Nagoya cradles not only industrial sites but also historical structures. Aside from the aircraft manufacturing industry, the city is also home to big automobile companies such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Honda, so it’s not really surprising that the city is one of the busiest transportation hubs in Japan.
The samurai culture of Tokugawa Shogunate is an integral part of Nagoya and the rest of the nation’s history. Nagoya Castle, for one, is an outstanding reminder of the golden years of the samurai rule. At present, the influences of the flourishing manufacturing industry and the undeniably significant shogunate rule are apparent in the famous tourist spots and attractions within the city and the surrounding areas.
Nagoya Pocket Wi-Fi
You might want to consider getting a pocket wi-fi for you to navigate around the city easily. You can connect multiple devices, so if you’re in a group, you can split the cost between you and your companions.
When you make the reservation online, you can pick up the device at the airport, with no deposit needed.
Nagoya Castle
Built during the early Edo Period under the Tokugawa Shogunate rule, this castle is one of the largest in Japan. One of its well-known features is the roof with two golden carp figures.
Admission Fee: ¥500 (adults); ¥100 (senior citizen); Free (students from junior high school and below)
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (daily)
Location: 1-1 Honmaru, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture 460-0031
Getting There: Alight at Higashi-ote Station via Meitetsu Seto Line or board a Me-guru Sightseeing Bust at Nagoya Station Bus Terminal’s Platform 11 and alight at Nagoya Castle stop.
Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry & Technology
Discover the humble beginnings of the world’s largest car manufacturers as you marvel at the mementos and memorabilia from its early loom factory days to what it has become now.
Admission Fee: ¥500 (adults); ¥200 – 300 (students); Free (senior citizens)
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (daily, except Mondays and holidays)
Location: 45th Nagafushincho Nishinomiyincho Nishi-ku, 451-0051
Getting There: Three-minute walk from Sako Station via Meitetsu Nagoya Line or you can get on a Me-guru Sightseeing Bus at Nagoya Station Bus Terminal’s Platform 11 and alight at Toyota Commemorative Museum stop.
Toyota Automobile Museum
Most of the collection of cars here are from post-war Japanese cars, but visitors can also see other vintage cars from all around the globe.
Admission Fee: ¥1,000 (adult); ¥500 (senior citizen); ¥400 – 600 (students); Free (pre-school)
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (daily, except Mondays and holidays)
Location: 41-100 Yokomichi, Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture 480-1118
Getting There: Get on a Higashiyama subway line and alight at Fujigaoka Station. Transfer to Linimo line and take the train to Geidaidori Station. Take a short walk from the station to the museum.
Note: If you want to visit both Toyota Commemorative Museum and Toyota Automobile Museum, it’s cheaper to get the Joint Ticket. Rates are ¥1,200 for adults and ¥460 – 640 for junior high and high school students.
Legoland
This is the first ever Legoland theme park in Japan and the second in Asia after Malaysia. It started its operation in April 2017.
Admission Fee: ¥4,700; Free (children below 2 years old)
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closing time varies. Please check the official website for the schedule.)
Location: 2 Chome−2−1, Kinjofuto, Minato Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture 455-8605
Getting There: From Nagoya Station, board the Aonami Line train to Kinjofuto Station. It will take around five minutes on foot to reach Legoland from Kinjofuto Station.
Skip the lines and save more time when you buy your ticket online. You just have to print your voucher or present your mobile voucher and proceed to the right-hand side of the entrance gate where you can redeem your physical ticket.
Railway Museum (SCMaglev and Railway Park)
The museum is owned and operated by the Central Japan Railway Company
Admission Fee: ¥1,000
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (daily, except Tuesdays and holidays)
Location: 3-2-2 Kinjofuto, Minato Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture 455-0848
Getting There: The museum is located close to Legoland. From Nagoya Station, board the Aonami Line train to Kinjofuto Station. Travel on foot to the museum from Kinjofuto Sation.
Nagoya TV Tower
Officially launched in 1954, it is the oldest TV tower in Japan and the first of its kind. Today, visitors enjoy the view from both the indoor viewing deck and the outdoor viewing balcony. It’s best to visit also during the night when the lights illuminate the tower.
Admission Fee: ¥700 (adults); ¥600 (senior citizen); ¥300 (students)
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (until 10 PM from April to December)
Location: 3-6-15 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture 460-0003
Getting There: From Nagoya Station, take the Higashiyama Line subway train to Sakae Station. It will take you around three minutes to reach it on foot from Exit 3. Another route is to take the Sakuradori Line subway train to Hisayaodori Station. It will take you about one minute to reach Nagoya TV Tower on foot from Exit 4. You can also board a Me-guru Sightseeing Bus at Nagoya Station Bus Terminal’s Platform 11 and alight at Nagoya TV Tower stop.
Shopping!
- Oasis 21 Complex
Completed and opened in 2002, this Spaceship-Aqua-themed complex is a combination of futuristic design and greenery. It also houses the bus terminal for city buses and highway buses. It provides a very convenient and relaxing environment, where people can enjoy the shops and restaurants, especially for those waiting for their bus departure.
Admission Fee: FREE
Opening Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM (Spaceship Aqua and shops); 10 AM – 10 PM (restaurants)
Location: 1-11-1 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture 461-0005Getting There: From Nagoya Station, board a Higashiyama Line subway train to Sakae Station. It will take you around one minute to reach Oasis 21 on foot from Exit 4. Another way is to take the Me-guru Sightseeing Bus at Nagoya Station Bus Terminal’s Platform 11 and alight at Nagoya TV Tower stop.
- Sunshine Sakae
Opened in 2005, this shopping and entertainment complex boasts a 52-meter tall Ferris wheel, which can be accessed from the third level. Enjoy shopping and dining! If you want cheap finds, Don Quijote is just across this complex.
Admission Fee: FREE; ¥500 (Ferris wheel ride)
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Location: 3−24−4 Nishiki, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, 460-0003Getting There: From Nagoya Station, board a Higashiyama Line subway train to Sakae Station. You can reach Sunshine Sakae by taking a short walk from Exit 8.
If you want to know more about some of Nagoya’s landmarks, you can join a group tour with an English-speaking guide. Klook is offering a city walking tour with 1-day subway pass. This will also acquaint you with commuting by train as you will be jumping from one station to another covering your itinerary, which includes Nagoya Castle, Oasis 21, Osu Kannon Temple, and Kasuga Shrine.
Other Attractions:
Museums: Toyota Kaiken Plant Tour Museum, Nagoya City Art Museum, Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Tokugawa Art Museum, Nagoya City Science Museum, Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, Shike-michi District
Shrines and Temples: Osu Kannon Temple, Arako Kannon Temple, Toganji Temple, Koshoji Temple, Nittaiji Temple, Shiroyama Hakusan Shrine, Atsuta Shrine
Parks and Entertainment: Meijo Park, Higashiyama Park, Hisaya-Odori Park, Shirakawa Park, Port of Nagoya Aquarium
Nagoya Essentials
 Nagoya Pocket Wi-fi Stay Internet-connected while in Nagoya! ➡️ RESERVE HERE |
 Shoryudo Highway Bus Pass Easy access to highway buses! ➡️ RESERVE HERE |
 Nagoya City Walking Tour See some of Nagoya’s iconic landmarks! ➡️ RESERVE HERE |
 JR Pass Unlimited train rides within the JR network. ➡️ RESERVE HERE |
