GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
GoWithGuide
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!

Top Things To Do And Places To Visit In Nagoya

RICH LIN

by GoWithGuide travel specialist:RICH LIN

Last updated : Jan 19, 20249 min read

Things To Do

Nagoya, the capital city of Aichi Prefecture, is Japan's fourth-largest city. Located in the middle region of Japan, Nagoya is also a good base for travelers to explore of central Japan, such as Gifu, Mie, Toyama, and Shiga. Unlike Tokyo's hustle and bustle, in Nagoya, you can enjoy real slow-pace of life here.  Looking for fun things to do in Nagoya? Here are our suggestions!

Toyota Related Sights

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

Learn about Toyota, the automobile enterprise symbolizing Japan
Aichi Prefecture has many sightseeing spots where you can learn about the world’s leading car manufacturer Toyota. Experience the past and future of Japanese automobiles at the museum beloved by car enthusiasts.

Toyota’s past, present and future. Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology The Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology has preserved the Toyota factory that was launched in the Taisho Era as a place to be used as a museum for its valuable industrial heritage. There are 4 pavilions: the Textile Machinery Pavilion, the Automobile Pavilion, Technoland, and the Toyota Group Building. The red-brick buildings themselves are preserved as valuable structures. There is a circular loom displayed in the museum lobby w...

more information

Business hours
- Tuesday (9:30 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
- Wednesday (9:30 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
- Thursday (9:30 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
- Friday (9:30 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
- Saturday (9:30 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
- Sunday (5:00 PM ~ 5:00 PM )
Phone
052-551-6115
Price
- Adult: 500 JPY
- Child: 200 JPY
Website
www.tcmit.org

The Port of Nagoya

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

Fully enjoy the main international trading port of Nagoya while feeling the sea breeze
The Port of Nagoya is one of Japan’s largest ports for international trade, along with Yokohama. While centering on logistics, the port can also be enjoyed for an aquarium, sightseeing boats and other amusement activities.

To fully enjoy the port, head for the Garden Pier The Port of Nagoya is the largest international trading port in the country where many cargo ships can be seen daily. It’s recommended to take a leisurely walk there while feeling the sea breeze. Also at the port, up to 40 luxury liners and domestic/overseas cruise ships arrive during the year, so it’s a treat to be able to see them up close. The Garden Pier is located close by at the Port of Nagoya’s Old No. 2 Chisan Pier, where you can enjoy facilities such as a museum and a...

more information

Phone
052-654-7000
Website
www.port-of-nagoya.jp

Atsuta Shrine

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

The shrine founded to enshrine the sword that is one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan
Atsuta Shrine has been loved by many people, starting with the citizens of Nagoya as “Atsuta-san” or “Atsuta-sama”. On the other hand, it is one of the most prestigious shrines in Japan that has been worshiped by emperors.

The prestigious Atsuta Shrine. Atsuta Shrine, located in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, was established in the year 113, and reaching its 1900th anniversary in 2013, a commemorative festival was held. At the shrine that has been affectionately called Atsuta-san by Nagoyans, more than 6.5 million visitors come every year. Not only local citizens but members of the Imperial Household and shoguns have also worshiped at the shrine, and it is also known as the most prestigious shrine next to Ise Shrine. The reason for this is that it is famous for enshr...

more information

Phone
052-671-4151
Price
- Free
Website
www.atsutajingu.or.jp

Nagoya Castle

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

Nagoya Castle boasts its large number of pre-eminent visitors from all over the country. Its restoration is through the hands of the citizens of Nagoya
Nagoya Castle was the final castle to be built for the Tokugawa clan to unify the whole country. Restoration is still ongoing after the castle was burned down during the war.

