Here are a few of the best things to do in this vibrant, modern, industrial and yet laid-back Japanese city.

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1. Start at sacred Atsuta-jingū

Founded more than 1900 years ago, Atsuta-jingū is one of Japan’s most sacred Shintō shrines. Sprawling across a large area of forest and flanked by towering cypress trees, it’s a peaceful place to stroll and observe worshippers going about their business.

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Some nine million devotees come here each year to pay homage at the shrine housing the ancient sword known as Kusanagi-no-tsurugi. This is one of the Three Sacred Treasures that form Japan’s revered Imperial Regalia. Legend has it that the sword was handed to the imperial family by the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami herself.

Visitors are not permitted to view the sacred sword or enter the temple, but you can see other famous swords at the shrine’s Kusanagi-kan museum and the Bunkaden Treasure Hall, which displays highlights from a collection of more than 4000 Tokugawa-era swords, masks and paintings.

Planning tip: Religious sites such as Buddhist temples and Shintō shrines don’t have dress codes per se. But in order to be culturally respectful, there are other things to beware of. Wash your hands before entering a shrine and only speak in quiet tones to allow all visitors to enjoy the tranquility.

2. Soak up Japanese culture at the Tokugawa Art Museum

The collection at the respected Tokugawa Art Museum includes some 10,000 priceless artworks. Among its treasures are nō masks from medieval dance-dramas, ceramics, paintings and prints, and samurai swords and armor.

Its most famous object is the 12th-century scroll of The Tale of Genji – it’s the oldest surviving pictorial version of Japan’s oldest novel. Due to its fragility, it’s only displayed once a year, in late November; at other times, you must make do with a video recording.

Planning tip: Don’t miss the museum’s magnificent Japanese garden, Tokugawa-en, a contemporary reconstruction of a garden destroyed in 1945. Wrapped around a traditional-style teahouse, the mix of woodland, flower gardens, ponds, bridges and water features is simply superb.

3. Hunt for vintage finds in Ōsu shopping district

Young people in Japan are gaga for vintage shopping. If you’re in the market for a pair of secondhand cowboy boots, a paisley shirt or a preloved Vivienne Westwood jacket, you’re in luck in Nagoya’s Ōsu district.

The area is home to hundreds of cool vintage boutiques, spread out along Akamon-dōri, Banshō-ji-dōri and Niomon-dōri. Be sure to check out the shops tucked away in narrow alleyways off the main streets, and take a moment to admire the vibrant street art everywhere.

Planning tip: If you’re looking for something even older, a popular antique and flea market takes place on the 18th and 28th of every month in front of Ōsu Kannon, a Buddhist temple that can trace its roots to 1333.

4. Wander the fantasy land of Ghibli Park

If you’re a fan of the whimsical storytelling of Studio Ghibli, then we probably don’t need to tell you about Ghibli Park, a new attraction dedicated to the animation studio’s much-loved anime films.

While it’s touted as a theme park, don’t come expecting thrilling rides. Instead, you’ll wander through a fantasy landscape featuring recreations of famous Studio Ghibli scenes.

The park’s centerpiece, the Grand Warehouse, contains recreations of settings from many of the studio’s most iconic movies. Kids will love the interactive exhibits that let you star in a Studio Ghibli film; you can also pop into the cinema to enjoy exclusive short films shown only at this park and Tokyo's Ghibli Museum in Mitaka.

Planning tip: It’s wise to book well ahead. Tickets are released 3 months in advance and go on sale online on the 10th of each month, often selling out quickly. The easiest way to get here is by taking the Higashiyama subway line from Nagoya Station to Fujigaoka and changing to the Linimo Maglev train.

5. Linger at the Nagoya City Art Museum

Close to the city planetarium, the Nagoya City Art Museum is housed in a striking modern building designed by esteemed architect Kisho Kurokawa.

This respected institution holds a collection of around 8500 artworks from across the world. Highlights include masterpieces by Frida Kahlo and Amedeo Modigliani, as well as contemporary art and works by Japanese artists. The museum’s architecture is a work of art in itself, offering a visually engaging setting for diverse exhibitions.

