Nagoya

Japan

For the city in Batam, Indonesia, see Nagoya (Indonesia).

Nagoya (名古屋) is the capital and largest city of Aichi prefecture, in the Chubu region of Honshu.

The hub of the Aichi region, Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city after Tokyo, Yokohama and Osaka and one of the nation's major economic centers. In terms of manufacturing, as home to auto-making giants Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi Motors, Nagoya is to Japan what Detroit is to the United States — which, along with having been completely flattened during World War II, also explains why it's not one of Japan's top tourist draws and most tourists just zip through on the bullet train on their way between Tokyo and Kyoto. But if you do decide to stick around, there are plenty of car-related attractions, a restored castle, an ancient shrine and surprisingly happening nightlife.

Nagoya Castle Honmaru Palace Now a modern metropolis, Nagoya gets its name from an old manor called Nagono which was built in the area in the 12th century. The manor prospered for two hundred years, and people began to refer to the area by the manor's name. Over time, the pronunciation of the Chinese characters in the name "Nagono" shifted to "Nagoya", by which the city is now known.

Three famous local figures later helped to put Nagoya firmly on the map of Japan. Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu all hailed from around Nagoya, and all shared the ambitious goal of unifying Japan under one government. Tokugawa finally succeeded in 1603 after winning in the Battle of Sekigahara, and established the Tokugawa Shogunate, which would rule Japan for the next 250 years.

Soon after uniting the country, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the construction of Nagoya Castle for his son. He then ordered the people of nearby Kiyosu (on the outskirts of Nagoya) to move to the area around the castle, and a town soon came into being. Cotton, ceramics and lumber were the main industries sustaining the town as it grew into a small city.

Following Japan's opening to the world during the Meiji era, Nagoya rapidly industrialized and established transportation links with the rest of Japan that would allow it to easily export its goods. During World War I, Nagoya became known for its foundries as well as its machinery and heavy industry exports, which would continue to grow throughout the 1930s.

The 1920s marked the beginnings of the automotive industry in Nagoya, which continues in importance to the current day. At the heart of the industry is the Toyota Motor Corporation. Starting from humble beginnings as a loom-making company, Toyota entered into the automobile business in the 1930s. It now stands as the world's largest automaker, and continues to dominate the local economy along with the car-making giants Honda and Mitsubishi.

During World War II, much of Nagoya's manufacturing infrastructure turned to the production of military goods, making it a prime target for bombing raids. Almost 25% of the city was destroyed during the war, with almost half the population fleeing to the countryside to avoid the attacks.

The end of the war marked a new start for Nagoya. Car-friendly wide streets and boulevards were bulldozed through the rubble of war, making for the city of today.

Nagoya now ranks as one of the nation's economic powerhouses, and is home to the head offices of Toyota Motor Corporation, Brother Industries, Daido Steel, Makita, Denso Corporation, INAX, Suzuki Motor, Honda Motor, Noritake, NGK Insulators, Olympus Optical, Yamaha and many others. Unlike other parts of Japan, which borrowed heavily for elaborate and expensive public works projects in the bubble years of the 1980s, kechi ("miserly") Nagoya held to a pay-as-you-go philosophy, and has not been as adversely affected by the post-bubble recession as other major centers.

The booming economy has also brought many foreigners to the area, and the region now hosts a thriving community of Japanese-descent Brazilian immigrants, who help to keep the wheels of the local economy spinning. With its strong economy and growing population, Nagoya is a city to watch in the coming years.

Nagoya's climate varies greatly throughout the year, with average temperatures ranging from a low of 4°C (39.2°F) in January to a high of 27°C (80.6°F) in August. The city is known for its incredibly hot and humid summers like many cities in Japan, with high temperatures routinely surpassing 30°C (86°F)in August, so those with an aversion to heat would be better off visiting in the milder temperatures of the spring or autumn.

While divided into 16 wards or ku (区), the focal points of this sprawling agglomeration are Nagoya Station (名古屋駅) to the north, Sakae (栄) to the east and Kanayama (金山) to the south.

Nagoya Convention and Visitors Bureau, Nagoya Chamber of Commerce & Industry Bldg. 11F, 2-10-19 Sakae, Naka-ku, +81 52 202-1143 (Tourism Dept). Operates three tourist information centers across the city:

Nagoya Convention and Visitors Bureau, Nagoya Chamber of Commerce & Industry Bldg. 11F, 2-10-19 Sakae, Naka-ku, +81 52 202-1143 (Tourism Dept). Operates three tourist information centers across the city:

Nagoya Station Tourist Information, 1-1-4 Meieki, Nakamura-ku (JR Nagoya Station Central Concourse (towards Sakura-dori side), +81 52-541-4301. Daily 09:00-19:00, closed Dec 29-Jan 1.

Kanayama Tourist Information, LOOP Kanayama 1F, 1-17-18 Kanayama, Naka-ku (Located at the N exit of Kanayama Station., +81 52-323-0161. Daily 09:00-20:00, closed Dec 29-Jan 1.

Sakae Tourist Information, Oasis 21 B1F, 1-11-1, Higashisakura, Higashi-ku (By subway, get off at Sakae Station and take exit 4A. Located in Oasis 21 underground shopping concourse., +81 52-963-5252. Daily 10:00-20:00.

Atsuta Jingū Tokugawa Garden Noritake Garden with its old factory Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology Nagoya Port Aquarium SCMaglev and Railway Park Ōsu Kannon

  • Port of Nagoya Aquarium, +81 52 654-7080. Daily 09:30-17:00 (until 20:00 Jul 21-Aug 31). (site in Japanese) Large aquarium featuring a number of different marine environments, including killer whales. Adults ¥2,000.
  • Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, 4-1-35 Noritake Shinmachi, Nishi-ku (3 minute walk from Meitetsu Sako Stn (Nagoya line), 10-minute walk from exit 2, Subway: Kamejima Station (Higashiyama Line), +81 52-551-6115. Tu-Su 09:30-17:00 (last admission 16:30), (restaurant open until 21:00), closed M (Tu if M is a holiday), New Year's holidays. Built on the site of one of Toyota's original loom factories, this museum tells the story of the Toyota corporation, from its beginnings as an industrial loom manufacturer to its transformation into one of the world's largest car manufacturers. Includes large loom machinery and car display halls as well as a hands-on "Technoland" with interactive science exhibits. Museum also includes a library, video library with personal viewing booths, restaurant, cafe, and gift shop. Displays, brochures, and audioguides available in English and several other languages. Barrier-free access for disabled visitors. Freespot Wi-Fi access available. Adults ¥500, Jr. & Sr. high school students: ¥300, Elem. School Students: ¥200.
  • Nagoya City Art Museum, 2-17-25 Sakae, Naka-ku (8 min on foot S of Fushimi stn (Higashiyama, Tsurumai Line), exit 5, +81 52-212-0001. Tu-Th Sa Su 09:30-17:00, F 09:30-20:00 (last admission 30 min before closing), closed M (Tu when M is a national holiday), Dec 29-Jan 3. Collection of 2,000 works including pieces by Modigliani, Laurencin, and Utrillo, as well as those of local artists, such as Takanori Ogisu and Tamiji Kitagawa. Permanent collection: adults ¥300, students over 16 ¥200, under 15 free.
  • Nagoya Castle, +81 52-231-1700. Daily 09:00-16:30, closed Dec 29-Jan 1. Trumpeted as a famous landmark, particularly the two golden carp (金の鯱 kin-no-shachi) on the roof. The original castle was home to Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan's famous warlords. Largely destroyed during the war, the current castle is a concrete replica of the original, and was completed in 1959. The Castle houses an interesting museum (no flash photography on 1st floor), observation deck, and surrounding gardens. Free English tours with volunteer English speaking Japanese guides are sometimes available. See also Japanese castles. Adults ¥500, Jr. high school students and younger free.
  • Atsuta Shrine. This shrine houses the sacred Kusanagi no mitsurugi (草薙神剣) sword, one of the three Imperial regalia of Japan — but unfortunately nobody but the emperor and a few high priests get to see it. There are some 4,400 other artifacts on the grounds though and the shrine hosts some 70 festivals every year.
  • Shirotori Garden. In this Japanese garden you can see and feed koi fish in large ponds, take a look at the tea ceremony house, and also view the beautiful waterfall. On spring the plum trees bloom beautifully and on autumn you can enjoy the night illumination. Adults ¥300, middle-schoolers and younger free.
  • Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts, 1-1-1 Kanayama-cho, Naka-ku (next to Kanayama station, +81 52-684-0786. Tu-F 10:00-19:00, Sa Su holidays 10:00-17:00, closed M. Like any world-class art museum, the MFA in Boston, USA has far more in its archives than it can reasonably display. This sister institution is one way to make the most of the extensive collection. Student/adult admission: ¥300/400 for the general collection, ¥900/1200 for special exhibits.
  • Nittai-ji Temple, nittai-ji, 1-1 Hōhōchō, Chikusa-ku, +81 52-751-2121. Among the 165,000 m² of temple grounds is the 15 meter Gandhara-style Taian Pagoda, which houses relics of the Buddha that were presented to Japan by the king of Thailand. Unlike any other temple in Japan, Nittai-ji does not belong to a particular sect, and is instead managed by a different sect every 3 years.
  • Shirakawa Park. Beautiful trees, Nagoya Science and Modern Art Museums.
  • Tokugawa Art Museum, 1017, Tokugawa-cho, Higashi-ku (10 minutes on foot from the South exit of JR Ōzone stn. (JR Chuo line), or a 15-minute walk from exit 3 of Ōzone Subway Station (Meijo line)., +81 52-935-6262. Daily 10:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30). Displays some treasures of the Tokugawa family. Located next door to the beautiful Tokugawa-en Japanese gardens (additional admission charge required).
  • Kōshō-ji Temple, +81 52-832-2801. Koshoji Temple was established in the 17th century by the Tokugawa family. The temple hosts the annual "1,000 Lantern Festival." There are numerous restaurants and universities surrounding the Koshoji Temple area.
  • Shiroyama Hakusan Shrine. Formerly the Suemori Castle, the present day Shrine hosts festivals that feature Japanese dance and music.
  • Tōgan-ji Temple. Dating back to the 16th century, this temple features a statue of the seated Buddha and has many ties to Hindu religion, particularly a temple honoring the Goddess Saraswati, who is honored in a Benzaiten Festival every May 7–8. Toganji also contains a huge wood block said to purge past sins if touched with one hand.
  • Nagoya City Science Museum. Tu-Su 09:30-17:00; closed Monday, third Friday every month, and Dec 29-Jan 3. Located in the city centre, this museum houses loads of interactive exhibitions and a planetarium. It's mostly geared towards children and there is very little information in English, although they offer a guide app. ¥400 (¥800 incl. planetarium).
  • Arako Kannon Temple, Arako-cho, Nakagawa-ku (SE of Takabata subway station (Higashiyama line). Walk S from the major crossroads with Yagumo-dori. Follow the sign to reach the temple, which is a few hundred meters down the street, on the S side., +81 52-361-1778. This small temple is the oldest building in Nagoya, with original construction on the site dating from the Heian Period (8th century). Despite several fires which destroyed older portions of the temple, the Tahoto pagoda on site remains intact after 472 years.
  • Ōsu Kannon Temple, 21-47 Osu 2-chome, Naka-ku (S of Osu Kannon subway stn. (Tsurumai line), exit 2, +81 52-231-6525. Founded in the Kamakura era (1192-1333), this temple was moved to its current location by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612. The present main temple on the site was reconstructed in 1970. Check out the main hall or buy an お守り (omamori) charm in the gift shop for good luck. The grounds in front of the temple are host to a small flea market twice every month.
  • Fujigaoka. Fujigaoka is known for its cherry blossoms (sakura) trees in the spring lining the streets. It is close to the site of the 2005 World Expo held in Nagakute, a 15-min linear motor car (Linimo) train ride from Fujigaoka station. This quaint little area at the edge of town has a plethora of shops, boutiques, patisseries and coffee shops. They also hold a market the 3rd Sunday of every month.

