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Nagoya is a beautiful city with plenty of things to see and do; however, it is also a very big city, and it can be a little overwhelming when you start your research. Before you start looking at hotels, you need to work out which area to stay in. So, what are the best areas to stay in Nagoya?
We have lived in the Nagoya district and also traveled this area extensively. We are very excited to share our tips and insights to help you plan your own trip.
In this article, we will share 6 of the best areas to stay in Nagoya. For each of the areas that we recommend, we will give you an idea of things to do, amenities like shops, cafes, and restaurants, and the vibe of the area. Not only that, but we will also recommend some of the best hotels, hostels, and guest houses in the area. For each area, we will also share advantages and disadvantages so that you can make an informed, objective, and balanced decision.
EXPLORE WITH A LOCAL EXPERT – Don’t miss this Fun & Flexible Nagoya City Day Tour
PLAN YOUR TRIP – Nagoya – everything you need to know before you go
Map of the best areas to stay around Nagoya
1 Nagoya Castle Area
Nagoya Castle is one of the most prominent attractions in Nagoya. It is surrounded by big, busy streets with parks and temples. If you stay in the Nagoya Castle area, you can visit the castle several times (entry is relatively cheap, costing only 500 yen for adults, and kids are free). The castle is surrounded by beautiful grounds; it is a lovely place to take a walk and get some photos.
Nagoya Castle is located on the Meijo circle line (Nagoyajo Station). It is a 15-minute walk from the cosmopolitan Sakae district. There is plenty of food available in the Nagoya Castle area. For example, check out the Yoshinao Zone near the west castle entrance. You can also find some food kiosks by the east castle entrance. You can also visit the beautiful Meijo Flower Park. Make sure that you don’t miss the Gokoku Shrine (an amazing spot to see the blossom trees).
Best place to stay near Nagoya Castle
Looking for somewhere spacious? Check out FUN HOME – this two bedroom house is great for a family. In classic Japanese style it is impeccably clean and very well designed.
2 Shike-Michi Heritage District
The Shike-Michi heritage district is a hidden gem in Nagoya. This really is one of the best areas to stay. It offers a fantastic balance of beauty, tranquility, and proximity to the central station (1 km from central station; it only takes around 20 minutes to walk). It is also situated next to the Kokusai Centre subway station on the Sakura-dori line. You can hop on this line to get to the Sakae district.
The Shike-Michi heritage district is a very pretty area to stay. There are lots of beautiful traditional Japanese houses, and the streets are relatively small and quiet, so it is a nice area for families. There is a handful of shops, cafes, and restaurants to the north of the Shike-Michi heritage district. Alternatively, you can walk toward the station, and you will find lots of cafes, coffee shops, and restaurants. There are also some relatively cheap guest houses in this area too, so this is a great spot if you are a budget backpacker.
Best Hotels in the Shike-Michi heritage district
Looking for a luxurious place to stay? Check out the stylish Sanco Inn Grande Nagoya hotel (Reserve a room at Sanco Inn on booking.com or find Sanco Inn on Agoda).
Looking for somewhere budget and comfortable? Check out Cafe & Guest House Nagonoya – Find Cafe & Guest House on Agoda and Cafe & Guest House on booking.com.
3 Osu Area
If you’re looking for a central shopping hub in Nagoya, then we highly recommend finding a place to stay in the Osu area. This cosmopolitan district is situated to the south of Nagoya City Center. In the area, you can visit the Osu Shotengai shopping street. It is also not too far from the Nagoya Science Museum (one of the best attractions in Nagoya for kids), the Nagoya City Art Museum, and Park. This area is also very accessible, situated on the Meijo Loop line (the closest subway station is Kamimaezu).
Best places to stay in the Osu Area
Looking for somewhere stylish? Don’t miss GRAND BASE Osu – comfortable, luxurious and traditional Japanese vibes. You can book GRAND BASE on Agoda and you can also book GRAND BASE on booking.com
Looking for somewhere classy? Check out the Luxurious Gold Stay Nagoya – very decadent, luxurious, clean & beautifully designed. Find Gold Stay on booking.com and you can also find Gold Stay on Agoda.