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Detour: For a different perspective on the local art scene, visit the Noritake Garden Gallery, where exhibitions of paintings, sculptures and ceramic works take place on the site of a former ceramics factory, in a parkside setting.

6. See the city’s showpiece sight, Nagoya Castle

Founded back in 1615, Nagoya-jō is the city’s showpiece castle. Like many places in Nagoya, it was destroyed during WWII but reconstructed in 1959 using steel and concrete. While you can admire the main keep from outside, the interior has been closed to the public for years, after its structure was deemed vulnerable to earthquakes.

There are plans to demolish the keep and rebuild it in timber using traditional Japanese woodcrafting techniques, staying faithful to the castle’s original design, which was recorded in early survey documents. Unfortunately, construction has been plagued by delays, so there is no specific schedule for the project.

It’s still well worth visiting Nagoya-jō to view the 17th-century Honmaru Palace. For 400 years, this was the exclusive domain of the city’s feudal lords and samurai before being destroyed during WWII. A remarkable reconstruction project in 2009 restored the palace to its original grandeur, using Edo-period plans and historical records, hinoki (cypress wood), and traditional Japanese carpentry techniques.

Inside, you can see 31 straw-scented tatami-floored rooms, with shoji (latticed paper doors) and gold-leaf-gilded fusuma sliding screens. It gives a powerful sense of the refined but regimented lives of its Edo-period occupants.

Planning tip: Beyond the palace, the beautiful Ninomaru-teien garden surrounds the castle watchtowers, gates and moat, with a number of quaint teahouses that you can visit.

7. Taste delightful local specialties

Nagoyans love their food – and are prepared to line up around the block to get it. Be sure to try some of the city’s popular foods, including udon and kishimen noodles, and miso-katsu (miso sauce poured over fried pork cutlets).

Near Nagoya station at Misen, you can slurp down the local specialty of spicy “Taiwan” ramen (created by a Taiwanese chef, but invented in Nagoya). The original location of Atsuta Horaiken Honten, between Atsuta-jingū and the Hori River, has been serving hitsumabushi (eel basted in a sweet and sticky sauce served over rice) since 1873.

Offering a Nagoya take on tonkatsu (deep-fried pork cutlets), Yabaton Honten is famed for miso-katsu slathered in a savory miso-based sauce. For soupy miso-nikomi udon, another Nagoya specialty, check out the original branch of Yamamotoya Sōhonke Honke.

Planning tip: Many of Nagoya’s most iconic restaurants don’t take reservations. To avoid waiting an hour (or more) in line at peak times, plan for a slightly earlier or later dinner.

8. Catch robots in action on a Toyota assembly line

In Nagoya, there’s no name more famous than Toyota, the automobile giant that produced its first car here in 1936. At the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry & Technology, you’ll learn how Toyota was founded in 1919 as a weaving machine company. (Yes: the very first Toyota was...a loom.)

Most of the museum, of course, is devoted to automobiles. Alongside displays of Toyotas from all eras, you can see fascinating demonstrations showing how modern cars are assembled, from parts pressed from sheet metal to the finished product. The robots alone are worth the entry fee, from the specialist bots that work the assembly lines to mechanical maestros playing the violin.

Detour: If you’re after more unique museum experiences, check out the SCMAGLEV & Railway Park, where you can scramble aboard one of the world’s fastest trains (top speed: 581km/h) and try simulators that let you drive a bullet train. Or head to the Nagoya City Science Museum to view the world’s largest planetarium, artificial tornadoes and a deep-freeze lab with an artificial aurora borealis.

9. Sample Sakae’s nightlife...

What Shinjuku is to downtown Tokyo, Sakae is to Nagoya: a pulsating, neon-lit strip of bars, clubs and izakaya (pub-eateries). Most of the action is centered on the shopping area around Sakae’s station, which transforms into a nightlife hub as offices close. Sakae has a familiar entertainment-district setup, with blinking neon signs and a staggering array of bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants stacked up inside high-rise buildings.

For a slightly different mood, head underground to the Central Park mall for subterranean shopping and casual dining. Nearby Nishiki is another popular nightlife district, its narrow alleyways filled with old-style izakaya that offer a more intimate and traditional Japanese nightlife experience.