Nagoya TV Tower viewed from Oasis 21

  • Nagoya TV Tower, Hisaya-ōdōri kōen, Naka-ku (Subway: Hisaya Odori Station (Meijo line/Sakura-dori line), +81 52-971-8546. Daily 10:00-21:00. Standing 180 meters tall, the Nagoya TV Tower is Japan's oldest - predating even the Tokyo Tower. Take an elevator to the 100-m-high sky balcony for great views of Hisaya-odori park and Sakae. Under the tower is a small terrace with tables and a number of small food stands. Adults: ¥500, children ¥250.
  • Hisaya-Odori Park. Nice trees and fountains, Nagoya TV Tower observation deck. On weekend afternoons and evenings, local musicians set up in and around the park and strut their stuff for the passers-by.
  • Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, Aichi Arts Center, 10F, 1-13-2 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku (3-min walk via Oasis 21 park from Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines) or Sakaemachi station (Meitetsu Seto Line), +81 52-971-5511. Tu-Th Sa Su 10:00-18:00; F 10:00-20:00 (last admission: 30 min before closing), closed M (or Tu if M is a public holiday), Dec 28-Jan 3. Collection features international and Japanese 20th century art, including works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Gustav Klimt, Paul Klee, Joan Miro, Max Ernst, German Expressionists, Surrealists, and postwar US artists. Japanese collection features the art of Yuichi Takahashi, Ryuzaburo Umehara, Sotaro Yasui, Taikan Yokoyama, and Shunso Hishida. Two private collections donated to the museum also include Edo-period paintings and traditional crafts. Permanent collection: ¥500; high-school/college students: ¥300; high-school groups, junior high-school students, children 12 and under, disabled visitors and escorts: free.

Nagoya TV Tower, Hisaya-ōdōri kōen, Naka-ku (Subway: Hisaya Odori Station (Meijo line/Sakura-dori line), +81 52-971-8546. Daily 10:00-21:00. Standing 180 meters tall, the Nagoya TV Tower is Japan's oldest - predating even the Tokyo Tower. Take an elevator to the 100-m-high sky balcony for great views of Hisaya-odori park and Sakae. Under the tower is a small terrace with tables and a number of small food stands. Adults: ¥500, children ¥250.

Hisaya-Odori Park. Nice trees and fountains, Nagoya TV Tower observation deck. On weekend afternoons and evenings, local musicians set up in and around the park and strut their stuff for the passers-by.

Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, Aichi Arts Center, 10F, 1-13-2 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku (3-min walk via Oasis 21 park from Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines) or Sakaemachi station (Meitetsu Seto Line), +81 52-971-5511. Tu-Th Sa Su 10:00-18:00; F 10:00-20:00 (last admission: 30 min before closing), closed M (or Tu if M is a public holiday), Dec 28-Jan 3. Collection features international and Japanese 20th century art, including works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Gustav Klimt, Paul Klee, Joan Miro, Max Ernst, German Expressionists, Surrealists, and postwar US artists. Japanese collection features the art of Yuichi Takahashi, Ryuzaburo Umehara, Sotaro Yasui, Taikan Yokoyama, and Shunso Hishida. Two private collections donated to the museum also include Edo-period paintings and traditional crafts. Permanent collection: ¥500; high-school/college students: ¥300; high-school groups, junior high-school students, children 12 and under, disabled visitors and escorts: free.

Port of Nagoya Aquarium, +81 52 654-7080. Daily 09:30-17:00 (until 20:00 Jul 21-Aug 31). (site in Japanese) Large aquarium featuring a number of different marine environments, including killer whales. Adults ¥2,000.

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, 4-1-35 Noritake Shinmachi, Nishi-ku (3 minute walk from Meitetsu Sako Stn (Nagoya line), 10-minute walk from exit 2, Subway: Kamejima Station (Higashiyama Line), +81 52-551-6115. Tu-Su 09:30-17:00 (last admission 16:30), (restaurant open until 21:00), closed M (Tu if M is a holiday), New Year's holidays. Built on the site of one of Toyota's original loom factories, this museum tells the story of the Toyota corporation, from its beginnings as an industrial loom manufacturer to its transformation into one of the world's largest car manufacturers. Includes large loom machinery and car display halls as well as a hands-on "Technoland" with interactive science exhibits. Museum also includes a library, video library with personal viewing booths, restaurant, cafe, and gift shop. Displays, brochures, and audioguides available in English and several other languages. Barrier-free access for disabled visitors. Freespot Wi-Fi access available. Adults ¥500, Jr. & Sr. high school students: ¥300, Elem. School Students: ¥200.

Nagoya City Art Museum, 2-17-25 Sakae, Naka-ku (8 min on foot S of Fushimi stn (Higashiyama, Tsurumai Line), exit 5, +81 52-212-0001. Tu-Th Sa Su 09:30-17:00, F 09:30-20:00 (last admission 30 min before closing), closed M (Tu when M is a national holiday), Dec 29-Jan 3. Collection of 2,000 works including pieces by Modigliani, Laurencin, and Utrillo, as well as those of local artists, such as Takanori Ogisu and Tamiji Kitagawa. Permanent collection: adults ¥300, students over 16 ¥200, under 15 free.

Nagoya Castle, +81 52-231-1700. Daily 09:00-16:30, closed Dec 29-Jan 1. Trumpeted as a famous landmark, particularly the two golden carp (金の鯱 kin-no-shachi) on the roof. The original castle was home to Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan's famous warlords. Largely destroyed during the war, the current castle is a concrete replica of the original, and was completed in 1959. The Castle houses an interesting museum (no flash photography on 1st floor), observation deck, and surrounding gardens. Free English tours with volunteer English speaking Japanese guides are sometimes available. See also [[Japanese castles]]. Adults ¥500, Jr. high school students and younger free.

Atsuta Shrine. This shrine houses the sacred Kusanagi no mitsurugi (草薙神剣) sword, one of the three Imperial regalia of Japan — but unfortunately nobody but the emperor and a few high priests get to see it. There are some 4,400 other artifacts on the grounds though and the shrine hosts some 70 festivals every year.

Shirotori Garden. In this Japanese garden you can see and feed koi fish in large ponds, take a look at the tea ceremony house, and also view the beautiful waterfall. On spring the plum trees bloom beautifully and on autumn you can enjoy the night illumination. Adults ¥300, middle-schoolers and younger free.

Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts, 1-1-1 Kanayama-cho, Naka-ku (next to Kanayama station, +81 52-684-0786. Tu-F 10:00-19:00, Sa Su holidays 10:00-17:00, closed M. Like any world-class art museum, the MFA in Boston, USA has far more in its archives than it can reasonably display. This sister institution is one way to make the most of the extensive collection. Student/adult admission: ¥300/400 for the general collection, ¥900/1200 for special exhibits.

