10 Best Things to do in Nagoya, Japan

Looking for the best things to do in Nagoya? We’ve got you covered!

Nagoya is one of Japan’s biggest cities, but it doesn’t always get as much attention as Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka. That’s a shame, because there’s so much to see here, from historic shrines and castles to amazing food. Plus, it’s an awesome base for day trips into the Japanese Alps.

It’s also the gateway to Ghibli Park, which is a huge draw in its own right! So whether you’re into anime, history, local cuisine, or just want to explore a less touristy side of Japan, Nagoya has plenty to offer. And to help you plan your trip, we’ve rounded up the best things to do in Nagoya. Let’s get into it!

Nagoya at a Glance 

Nagoya is one of Japan’s largest cities, conveniently located between Tokyo and Kyoto. With an impressive castle, fascinating museums, an incredible food scene, and easy access to Ghibli Park and some fantastic day trips, it’s well worth adding to a Japan itinerary!

Before you arrive, here are a few things worth knowing:

Important Tip: Book Ghibli Park tickets or a guided tour well in advance!

Getting around: Nagoya has an excellent subway and train network, so getting between the main city sights is easy without a car. The Shinkansen also makes Nagoya easy to reach from Tokyo or Kyoto, while tours are handy for places further afield like Ghibli Park and the Nakasendo Trail.

How long to stay: We recommend spending 2–3 days in Nagoya. This gives you enough time to see the city’s highlights, enjoy its famous food scene, and squeeze in a day trip.

What to eat: Come hungry because Nagoya has its own delicious food culture, known as Nagoya meshi! Miso katsu and tebasaki chicken wings are two must-tries, but there are plenty more local specialties to discover.

How I Would Spend Three Days in Nagoya

🏯 Day 1: Nagoya Highlights & City Lights
Explore Nagoya’s main highlights on a private guided tour, then dive into the local food scene with hitsumabushi for dinner. Finish up with spectacular views of the city lights from MIRAI TOWER.

🌳 Day 2: Ghibli Park or the Nakasendo Trail
Choose between a full-day Ghibli Park tour or a guided hike along the historic Nakasendo Trail, before heading back to Nagoya for dinner at a super unique and stylish beer hall.

⛩️ Day 3: Shrines, Street Food & Science
Visit one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines and then taste your way through Osu on a guided street food tour. Spend the afternoon exploring the interactive FUJI Nagoya Science Museum and end your trip with a special dinner at one of the city’s most historic hotels.

Things to do in Nagoya

1) Join a local to explore Nagoya’s essential sights

If it’s your first time in Nagoya, this private highlights tour with a local guide is the best way to get your bearings! You’ll cover several of the city’s biggest sights in one day, but because it’s a private tour, the pace feels much more flexible than a standard group itinerary.

The day starts at Nagoya Castle, where you can explore the beautiful Hommaru Palace and learn more about the city’s samurai history. The main castle tower is currently closed to visitors, but there’s still plenty to see here. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot one of Nagoya’s samurai or ninja performers!

From there, you’ll head into the city center to see places like Oasis 21, Sakae, Osu Shopping Street, and Osu Kannon Temple. We especially like that lunch is flexible, because your guide can help you choose somewhere to try one of Nagoya’s local specialties rather than taking you to a generic tourist restaurant.

But what really makes this tour stand out is the local insight. A good guide can add so much context to places you might otherwise pass by, especially when it comes to etiquette and small cultural details.

We definitely recommend doing this early in your stay. It’s a great introduction to Nagoya, and you’ll come away with lots of local recommendations, which are always super valuable!

2) Lose yourself in the magic of Ghibli Park 

If you love Studio Ghibli, then this tour is easily one of the most amazing things to do in Nagoya!

Ghibli Park brings some of the studio’s most famous worlds to life, and there’s so much charm packed into the different areas, from the Valley of Witches to Mononoke Village. The only problem is that getting Ghibli Park tickets independently can be really difficult – they’re like gold dust! But with this tour, your admission is already arranged so you can be sure that you won’t miss out on the magic.

As well as those all-important park tickets, you get round-trip transport from Nagoya, a bento lunch, and an English-speaking guide who explains what to expect before you arrive. Ghibli Park feels a bit like a giant maze, so this is a huge help!

