Nagoya

Nagoya is an economic powerhouse, home to Japan’s auto manufacturing giants Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi. It once served as a castle town of the Owari, a branch of Japan’s ruling Tokugawa family during the Edo Period (1603–1868). Most of the town’s historic buildings, temples and shrines didn’t survive the WWII bombing campaigns – the Nagoya Castle we see today is a concrete recreation of the original that was built in the early Edo Period.

Most visitors to Japan often catch a glimpse of Nagoya between bullet train stops, but those who take the time to discover the city will find a very lively nightlife, great restaurants, and a number of interesting attractions. The city has a wonderful zoo and botanic gardens in Higashiyama, as well as an excellent orchid garden that will delight anyone who loves the delicate flora species.

What to see & do in Nagoya

Where & what to eat in Nagoya

Dining in Nagoya introduces you to a wonderful assortment of regional Japanese delights, fondly known as Nagoya meshi. Some of the local dishes that have also become national favourites include tebasaki chicken wings, Ogura toast, and red miso. Besides offering heritage food galore, Nagoya has you covered with a wide range of flavours, from Asian to Western. Sakae, Fushimi, and Meiki are among Nagoya’s best dining areas where you can find...

10 Best Local Dishes from Nagoya
Nagoya is renowned for its unique food culture, which is mostly based on dark-brown miso paste (akamiso) made with bean malts (mamekoji), such as dark miso (haccho miso). The local cuisine, known as Nagoya-meshi, is so popular that people visit...
10 Great Restaurants in Nagoya
Nagoya's cuisine has undergone its own evolution in this region and continues to thrive. Try some of the local delicacies...
10 Most Popular Food & Dining Areas in Nagoya
If you’re looking for a special place to spend your time in Nagoya, luxurious restaurants and lounges where you can...

Where to shop & what to buy in Nagoya

10 Best Shopping Experiences in Nagoya
The shopping scene in Nagoya ranges from big department stores to street and flea markets, and a whole lot more in between. Many visitors make a start at Nagoya Station (aka Meieki) because of its central location surrounded by big players like Takashimaya and Meitetsu department stores. It also helps that the actual station is built on top of huge underground...
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Where to go & what to do at night in Nagoya

Nagoya nightlife is best experienced in the city’s downtown districts. You’ll find a good mix of traditional izakayas, live music bars, and hip nightclubs just a short walk from the major railway stations. These include Fushimi and Nagoya, but Sakae is your best bet. The city is highly popular among night owls – many bars and clubs often stay open until very late. After a fun evening out, residents and partygoers...

Top recommended night spots in Nagoya
Experience Nagoya at night and you'll find that it's quite different from Nagoya in the daytime. Why not head to the Port of Nagoya, one of the world's largest trading ports, and have fun on a cruise or the giant...
7 Great Bars in Nagoya
Downtown Nagoya, especially the Sakae district, has all kinds of nightlife ranging from traditional Japanese bars to modern and international live music venues as well as nightclubs. The area’s vibrancy attracts not only residents but also partygoers from other nearby...

Useful information

Nagoya Travel Essentials
Our Nagoya Travel Essentials lays out the essential information you need to help you plan your trip to one of the most popular destinations in Japan. No matter how frequently you travel, some questions will always need answers: What's the weather like? How can I get from Chubu Centrair International Airport to my hotel? What currency and type of plug...
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