Nittai-ji Temple, nittai-ji, 1-1 Hōhōchō, Chikusa-ku, +81 52-751-2121. Among the 165,000 m² of temple grounds is the 15 meter Gandhara-style Taian Pagoda, which houses relics of the Buddha that were presented to Japan by the king of Thailand. Unlike any other temple in Japan, Nittai-ji does not belong to a particular sect, and is instead managed by a different sect every 3 years.

Shirakawa Park. Beautiful trees, Nagoya Science and Modern Art Museums.

Tokugawa Art Museum, 1017, Tokugawa-cho, Higashi-ku (10 minutes on foot from the South exit of JR Ōzone stn. (JR Chuo line), or a 15-minute walk from exit 3 of Ōzone Subway Station (Meijo line)., +81 52-935-6262. Daily 10:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30). Displays some treasures of the Tokugawa family. Located next door to the beautiful Tokugawa-en Japanese gardens (additional admission charge required).

Kōshō-ji Temple, +81 52-832-2801. Koshoji Temple was established in the 17th century by the Tokugawa family. The temple hosts the annual "1,000 Lantern Festival." There are numerous restaurants and universities surrounding the Koshoji Temple area.

Shiroyama Hakusan Shrine. Formerly the Suemori Castle, the present day Shrine hosts festivals that feature Japanese dance and music.

Tōgan-ji Temple. Dating back to the 16th century, this temple features a statue of the seated Buddha and has many ties to Hindu religion, particularly a temple honoring the Goddess Saraswati, who is honored in a Benzaiten Festival every May 7–8. Toganji also contains a huge wood block said to purge past sins if touched with one hand.

Nagoya City Science Museum. Tu-Su 09:30-17:00; closed Monday, third Friday every month, and Dec 29-Jan 3. Located in the city centre, this museum houses loads of interactive exhibitions and a planetarium. It's mostly geared towards children and there is very little information in English, although they offer a guide app. ¥400 (¥800 incl. planetarium).

Arako Kannon Temple, Arako-cho, Nakagawa-ku (SE of Takabata subway station (Higashiyama line). Walk S from the major crossroads with Yagumo-dori. Follow the sign to reach the temple, which is a few hundred meters down the street, on the S side., +81 52-361-1778. This small temple is the oldest building in Nagoya, with original construction on the site dating from the Heian Period (8th century). Despite several fires which destroyed older portions of the temple, the Tahoto pagoda on site remains intact after 472 years.

Ōsu Kannon Temple, 21-47 Osu 2-chome, Naka-ku (S of Osu Kannon subway stn. (Tsurumai line), exit 2, +81 52-231-6525. Founded in the Kamakura era (1192-1333), this temple was moved to its current location by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612. The present main temple on the site was reconstructed in 1970. Check out the main hall or buy an お守り (omamori) charm in the gift shop for good luck. The grounds in front of the temple are host to a small flea market twice every month.

Fujigaoka. Fujigaoka is known for its cherry blossoms (sakura) trees in the spring lining the streets. It is close to the site of the [[Wikivoyage:Past_events/Expo 2005|2005 World Expo]] held in [[Nagakute]], a 15-min linear motor car (Linimo) train ride from Fujigaoka station. This quaint little area at the edge of town has a plethora of shops, boutiques, patisseries and coffee shops. They also hold a market the 3rd Sunday of every month.

  • Ride the gold and white Nagoya Sightseeing Bus Me-Guru past many of the city's main attractions. Operates T-Su. Offers hop-on-hop-off hourly service Tu-F from 09:30-17:30, and Sa Su every half hour. Closed M, year-end holidays. Daypass: adults ¥500, children ¥250. (includes discount on featured attractions). Single ride: adults ¥200, children ¥100. Daypasses may be purchased getting on the bus. 1-day transport passes also accepted.
  • Catch a traditional Japanese Noh play at the Nagoya Noh Theatre. (Subway: Shiyakusho stn.)
  • Go for a jog (or a walk) around beautiful Meijo Park (名城公園 Meijo Koen), one of Nagoya's largest green spaces, and take in the great view of Nagoya Castle (Subway: Meijo-Koen station, Meijo line). Showers and lockers available.
  • Higashiyama Park (東山公園 Higashiyama-koen). (Higashiyama-koen station). Features a zoo, conservatory, monorail, roller coasters, "sky tower" and a great deal of open space.

Nagoya Sumo Tournament Nagoya matsuri Tsutsui-chō/Dekimachi tennōsai

  • Nagoya Sumo Tournament, Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, 1-1 Ninomaru, Naka-ku (A short walk from Shiyakusho stn. (Meijo Line), +81 52-221-0737. 15 days mid-July. Watch the big boys of Japanese sumo battle it out in Nagoya. An annual tradition. Tickets are generally available at the counter unless it is the first or last day. Ticket prices start at ¥3,200 and up. The cheapest seats are fine for first-time sumo watchers and are not much worse than the ¥4,700 seats.
  • Osu Summer Festival. Yearly street festival held in the shopping streets around Osu Kannon temple. Featuring live stage performances, street performers, Brazilian samba parade and cosplay parade.
  • World Cosplay Summit. An otaku's dream come true. Watch as anime fans from around the world dress up as their favorite characters and parade around the streets of Nagoya. The Summit culminates with the World Cosplay Championship (世界コスプレチャンピオンシップ Sekai-kosupure-championshippu), pitting teams from a number of countries as they show off their costumes and perform stage shows. Cheer on your nation's entry or just stare in wonderment at the strangeness of it all.
  • Nagoya Castle Summer Night Festival, +81 52-231-1700. A traditional-style summer festival, complete with lanterns, numerous styles of traditional bon-odori (盆踊り ) circle dancing (to honour family ancestors), festival stalls, and a beer garden under an illuminated Nagoya castle. ¥500, ¥400 if wearing a yukata, free for middle-school students and younger.

Nagoya Sumo Tournament, Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, 1-1 Ninomaru, Naka-ku (A short walk from Shiyakusho stn. (Meijo Line), +81 52-221-0737. 15 days mid-July. Watch the big boys of Japanese sumo battle it out in Nagoya. An annual tradition. Tickets are generally available at the counter unless it is the first or last day. Ticket prices start at ¥3,200 and up. The cheapest seats are fine for first-time sumo watchers and are not much worse than the ¥4,700 seats.

Osu Summer Festival. Yearly street festival held in the shopping streets around Osu Kannon temple. Featuring live stage performances, street performers, Brazilian samba parade and cosplay parade.

World Cosplay Summit. An otaku's dream come true. Watch as anime fans from around the world dress up as their favorite characters and parade around the streets of Nagoya. The Summit culminates with the World Cosplay Championship (世界コスプレチャンピオンシップ Sekai-kosupure-championshippu), pitting teams from a number of countries as they show off their costumes and perform stage shows. Cheer on your nation's entry or just stare in wonderment at the strangeness of it all.

Nagoya Castle Summer Night Festival, +81 52-231-1700. A traditional-style summer festival, complete with lanterns, numerous styles of traditional bon-odori (盆踊り ) circle dancing (to honour family ancestors), festival stalls, and a beer garden under an illuminated Nagoya castle. ¥500, ¥400 if wearing a yukata, free for middle-school students and younger.

  • Midland Square Cinemas, Midland Square Bldg. 5F, Meieki 4 chome 7-1, Nakamura-ku (across from JR Nagoya Stn. (Subway: Nagoya Stn.), +81 52-527-8808. On the 5th floor of the towering Midland Square building, this complex boasts 7 screens with stadium seating, and shows a range of popular Hollywood and Japanese mainstream movies.
  • 109 Cinemas Nagoya, La Vamo Sasashima 2F, 4-60-14 Hiraike-cho, Nakamura-ku (13-min walk south of JR Nagoya stn. or 5-minute walk from Sasashima Raibu stn (JR Aonami line), +81 52 541-3109. Located in a relatively new entertainment complex, this large movie theater contains 10 cinemas with stadium seating and shows a mix of Hollywood and mainstream Japanese films.
  • Nagoya Cinémathèque, Imaike Star Bldg. 2F, Imaike 1 chome 6-13, Chikusa-ku (W of Imaike subway station (Subway: Higashiyama, Sakura-dori lines). Exit via subway exit 9 and turn 180 degrees to face the Nakaya bakery （中屋パン）. Walk towards the bakery and turn left onto the side street running in front of it. Continue down the side street for two blocks. The Imaike Star building is on the corner of the second block. Climb the stairs to the second floor, +81 52-733-3959. One of Nagoya's smallest theatres (with only 40 seats), the Cinémathèque shows a mix of foreign and art films (Japanese subtitles only), and contains a small cinema shop.
  • Meien Cinesalon, Higashi-sakura 2 chome 23-7, Higashi-ku (E of Sakae subway stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines.) Exit via Sakae stn. exit 5 and continue E towards Nagoya highway overpass. Cross the street under the overpass and continue past the GS gas station. The Meien Cinesalon is on the right-hand side of the street., +81 52-931-1701. Downtown movie theatre showing foreign and Japanese art films (Subtitles in Japanese only.)

Midland Square Cinemas, Midland Square Bldg. 5F, Meieki 4 chome 7-1, Nakamura-ku (across from JR Nagoya Stn. (Subway: Nagoya Stn.), +81 52-527-8808. On the 5th floor of the towering Midland Square building, this complex boasts 7 screens with stadium seating, and shows a range of popular Hollywood and Japanese mainstream movies.

