The 16 things to do in Nagoya

You go to Japan and think about visiting Nagoya? You will not regret your choice! Discover the must-sees of this city often poorly known.

Located in the center of the island of Honshû, between Osaka and Tokyo Nagoya is often considered only as a railway node, where one changes train to join another part of Japan. Driven by foreign tourists, the industrial city is far from being devoid of interest. When we make the effort to visit Nagoya, we are quickly conquered!

Are you wondering what to do in Nagoya? Little overview of things not to be missed in this mysterious Japanese city!

1. Nagoya Castle and Honmaru Palace

Visit the Nagoya Castle is one of the must-do a stay in Nagoya. This building built in the 17th century, during the Edo period, is one of the most beautiful in Japan. It was not spared by the ravages of the Second World War. However, the multiple renovations to which he was the object revived his splendour of old.

Be among the first to come to admire the frescoes palace Honmaru , which has just been rebuilt. To finish your visit on a small Zen touch, walk in the castle park. Whether you are there in the spring, during the period when the cherry trees are in bloom, or in autumn, when the red hues of the maple trees dominate the vegetation, you will be conquered!

2. Tokugawa Art Museum and its garden

You dream of seeing real people katanas ? Come and visit Tokugawa Private Museum , which is a dynasty shoguns leading Japan during the Edo period. You can admire the collection of the clan, composed of no less than twelve thousand pieces (arms, paintings, clothes, etc.). If you're looking for peace in the middle of town, come and walk in Tokugawa gardens.

3. Sakae district

You want to experience singular aesthetic experiences? Come and explore Sakae area .

Extremely alive, it is also in its heart that we find two architectural bizarreries! First of its class, TV 1954. If she cannot compete with our Eiffel Tower, she looks like her French counterpart. A few steps away, and in the same architectural vein, discover the strange space shuttle of the Oasis 21 shopping centre. This ellipse of glass and steel has more cachet when the sun went down. Welcome to the future! If architecture does not seduce you, and you only know what to do in Nagoya in the evening, Sakae is also the area in which to go to shopping or finish the day.

4. The Science Museum

You know what to do in Nagoya with children. We have the answer! Built on seven floors, you will no longer know where to give head, both the number and quality of exhibitions and experiences are out of common. Very playful and educational, the Nagoya Science Museum is impressive, even before entering. He is renowned for his planetarium, which is nothing less than the largest in the world!

5. Atsuta-Jingu Shrine

Alongside Buddhist temples, Nagoya also houses the second largest Shinto shrine in Japan. Located south of Nagoya, Atsuta-Jingu It is of particular importance to the Japanese. This sanctuary, which celebrated its thousand and nine hundred years ago, honors the legendary sword of Kusanagi.

6. Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden

Located northeast of Nagoya, Higashiyama Zoo houses many animal species, including koalas and elephants. For the younger, it is possible to caresss small animals. At the heart of the botanical garden, Japan’s oldest greenhouse is home to more than seven thousand species of plants, so subtly kneaded that it is sometimes believed to be walking in the middle of nature. And yet you are still visiting Nagoya!

7. Nagoya Harbour and Aquarium

Industrial city, Nagoya tried to create a more attractive image by transforming its port . Well done! Fly over the large wheel, walk along the Garden Pier or evade at sea the time of a visit to the aquarium. This one will delight the smallest, but also the greatest! If the dolphins and belugas offer a beautiful broom, the most impressive boarders are the orques.

8. The temple Osu Kannon

Do you have a wish to do? Sew it in writing and hang it at a large red lantern located inside the t Buddhist osu Kannon . The building also houses the Shinpuku-ji-bunko library, where more than fifteen thousand books of classical authors, both Japanese and Chinese, are preserved, some of which are considered to be extremely valuable.

9. Flâner dans le quartier d’Osu

Not far from the Osu Kannon temple, you cannot miss the shotengai (market store) in the neighborhood of Ousu. You will surely find your happiness in one of the shops of this alley that extends for nearly two kilometers. From bars to restaurants or antique shops, you cannot resist temptation! If you visit Nagoya in August, you will have the chance to attend the world championships cosplay !

10. The castle of Kiyosu

If Nagoya Castle is more imposing, the origin of Kiyosu Castle is older. While the capital of the province of Owari was not yet Nagoya, Kiyosu castle dominated the area. Built in the 14th century, the building was first dismantled to allow the construction of Nagoya. It was rebuilt only in 1989.