Nagoya Castle, the symbol of Nagoya. At the center of Nagoya Castle is its tenshukaku or castle tower, which was rebuilt in 1959. The surrounding remains of the castle were made into Meijou Park. At present, the Honmaru palace is continuing restoration. A third of the construction costs, about 5 billion yen, comes from donations from Nagoya citizens. Local residents’ passion is linked into the restoration of Nagoya Castle. Along with the tenshukaku, Honmaru is the most important part of Nagoya Castle. For that part, the front hall and the...

more information

Business hours
- Everyday (9:00 AM ~ 4:30 PM )
Phone
052-231-1700
Price
- Adult: 500 JPY
- Child: 0 JPY
Website
www.nagoyajo.city.nagoya.jp

Nagoya City Science Museum

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

Enjoy science at the museum whose theme is “Watch, touch and discover”
At the Nagoya City Science Museum, you can enjoy and learn about science with the whole family through exhibits and interactive shows under the theme of physics and biology, and there is also the world’s largest planetarium.

The huge globe-like planetarium is incredible. At the science museum located in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, there is the globe-shaped planetarium, Brother Earth, which opened in 2010 and whose dome measures 35 meters in diameter. This planetarium which looks outstanding from the outside was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest planetarium in 2011. To show a truly endless starry sky, it uses the latest technology such as the Universarium Model IX planetarium (optical planetarium) and the Skymax DSII...

more information

Business hours
- Everyday (9:30 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
Phone
052-201-4486
Price
- Adult: 400 JPY
Tickets for the planetarium are 800 yen for adults and free for children
Website
www.ncsm.city.nagoya.jp

Osu Kannon Temple

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

Osu Kannon Temple, beloved in Nagoya’s shitamachi district
When it comes to Osu, it means Osu Kannon Temple which is adjacent to the Osu Shopping District, a lively area that has events all throughout the year attracting young and old.

Events unfold at Osu Kannon Temple. Osu Kannon is a well-liked temple that was moved by Ieyasu Tokugawa. The main hall had been burned down in the war, but was rebuilt in 1960. The temple is also famous for events in the local shopping district. For starters, on the 18th and 28th of every month, flea markets are held on the lucky days (ennichi) for visiting the temple. Pictures and kimono, old books and coins, tin toys and old anime are lined up to evoke that feeling of the good ol’ days. Amazake, which is said to prolong life, is given...

more information

Business hours
- Everyday
Phone
052-231-6525
Price
- Free
Website
en.wikipedia.org

Sakae

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

Fully enjoy Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture through the central area of Sakae
Sakae, which is in the center of Nagoya, is an amusement quarter which represents Aichi Prefecture. Enjoy shopping in the department stores, malls and huge underground complex, and then enjoy the night scene.

Enjoy shopping in Sakae. There are plenty of facilities to enjoy shopping in Sakae. First, there are the department stores of Meitetsu, Matsuzakaya, Maruei and Mitsukoshi. The Nagoya branch of Matsuzakaya, especially, boasts the largest department store in Japan in terms of area. There are also large shopping facilities such as Parco, Nadia Hall, and Sunshine Sakae, and besides apparel shops, there are movie theaters, bookstores, music venues, cafés and restaurants. In recent years, the number of boutiques and brand shops has increased, and...

more information

Midland Square

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

The view from the tallest skyscraper in the Chubu Region and the variety of the commercial facilities are the attractions here
At Midland Square, it starts with the high-class brand shops and the restaurants and ends with the observation deck, the automobile showroom and the movie theaters. It is also a complex which is in a good location near Nagoya Station.

Midland Square, is just a 1-minute walk away from Nagoya Station. The 240-meter-high Midland Square is the tallest structure in Aichi Prefecture and is the 5th-tallest building in Japan. Major enterprises such as Toyota Motors and the Mainichi Shinbun Newspaper Company are located within this ultra-high skyscraper. There are offices and other commercial facilities from the 6th floor to the 40th floor, but from the first underground floor up to the 5th floor, there are restaurants and brand shops such as Louis Vuitton and Dior, and on the 5th floor...

more information

Business hours
- Everyday (11:00 AM ~ 8:00 PM )
Differs depending on the shop
Phone
052-527-8877
Price
- Free
Website
www.midland-square.com

Inuyama Castle

blog image
Photo by Planetyze

Inuyama is a city with lots to see, including 2 National Treasures
Construction was completed in 1537. The existing castle towers were built upon a slightly elevated mountain, and the awareness of constant war is understood from things such as the steep stairways and the hidden rooms for soldiers. The view from the highest floor is of scenery that could only be seen by the strongest warriors.