109 Cinemas Nagoya, La Vamo Sasashima 2F, 4-60-14 Hiraike-cho, Nakamura-ku (13-min walk south of JR Nagoya stn. or 5-minute walk from Sasashima Raibu stn (JR Aonami line), +81 52 541-3109. Located in a relatively new entertainment complex, this large movie theater contains 10 cinemas with stadium seating and shows a mix of Hollywood and mainstream Japanese films.

Nagoya Cinémathèque, Imaike Star Bldg. 2F, Imaike 1 chome 6-13, Chikusa-ku (W of Imaike subway station (Subway: Higashiyama, Sakura-dori lines). Exit via subway exit 9 and turn 180 degrees to face the Nakaya bakery （中屋パン）. Walk towards the bakery and turn left onto the side street running in front of it. Continue down the side street for two blocks. The Imaike Star building is on the corner of the second block. Climb the stairs to the second floor, +81 52-733-3959. One of Nagoya's smallest theatres (with only 40 seats), the Cinémathèque shows a mix of foreign and art films (Japanese subtitles only), and contains a small cinema shop.

Meien Cinesalon, Higashi-sakura 2 chome 23-7, Higashi-ku (E of Sakae subway stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines.) Exit via Sakae stn. exit 5 and continue E towards Nagoya highway overpass. Cross the street under the overpass and continue past the GS gas station. The Meien Cinesalon is on the right-hand side of the street., +81 52-931-1701. Downtown movie theatre showing foreign and Japanese art films (Subtitles in Japanese only.)

The Chūnichi Dragons (中日ドラゴンズ　Chūnichi-doragonzu), winners of the 2007 Japan Series, play in the Central League of Japanese Professional Baseball. Check out one of their games at the Nagoya Dome (Japanese) in Ōzone, northeast of downtown. (15 min walk E of JR Ōzone stn. (Chūō line) via S exit, Subway: Nagoya-dome-mae-yada (Meijō line))

Ride the gold and white Nagoya Sightseeing Bus Me-Guru past many of the city's main attractions. Operates T-Su. Offers hop-on-hop-off hourly service Tu-F from 09:30-17:30, and Sa Su every half hour. Closed M, year-end holidays. Daypass: adults ¥500, children ¥250. (includes discount on featured attractions). Single ride: adults ¥200, children ¥100. Daypasses may be purchased getting on the bus. 1-day transport passes also accepted.

Catch a traditional Japanese Noh play at the Nagoya Noh Theatre. (Subway: Shiyakusho stn.)

Go for a jog (or a walk) around beautiful Meijo Park (名城公園 Meijo Koen), one of Nagoya's largest green spaces, and take in the great view of Nagoya Castle (Subway: Meijo-Koen station, Meijo line). Showers and lockers available.

Higashiyama Park (東山公園 Higashiyama-koen). (Higashiyama-koen station). Features a zoo, conservatory, monorail, roller coasters, "sky tower" and a great deal of open space.

Ōsu Shopping Arcade

  • Ōsu Shopping Arcade, subway Ōsu Kannon exit 2 (straight ahead one block, turn left into the temple grounds and go straight on through the gravelled temple area). A series of old style shopping arcades packed with mom-and-pop stores, ¥100 shops, traditional crafts, used computers and a fantastic range of clothing stores. There is a little bit of everything. Ōsu is the shopping area and Osu Kannon the temple just to the west side. In fact, the shopping area extends from Ōsu Kannon temple in the west to Banshō-ji　(万松寺) temple and Ōtsu-dōri　street (大津通り) in the east. Outside of the main shopping arcade, there are also a number of streets with a wide array of different specialty shops.
    • Akamon-dōri (赤門通り） is known for the bright red banners hung along the street, and hosts a variety of stereo and electronics stores as well as used record shops. On the 28th of every month, Daikō-in temple (大光院) hosts a small temple festival（縁日 ennichi) on Akamon-dori with traditional street food stalls and lots of burning incense.
    • Ōtsu-dōri (大津通り）　marks the eastern boundary of the Ōsu shopping area. On the lively stretch of Otsu-dori north of Kamimaezu subway station you will find the Ōsu 301 Building (大須301). The building is known for its small dragon sculpture and Chinese theme, and contains a number of small shops. Continuing north on Ōtsu-dōri, you will also find the small but funky Gatten-shōchi （合点承知） building, a mini-mall featuring fashion accessories, food stands, and various fortune tellers. Ferris Wheel at Sakae
  • Sakae offers good department store shopping, restaurants and night-life. Take a walk atop the rooftop promenade of the Oasis 21 shopping arcade and get a nice view of the TV Tower.

Ōsu Shopping Arcade, subway Ōsu Kannon exit 2 (straight ahead one block, turn left into the temple grounds and go straight on through the gravelled temple area). A series of old style shopping arcades packed with mom-and-pop stores, ¥100 shops, traditional crafts, used computers and a fantastic range of clothing stores. There is a little bit of everything. Ōsu is the shopping area and Osu Kannon the temple just to the west side. In fact, the shopping area extends from Ōsu Kannon temple in the west to Banshō-ji　(万松寺) temple and Ōtsu-dōri　street (大津通り) in the east. Outside of the main shopping arcade, there are also a number of streets with a wide array of different specialty shops.

  • Akamon-dōri (赤門通り） is known for the bright red banners hung along the street, and hosts a variety of stereo and electronics stores as well as used record shops. On the 28th of every month, Daikō-in temple (大光院) hosts a small temple festival（縁日 ennichi) on Akamon-dori with traditional street food stalls and lots of burning incense.
  • Ōtsu-dōri (大津通り）　marks the eastern boundary of the Ōsu shopping area. On the lively stretch of Otsu-dori north of Kamimaezu subway station you will find the Ōsu 301 Building (大須301). The building is known for its small dragon sculpture and Chinese theme, and contains a number of small shops. Continuing north on Ōtsu-dōri, you will also find the small but funky Gatten-shōchi （合点承知） building, a mini-mall featuring fashion accessories, food stands, and various fortune tellers.

Sakae offers good department store shopping, restaurants and night-life. Take a walk atop the rooftop promenade of the Oasis 21 shopping arcade and get a nice view of the TV Tower.

  • Maruzen. M-F 09:00-20:00, Sa Su 09:00-19:00. Offers a reasonable selection of English books, magazines, and newspapers on the 3rd floor, including travel guidebooks, maps, a wide array of books on Japan, and Japanese language study materials.
  • Sanseido Books, 11F, JR Central Towers above JR Nagoya Station (Subway: Nagoya stn (Sakura-dori, Higashiyama, Tsurumai lines). From inside the station, walk towards the Sakura-dori exit and turn right before the exit. You will see a bank of express elevators. Board an express elevator to the 12th floor. Exit the elevator and head towards the open area with windows overlooking Nagoya. You will notice an escalator descending to Sanseido Books on the 11th floor.. Offers a corner with English books, magazines and newspapers. Features books on Japan plus a decent selection of current nonfiction titles and business books. A small selection of guidebooks are also available.
  • The Mondo Lounge, Ishou Mansion Bldg. 2F, Kamimaezu 2-4-6, Naka-ku (Located on Osu Dori （大須道）east of Kamimaezu exit 3 and before the river. Subway: Kamimaezu stn. (Meijo, Tsurumai lines) Exit 3. Exit the subway and immediately turn left at the top of the stairs. You will see a small restaurant in front of you with awnings and shutters on the windows. Turn left again and continue to the street corner. You will see a small Japanese used bookstore Tsutaya Shouten (つたや書店) immediately on your right. Turn right and continue down the street. You will pass by a restaurant with a stainless steel statue of a chef. Continue straight across a small side street. The Mondo Lounge entrance is located just after the brown Bank of Nagoya (名古屋銀行）building., +81 52-331-3799. Daily 10:00-22:00. Formerly Mondo Books, this English second-hand bookstore and cafe lounge is run by two friendly and knowledgeable local expats and a fluently bilingual Japanese woman. Features a selection of affordable books on a variety of subjects and a cafe and event space. Offering service in English, Spanish and French.

Maruzen. M-F 09:00-20:00, Sa Su 09:00-19:00. Offers a reasonable selection of English books, magazines, and newspapers on the 3rd floor, including travel guidebooks, maps, a wide array of books on Japan, and Japanese language study materials.

Sanseido Books, 11F, JR Central Towers above JR Nagoya Station (Subway: Nagoya stn (Sakura-dori, Higashiyama, Tsurumai lines). From inside the station, walk towards the Sakura-dori exit and turn right before the exit. You will see a bank of express elevators. Board an express elevator to the 12th floor. Exit the elevator and head towards the open area with windows overlooking Nagoya. You will notice an escalator descending to Sanseido Books on the 11th floor.. Offers a corner with English books, magazines and newspapers. Features books on Japan plus a decent selection of current nonfiction titles and business books. A small selection of guidebooks are also available.

The Mondo Lounge, Ishou Mansion Bldg. 2F, Kamimaezu 2-4-6, Naka-ku (Located on Osu Dori （大須道）east of Kamimaezu exit 3 and before the river. Subway: Kamimaezu stn. (Meijo, Tsurumai lines) Exit 3. Exit the subway and immediately turn left at the top of the stairs. You will see a small restaurant in front of you with awnings and shutters on the windows. Turn left again and continue to the street corner. You will see a small Japanese used bookstore Tsutaya Shouten (つたや書店) immediately on your right. Turn right and continue down the street. You will pass by a restaurant with a stainless steel statue of a chef. Continue straight across a small side street. The Mondo Lounge entrance is located just after the brown Bank of Nagoya (名古屋銀行）building., +81 52-331-3799. Daily 10:00-22:00. Formerly Mondo Books, this English second-hand bookstore and cafe lounge is run by two friendly and knowledgeable local expats and a fluently bilingual Japanese woman. Features a selection of affordable books on a variety of subjects and a cafe and event space. Offering service in English, Spanish and French.