11. The Togan-Ji Temple and its Green Buddha

This place is still unknown to major tourist circuits. If the temple is interesting to visit and it is pleasant to walk in the bamboo forest, the places are surprising to discover for the strange living there: a green Buddha of fifteen meters high! This incongruous encounter will not fail to surprise you and you will understand that in Nagoya, nothing is like elsewhere!

12. Toyota’s Museum of Industry and Technology

You might not know, Toyota was born in Nagoya! Passionate about car or not, it would be a shame to visit Nagoya without coming to Memorial Museum in the footsteps of the world's largest car manufacturer. You can admire the oldest models of the brand, like the most recent ones, or activate then observe the operation of the mounting chains. You will discover former weaving professions, from the time Toyota worked for the textile industry!

13. Nagoya Station

Visit a train station? Yes! Nagoya holds a record, that of owning the largest station in the world in terms of area. Come and lose yourself in the 410 000 m2 of this mastodon guarded by two huge ultra-modern towers over fifty floors. If you don’t have a train to take, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Nagoya, from Sky street , which connects the two towers.

14. Attend a sumo fight

What about sports? What about Nagoya? If you have the chance to visit Nagoya in July, don’t miss the opportunity that offers you to attend a sumo fight. To see these imposing fighters in action, places are difficult to get. So make sure you organize. It would be a shame to miss this incredible show, typically Japanese!

15. Tasting local specialties to the central market of Marunaka

Are you hungry? It's okay! Come and enjoy one of the local specialties of Nagoya or the Japanese archipelago. Come on. yakitoris , sushi , tempuras , miso katsu and other traditional dishes, you will find what to put under the tooth. For the toughest, test an eel!

16. From Nagoya, discover Japan away from cities

Visiting Nagoya is not to remain a prisoner of his walls. You want to make a natural getaway, away from the city's growing up? What to do around Nagoya? In less than two hours, you can walk in the adorable villages of Magome or Nagiso. Mie prefecture , located south of Nagoya, also contains beautiful pearls, such as the park of Nabana No Sato or Mount Gozaicho. Closer to Nagoya, visit the castle of Inuyama or Chita Peninsula .

How to go to Nagoya?

To get to Nagoya from France, it takes about 14 hours of flight, at a minimum, with a stopover. Many airlines, such as Cathay Pacific, Air France or Qatar Airways, offer flights at affordable prices, taking into account the length of the journey. You can also take a direct flight to Tokyo, then join Nagoya by train and experience the Shinkansen! In any case, to help you make your choice, there are flight comparisons, such as Ulysses , which can guide you in your search for the best rates.

Nagoya Airport is located about 35 minutes from the centre. To reach it, you will have the choice between several options:

• By train: line Meitetsu Airport Line

Trains fastest ("" μSKY ») : departures every 30 minutes for Nagoya, count 28 minutes for 230 JPY (~9,81 €).

Trains slower ("" Limited express " ) : count about 37 minutes of travel for 870 JPY (~6,94 €) without reservation and in regular class. These trains also have a first class (on reservation only).

Good to know. : The JR Pass is not valid for these trains, however you can still exchange your coupon at the airport or the Nagoya train station.

• By bus

Every hour, several buses provide the Meistu airport/road bus route (including scheduled stops for important hotels such as the Hilton Nagoya): count 1h20 for 1,200 JPY (~9,7 €).

Good to know. For groups ranging from six to nine people, there are private minibuses such as Tsubame Airport Limousine that provide the ride. The fare depends on the destination.

• By taxi

Much more expensive (especially if you call it from your own leader), the taxi remains an option to reach Nagoya: count between 15,000 JPY (~119,66 €) and 16,000 JPY (~127,64 €).

Where to sleep in Nagoya?

From the youth hostel to the luxury hotel, to a ryokan or a hotel-capsule, there are for all tastes! If you are looking for a good value for money, you can search this Compare hotels which lists the best offers according to your search criteria. When you know where to stay in the city, you will have a choice between different areas such as the center, Osu or Atsuta Ward. Visit our article « In which quarter house in Nagoya? » to find your favorite corner!

Convinced? Nagoya is waiting for you!