Then, once you’re in the park, you get five hours to explore at your own pace. You can take in all the little details that make this place so special and spend longer in the areas that mean the most to you, whether that’s Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse or the Hill of Youth.

Depending on the day, you’ll also stop at an additional museum after Ghibli Park, which makes the whole tour feel even better value for money. For us, this tour is an absolute godsend for Studio Ghibli lovers, and even if you’re not a superfan, it’s such an enchanting place to visit! Unsurprisingly, it sells out fast, so be sure to book in advance.

3) Hike through forests and villages along the Nakasendo

We love hiking, so this tour was one of the experiences we were most excited about in Nagoya. In fact, getting out onto the historic Nakasendo Trail was a big reason we wanted to visit this part of Japan in the first place!

The tour starts in Tsumago-juku, a beautifully preserved former post town, then follows an old section of the Nakasendo toward Magome-juku. Parts of the route still have their original cobblestones, which were so cool to see, and the trail winds through thick forest and past two waterfalls. We won’t lie: some sections were quite steep, but the scenery made the effort worth it. 

Our guide, Aemir, was amazing. He knew so much about Japanese history and culture and kept pointing out little details we would definitely have missed on our own. We also loved that we could focus on actually enjoying the walk rather than constantly checking maps or worrying about taking a wrong turn.

One of our favorite stops was a little place selling oyaki (stuffed buckwheat dumplings). We tried the red bean version, and it was so delicious, especially after all of the hiking! We would have definitely missed this spot on our own, but fortunately, it’s Aemir’s favorite! 

By the time we reached Magome, we were tired but very happy. The traditional wooden buildings and mountain views were such a rewarding finish to the hike. If you love walking and want to see rural Japan, we think this tour is a must, and the glowing reviews certainly back us up on that!

4) Follow the indigo trail through historic Arimatsu 

For a quieter look at Nagoya’s history, we’d head to Arimatsu, a beautifully preserved district in the south of the city. Established in 1608 along the old Tokaido Road, the historic center still follows roughly 800 meters (2,625 feet) of the original route.

The streets are lined with traditional merchant houses and old storehouses, so it feels very different from the modern shopping areas around Sakae and Osu. It’s also compact enough to explore without needing to plan out a strict route, so you can just turn up and enjoy looking around! 

Arimatsu is especially famous for Arimatsu Narumi shibori, a traditional resist-dyeing technique practiced here for more than 400 years. During the process, the fabric is folded, stitched, tied, or compressed before dyeing, which creates those intricate patterns!

We’d start at the Arimatsu Narumi Shibori Hall to learn a bit about the craft before exploring the shops. You’ll find everything from handkerchiefs and scarves to clothing and bags, so it is an ideal place to pick up a souvenir with real history behind it.

5) Walk through ancient shrine grounds beside Ise Bay

For a completely different side of Japan, we’d absolutely recommend spending a day exploring Ise. It’s home to some of the country’s most important Shinto sites, and this small-group tour makes it really easy to experience the area from Nagoya without having to hire a car or plan all the transport yourself.

The main highlight is Ise Grand Shrine, where you’ll walk through peaceful grounds surrounded by towering cypress trees while your guide explains the traditions and etiquette behind the site. It’s so great to have a guide with you, because there’s so much meaning to what you’re seeing that you might otherwise miss!

You’ll also have time in Okage Yokocho, which is perfect for lunch and trying some local specialties. We can definitely recommend Ise udon or fried oysters, as they’re two of our favorite regional specialties. 

From there, the tour heads to Mikimoto Pearl Island, where you can learn how cultured pearls are produced and watch a demonstration by traditional Ama divers. This adds something completely different to the day, and then the final stop is Meoto Iwa. These are the famous “Wedded Rocks” connected by a sacred rope beside the sea. It’s such a beautiful place to end the tour! 

We also really like that this is a small-group experience, because the day feels personal and special, rather than like you’re just ticking off a bunch of sights. It’s definitely one of the best day trips from Nagoya, and that’s saying something.

6) Step aboard Japan’s railway history

Japan’s railway system is famous worldwide, so if you have even a passing interest in trains, the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park is well worth a visit. The museum is operated by JR Central, aka Japan’s main high-speed rail company! It traces the development of Japanese rail travel, from conventional trains through to the Tokaido Shinkansen and Japan’s cutting-edge superconducting maglev technology. 