Best bets for cameras and electronics include Bic Camera, a massive 5 story camera and electronics megastore across the street from Nagoya station (on the Taikō-dōri side). Ōsu Market also has a number of large and small electronics shops, including Goodwill (computers and peripherals - otaku culture fans will also want to check out the maid cafe in the basement), DOS Para and others. Unfortunately, some of the electronics shops in Osu (such as Goodwill) are not located on the main shopping streets, and you may have to ask around to find them. There are also two Eiden electronics superstores located in Fushimi and near JR Ōzone stn on the JR Chūō Line.

Hitsumabushi Nagoya is big on miso, a sauce made from fermented soybeans and grain. You should not leave the city without trying misokatsu (味噌カツ), fried pork cutlet with a rich, red miso sauce on it.

The other Nagoya classic is shrimp tempura, particularly when wrapped up in rice and dried seaweed and turned into a handy portable package known as a tenmusu (天むす).

The city is also known for uirō (外郎), a confectionery made out of rice flour and sugar; a little firmer than gelatin but not as sticky as mochi. Many different flavors are available, including red bean (小豆 azuki） and green tea (抹茶 matcha）.

Nagoya's noodle specialty is kishimen (きしめん), a flat, broad noodle often served in a miso or soy sauce broth. Available in most restaurant-gai in shopping centres or close to major railway stations.

Hitsumabushi (ひつまぶし) is an eel dish. Hitsumabushi is served with rice in a small box, and can be eaten three ways. First, just the eel and rice; second, with green onions and nori, and third, with tea or soup stock poured over it.

  • Café de Metro, 1F Kanayama station (North Exit). Serves up basic curry and donburi dishes, including a decent misokatsu, for ¥480 with coffee/tea, or ¥680 with miso soup and pickles.
  • Jerry's UNO, Located near Fureai Plaza in the Osu shopping district, to the giant manekineko statue's left (your right if you are facing the statue). It's a nice little taco shop that will run you about ¥500 per taco. They also have a nice selection of international beers.

Café de Metro, 1F Kanayama station (North Exit). Serves up basic curry and donburi dishes, including a decent misokatsu, for ¥480 with coffee/tea, or ¥680 with miso soup and pickles.

Jerry's UNO, Located near Fureai Plaza in the Osu shopping district, to the giant manekineko statue's left (your right if you are facing the statue). It's a nice little taco shop that will run you about ¥500 per taco. They also have a nice selection of international beers.

  • Yabaton, Osu, 3−6-18 (SW of Yabacho subway stn. (Meijo line), +81 52-252-8810. 11:00-21:00. The place to try another Nagoya specialty - misokatsu, pork cutlet with red miso. The standard set is teppan tonkatsu, and it comes to your table on a sizzling hotplate over a bed of shredded cabbage; then a special person performs the ritual of drowning it in sauce. If you're really hungry, go for the waraji - a huge portion of pork loin flattened before frying so that it overhangs the plate. From the subway station, go under the highway overpass and look for the building with the sumo champion pig stenciled on its side, to your right. This is the head store; there are five more around the city, including two at the Nagoya station. ¥1200-1800.
  • Desperados, Fujimatsu Building 2 FL, 1-8-11 Shinsakae, Naka-ku (Located SW of Shinsakae subway stn. (Higashiyama line), +81 52-264-0663. M-Th 18:00-01:00, F Sa 18:00-02:00 (kitchen closes at midnight) Closed Su. Tex-mex restaurant and bar operated by Mexican-born and American-raised owner Rudy and his wife Takako. Features a variety of Mexican dishes and a selection of premium tequilas.
  • Yamamotoya Sōhonke (山本屋総本家), 25-9 Meieki, B1F Horinouchi Bldg (on Sakura-dori not far from Exit 6 of the Nagoya subway station). The home of the classic Nagoya miso dish nikomi udon, consisting of thick, chewy, handmade udon noodles served in boiling hot miso sauce/stock. Fairly pricy at ¥1200 for a basic bowl and rather difficult to eat — diners are provided with bibs to protect themselves from soup spray — but the effort is worth it.
  • La Marmite, ALA Daikan-cho Bldg. 1F, 40-18 Daikan-cho, Higashi-ku (Subway: Kurumamichi Stn. (Sakura-dori line). 5-minute walk west of Exit 1 (towards Sakae) on N side of Sakura Dori street, +81 52-937-7474. Tu-Su lunch 11:30-14:00, cafe time 15:00-17:00, dinner 18:00-22:30; closed M. French bistro operated by long time expat chef Jean-Luc Ravion, (member, Culinary Academy of France). Offers home-made ham, sausages and other traditional French food. Wine from the Loire also available. ¥4,000-5,000.

Yabaton, Osu, 3−6-18 (SW of Yabacho subway stn. (Meijo line), +81 52-252-8810. 11:00-21:00. The place to try another Nagoya specialty - misokatsu, pork cutlet with red miso. The standard set is teppan tonkatsu, and it comes to your table on a sizzling hotplate over a bed of shredded cabbage; then a special person performs the ritual of drowning it in sauce. If you're really hungry, go for the waraji - a huge portion of pork loin flattened before frying so that it overhangs the plate. From the subway station, go under the highway overpass and look for the building with the sumo champion pig stenciled on its side, to your right. This is the head store; there are five more around the city, including two at the Nagoya station. ¥1200-1800.

Desperados, Fujimatsu Building 2 FL, 1-8-11 Shinsakae, Naka-ku (Located SW of Shinsakae subway stn. (Higashiyama line), +81 52-264-0663. M-Th 18:00-01:00, F Sa 18:00-02:00 (kitchen closes at midnight) Closed Su. Tex-mex restaurant and bar operated by Mexican-born and American-raised owner Rudy and his wife Takako. Features a variety of Mexican dishes and a selection of premium tequilas.

Yamamotoya Sōhonke (山本屋総本家), 25-9 Meieki, B1F Horinouchi Bldg (on Sakura-dori not far from Exit 6 of the Nagoya subway station). The home of the classic Nagoya miso dish nikomi udon, consisting of thick, chewy, handmade udon noodles served in boiling hot miso sauce/stock. Fairly pricy at ¥1200 for a basic bowl and rather difficult to eat — diners are provided with bibs to protect themselves from soup spray — but the effort is worth it.

La Marmite, ALA Daikan-cho Bldg. 1F, 40-18 Daikan-cho, Higashi-ku (Subway: Kurumamichi Stn. (Sakura-dori line). 5-minute walk west of Exit 1 (towards Sakae) on N side of Sakura Dori street, +81 52-937-7474. Tu-Su lunch 11:30-14:00, cafe time 15:00-17:00, dinner 18:00-22:30; closed M. French bistro operated by long time expat chef Jean-Luc Ravion, (member, Culinary Academy of France). Offers home-made ham, sausages and other traditional French food. Wine from the Loire also available. ¥4,000-5,000.

Nagoya's nouveaux riche are catered for by several luxury department stores and many first-class restaurants, which are sometimes difficult find for auto-less tourists.

  • Arena Venini, +81 52-757-5100. Chikusa-ku, Kiribayashi 1-4-1 Ikeshita Hills 1F. An outstanding yet small Italian restaurant in a very small on the street behind the Chikusa Ward office across the street from Ikeshita station.
  • Antica Roma, Daikancho 39-18, Higashi-ku (Subway: Kurumamichi Stn. (Sakura-dori line). 5 minute walk west of Exit 1 (towards Sakae) on N side of Sakura Dori street, +81 52-930-2770. Cafe 14:00-16:00 (Terrazza, Pizzeria); dinner 17:30-23:30 (last order 22:30). Excellent high-class Italian food (like seafood risotto, broccoli pasta or herb-stuffed pork rolls), but also delicious oven-baked pizzas. All this in three superbly furnished rooms. The main room is baroque-style with chandeliers and has not only a live pianist, but also a live opera singer every night (dress code for this room). The course menus start at ¥4,000, the pizzas at ¥1,500, a half-bottle of house wine is ¥2,500.
  • Garden Restaurant Tokugawa-en, 1001 Tokugawa-cho, Higashi-ku (10 min. walk from South Exit of JR Ozone Station (JR Chuo line). 15 min. walk from Exit 3 of Ozone Subway Station (Meijo line)., +81 52-932-7887. Restaurant: 11AM-2PM (last order), 5PM-10:30PM (last order). Bar & Lounge 10AM-5PM, 7PM-midnight. This eatery serves Japanese-French cuisine with views of the beautiful Tokugawa-en Japanese gardens located next door. ¥10,000-15,000.
  • Serge Gen's Restaurant Group NAGOYA, 11-26 Nishiki 3-Chome, Naka-ku, +81 52-209-2333. 11AM-3PM. Five top-quality restaurants in the heart of Nagoya, Japan. From Italian cafe, Yakiniku, Sushi, to catered party events. ¥3000.

Arena Venini, +81 52-757-5100. Chikusa-ku, Kiribayashi 1-4-1 Ikeshita Hills 1F. An outstanding yet small Italian restaurant in a very small on the street behind the Chikusa Ward office across the street from Ikeshita station.

