Nagoya, Japan, blends historical past, tradition, and trendy points of interest. From Nagoya Fortress to native delicacies and vibrant procuring districts, discover the very best sights with this important journey information.
Nagoya, Japan, is a dynamic metropolis that provides an thrilling mixture of historical past, tradition, and trendy points of interest. From the long-lasting Nagoya Fortress to the bustling streets of the Osu Buying District, Nagoya offers a captivating journey by means of custom and innovation. With its wealthy historical past, mouthwatering meals, and fascinating museums, Nagoya has one thing for each traveler.
Right here’s your important Nagoya journey information, highlighting the very best actions and must-see sights. We’ve additionally included some additional actions you will need to go to alongside the way in which, together with a enjoyable journey to Legoland, Japan’s second-largest shrine, and a temple retreat in the midst of the town!
So, let’s get into the motion!
Nagoya Fortress
For those who’re a fan of Japanese castles like my household, then Nagoya Fortress is a must-visit throughout your keep in Nagoya. Throughout our travels round Japan, we at all times attempt to go to if there’s a citadel on the town.
Initially in-built 1609 as a residence for the Owari department of the Tokugawa household, the citadel boasts spectacular structure, deep moats, and large stone partitions that when protected its inhabitants. Though a lot of the citadel was destroyed throughout World Battle II, the present construction, rebuilt in 1959, presents a charming perception into Japan’s feudal previous.
Honmaru Palace
Subsequent to the citadel is the Honmaru Palace (本丸御殿), in-built 1612. It was constructed because the residence and authorities workplace for the primary lord of Owari Province. It underwent a 9-year (2009-2018) full reconstruction challenge, executed in 3 phases utilizing conventional supplies and development strategies.
The eye to element in recreating the Honmaru Palace is mesmerizing. Each side of the palace, from paintings to architectural components, is skillfully crafted from historic footage and works.
Strolling by means of the grand palace, we imagined the lords again within the day; they should have had superb lives. After touring the palace, head over to Nagoya Fortress, which is a concrete rebuild with eight flooring in whole. The creature associated with the citadel known as Kinshachi (金鯱) — an imaginary sea animal with a tiger’s head and fish physique.
The exhibitions on the 2nd ground included fashions of the citadel and the town through the Edo interval. You possibly can see a stupendous visible mannequin of the Honmaru Palace construction and artworks that have been saved earlier than the hearth that burnt down Nagoya Fortress are on show.
The third ground had a replica of a citadel and life within the city through the 1600s, corresponding to fancy carriages used for carrying lords and girls round.
The fourth ground contained armor and sword collections on show and on the fifth ground, detailed historical past of Nagoya Fortress, a stone pull exhibit, and a full-scale duplicate of Kinshachi for guests to expertise and revel in. Lastly, from the highest ground remark room, guests can see a stupendous view over the town.
Nagoya Metropolis Science Museum
After studying in regards to the metropolis’s wealthy historical past at Nagoya Fortress, let’s fast-forward to the long run and head to the Nagoya Metropolis Science Museum. Our kids had an absolute blast on the museum after we visited, as many displays are hands-on and permit them to the touch and experiment.
There have been so many enjoyable and interactive displays that have been nice for the youngsters, together with a human hamster wheel! Every ground is split into 2 sections, right here is a part of the 2nd ground, which targeted on the wonders of the earth.
The third ground was devoted to mechanics and know-how, that includes displays that showcased the internal workings of assorted machines, corresponding to a rice cooker.
The fourth ground had displays on ideas of nature, exploring scientific ideas corresponding to gravity, electrical energy, and magnetism. Expertise a deep freezing lab and what life is like within the polar area (for a payment).
The underside a part of the museum’s sphere is a tremendous space devoted to area with a video of what it’s prefer to view Earth from the worldwide area station. Contained in the planetarium, the projector is on the middle of the room. Your entire present was executed in Japanese and the story will not be simple for international audio system to observe. The planetarium dome spans 35 meters, rating prime of the world’s largest planetariums! I like to recommend skipping when you don’t communicate Japanese fluently.
Noritake Backyard
After immersing ourselves in science and know-how, it’s about time to take pleasure in some artwork. We visited the picturesque Noritake Backyard and watched proficient artists work on stunning pottery and plates.
Noritake Backyard is a peaceable oasis within the coronary heart of Nagoya, devoted to the town’s wealthy ceramics historical past. Unfold throughout lush grounds, the backyard contains a craft middle, museum, and workshops. The red-brick buildings, as soon as a bustling ceramics manufacturing facility, now home exhibitions that element the craftsmanship behind Noritake’s world-renowned ceramics.
Within the welcome middle, which is free, you be taught in regards to the historical past of Noritake Firm and its visionary founders. Inside, there are detailed fashions of how the modern-day kiln works, offering an perception into the craftsmanship behind Noritake’s ceramics.
There’s a payment for adults to enter the craft middle and museum. On the primary two flooring, craftsmen work on tasks, exhibiting you hand-painting methods at their workstations. Moreover, there are portray workshops the place you may paint your designs on plates and cups.
