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Discover Nagoya's Best Hotspots: A Car Journey with a Fun Guide

Osu temple

nittaiji Temple

nittaiji temple

Yokiso Villa garden

naked Buddha

yokiso villa garden

osu shopping district

hitsumabushi

miso nikomi udon

Delica D5

magome

bamboo forest

autumn leaves and bamboo

Discover Nagoya's Best Hotspots: A Car Journey with a Fun Guide

Shore Excursion

Car Tour (driving guide)

Joined 2024

Serge R.

5.00 / 5

(12 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Nagoya

Dutch (Native), English (Native), Japanese

7 hours

Private tour (only you and Serge R.)

Up to 9 people

Join us for a comfortable private car tour of Nagoya and its nearby surroundings, guided by a fun and experienced local expert. Relax and enjoy the views and engaging conversation as we travel from one location to the next. The itinerary is flexible and can be customized to suit your preferences.

This tour is great for Cruise ship passengers. For an additional 1200 yen pp, I can switch the itinerary and go to the famous Toyota Automobile museum or we can take a stroll through a bamboo forest.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

08:00 AM

Meeting Point

harbor, airport, hotel, hostel, airbnb, station, etc

- any place in Nagoya

09:00 AM

Nagoya castle

Nagoya Castle (名古屋城, Nagoya-jō) is one of the most famous landmarks in Nagoya and a symbol of the Tokugawa clan’s power.

Built in History & Significance1612 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, as a strategic defense point and residence for the Owari branch of the Tokugawa family.

Famous for its golden shachihoko (mythical tiger-fish ornaments) on the roof, which became a symbol of Nagoya.

Much of the castle was destroyed in WWII air raids, but many treasures were saved and are displayed today.

Reconstruction has been ongoing: the Hommaru Palace (main palace) was beautifully rebuilt with traditional craftsmanship and opened fully in 2018.

Tokugawa gardens

It’s a beautiful Japanese landscape garden built on the grounds of the Owari Tokugawa family’s former residence. Highlights:

Central pond and waterfall: A classic kaiyū-style (strolling) garden with a large pond representing the sea, with artificial hills symbolizing mountains.

Seasonal flowers: Peonies in spring, irises in early summer, autumn foliage, and snowy scenery in winter.

11:30 AM

Toganji temple/ big buddha statue

Toganji is a Buddhist temple of the Soto sect founded in the 1500s by Oda Nobuyuki in memory of his father Nobuhide, yes rich and powerful people used to do those things. You can't miss the truly magnificent green bronze Buddha statue. It's 10 meters tall, and probably very heavy. There is also naked Benazaiten, a happy Buddha and the biggest wooden temple drum in Japan, maybe in the world....

12:00 AM

lunch time

If open I would like to take you a special hidden gem, it's a tea/coffee shop with a Japanese garden and art gallery.

01:00 AM

osukannon temple and shopping street

A network of aging yet charming covered shopping streets, home to over 400 shops and restaurants. This area is often compared to Tokyo's Akihabara district, as it features numerous stores specializing in electronics, cosplay, anime, J-pop, and idol goods.

Ending Point

Your decided place of arrival

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Door to door car service

wifi in car

entrance fee Nagoya castle and Tokugawa en

refreshments in car

minivan /Delica D5

parking fees/gas

bad singing

What‘s not included

Lunch

Toyota automobile museum 1100 yen pp

Tour Important Information

-Toyota museum is closed on mondays.

-I will video our trip and make a memory video (of course free of charge)

-This tour doesn't involve a lot of walking so wheelchairs are not a problem.

-English and Dutch is spoken

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2024

Serge R.

5.00 / 5

(12 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Serge R.

Hi lovely travelers,

I'm Serge, originally from the Netherlands, and Japan has been my home for over three decades now. What brought me here initially was love, and that love has kept me rooted in this beautiful country ever since. Along the way, I discovered another love: Japan itself. Following my stint as a radio jockey and TV presenter, where I co-hosted a dedicated program for the Nagoya Grampus soccer team, I transitioned to a behind-the-scenes role as a media fixer for international media outlets.

Though my job as media fixer, I've been traveling and working throughout all of Japan, exploring unique places and meeting lots of very interesting people.

I would love to share and make you, my dear traveler, experience these places as well. Visiting and getting a tour at Japan's oldest traditional vinegar maker, or experience and taste at a traditional "katsuo bushi" bonito flake maker, or do you prefer to visit some old local shrines or temples. with no-one around you, except for the crickets and trees. Maybe you just want a friend to bring you to your desired locations and interpret and be at your beck and call 24 hours (like I do for the media). If you're looking for flexibility (time, places. transport), you won't find a better match than me.

