The Best of Nagoya: Top Attractions & Activities in Japan's Heartland

Nagoya is often overlooked as a tourist destination in favor of famous Japanese cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama. But those who visit Nagoya can testify about its endless attractions and activities. We’ve created a detailed guide to attractions in Nagoya, Japan. In it, we’ll explore all of the best places to visit during your stay in the vibrant city.

Introduction:

At the center of Honshu Island lies a 326.45-kilometer-square area of land known as Nagoya. This city is Japan’s fourth-most populous city and third-most populous metropolitan area. It’s also the capital city of Aichi Prefecture. Already, you can tell that Nagoya is a very important part of the country. Besides having a massive population, Nagoya is also the location of the largest seaport in the country.

During the Edo Period (1603–1868), Nagoya became the capital and castle town of the Owari Province under the feudal lord Tokugawa Ieyasu. Despite the restoration of the Japanese imperial system in the late 19th century, the city retained some of its importance. It became an economic and industrial hub in the 20th century. Nagoya produced almost everything, from timepieces to automobiles.

Today, Nagoya is at the forefront of technological advancements in Japan, particularly in the fields of robotics, materials engineering, and transportation. But despite all of that, the city remains one of the best places to explore unique cultural attractions. Tokugawa Art Museum, Nagoya Castle, and Atsuta Shrine are only a few of these famous attractions in Nagoya, Japan.

Discovering Nagoya Castle

In the Edo Period, the ruling Tokugawa shogunate had three branches. One of those branches (Owari Domain) built a castle to rule from in Nagoya, on the site of a Sengoku-period Oda palace. That castle was named Nagoya Castle. 

Built in 1612, Nagoya Castle is located in the Naka Ward of the city. The economic and industrial significance of the surrounding towns made the area a target for US army air raids during World War II. Hence, in 1944 and 1945, Nagoya suffered a series of air raids that destroyed most of the castle’s buildings, including the keep and palace grounds. The castle keep was reconstructed in 1959 with reinforced concrete, but the palace had to wait until 2018 to get a rebuild.

Nagoya Castle is the city’s biggest cultural attraction. It contains a castle keep surrounded by a park and a main palace filled with several halls and rooms. People from all over the world visit the castle to see the iconic golden shachihoko on its roof. It’s an 18-karat gold representation of a sea monster with the body of a carp and the head of a dragon. The park in the castle is a great spot for cherry blossom viewing (hanami) in the spring. Although recently reconstructed, the main palace is a shining example of 14th-century Shoin architecture. The Nagoya Castle main keep is currently unavailable to the public because of an ongoing reconstruction project. Apparently, the plan is to improve its earthquake resistance by replacing the ferro-concrete building materials with wood.

The Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology

The Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology may be a mouthful to pronounce, but its long name is an apt description of its mission. The Toyota Group established it in June 1994, a century after the birth of Toyoda Kiichiro, founder of Toyota Motor Corporation. The museum’s initial name was the Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology. That was changed in July 2014, but the purpose and aim of the establishment remain the same.

According to an official statement by the Toyota Group, the museum was created with the aim of improving domestic and global economies through industrial creativity. Inside the museum, you’ll find Automobile Pavilion, a section dedicated to the evolution of Toyota. It contains exhibits of Toyota car manufacturing machines. You get to see all the different generations of Toyota cars.

Another famous section of the museum is the Textile Machinery Pavilion. Here, you can experience the traditional concept of “making things” (monozukuri) by exploring elements of the 20th-century spinning mill. The entire museum serves as a showcase of Nagoya’s role as an industrial hub.

Exploring the Atsuta Shrine

Atsuta Shrine is one of Japan's most significant Shinto sites and an important cultural landmark. It’s located in a park in the southern part of Nagoya City. The Sun Goddess Amaterasu is enshrined in Atsuta Jinja. The site is also the home of the sacred Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi sword, which is one of the trinity of Imperial Regalia of Japan. The Meiji restoration of the 19th century saw Atsuta Shrine remodeled using an architectural style reminiscent of Shinmei-zukuri.

Next to the main shrine grounds are several other buildings, including a museum, treasure house, and restaurant. Although the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi sword is never displayed to the public, you can visit the Kusanagi-kan museum to explore other historical swords from the shrine’s collection. You may get the opportunity to hold sample swords in your hands. The ancient treasure house beside the museum houses even more swords and historical artifacts for your viewing pleasure. If you feel hungry during and after your trip, you can enjoy kishimen noodles at a local restaurant on the shrine’s grounds.

SCMAGLEV and Railway Park

The industrialization of Japan relied on a vast railway network, and Nagoya played a big role in that regard. It’s only fitting that it houses the museum of Central Japan Railways, AKA JR Central. The JR Central company also has its headquarters at Nagoya Station, the world’s largest train station by area. However, their famous museum, SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, is one of the best places to learn about Japanese trains.

Visit the park to find out the latest technological advancements in maglev technology, historic facts about old trains, and the records of the world-famous bullet trains. Since its opening in 2011, the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park has been a popular tourist spot in Nagoya. People pay a fee to explore attractions such as retired train cars, plans for the levitating maglev trains, and driving simulators for different trains.

For an additional fee, you can literally experience what it's like to drive a bullet train using the simulators. The park also houses learning experiences for kids.