The highest two flooring housed the museum with stunning collections from the previous 100 years of Noritake’s historical past. Though no footage have been allowed within the constructing in any respect, it was superb seeing the detailed hand-painting work the artists have been creating proper in entrance of us. For those who can recognize particulars and fantastic artwork, we extremely suggest visiting the museum. The items and set on show are merely marvelous, every one requiring tremendous detailed work and creativity to make.
SCMAGLEV and Railway Park
Positioned only a quick practice experience from Nagoya Station, the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park is a paradise for practice lovers. That includes a formidable assortment of historic and trendy trains, together with the record-breaking Maglev, this museum takes guests on a journey by means of Japan’s railway historical past.
Instantly after getting into the museum, there’s a giant room with three trains which have set velocity information at numerous occasions all through historical past: a steam practice, an experimental shinkansen, and a MAGLEV practice.
On the enormous display screen behind the practice, there’s a video taking part in highlighting the land information these trains have set. You will discover numerous trains on show with their historic significance, specs, and extra, together with the Guinness World Document Certificates for the world’s quickest practice (581 km/h or 361 mph)! Lots of them, you may even stroll inside and expertise what using them is like!
After the primary room, you’ll enter a fair bigger room with over 32 trains! From steam locomotives to the newest Shinkansen fashions, the park presents a hands-on expertise the place you may discover contained in the trains and find out about their technological developments.
Don’t miss the chance to strive your hand at driving a practice simulator, obtainable for a small payment. The museum additionally options participating displays that exhibit how rail know-how advanced, together with an earthquake alert system and a show on monitor upkeep.
The lunch cafe carried…. you guessed it, the practice bentos from throughout totally different components of Japan! These are referred to as Ekiben and are top-of-the-line components of using a shinkansen!
After filling up in your ekiben, you may discover the theater that exhibits the development of trains and the museum area upstairs, which is full of artifacts and historical past about trains in Japan. Some of the fascinating rooms had a big mannequin of cities corresponding to Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe. You can see what life could be like with the trains operating by means of them. The good half is when all of the trains begin transferring. The exhibition lights up and involves life!
Toyota Commemorative Museum of Trade and Expertise
After visiting the railway park, we continued the know-how theme and visited the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Trade and Expertise in Nagoya. The museum is devoted to celebrating the 2 industries constructed by Sakichi Toyoda, textile equipment and naturally, Toyota automobiles!
The museum is expansive and there are such a lot of fascinating issues to be taught and see, so give your self no less than three to 4 hours minimal. We spent about 3 hours there and didn’t get to complete all of the exhibitions.
Guests can watch stay demonstrations of textile machines, discover interactive shows, and be taught in regards to the improvements which have outlined Toyota’s historical past.
The auto pavilion showcases the evolution of automobile manufacturing, full with classic fashions and a captivating take a look at the way forward for robotics in automobile manufacturing. The museum’s participating displays and educated employees make it an enlightening expertise for all ages.
Nagoya TV Tower
For beautiful panoramic views of Nagoya, head to the Nagoya TV Tower within the Sakae district. As Japan’s oldest TV tower, this landmark presents two remark decks, one indoor and one out of doors, the place you may take pleasure in sweeping vistas of the town skyline.
It was stunning to benefit from the downtown views from the highest of the tower. The higher a part of the remark deck is open air and fairly windy, however the panoramic views over the town have been stunning! On the backside of the Nagoya Tower, there are cafes and eating places the place you may sit open air and revel in a drink and light-weight meals with family and friends.
Atsuta Jingu
Nestled within the coronary heart of Nagoya, Atsuta Jingu (shrine) is Japan’s second largest shrine after the Nice Shrine of Ise in Mie Prefecture. To locals, it’s also known as Atsuta-San or Atsuta-Sama and has been worshipped since historical occasions, spanning over 1,900 years. We now have a full information on Atsuta Jingu, which you’ll be able to learn right here.
The shrine complicated covers an expansive 190,000 sq. meters and consists of museums, parks, auxiliary shrines, and the primary shrine. The primary cease is the Bunkaden Treasure Corridor, which homes roughly 4,000 historical treasures donated by the imperial household, shoguns, feudal lords, and unusual individuals.
Whereas strolling across the shrine’s grounds, you’ll discover numerous towering cedar timber. Look out for the 1000-year-old sacred camphor tree referred to as Goshinboku. It’s believed that the tree emits an vitality, which guests can pray at to obtain a little bit of that energy.
The Hongu (major shrine) is within the middle of the grounds. Whereas you can’t entry the central shrine, you may get a glimpse from the providing field the place you pray. The Solar Goddess Amaterasu and one among Japan’s most treasured gadgets, the legendary Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (considered Japan’s Excalibur), are enshrined right here. Subsequent to the shrine, you should purchase an omamori (good luck attraction), omikuji (fortune paper), or ema (wishing plaque). In case you are questioning about shrine etiquette, learn our full information right here.