4 Central Station Area
If you are looking for a vibrant and convenient area to stay in Nagoya, then we highly recommend staying around the Central Station. The Nagoya Central Station is massive. It has various lines, including a shinkansen bullet train line, JR lines, and of course a subway station. There is also a long-distance bus station, and you can take the JR Aonami Line to Legoland (don’t miss the Full LEGOLAND guide)
There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants both in the Central Station and also in the surrounding underground shopping precinct. This is also a great area to find coffee shops and boutique cafes. The Nagoya Central Station has a cosmopolitan vibe, and the area stays lively late into the evening. This is, of course, a very convenient location if you are connecting to other destinations around Japan. If you’re traveling on a lower budget, you can also find a good range of convenience stores in the area where you can buy cheap food, drinks, and snacks.
Best Hotels in the Central Station Area
Looking for somewhere affordable? Check out 9h Nine Hours Nagoya Station Hotel – this is an affordable trendy capsule hotel. You can find Nine Hours on Agoda and you can also find Nine Hours on booking.com.
Looking for a classy hotel? Don’t miss JR Gate Tower Hotel – Classy Japanese High rise Hotel. Book JR Gate Tower Hotel on Agoda or Book JR Gate Tower Hotel on booking.com.
5 Sakae area
The Sakae district is the cosmopolitan hub of Nagoya. This area has a lovely vibe. The main landmark in this area is the iconic Mirai Tower (also known as the Chubu Electric Power Tower). You can also take a scenic walk through the Hisaya Odori Park, which runs along the center of the promenade. There are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops around here (the food is pretty expensive in this area). The closest subway station is the Sakae Station, which is connected to an extensive underground shopping precinct. Sakae Station is on both the Higashiyama Line and Meijo Line.
If you are exploring this area, don’t miss the unique Oasis 21 mall with a floating lake on the rooftop (it is free to walk around the lake). If you enjoy unique attractions, you might also be interested in the Sky Boat at Sunshine Mall (this is a large Ferris wheel on the side of a shopping mall). Near Sakae, you can also find Kura Sushi, a contemporary sushi belt restaurant where you can get surprisingly affordable sushi. Also, don’t miss the Aichi Museum of Art. The Sakae district is also a 20-minute walk from Nagoya Castle. There are plenty of things to see and do in the Sakae area. It is very central, well-connected, and has a lovely vibe. However, this is one of the most expensive areas in Nagoya.
Best Hotels in the Sakae Area
Looking for somewhere luxurious? Check out the magnificent Tower Hotel Nagoya – it is very central and super luxurious. You can reserve The Tower Hotel Nagoya on Agoda or book the Tower Hotel Nagoya on booking.com.
Looking for somewhere affordable? Check out the ACCESS by LOISIR HOTEL. You can find the ACCESS on Agoda. You can also find the ACCESS on booking.com.
6 Tokoname Pottery Village
MUST DO ACTIVITY – Tokoname Pottery Village FREE self-guided walking tour
Tokoname Pottery Village is one of Nagoya’s best-kept secrets and is a true hidden gem in Japan. This unique village is situated around 40 minutes south of Nagoya City Center on the Meitetsu Line (not all of the trains stop at this village, so you will need to check the information carefully). Tokoname is situated close to the Chubu Centrair Airport. The village itself is absolutely stunning, with historic kilns, art shops, pottery workshops, boutique coffee shops, and cafes. They also have a lot of Edo period houses in the area.
Tokoname is famous for the iconic Japanese cat pottery, and it is also the scene of “A Whisker Away” (a Japanese anime film about a girl who finds a mask which allows her to become a cat to get close to a boy). Tokoname has a good range of shops, including convenience stores and a couple of supermarkets. There is also a large shopping mall nearby (Aeon Mall) and a very beautiful beach. It is a couple of train stops away from the Chubu Centrair Airport, where you can visit the Flight of Dreams (a free attraction which is great for kids). Tokoname is definitely off the beaten track. Although there is some local Japanese tourism in the area, you are unlikely to bump into Western tourists around here.
Best Hotels in Tokoname
Looking for a luxury hotel with an Onsen? Check out Spring Sunny Hotel Nagoya. You can book Spring Sunny Hotel on Agoda. You can also book Spring Sunny Hotel on booking.com
Looking for a traditional Japanese Guest House? Don’t miss GUESTHOUSE TANUKI. You can find Tanuki on Agoda you can also find Tanuki on booking.com