Nagoya's Unique Culinary Scene

Lovers of good food have an abundance of culinary specialties to choose from in Nagoya. Check out the quick Nagoya food guide below:

Hitsumabushi: thin slices of grilled eel (unagi) served on rice. The locals eat the dish with condiments, particularly wasabi, green onions, and nori seaweed strips. Try it at Hitsumabushi Bincho, Atsuta Horaiken, and Hitsumabushi Ino. 

Miso Katsu: deep-fried pork cutlets served in a sauce made from red miso paste. It’s Nagoya’s special version of tonkatsu. Yabaton is arguably the best place to try miso katsu.

Shopping in Osu Shopping District

Located in central Nagoya, the vibrant Osu Shopping District is famous for its eclectic shops and vintage clothing stores. If you’re in the mood for some shopping at any point during your stay in Nagoya, this is the place to spend your money. You’ll have to make your way through crowded places like the Komehyo mall, where you’ll find second-hand kimonos, clothing items, and luxury fashion items. Osu also has several appliance stores, cafes, and restaurants.

Besides shopping, the district is also the venue for several annual festivals, including the Osu Summer Festival and the treasure ship parade. Additionally, a large number of visitors come to the area to explore the Osu Kannon temple, a Buddhist temple that the shogunate moved from Gifu Prefecture to Osu.

The Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium

In the heart of the Nagoya port area lies one of the largest aquaria in Japan. The Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium is a public facility that opened in 1992. It has the largest tank capacity and total floor area in the country. The entire aquarium consists of two buildings: the North Building and the South Building, a turtle research facility, and a movie theater. Each building holds a different set of marine life exhibits inspired by various seas and oceans. Some of the interesting animals on display are Antarctic penguins, orca, dolphins, beluga whales, and sardines. Visit the aquarium to observe how the staff feeds and trains these sea creatures. This is a great place to explore on your own or with children.

Noritake Garden: A Blend of Beauty and Industry

The Noritake Garden is located in Nishi Ward, Nagoya. Noritake, a renowned ceramics manufacturer based in the area, is the owner of the site. The company has been around for over 120 years. In 2001, they successfully converted their factory grounds into the Noritake Garden, a place where people can learn about Noritake ceramics and enjoy recreational facilities.

Inside the Japanese garden is the famous Craft Center. It’s a building with several exhibitions that showcase the Noritake porcelain-making process. The center also offers workshops for visitors to try their hands at porcelain creation. Another important building in the garden is the Noritake Museum. Here, you get to see a wide variety of old and new Noritake ceramic works. Vases, dishes, cups, jars, tableware, and electronics make up the products the company has created since it was founded in 1904. Outside the main facilities, you’ll find a restaurant, shop, and cafe. Feel free to check out the Aeon shopping mall outside the garden.

Nagoya City Science Museum

When you get close to the Nagoya City Science Museum, the first thing you will notice is the giant silver globe lodged between two skyscrapers. This globe is home to one of the world's largest planetariums. The planetarium hosts different programs each month, covering the latest topics in astrology. Even if you don’t speak Japanese, you can have fun looking at the astronomical elements projected on the screen. The museum is made up of seven floors, five of which showcase permanent exhibits. Temporary exhibits are housed in the basement. Permanent exhibits at the Nagoya City Science Museum provide hands-on science exhibits that engage all ages.

Seasonal Festivals and Events

Festivals and events make up some of the biggest tourist attractions in Nagoya. Hence, you might want to plan your tour to coincide with some of the biggest celebrations in the city. Here’s a guide to help you do that effectively:

1. Nagoya Festival (mid-October): The Nagoya Matsuri is an annual festival held in Hisaya Ōdori Park and featuring the parade of Three Heroes of Nagoya, namely Tokugawa Ieyasu, Oda Nobunaga, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The festival also offers you a chance to see the 180-meter-high Nagoya TV Tower.

2. Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament (July): This event is one of six annual sumo tournaments held in Japan. You get to see the giant wrestlers grapple and tackle each other in the Dolphins Arena (Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium).

3. Atsuta Festival (June 5): This is the Atsuta Shrine’s biggest festival. It features several Shinto rituals performed to welcome the summer.

4. World Cosplay Summit (early August): Cosplayers from all over the world gather in Oasis 21, located in Osu Shopping District. The event features guest appearances and cosplay competitions.

Day Trips from Nagoya

While exploring Nagoya is a wonderful experience, there’s always room to explore more of Japan's cultural and natural beauty by taking day trips to sites in nearby cities. A quick escape to the castle of Inuyama is a splendid idea, if you have the time. You may also travel to Nagano Prefecture, where you can find the post towns of the scenic Kiso Valley. Want to see more of nature? Explore living plants at the Nabana no Sato botanical garden in Kuwana City.

Lovers of mountains and valleys can explore Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, which are famous regions that extend from Gifu to Toyama. Need a relaxing day trip? We highly recommend that you spend some time at the Gero Onsen, a hot spring resort in Takayama City. If you visited the Toyota museum in Nagoya, you might also like the Toyota Automobile Museum in Nagakute City and the Toyota Kaikan Museum in Toyota City. Both are about an hour away from Nagoya’s city center.

Conclusion:

The attractions in Nagoya, Japan, make the city one of the most dynamic and diverse destinations in the world. By offering a rich blend of history, modernity, and culture, Nagoya is a compelling stop for travelers looking to experience the best aspects of Japan in one place.

If you’re not visiting Nagoya anytime soon, you can still explore the best of Japan through authentic treats from across the nation. All you need is to secure a Bokksu Snack Box subscription, and we’ll send you a carefully curated box of the best treats every month.