Legoland Japan
In case you are touring with kids or are a Lego lover on the whole, Legoland Japan is a must-visit. The theme park opened in 2017 and presents over 25 rides, workshops, and interactive experiences for individuals of all ages.
The theme park is split into eight sections, every with its personal distinctive rides, points of interest, and settings. We’ll record a few of the highlights, however you may take a look at the total information right here.
The Manufacturing facility space is a must-visit. It begins with a enjoyable introductory video in regards to the historical past of Lego (solely obtainable in Japanese). After that, you may take pleasure in a small interactive tour about how the well-known Lego bricks are made. The tour finishes with a small memento store, the place you should purchase distinctive Lego gadgets.
The Submarine Journey space is all issues water. It has one of the vital spectacular points of interest, which lets you board a “submarine” and revel in all of the sealife and cute Lego characters underwater. Outdoors, you’ll discover a big octopus (produced from Lego, after all) and the S.Q.U.I.D. Surfer experience, the place you may hop in a jet boat and spin round to keep away from the water splashes!
The neighboring Misplaced Kingdom Journey space has an Indiana Jones-like design and environment. The principle attraction permits two riders to battle it out as you earn factors utilizing the laser gun, taking pictures numerous targets.
Miniland was undoubtedly one of many highlights of the entire theme park. Iconic landmarks and monuments from round Japan are meticulously replicated, all with Lego. From Tokyo Tower and Kiyomizu Dera to Osaka’s Dotonbori and Himeji Fortress, there are numerous fashions to take pleasure in and marvel at with immense consideration to element.
All through the park, you’ll find numerous eating places, cafes, and meals stalls providing Lego-themed meals, together with Lego brick-shaped fries and burgers. You too can discover a host of memento outlets, Lego statues, and costume-dressed characters to take footage with.
Ghibli Park
Ghibli Park is the newest attraction in Hayao Miyazaki’s magical world of Studio Ghibli, which opened in November 2022 in western Nagoya.
The expansive theme park is positioned contained in the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park and consists of 5 totally different areas. Some require particular tickets, and a few have sure time frames, so please verify our full information right here!
The principle space is Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse. As you stroll by means of unassuming doorways, you might be instantly whisked away into the world of Studio Ghibli. There are 14 scenes from 13 movies, with widespread spots together with the practice scene with No Face, a true-to-scale Laputian Robotic (solely obtainable at Tokyo’s Ghibli Museum in Mitaka till now), and a small recreation of the world of Arrietty.
You too can take pleasure in an unique quick movie on the theater and revel in numerous meals and snacks on the Transcontinental Flight Café. On the prime, simply earlier than the exit, you may choose up some distinctive Studio Ghibli items and souvenirs.
Outdoors the Grand Warehouse, you may benefit from the remaining 4 areas. Hill of the Youth showcases monuments from Whisper of the Coronary heart, Dondoko Forest homes everybody’s favourite Totoro, whereas Mononoke Village portrays the paranormal world of Princess Mononoke.
Lastly, the newest addition to the park, Valley of the Witches, is by far essentially the most intensive, curated, and awe-inspiring space. Right here, you may benefit from the fantastical world of Kiki’s Supply Service and Howl’s Shifting Fortress. Talking of which, Howl’s citadel is a must-visit. The eye to element is unbelievable, from the lounge and Calcifer’s furnace to Howl’s bed room adorned with numerous ornaments; it actually looks like you might be dwelling in his citadel.
Ghibli Park covers over 18 acres, so be ready to stroll loads! Shuttle buses run between every space, however they’re typically crowded, so depart sufficient time to journey between spots.
Lastly, positioned within the bustling coronary heart of downtown Nagoya, you’ll discover the Osu Kannon Temple and Osu Buying District. The temple, a major Buddhist landmark, was initially constructed through the Kamakura Interval (1192-1333) in Gifu Prefecture. Nonetheless, because of repeated flooding, it was relocated to its present location by the famend shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu, in 1612.
The principle level of worship is a picket statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, carved by Kobo Daishi, one of the vital influential monks in Japanese Buddhism. You too can discover the Shinpukuji Library, which homes 15,000 basic Japanese and Chinese language texts, a few of that are listed as Necessary Cultural Properties. Throughout the 18th and twenty eighth of every month, you may take pleasure in a small vintage market in entrance of the temple.
The temple is a tranquil escape simply earlier than the bustling procuring streets that lie forward.
Osu Buying District is full of over 1,200 eating places, cafes, and outlets. You will discover every thing from second-hand shops and arcades to electronics and maid cafes. The world is at all times energetic with road performers, dancers, and cosplayers, the place you may really feel the guts of Nagoya beat.
The procuring streets additionally maintain numerous main Nagoya occasions all year long, together with the Osu Summer season Pageant in August, the Osu Daido-chonin Pageant in October, and the Osu Setsubun Takarabune Gyoretsu in February.
In order that’s it for issues to do in Nagoya! There’s one thing for everybody, from scrumptious meals and historical festivals to theme parks and museums, that’ll maintain you entertained for days! If you wish to know extra about Nagoy’s native delicacies, take a look at our Nagoya Meals Information!