Antica Roma, Daikancho 39-18, Higashi-ku (Subway: Kurumamichi Stn. (Sakura-dori line). 5 minute walk west of Exit 1 (towards Sakae) on N side of Sakura Dori street, +81 52-930-2770. Cafe 14:00-16:00 (Terrazza, Pizzeria); dinner 17:30-23:30 (last order 22:30). Excellent high-class Italian food (like seafood risotto, broccoli pasta or herb-stuffed pork rolls), but also delicious oven-baked pizzas. All this in three superbly furnished rooms. The main room is baroque-style with chandeliers and has not only a live pianist, but also a live opera singer every night (dress code for this room). The course menus start at ¥4,000, the pizzas at ¥1,500, a half-bottle of house wine is ¥2,500.

Garden Restaurant Tokugawa-en, 1001 Tokugawa-cho, Higashi-ku (10 min. walk from South Exit of JR Ozone Station (JR Chuo line). 15 min. walk from Exit 3 of Ozone Subway Station (Meijo line)., +81 52-932-7887. Restaurant: 11AM-2PM (last order), 5PM-10:30PM (last order). Bar & Lounge 10AM-5PM, 7PM-midnight. This eatery serves Japanese-French cuisine with views of the beautiful Tokugawa-en Japanese gardens located next door. ¥10,000-15,000.

Serge Gen's Restaurant Group NAGOYA, 11-26 Nishiki 3-Chome, Naka-ku, +81 52-209-2333. 11AM-3PM. Five top-quality restaurants in the heart of Nagoya, Japan. From Italian cafe, Yakiniku, Sushi, to catered party events. ¥3000.

Around Nagoya station, there are a lot of places for cheap drinking. Sakae is the big nightlife district, in a loose triangle formed by the Sakae, Yaba-cho and Osu Kannon stations. Sakae has a large red light district as well, but as with most of Japan, there's no sense of danger so don't worry about drifting around. There are countless izakayas around Kanayama station, both cheap chains and more upscale places.

If the bar and club scene is not for you, try Nagoya Friends and their bimonthly international parties. Always a dynamic mix of foreigners and Japanese. At the party it's all you can drink and eat (~¥3000).

  • Serge Gen's Restaurant Group Nagoya, Address: 11-26 Nishiki 3-Chome, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi 460-0003, +81 52-209-2333. 11AM-3AM. Five top-quality restaurants in the heart of Nagoya, Japan. From Italian cafe, Yakiniku, Sushi, to catered party events. ¥3000.

  • Shooters, Pola Building 2F, Sakae 2-9-26, Naka-ku (Located S of Fushimi subway stn. (Higashiyama, Tsurumai lines) exit 5, +81 52-202-7077. M-Th 5PM-1AM, F 5PM-5AM, Sa 11:30AM-5AM, Su 11:30AM-1AM. An American sports bar that attracts a mixed crowd with live music on Sundays.
  • Yama-chan. (Japanese) Known for its tebasaki (手羽先) fried chicken wings (one of Nagoya's specialties), this seemingly ubiquitous chain of izakayas is one of Nagoya's favorites. English menu available.
  • Cigar Club Kanou, Montesharine Bldg. 1F, Sakae 1 chome 10-30, Naka-ku (Located near Fushimi Stn. (Higashiyama, Tsurumai Lines). Exit via exit 7 and continue W to the Hilton Hotel. Turn left in front of the Hilton and continue S. The bar is on the left side of the street., +81 52-231-5534. Tu-Sa 4:30PM-1AM. Near the Hilton hotel, Cigar Club Kanou offers food, drink and a wide array of cigars (with a walk-in humidor.)
  • The Hub. This nationwide chain of affordable British-style pubs has three locations across the city, offering cocktails, bar food/pub grub, an English menu and some basic service in English.
    • Sakae, Ark Building 1F, 3-22-7, Nishiki, Naka-ku (3-min walk from Sakae subway stn. exit 8. Located W of the Kokusai hotel, +81 52-962-8682. Su-Th 4PM-1AM, F Sa and day before holiday 4PM-5AM. Happy hour daily 4PM-7PM.,
    • Fushimi, C Forest III Bldg. 2F, Sakae 1-4-10, Naka-ku (1 min. walk from Fushimi subway stn. (towards the Hilton Hotel), +81 52-220-0082. M-Th 5PM-1AM, F 5PM-2AM, Sa and night before holidays 4PM-2AM, Su 4PM-1AM. Happy hour daily from opening to 7PM.
    • Nagoya Station Area (Meieki), M-san Dainingu Biru 1F, Meieki 3-15-11, Nakamura-ku (2 min walk E of Nagoya Station (Sakura Dori side) Located N of the Royal Park Inn Nagoya, +81 52-533-4882. M-Th noon-midnight, F noon-2AM, Sa 5PM-2AM, Su and holidays 5-11:30PM. Happy hour daily 5-7PM.
  • Shinchan (しんちゃん) This is a chain izakaya located all around Nagoya. They sell great chicken wings and mugs of beer for 320 yen.
    • Kanayama, +81 120-29-5688. Washington Hotel plaza 2nd floor.
    • Sakae, +81 120-77-1868. A few doors away from iD Bar.

  • MyBar, Tatenomachi Bldg. B1F, 3-6-15 Nishiki, Naka-ku (Sakae stn. exit 3. S. of the Nagoya TV tower on the W. side of Hisaya-odori park, +81 52-971-8888. Su-Th 6PM-1AM, F Sa 4PM-3AM. Run by a Canadian expat, MyBar offers hockey night on Monday evenings. Serves imported beers and cocktails, Italian food, tacos, and burgers.
  • The Red Rock, Aster Plaza Bldg. 2F, 4-14-6 Sakae, Naka-ku (Subway: Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines), directly behind the Chunichi Building, a short walk SE of Sakae subway exit 13, +81 52-262-7893. M-Th 5:30PM-2AM, F Sa 5:30PM-3AM, Su 11:30AM-2AM. An Australian pub. Free Wi-fi, internet terminal access with food or drink purchase. Offers weekly Sunday brunch (11:30AM-4PM) and Thursday trivia night (8:30-11PM).

MyBar, Tatenomachi Bldg. B1F, 3-6-15 Nishiki, Naka-ku (Sakae stn. exit 3. S. of the Nagoya TV tower on the W. side of Hisaya-odori park, +81 52-971-8888. Su-Th 6PM-1AM, F Sa 4PM-3AM. Run by a Canadian expat, MyBar offers hockey night on Monday evenings. Serves imported beers and cocktails, Italian food, tacos, and burgers.

The Red Rock, Aster Plaza Bldg. 2F, 4-14-6 Sakae, Naka-ku (Subway: Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines), directly behind the Chunichi Building, a short walk SE of Sakae subway exit 13, +81 52-262-7893. M-Th 5:30PM-2AM, F Sa 5:30PM-3AM, Su 11:30AM-2AM. An Australian pub. Free Wi-fi, internet terminal access with food or drink purchase. Offers weekly Sunday brunch (11:30AM-4PM) and Thursday trivia night (8:30-11PM).

Shooters, Pola Building 2F, Sakae 2-9-26, Naka-ku (Located S of Fushimi subway stn. (Higashiyama, Tsurumai lines) exit 5, +81 52-202-7077. M-Th 5PM-1AM, F 5PM-5AM, Sa 11:30AM-5AM, Su 11:30AM-1AM. An American sports bar that attracts a mixed crowd with live music on Sundays.

Yama-chan. (Japanese) Known for its tebasaki (手羽先) fried chicken wings (one of Nagoya's specialties), this seemingly ubiquitous chain of izakayas is one of Nagoya's favorites. English menu available.

Cigar Club Kanou, Montesharine Bldg. 1F, Sakae 1 chome 10-30, Naka-ku (Located near Fushimi Stn. (Higashiyama, Tsurumai Lines). Exit via exit 7 and continue W to the Hilton Hotel. Turn left in front of the Hilton and continue S. The bar is on the left side of the street., +81 52-231-5534. Tu-Sa 4:30PM-1AM. Near the Hilton hotel, Cigar Club Kanou offers food, drink and a wide array of cigars (with a walk-in humidor.)

The Hub. This nationwide chain of affordable British-style pubs has three locations across the city, offering cocktails, bar food/pub grub, an English menu and some basic service in English.

  • Sakae, Ark Building 1F, 3-22-7, Nishiki, Naka-ku (3-min walk from Sakae subway stn. exit 8. Located W of the Kokusai hotel, +81 52-962-8682. Su-Th 4PM-1AM, F Sa and day before holiday 4PM-5AM. Happy hour daily 4PM-7PM.,
  • Fushimi, C Forest III Bldg. 2F, Sakae 1-4-10, Naka-ku (1 min. walk from Fushimi subway stn. (towards the Hilton Hotel), +81 52-220-0082. M-Th 5PM-1AM, F 5PM-2AM, Sa and night before holidays 4PM-2AM, Su 4PM-1AM. Happy hour daily from opening to 7PM.
  • Nagoya Station Area (Meieki), M-san Dainingu Biru 1F, Meieki 3-15-11, Nakamura-ku (2 min walk E of Nagoya Station (Sakura Dori side) Located N of the Royal Park Inn Nagoya, +81 52-533-4882. M-Th noon-midnight, F noon-2AM, Sa 5PM-2AM, Su and holidays 5-11:30PM. Happy hour daily 5-7PM.