We’ll be honest, we’re not huge “train people”, as it were, but we still found it super interesting to learn about how dramatically rail travel has changed over the years. It was cool to see the contrast between older trains and the sleek machines we travel on all over Japan today! 

So if, like us, you’ve spent time marveling at how amazingly efficient Japan’s rail system is, this museum is definitely worth a visit while you’re in Nagoya. Admission is also very reasonable at 1,200 JPY ($7.50 USD) for adults and 500 JPY ($3 USD) for school-age children, so it’s one of the more budget-friendly activities in town. 

The museum is open from 10 am to 5:30 pm, with final admission 30 minutes before closing. It normally closes on Tuesdays, but holiday schedules can change this, so check the opening calendar before you go.

7) Taste the dishes that give Nagoya its signature flavor

Nagoya has its own distinctive food scene, and we think this private street food tour through Osu is one of the best ways to make sure you don’t miss the local specialties!

The city is famous for having its own unique style of food, known as Nagoya meshi. We thought we knew Japanese food pretty well by the time we came to Nagoya, but actually, the flavors here were very different from what we had encountered elsewhere in Japan! 

On this tour, you’ll try five different street foods, which might include miso kushi katsu, deep-fried pork coated in Nagoya’s rich red miso sauce, plus gohei mochi, karaage, tenmusu, and steamed buns. We especially like that the tastings include dishes you might not think to order on your own, which is exactly why food tours can be so useful.

There’s also more to the experience than eating! Your guide will take you through the Osu area and explain more about the neighborhood’s history, temples, and hidden corners as you go. You’ll even stop at Osu Kannon Temple and learn a little about the difference between Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

As far as we’re concerned, this tour is the best way to get to know Nagoya’s food scene. You get to try a proper cross-section of local favorites without spending half the day researching what to order or where to find it. Just come hungry, and you can’t go wrong!

8) Pause beside the ponds of the Shirotori Garden

Sometimes, you need a break from the busy city streets. And when that craving hit us in Nagoya, we headed to Shirotori Garden for a breather! 

If you’ve ever pictured a traditional Japanese landscape garden, this is it! It’s built around a central pond, with cute little bridges and streams everywhere you look. But there’s more thought behind the design than you might realize at first glance. The garden is actually meant to represent the wider Chubu region, with its stream evoking the Kiso River flowing from Mount Ontake towards Ise Bay.

We really liked that detail because it made the garden feel like more than just somewhere pretty to wander around. We were basically walking through a miniature version of the local landscape!

There’s also a traditional tea room complex beside the water, where you can order matcha with a Japanese sweet. The tea service wasn’t available when we visited, which is a shame as we think it would have been a really nice addition to our visit. 

Admission to the park is very affordable at 300 JPY ($2 USD) for adults, while kids aged 14 and under can go for free! The garden is usually open from 9 am to 4:30 pm and closed on Mondays, so check the calendar before you go. 

9) Cross into the Japanese Alps for a day of living history

The Japanese Alps are one of the country’s most beautiful regions, with dramatic mountain scenery and traditional villages that feel straight out of a postcard! The pace of life here is much slower than you’ll find in cities like Tokyo and Osaka, so it’s an awesome way to experience another side of Japan. Plus, when you visit from Nagoya on this full-day trip to Takayama and Shirakawa-go, you won’t have to organize transport yourself or move hotels!

You’ll visit Takayama first, where the preserved old town is filled with traditional wooden merchant houses and streets that take you right back to the Edo period. We love visiting this town because it really makes us feel immersed in old Japan.

After that, the tour continues to Shirakawa-go, one of Japan’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage sites. This village is known for its distinctive gassho-style houses, with steep thatched roofs designed to cope with heavy mountain snow. And, better still, all of this is set against rice fields and forested hills – talk about postcard perfect!

Visiting both places independently from Nagoya takes a fair bit of planning, which can be tricky with public transport in rural Japan. This tour makes it so much easier, and you can even opt to include lunch. We definitely recommend doing this, because then you’ll get to enjoy Hida beef, which is a local specialty that’s famous for its buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture – yum. 

10) Visit Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

If you’re after an easy, family-friendly day out in Nagoya, Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens is an ideal option! The site combines a huge zoo with a botanical garden, so there’s loads to see, and you can easily spend most of the day here. 

