Nagoya

Day Trips

Begin your day with a stroll through the lush gardens surrounding Nagoya Castle, admiring the reconstructed watch towers and panoramic views of the city skyline. Dive into the Hommaru Palace to marvel at its vibrant paintings and ornate sliding doors, each telling a story of samurai heritage. Capture stunning photos from the castle’s main keep before moving on to your next adventure.

Head to the nearby Ninomaru Tea House for a traditional matcha experience paired with wagashi sweets, soaking in authentic Japanese tea ceremony etiquette. Wander over to the Honmaru Garden, where koi ponds and meticulously pruned pines provide a serene backdrop for a leisurely walk. Finish your exploration with a visit to the small history museum on site, learning more about feudal life in Owari province.

Make your way to a local izakaya in the castle district, sampling specialty skewers and an ice-cold Asahi draft beer. As dusk falls, enjoy a gentle light-up of the castle walls, creating a magical contrast against the night sky. Cap off the night with a walk along Nishinomaru Garden’s pathways, illuminated by subtle lanterns.

Venture to Atsuta Shrine, one of Shinto’s most revered sites, to witness morning offerings and catch the tranquil atmosphere of ancient cedar trees. Admire the shrine’s main hall and glimpse the sacred Kusunoki no Miya plum tree, believed to grant good fortune. Stop at a small teahouse on the shrine grounds for a cup of roasted green tea.

Head to the surrounding streets for a hearty bowl of hitsumabushi, Nagoya’s famous grilled eel dish served with pickles and dashi broth. Stroll through the adjacent forested park, enjoying the contrast of bustling worshippers and serene woodlands. Make a quick detour to the nearby treasure hall to view centuries-old samurai armor and ceremonial swords.

Explore the modest shopping arcade around Kanayama Station, where neon signs and local pubs beckon. Try miso-katsu at a family-run restaurant, drenching crispy pork cutlets in rich red miso sauce. End the night at a lively karaoke bar, joining locals for an unforgettable sing-along session.

Start your day at Osu Kannon Temple, absorbing its spiritual energy and intricate pagoda architecture. Venture into the covered Osu Shopping Arcade, browsing vintage boutiques, anime shops and traditional craft stalls. Sample freshly made taiyaki, filled with sweet red bean paste, from a street vendor.

Delve deeper into electronics and collectible stores, hunting for retro games and unique souvenirs. Refuel with a sumptuous tonkatsu set at a popular local eatery before exploring hidden side alleys teeming with street art. Visit the Osu Nigiwai Plaza, where street performers and food stalls create a carnival-like atmosphere.

Dine at a fusion café serving innovative dishes like green curry ramen, blending Thai and Japanese flavors. Sip matcha lattes or flavored sake as the arcade lights up at night, casting a warm glow on shoppers. Enjoy live acoustic music at a cozy bar tucked away down a narrow alley.

Board a train for the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology to learn about the company’s evolution from textile looms to global automobiles. Witness historic machinery in action and interactive exhibits demonstrating robotics and innovation. Pause for a coffee at the museum café overlooking vintage car displays.

Take a short ride to Noritake Garden, once a factory site now transformed into elegant pottery studios and landscaped gardens. Try your hand at painting a porcelain plate in a guided workshop, creating a bespoke memento to take home. Wander through the European-style courtyards and visit the factory outlet for discounted Noritake china.

Return to central Nagoya for a refined dinner at a modern kaiseki restaurant, savoring multi-course seasonal dishes. Toast with a glass of local sake featuring subtle floral notes. Stroll along the nearby canal lined with softly lit trees, enjoying the peaceful urban oasis.

Embark on an early trip to SCMaglev and Railway Park, marveling at Japan’s futuristic magnetic levitation trains alongside classic steam engines. Dive into interactive simulators that let you pilot high-speed trains through tunnels and stations. Take time to study the intricate model railways, complete with miniature landscapes.

Enjoy a bento lunch in the museum’s dining hall, featuring fresh ingredients and local specialties. Explore the outdoor display area, climbing aboard retired locomotives and peering into historic passenger cars. Don’t miss the dedicated children’s corner, where you can engineer simple track layouts.

Head back to Nagoya Station and indulge in a wagyu beef teppanyaki dinner at one of the station’s upscale restaurants. Sip on a barrel-aged whiskey as chefs sear your steak tableside. End the night at the station’s sky lounge, gazing over the glittering rooftops of the city.