The Hub. This nationwide chain of affordable British-style pubs has three locations across the city, offering cocktails, bar food/pub grub, an English menu and some basic service in English.

  • Sakae, Ark Building 1F, 3-22-7, Nishiki, Naka-ku (3-min walk from Sakae subway stn. exit 8. Located W of the Kokusai hotel, +81 52-962-8682. Su-Th 4PM-1AM, F Sa and day before holiday 4PM-5AM. Happy hour daily 4PM-7PM.,
  • Fushimi, C Forest III Bldg. 2F, Sakae 1-4-10, Naka-ku (1 min. walk from Fushimi subway stn. (towards the Hilton Hotel), +81 52-220-0082. M-Th 5PM-1AM, F 5PM-2AM, Sa and night before holidays 4PM-2AM, Su 4PM-1AM. Happy hour daily from opening to 7PM.
  • Nagoya Station Area (Meieki), M-san Dainingu Biru 1F, Meieki 3-15-11, Nakamura-ku (2 min walk E of Nagoya Station (Sakura Dori side) Located N of the Royal Park Inn Nagoya, +81 52-533-4882. M-Th noon-midnight, F noon-2AM, Sa 5PM-2AM, Su and holidays 5-11:30PM. Happy hour daily 5-7PM.

The Hub. This nationwide chain of affordable British-style pubs has three locations across the city, offering cocktails, bar food/pub grub, an English menu and some basic service in English.

  • Sakae, Ark Building 1F, 3-22-7, Nishiki, Naka-ku (3-min walk from Sakae subway stn. exit 8. Located W of the Kokusai hotel, +81 52-962-8682. Su-Th 4PM-1AM, F Sa and day before holiday 4PM-5AM. Happy hour daily 4PM-7PM.,
  • Fushimi, C Forest III Bldg. 2F, Sakae 1-4-10, Naka-ku (1 min. walk from Fushimi subway stn. (towards the Hilton Hotel), +81 52-220-0082. M-Th 5PM-1AM, F 5PM-2AM, Sa and night before holidays 4PM-2AM, Su 4PM-1AM. Happy hour daily from opening to 7PM.
  • Nagoya Station Area (Meieki), M-san Dainingu Biru 1F, Meieki 3-15-11, Nakamura-ku (2 min walk E of Nagoya Station (Sakura Dori side) Located N of the Royal Park Inn Nagoya, +81 52-533-4882. M-Th noon-midnight, F noon-2AM, Sa 5PM-2AM, Su and holidays 5-11:30PM. Happy hour daily 5-7PM.

The Hub. This nationwide chain of affordable British-style pubs has three locations across the city, offering cocktails, bar food/pub grub, an English menu and some basic service in English.

  • Sakae, Ark Building 1F, 3-22-7, Nishiki, Naka-ku (3-min walk from Sakae subway stn. exit 8. Located W of the Kokusai hotel, +81 52-962-8682. Su-Th 4PM-1AM, F Sa and day before holiday 4PM-5AM. Happy hour daily 4PM-7PM.,
  • Fushimi, C Forest III Bldg. 2F, Sakae 1-4-10, Naka-ku (1 min. walk from Fushimi subway stn. (towards the Hilton Hotel), +81 52-220-0082. M-Th 5PM-1AM, F 5PM-2AM, Sa and night before holidays 4PM-2AM, Su 4PM-1AM. Happy hour daily from opening to 7PM.
  • Nagoya Station Area (Meieki), M-san Dainingu Biru 1F, Meieki 3-15-11, Nakamura-ku (2 min walk E of Nagoya Station (Sakura Dori side) Located N of the Royal Park Inn Nagoya, +81 52-533-4882. M-Th noon-midnight, F noon-2AM, Sa 5PM-2AM, Su and holidays 5-11:30PM. Happy hour daily 5-7PM.

Shinchan (しんちゃん) This is a chain izakaya located all around Nagoya. They sell great chicken wings and mugs of beer for 320 yen.

  • Kanayama, +81 120-29-5688. Washington Hotel plaza 2nd floor.
  • Sakae, +81 120-77-1868. A few doors away from iD Bar.

Shinchan (しんちゃん) This is a chain izakaya located all around Nagoya. They sell great chicken wings and mugs of beer for 320 yen.

  • Kanayama, +81 120-29-5688. Washington Hotel plaza 2nd floor.
  • Sakae, +81 120-77-1868. A few doors away from iD Bar.

Nagoya has some good clubs. A lot of the DJs who play Tokyo also pass through Nagoya. Many of the most popular clubs are located in Sakae and Shin-sakae-machi (just east of Sakae and south of the Naka ward office).

Be aware that even on week-ends, on less popular nights, clubs empty or even close early (around 2-3AM) in Nagoya. This is a sharp contrast to Tokyo, where most people come by train and have to stick around for good or for bad until the first train in the morning. In auto-city Toyota, however, many people come by car; they can and will go home early if they are bored.

Gay and Lesbian dance events are held monthly by the Nagoya Metro Club at LOVER: z across from the CBC-TV building in Shinsakae-machi.

  • Maverick. In Fushimi, it attracts foreigners and Japanese for weekend dance events. Entry fee is usually ¥2000-3000, with a couple of drinks included.

  • ID club, 3-1-15 Sakae, Naka-ku, +81 52-251-0382. Th-Su 8PM-closing (closed at 1AM on a Friday night). The most popular and well-known club in Nagoya. Nagoya's largest club, 5 different floors of style and music. R & B, Hip Hop, Reggae, Hard House, All Mix, 70s & 80s disco. Entry ¥1000 (2 drinks) weekdays, ¥2000 (4 drinks) Fri, ¥3000 (4 drinks) Sat, ¥2000 (4 drinks) Sun.
  • STEPS, Hasegawa Bldg. 2F, 3-2-29 Sakae, Naka-ku (close to subway Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines) opposite ID Cafe, around 100 m S of Sakae Tokyu Inn Hotel on the left, +81 52-242-7544. M-Sa 6PM-6AM, closed Su. Food and drinks from ¥500 including pasta, hamburgers, and steak dishes. TVs covering live sports events. Music from noon with DJs, occasional live music. Hip Hop, Reggae, R&B.
  • Club Daughter. Has something happening almost every night, so you'll never be stuck for something to do. It's a small place though. To western clubbers, it may seem more like a basement party than a club, and if you're going out on a Monday or a Tuesday, you may find it pretty empty. Fridays and Saturdays, though, the place is normally packed. Drinks are about ¥600 each, entry varies, check on the site.
  • Club JB's. Another good Nagoya club, around the corner from Club Daughter.
  • Lush The Underground, Marumi Kanko Bldg. 3-4F, 3-4-15 Sakae, Naka-ku (In Shin-sakae-machi entertainment district., +81 52-242-1388. Tu-Su 11PM-5AM. Closed M.. Has two floors for one price, upstairs is hip-hop at maximum volume levels, while downstairs more dance music is played. Always a happy crowd without annoying bouncers, on weekdays ladies pay ¥1000 and guys ¥1500 with 1 drink included. Foreigners welcome.
  • Club Mago. In Shin-Sakae on the basement level of the Flex-building. Great for house, techno, electro-clash, progressive house. ¥2500-3000 cover.
  • Jazz Inn Lovely, 1-10-15 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku (Subway: Hisaya-odori stn. (Sakura-dori, Meijo lines). Exit the subway for, +81 52-951-6085. Daily 6PM-3AM. Jazz club featuring Japanese and international jazz artists. Cover charge varies per artist. From ¥1500 to ¥5000.
  • Club Quattro Nagoya, Nagoya Parco Department Store East Building (東館 Higashi-kan), 8F, 3-29-1 Sakae, Naka-ku (Subway: Yaba-cho stn. (Meijo line); in the east building of the Parco Department Store, +81 52-264-8211. Concerts in early evening (5:30-8PM start). One of Nagoya's main live houses, featuring a wide array of Japanese and international rock and pop music acts. Ticket price varies per artist.

ID club, 3-1-15 Sakae, Naka-ku, +81 52-251-0382. Th-Su 8PM-closing (closed at 1AM on a Friday night). The most popular and well-known club in Nagoya. Nagoya's largest club, 5 different floors of style and music. R & B, Hip Hop, Reggae, Hard House, All Mix, 70s & 80s disco. Entry ¥1000 (2 drinks) weekdays, ¥2000 (4 drinks) Fri, ¥3000 (4 drinks) Sat, ¥2000 (4 drinks) Sun.

STEPS, Hasegawa Bldg. 2F, 3-2-29 Sakae, Naka-ku (close to subway Sakae stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines) opposite ID Cafe, around 100 m S of Sakae Tokyu Inn Hotel on the left, +81 52-242-7544. M-Sa 6PM-6AM, closed Su. Food and drinks from ¥500 including pasta, hamburgers, and steak dishes. TVs covering live sports events. Music from noon with DJs, occasional live music. Hip Hop, Reggae, R&B.

Club Daughter. Has something happening almost every night, so you'll never be stuck for something to do. It's a small place though. To western clubbers, it may seem more like a basement party than a club, and if you're going out on a Monday or a Tuesday, you may find it pretty empty. Fridays and Saturdays, though, the place is normally packed. Drinks are about ¥600 each, entry varies, check on the site.

Club JB's. Another good Nagoya club, around the corner from Club Daughter.