My work as a fixer taught me a valuable lesson: the key to traveling together successfully, lies in a blend of humor, professionalism, and adaptability.

Reviews

Pey wei Y.

5 / 5

Oct 5, 2026

Hatcho miso meets cat and dog lovers tour

Oct 5, 2026

Aichi

6 hours

Customized

“Yummy miso museum tour and pet lovers' temple/shrine visit”

We booked a second day with Serge and had our absolute pleasure of meeting his wife, Tomoko-san on Day 2. My mum wanted to visit the miso museum and happily bought lots of hatcho miso for future meals. I also wanted to visit the inu (dog) shrine and Ryusenji temple as I've read online that they look after quite a few cats in the area and we were fortunate enough to meet some of them. Both the shrine and the temple were very quiet, only visited by locals and we really enjoyed the experience. After learning about my Pokemon obsession, Tomoko very kindly led me to special Pokemon/Magikarp manhole cover located in Nagoya castle so that I can take a photo of it. Both Serge and Tomoko have an incredible dynamic together and we absolutely loved their company. They are very warm and welcoming people and very eager to share their culture and experiences with us. I am already counting down my days of when I'll be returning to Nagoya and I'll be sure to book another tour with Serge and Tomoko when I do! Again, 10 out of 5 stars!

Serge R.

Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and heartfelt review! It truly means a lot to both Tomoko and me. We were so happy that you decided to spend a second day with us, and it was a real pleasure for us to share that day with you and your mum. I’m especially glad that your mum enjoyed the Hatcho Miso experience — and it sounds like she made sure to take a good supply home for future meals! I also loved that we could take you to the Inu Shrine and Ryusenji Temple. These are quiet, lesser-known places where you can experience a very different side of Nagoya, away from the usual tourist spots. And of course, meeting the local cats made the visit even more special! Tomoko was especially happy to hear that she could help with your Pokémon love (pokelove?) and find the Magikarp manhole cover for you. It’s always wonderful when we can add those little personal touches that make a day memorable. We really enjoyed your company as well, and we’re so happy you felt the warmth and welcome that we try to share with our guests. For us, guiding is not just about showing places — it’s about sharing Japan, exchanging stories, laughing together, and hopefully making you feel like you’ve spent the day with friends. We’ll be keeping an eye on that countdown to your return to Nagoya! When you come back, Tomoko and I will be very happy to show you some more hidden gems — and who knows, perhaps another Pokémon discovery along the way! Thank you again for the wonderful 10 out of 5 stars (love it). We truly appreciate it, and we look forward to seeing you again in Nagoya! Warmest regards, Serge & Tomoko

Pey wei Y.

5 / 5

Oct 5, 2026

Nagoya: car tour to the beauty of Korankei valley

Oct 5, 2026

Nagoya

7 hours

“Lovely day at Korankei Valley”

I booked a tour with Serge for myself and my parents as we were staying in Nagoya for several days. Serge was an absolute delight, he was so friendly and so fun to be around with, and he was also very knowledgeable when he brought us around some places of interest for the day. Although we were about a month too early for the firey red autumn leaves, we were still able to admire the natural beauty of the valley. I highly recommend Serge's services and would say he is hands down the best guide we've had so far! He was very patient and accommodating to my parents' needs and he also kept them entertained (which isn't an easy job, especially for my dad!). I would without a doubt reach out to Serge again if/when we are back in Nagoya in the future. Would give 10 out of 5 stars if possible!

Serge R.

Thank you so much for your lovely review! It was a real pleasure spending the day with you and your parents. I'm glad you enjoyed Korankei despite being a little early for the autumn colours! I hope to welcome you all back to Nagoya for another adventure someday. Until then, wishing you and your family all the very best! Ps your dad is awesome, I didn't entertain him, it was more of a reversed situation. Your mom and you are absolute darlings!

Alice C.

5 / 5

Jan 25, 2026

Discover Nagoya's Best Hotspots: A Car Journey with a Fun Guide

Jan 25, 2026

Nagoya

7 hours

“Great Guide”

Serge’s friendly smile and easy-going personality immediately put us at ease as soon as we stepped into the airport arrival hall…. His larger-than-life personality is fascinating, as is his life story. We appreciate his enthusiasm and sense of humour throughout the tour. Thank you very much! Alice, Jack, Zenn ️

Serge R.

Dear Alice, thank you so much for this kind review. I had a great time with you three, your husband especially made me giggle a lot with his tanuki hat. Again thank you so much for putting your day in my tiny hands. I hope we meet again in the future!