A castle whose memories of historical figures can be realistically thought about up to now is uncommon. The differences in the reconstruction of some buildings is evident. By no means is it a big castle, but we would like you to come and visit a place that has plenty of memories of the lifestyle of warring commanders. Visiting this castle, you can feel the plans and zeal of the warriors who continued to protect it and also get to know the making of this Sengoku Era castle. A castle that cannot show its...

more information

Business hours
- Everyday (9:00 AM ~ 4:30 PM )
Phone
0568-61-1711
Price
- Adult: 550 JPY
- Child: 110 JPY
Website
ml.inuyama.gr.jp

Written by RICH LIN

blog writer avatar

GoWithGuide’s writers are passionate travel specialists sharing unique tips and essential information for global explorers.

Hyogo Tour Guide - Hideo Y.

Hideo Y.

4.59 / 5
(175 reviews)
Japan

Hello, I'm HIDEo YOSHIda. Please call me HIDEYOSHI, the same name as the famous shogun who built the Osaka Castle in 1585. I was born in Kobe and worked in Osaka for nearly 40 years. I would like to introduce the Kansai region to you ,including Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Wakayama. Kobe is one of the two largest ports in Japan, along with Yokohama. After the opening of the Port of Kobe in 1868, foreigners built their residences on the hillside of the Kitano-cho area, overlooking the ocean. Many of the foreign residences are now open to the public as museums, including the Weathercock House, with it's symbol weathercock on the triangle-shaped roof. In Meriken Park, the red Port Tower (the city's landmark), creates a beautiful contrast against the white Kobe Marine Museum. The museum's design was inspired by the waves and sailing ships. When you have a chance to visit Osaka, please join my tour. I'm sure you'll enjoy the interesting and historical, scenic spots. For example, Shin-Sekai is a downtown area with a strange mix of nostalgic atmosphere and contemporary energy. You can try local foods (kushikatsu, sushi, tempura) at a reasonable price. Billiken (a famous statue of the spirit of luck) will be waiting for you!!. Dotombori is a popular street with a lot of flashy signboards. Osaka is widely known as a "Kuidaore-no-machi", or literally "drinking and eating luxuriously to death." Osaka Castle was built by Toyotomi HIDEYOSHI in 1585. Oh, it's my residence, isn't it ! These days "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" area in USJ, or Universal Studios Japan, is also attracting more and more people. I'll be looking forward to seeing you !!                                                                                                                                 

Aichi Tour Guide - Saki K.

Saki K.

4.98 / 5
(64 reviews)
Japan

Hi! Thank you for checking my profile, I'm Saki. If you are interested in discovering the Central Japan area, Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Nagano please leave it on me! I was born in Aichi prefecture where Nagoya is located in. It's a shame many tourists skip our Central area on their itinerary as it's not known well as destination for tourist. However, I'm proud of my region where you can experience Japanese people local life and beauty of hidden nature. If you are a little bit tired with the touristic places please visit my region. I'll take you calm and tranquil nature places, tasting our traditional cuisine and experiencing local people's real life. As my husband is from USA, I have many experiences to take my foreign family and friends my favorite places. It was my pleasure they loved where I presented and discovered different side of Japan. I'd like to help making your trip unforgettable and full of new experiences. I'm really looking forward to presenting you our Central region and seeing you. Thank you for reading my profile, see you soon! ※If you need the guide to be conducted in Spanish, I can attend in Spanish too. Si necesita que la guía se haga en español, estoy disponible en español también.                                                                                                                                 

Gifu Tour Guide - Yuriko S.

Yuriko S.

4.94 / 5
(53 reviews)
Japan

I am Yuriko from Gifu Prefecture. I was an assistant English teacher at junior high school. I started to work as a National Certificate tour guide in 2019. I'm very interested in kimono, tea ceremony and Japanese castles. I sometimes guide in kimono. There are so many nice places to visit in Gifu and Nagoya! I also guide around Takayama, Shirakawago, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kanazawa if you pay my transportation fee from my hometown. Let's enjoy Japan with me!                                                                                                                                 

Plan your trip to Nagoya

Chat with a local tour guide who can help organize your trip.

Get Started