Lush The Underground, Marumi Kanko Bldg. 3-4F, 3-4-15 Sakae, Naka-ku (In Shin-sakae-machi entertainment district., +81 52-242-1388. Tu-Su 11PM-5AM. Closed M.. Has two floors for one price, upstairs is hip-hop at maximum volume levels, while downstairs more dance music is played. Always a happy crowd without annoying bouncers, on weekdays ladies pay ¥1000 and guys ¥1500 with 1 drink included. Foreigners welcome.

Club Mago. In Shin-Sakae on the basement level of the Flex-building. Great for house, techno, electro-clash, progressive house. ¥2500-3000 cover.

Jazz Inn Lovely, 1-10-15 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku (Subway: Hisaya-odori stn. (Sakura-dori, Meijo lines). Exit the subway for, +81 52-951-6085. Daily 6PM-3AM. Jazz club featuring Japanese and international jazz artists. Cover charge varies per artist. From ¥1500 to ¥5000.

Club Quattro Nagoya, Nagoya Parco Department Store East Building (東館 Higashi-kan), 8F, 3-29-1 Sakae, Naka-ku (Subway: Yaba-cho stn. (Meijo line); in the east building of the Parco Department Store, +81 52-264-8211. Concerts in early evening (5:30-8PM start). One of Nagoya's main live houses, featuring a wide array of Japanese and international rock and pop music acts. Ticket price varies per artist.

Maverick. In Fushimi, it attracts foreigners and Japanese for weekend dance events. Entry fee is usually ¥2000-3000, with a couple of drinks included.

Serge Gen's Restaurant Group Nagoya, Address: 11-26 Nishiki 3-Chome, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi 460-0003, +81 52-209-2333. 11AM-3AM. Five top-quality restaurants in the heart of Nagoya, Japan. From Italian cafe, Yakiniku, Sushi, to catered party events. ¥3000.

  • Nagoya International Center, 1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku (Subway: Sakura-dori line, Kokusai Center stn., +81 52-581-0100. Tu-Su 9AM-7PM; closed M, Dec 29-Jan 3, 2nd Su of Aug and Feb. This city-run center for newcomers to Nagoya provides useful information about upcoming local events through their free monthly publication The Nagoya Calendar (available at numerous locations around the city) and offers various multilingual services for foreigners on longer stays or taking up residence in the city. Their headquarters near Nagoya Station also includes a lending library with books on numerous topics in English and other languages. free.

As elsewhere in Japan, ATM machines at post offices and 7-Elevens allow international cash withdrawals.

  • Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank Foreign Exchange Shop, 1-2-4 Meieki, Nakamura-ku (Located on 1st flr. of Nagoya station near the Meitetsu Bus Terminal, +81 52-541-6330. M-F 10AM-7:30PM, Sa Su holidays 10AM-5PM, Dec 30: 10AM-3PM. Closed Dec 31-Jan 3. (Website in Japanese)

Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank Foreign Exchange Shop, 1-2-4 Meieki, Nakamura-ku (Located on 1st flr. of Nagoya station near the Meitetsu Bus Terminal, +81 52-541-6330. M-F 10AM-7:30PM, Sa Su holidays 10AM-5PM, Dec 30: 10AM-3PM. Closed Dec 31-Jan 3. (Website in Japanese)

  • Brazil Brazil, Shirakawa Daihachi Bldg 2F, 1-10-29 Marunouchi, Naka-ku, +81 52-222-1077, +81 52-222-1078, +81 90-3483-6949 (Emergency), +81 80-6637-6131 (Emergency). General M-F 9AM-1PM, visas M-F 9AM-1PM. Provides consular services for Brazilians and issues Brazilian visas for foreign visitors to Brazil
  • Canada Canada, Nakato Marunouchi Bldg 6F, 3-17-6 Marunouchi, Naka-ku (Subway Hisaya-odori stn (Meijo, Sakura-dori lines) Exit 1. Walk 2 blocks N on Otsu-dori to Uonotana-dori. The consulate is at the intersection of Otsu-dori and Uonotana-dori and directly across the street from Circle K convenience store, +81 52-972-0450. Offering limited consular services for Canadians in Nagoya
  • United States United States, Nagoya Kokusai Center Bldg 6F, 1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku (Subway Kokusai Center (Sakura-dori line), +81 52-581-4501.

Brazil Brazil, Shirakawa Daihachi Bldg 2F, 1-10-29 Marunouchi, Naka-ku, +81 52-222-1077, +81 52-222-1078, +81 90-3483-6949 (Emergency), +81 80-6637-6131 (Emergency). General M-F 9AM-1PM, visas M-F 9AM-1PM. Provides consular services for Brazilians and issues Brazilian visas for foreign visitors to Brazil

Canada Canada, Nakato Marunouchi Bldg 6F, 3-17-6 Marunouchi, Naka-ku (Subway Hisaya-odori stn (Meijo, Sakura-dori lines) Exit 1. Walk 2 blocks N on Otsu-dori to Uonotana-dori. The consulate is at the intersection of Otsu-dori and Uonotana-dori and directly across the street from Circle K convenience store, +81 52-972-0450. Offering limited consular services for Canadians in Nagoya

United States United States, Nagoya Kokusai Center Bldg 6F, 1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku (Subway Kokusai Center (Sakura-dori line), +81 52-581-4501.

  • ZIP FM 77.8 (site in Japanese) Broadcasts Global Voice Weekend Magic a ten-minute long program in English on daily life and events in the Nagoya area for earlybirds at 5:40AM on Saturdays and Sundays.

ZIP FM 77.8 (site in Japanese) Broadcasts Global Voice Weekend Magic a ten-minute long program in English on daily life and events in the Nagoya area for earlybirds at 5:40AM on Saturdays and Sundays.

  • Avenues: Voices of Central Japan Quarterly magazine featuring articles on local history and culture, reviews of attractions, events, restaurants and bars. Available free at International Center and for a fee at Maruzen Bookstore in Sakae.
  • Japanzine Monthly tabloid-style magazine published in Nagoya featuring a section on local events, concerts, job listings, and a restaurant/bar map and guide. Available free at numerous businesses catering to foreign residents, and at Maruzen bookstore in Sakae.
  • RAN Magazine A magazine focused on life in Nagoya and the city's culture and arts scene. Features articles on a wide array of topics. Available online and for free at businesses catering to foreigners around the Nagoya area.
  • Nagoya Calendar Monthly magazine featuring event information, daily-living advice, movie & TV listings, and a community bulletin board. Available free at International Center, the Maruzen Bookstore in Sakae, and several subway stations.
  • ET People Small monthly magazine aimed at English learners. Offers restaurant/bar map and listings in English. Available free at numerous bars and restaurants around the city. Like other major cities in Japan, you can also pick up the (Tokyo-centric) English dailies The Japan Times and Japan News (by the Yomiuri Shimbun) at selected bookstores and convenience stores around the city (or read them for free at the International Center library).

Nagoya International Center, 1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku (Subway: Sakura-dori line, Kokusai Center stn., +81 52-581-0100. Tu-Su 9AM-7PM; closed M, Dec 29-Jan 3, 2nd Su of Aug and Feb. This city-run center for newcomers to Nagoya provides useful information about upcoming local events through their free monthly publication The Nagoya Calendar (available at numerous locations around the city) and offers various multilingual services for foreigners on longer stays or taking up residence in the city. Their headquarters near Nagoya Station also includes a lending library with books on numerous topics in English and other languages. free.

Inuyama Castle Owari Tsushima Tennōsai(eve) Asuke

  • Inuyama, with its picturesque castle, kinky fertility shrines, and nearby Meiji Village, is a short day trip from the city. From Meitetsu Nagoya station next to Nagoya station, there are express trains (around a 30-minute ride) to Inuyama station or Inuyamayuen station. From either station, Inuyama castle is about a 20-minute walk to the west and is on the south side of the river. The entrance is on the south side of the castle grounds.
  • Gifu - Visit Gifu castle (take a bus from the train station). Ride the cable car up the mountain (or hike), feed the squirrels (they jump on your arm and eat from your hand), visit the museum, enjoy the amazing view from the top of the castle. See the Nagaragawa fireworks display during the summer festival.
  • Tokoname, on the first express train stop from Nagoya airport, is a ceramic centre dating back from the 9th-century Heian period. The old town by the hill next to the train station features streets decorated with industrial ceramic pieces and pottery shops with pottery displays inside old brick furnaces.
  • Okazaki - Take in the castle, tour the miso factory and enjoy the fresh suburban air.
  • Ise, home to Japan's holiest shrine, is within striking distance.
  • Tsushima - Visit Tenno River park in the spring to see amazing cherry blossoms and wisteria.
  • Tajimi - Visit Eihoji Zen Temple. A beautiful walk down to the river. Be sure to see the bamboo grove (takebayashi).
  • Hida-Takayama - Check out the Edo-era atmosphere of this famous historic town.
  • Kiso Valley - Walk the historic Nakasendo highway, an old post road running through the valley's beautiful green hills and well-preserved towns.

  • Asuke, where you can visit the Korankei Gorge and enjoy the changing of leaves in autumn and blossoms in spring.
  • Gujo Hachiman, an idyllic town where 80% of Japan's plastic food replicas are created.
  • Magome to Tsumago, a nice hike between the two historic villages in the Nagiso/Nakatsugawa area.
  • Tadachi, a nice hike along many waterfalls.
  • Yoro - Waterfalls, fancy onsen and Japan's most bizarre park.