We really like that because it doesn’t feel like you’re just visiting one attraction. You can spend a few hours seeing the animals, then enjoy a wander through the gardens afterward. It’s great for parents and kids alike!

Admission is also really affordable at 500 JPY ($3.50 USD) for adults, or 640 JPY ($4.50 USD) for a combined ticket that also includes Higashiyama Sky Tower. For that price, it’s pretty incredible value!

If you’re short on time, though, we’d recommend deciding what you most want to see before you arrive. The grounds are big, so you probably won’t want to rush around trying to cover every single corner.

We’d also aim to get there earlier in the day. The zoo and gardens open at 9 am, but some animals start heading back to their indoor enclosures around 4 pm.

The site is usually closed on Mondays and also shuts from December 29 to January 1, so double-check your dates before you go. For families especially, this is a fun and wholesome addition to your Nagoya itinerary!

Related Read: Need help organizing your trip? See our ideal 1, 2, or 3 day Nagoya itinerary for these top activities, and more, all planned out for you!

Where to Stay in Nagoya

With so many of Nagoya’s best things to do within easy reach of the city center, we recommend staying somewhere central and well-connected. Sakae is our top choice for first-time visitors, thanks to its excellent subway connections, fantastic restaurants, shopping, and nearby attractions like MIRAI TOWER and Oasis 21. So, we’ve picked three great hotels in Sakae for every budget!

The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Nagoya – $$$

For a stylish high-rise stay in the heart of Sakae, look no further than The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Nagoya. It occupies the 24th through 32nd floors of the Chunichi Building and offers incredible views toward Nagoya Castle, Hisaya-odori Park, and MIRAI TOWER.

The hotel is also directly connected to Sakae and Sakaemachi stations through the underground mall, which is honestly a lifesaver when it’s raining or you’re carrying shopping bags!

Back at the hotel, you’ll find a tea lounge, four restaurants, a fitness center with a sauna, and a rooftop bar. As for pricing, rooms typically cost between 21,300 and 80,900 JPY ($145–$550 USD) per night. Check availability and book your stay at The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Nagoya here!

Hotel Forza Nagoya Sakae – $$

For our top mid-range pick in Sakae, we recommend Hotel Forza Nagoya Sakae. It’s just a 5-minute walk from Yaba-cho Station and around a 7-minute walk from Sakae Station, so getting around the city couldn’t be easier. 

We also love that this hotel provides a portable electric massager in every room; a small perk your legs will definitely appreciate after a full day of sightseeing! The breakfast buffet also serves a mix of local, Japanese, and Western favorites, which we always appreciate. 

Rooms generally cost between 8,800 and 23,500 JPY ($60–$160 USD) per night, depending on the season. In our opinion, this is excellent value for a modern hotel in central Sakae. See the latest room rates and book your stay at Hotel Forza Nagoya Sakae here!

the b nagoya – $

If you’re looking for something even more budget-friendly, the b nagoya is a fantastic choice. It’s just a 3-minute walk from Exit 13 of Sakae Station and less than five minutes walking from Yaba-cho Station, putting two of Nagoya’s most useful subway lines within easy reach.

The rooms are simple, but the little extras make this hotel stand out. For example, you’ll enjoy free coffee in the lobby, plus every room comes with a fridge, which is super handy for storing drinks and snacks. There’s also a 24-hour convenience store downstairs, so you can grab breakfast or a late-night treat whenever you need one.

Price-wise, rooms typically cost a very reasonable 6,600–14,000+ JPY ($45–$95+ USD) per night. Browse current prices and secure your central Nagoya stay here!

Want to see more great accommodations? Check out all the listings for Nagoya here!

Thanks for reading!

Nagoya might not have the instant name recognition of Tokyo or Kyoto, but that’s part of what makes exploring it so much fun! One minute you’re wandering through a centuries-old shrine, the next you’re surrounded by Studio Ghibli magic, digging into miso-covered local specialties, or heading into the mountains to walk an ancient trail. There’s a little bit of everything here, and we loved discovering just how much Nagoya has going for it.

Hopefully, you’re now just as excited to explore Nagoya as we were! If you’re planning a bigger adventure through Japan, check out all of our Japan blogs here, or keep scrolling for a few more of our favorite guides to help plan your trip.

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