Top places to visit in Nagoya

• Atsuta Jingu Shrine

  Shinto shrine · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · free entry

  Japan's second most sacred Shinto shrine after Ise, Atsuta Jingu enshrines the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (Grass-Cutting Sword) — one of the three Imperial Treasures of Japan that form the symbol of the Emperor's right to rule. The shrine's deep…

• Nagoya Castle

  historic castle · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Built in 1612 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, Nagoya Castle is among Japan's finest and is famous for the pair of golden shachihoko (mythical dolphin-tiger creatures) perched atop the main tower. The Honmaru Palace (Edo-period residential chambers)…

• Nagoya TV Tower & Oasis 21

  TV tower & modern plaza · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Japan's first television tower (1954) stands at the heart of the Hisaya-odori Park boulevard and is a key Nagoya landmark. Below it, Oasis 21 is a futuristic underground mall and open-air plaza covered by a 330-tonne glass "ship" roof — a…

• Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry & Technology

  technology & automotive museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The world's finest automotive and textile technology museum, housed in Toyota's original 1911 Toyoda loom factory in Nagoya. The museum traces Toyota's evolution from Sakichi Toyoda's revolutionary automatic loom (1890s) through the first…

• Noritake Garden

  industrial heritage · about 1.3 h · entry ¥500 (≈ ₹300)

  Former ceramics factory grounds with a craft centre, museum and red-brick buildings.

• Osu Kannon & Shopping District

  buddhist temple · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Popular Buddhist temple beside a sprawling covered shopping arcade.

• SCMaglev and Railway Park

  railway museum · about 2 h · entry ¥1,000 (≈ ₹600)

  JR Central museum showcasing maglev and Shinkansen trains with simulators.

• Higashiyama Zoo & Botanical Gardens

  zoo · about 2.5 h · entry ¥500 (≈ ₹300)

  Large zoo and botanical garden famous for its koalas and a retro Sky Tower.

• Tokugawa Art Museum & Tokugawaen

  art museum · about 1.5 h · entry ¥1,600 (≈ ₹960)

  Museum of Owari-Tokugawa treasures beside a classic strolling garden.

• Legoland Japan

  theme park · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Lego-themed amusement park on the Nagoya waterfront aimed at families.

Things to do

• Nagoya Castle & Honmaru Palace Guided Walk Tour · 2 h · from JPY 500 per person
• Toyota Techno & Industry Museum Tour Tour · 2.5 h · from JPY 1,000 per person
• Nagoya Miso & Hitsumabushi Food Walk Tour · 3 h · from JPY 7,000 per person

Where to stay in Nagoya

• Naka Ward about JPY 4,000 per night

  Central area with mid-range accommodation

Hotels

• Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel 5-star
• The Tower Hotel Nagoya 4-star
• Glocal Nagoya Backpackers Hostel 2-star
• Meitetsu Grand Hotel 3-star

Where to eat

• Yamamotoya Sohonke Udon, Japanese · about JPY 1,800 per person
• Hitsumabushi Nagoya Bincho Unagi, Japanese · about JPY 4,500 per person
• Sekai no Yamachan Honten Izakaya · about JPY 2,500 per person
• Komeda's Coffee (Honten) Cafe · about JPY 800 per person
• Atsuta Horaiken Honten Unagi, Japanese · about JPY 5,000 per person
• Misen Osu Ramen, Chinese · about JPY 1,200 per person

Getting to Nagoya

Airport: Nagoya (NGO)

How visitors arrive in Nagoya

• Shinkansen to Nagoya Station By train from Tokyo / Osaka · common

  The Tokaido Shinkansen connects Nagoya with Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Fly into Chubu Centrair By air from Chubu Centrair Airport · common

  The main international gateway, with a Meitetsu rail link to the city. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Highway bus By road from Tokyo · possible

  Day and overnight buses serve Nagoya from across Japan. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Overnight car ferry By ferry from Sendai / Tomakomai · possible

  Taiheiyo Ferry runs overnight car ferries from Sendai and Tomakomai. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Meitetsu Airport Line

  From Chubu Centrair (NGO) the Meitetsu Airport Line runs to Nagoya Station; a reserved mu-sky service and ordinary limited expresses both operate. Japan Rail Passes are not valid. Source: kintetsu.co.jp

• Airport bus

  A bus runs from the airport to the Meitetsu Bus Terminal, also stopping at some central hotels. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Taxi unconfirmed

  Taxis go straight to Nagoya Station but cost far more than the train or bus. Private vans are also offered. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Japan Rail Pass holders can exchange their voucher at the airport or Nagoya Station, but the pass does not cover Meitetsu trains. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya Station

  Nagoya Station is the hub for JR, Meitetsu and Kintetsu lines and long-distance buses, on the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Metro

  Nagoya's subway has several lines; the Higashiyama Line connects Nagoya Station, Fushimi and Sakae, while the Meijo Line loops around the east side via Sakae and Kanayama.

• Transit Pass

  The manaca IC card works on Nagoya's municipal subway, city buses and Meitetsu railway lines, and can be used with Suica and other major IC cards.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Roppongi bar overcharge

  Roppongi · Kabukicho nightlife

  Foreign-fronted bar in Roppongi adds drink charges and seat fees you weren't shown; bill arrives at 5–10x expected.

  How to avoid it: Stick to bars with clear printed menus and prices on the door. Ask price before sitting.

Best time to visit Nagoya

• Jan 9°C
• Feb 11°C
• Mar 15°C
• Apr 20°C
• May 25°C
• Jun 28°C
• Jul 31°C
• Aug 33°C
• Sep 29°C
• Oct 23°C
• Nov 17°C
• Dec 12°C

More in Japan

• Tokyo
• Kyoto
• Osaka
• Hakone
• Hiroshima
• Kamakura

Frequently asked questions about Nagoya

How many days do you need in Nagoya?

A typical trip to Nagoya is 2-3 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Nagoya?

The highest-rated places in our Nagoya guide are Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry & Technology, Atsuta Jingu Shrine, Nagoya Castle, Nagoya TV Tower & Oasis 21.

Where should I stay in Nagoya?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Nagoya: Naka Ward.

How do I get around Nagoya?

Ways to get around Nagoya covered in our guide: Metro, Transit pass, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Nagoya?

Scams reported to us for Nagoya include Roppongi bar overcharge. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Nagoya?

Average daytime highs in Nagoya run from 9°C in Jan to 33°C in Aug.

Which airport is nearest to Nagoya?

The nearest airport to Nagoya has the code NGO.