Planning tip: Before you head out for the night, check the last train times. Some of Nagoya's subway lines stop running just before midnight, with others continuing to around 1am.

10. ...and marvel at Sakae’s space-age landmarks

Beyond nightlife, Sakae is also home to some of Nagoya’s best-known landmarks. Dating to 1954, the Chubu Electric Power Mirai Tower (formerly Nagoya TV Tower) was the first radio tower of its type in Japan, predating the more famous towers in Tokyo, Yokohama and Osaka.

For the best view in town, head for the Sky Promenade at Midland Square, Nagoya’s tallest building. At 247m, this is Japan’s tallest open-air observation deck, from which you can enjoy 360-degree views over the city.

The UFO-like Oasis 21 is another contemporary architectural landmark, combining a bus terminal, restaurants and a popular shopping complex, set beneath an angled disk that is illuminated each evening.

Then there is the 52m-high Ferris wheel called Sky Boat, a unique construction built into the side of the Sunshine Sakae building. It’s most fun at night, when the framework and the street below are brightly illuminated.

Planning tip: It’s easy to explore Nagoya on the subway system, with its six lines and stops and routes clearly signposted in English and Japanese. The handy Meijō line connects Sakae, Nagoyajo (for the castle) and Ōzone (for the Tokugawa Art Museum).

11. Bring the family to Legoland Japan

If you're visiting with kids, good luck saying no to a trip to Legoland Japan. This phenomenally popular theme park is set by the coast to the south of Nagoya, and you can easily fill a day (or days) here with kid- and child-at-heart-friendly entertainment.

Highlights include miniature Lego recreations of Japanese cities, a Lego factory, live stage performances and fun-filled theme-park rides. The on-site resort offers plenty of hotel and dining package options, too.

Planning tip: Get to Legoland on the Aonami commuter-rail line; the park is a 5-minute walk from Kinjofuto Station, the last stop on the line.

12. Wander the scenic castle town of Inuyama

About 25km north of Nagoya, the town of Inuyama is the setting for the eye-catching Inuyama-jō, a fabulous castle that’s one of the region’s top draws. A designated National Treasure, the monument dates back to 1537. Even after extensive restoration, it remains one of Japan’s oldest surviving wooden castles.

At the base of the keep lies Inuyama’s Edo-era old town, which is packed every weekend with tourists browsing its cute shops and restaurants. Stop by the Karakuri Exhibition Room to view Edo- and Meiji-era karakuri ningyō (marionettes), and the Inuyama Artifacts Museum for an overview of the city’s castle and cultural heritage.

Detour: Accessible from Nagoya by bus or local train, the historic town of Gujō-Hachiman has another interesting castle, with a wooden keep erected in 1933 over the ruins of the original, which was torn down in 1870 after the Meiji Restoration. You can visit century-old merchants’ homes and artisan workshops along the cobbled streets of the surrounding town, which has a tranquil, not-so-touristy vibe.

13. Experience a living museum in Gifu

Set along the banks of the Nagara River about 43km northwest of Nagoya, the scenic provincial capital of Gifu is a sprawling industrialized city centered on a cluster of atmospheric historical sights.

Few tourists venture far beyond resplendent Gifu-kōen park, with its striking, three-story vermillion pagoda and lush foliage that blazes with fall color in November. Here, you’ll find the city’s premier cultural attractions, including the enchanting Gifu-jō, a four-tiered castle built in 1956 to replace the version destroyed in WWII, with displays of samurai swords and armor.

The castle sits at the top of forested Kinka-zan park, with hiking trails leading to the summit (allow about an hour), plus a cable car for those who prefer to take the easy route. It has such a commanding position that the magnificent 360-degree views stretch as far as Nagoya. In summer, the keep is illuminated at night, making it an especially atmospheric time to visit.

Planning tip: Get to Gifu from Nagoya on Japan Railways' convenient JR Limited Express Hida service. Trains leave Nagoya Station 10 times a day, arriving 20 minutes later.

This article was adapted from Lonely Planet’s Japan guidebook.