Travel north to Inuyama to visit one of Japan’s few remaining original castles, perched atop a limestone bluff overlooking the Kiso River. Climb the narrow wooden stairs to the keep for breathtaking vistas of rolling hills and river valleys. Descend to the castle grounds to admire traditional festival floats and period gardens.

Head to the nearby Meiji Mura open-air museum, where you’ll wander through meticulously preserved buildings from the Meiji era. Step inside a historic Western-style hotel lobby or a grand European villa, each transported from across Japan. Sip tea in the Parisian café setting, soaking in the harmonious blend of East and West.

Return to Nagoya for dinner at a hidden sake bar specializing in single-varietal brews from Aichi prefecture. Sample small plates of pickled vegetables and grilled fish as you compare tasting notes. Finish the evening with a leisurely walk along the illuminated river promenade.

Depart early by bus for Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage village known for its steep thatched-roof farmhouses. Wander through the quaint settlement of Ogimachi, pausing to chat with local craftspeople maintaining centuries-old timber structures. Warm up with freshly boiled soba noodles and sweet potato tempura at a roadside stall.

Hike up to the Shiroyama viewpoint for an aerial panorama of Gassho-zukuri rooftops clustered in lush valleys. Visit the Wada house museum to learn about traditional farming life and the ingenious roof design that withstands heavy snowfall. Enjoy a leisurely cup of local mugwort tea in a thatched café, watching the sun dapple through the wooden beams.

Return to Nagoya and indulge in a regional hot pot dinner at a cozy restaurant, featuring seasonal vegetables and thinly sliced meats. Savor every bite as warming broth and communal dining bring the day’s adventures full circle. Relax at your accommodation or take a brief nighttime stroll through the city’s quiet streets.

Make your way to the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium to witness majestic killer whales, playful dolphins, and a vast diversity of marine life. Catch the morning performance at the dolphin stadium, marveling at their acrobatic leaps and synchronized routines. Explore the cold-sea tanks housing penguins and seals in a recreated Antarctic environment.

Board a leisurely harbour cruise from the adjacent pier, drifting past massive cargo ships, container terminals, and industrial skylines. Learn about the port’s history and modern logistics from the onboard guide. Return for a seafood lunch at an ocean-view restaurant, sampling plump scallops and crisp tempura prawns.

Head to the nearby LACHIC shopping mall for dinner and evening entertainment under its illuminated glass dome. Choose from international eateries or local izakayas serving fresh sushi and sake cocktails. End your night with panoramic city views from the rooftop Sky Promenade, watching the harbor lights shimmer on the water.

Start your day exploring Sakae, Nagoya’s vibrant downtown hub, wandering through bustling department stores and trendy boutiques. Stop at a stylish café for a fluffy soufflé pancake paired with specialty coffee. Visit the historic Ōsu Kannon Tower for bird’s-eye views of the urban sprawl.

Descend into the subterranean mall beneath Oasis 21, admiring its futuristic spaceship-like glass roof and feeding koi in the central atrium pond. Browse luxury brands at Mitsukoshi department store and hunt for vinyl records at neighborhood music shops. Recharge with a hearty curry udon at a popular local noodle house.

Ascend to the Sky Promenade atop JR Central Towers, sipping chilled sake as the sun dips below the horizon. Dine at a high-rise teppanyaki restaurant, watching chefs flambé and sear filets to perfection. Wrap up your night with a leisurely walk along Hisaya Ōdori Park, illuminated by seasonal light displays.

Venture to Higashiyama Zoo to greet giraffes, lions, and the beloved red pandas in a sprawling hilltop setting. Wander through the reptile house and butterfly greenhouse, marveling at exotic species from around the globe. Pause at a café overlooking the savannah exhibit for a late-morning snack.

Explore the adjacent botanical gardens, where rose gardens, camellias, and seasonal blooms create a riot of color. Relax by the tranquil lakeside paths and watch koi dart beneath lily pads. Discover the small insectarium and learn about local pollinators through hands-on exhibits.

Return to central Nagoya for an unforgettable farewell dinner at a traditional kaiseki ryori restaurant. Indulge in beautifully arranged seasonal courses showcasing the region’s freshest seafood and vegetables. Culminate your journey with a final stroll through ambient lantern-lit streets, absorbing the city’s nocturnal charm.