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If you are planning to visit Nagoya, this is the perfect article for you. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know before you go to Nagoya.
Traveling to a new city in a foreign country can be challenging and overwhelming, especially a country as intense and unique as Japan. So if you’re planning to visit Nagoya, we strongly recommend that you take time to plan and prepare your trip carefully. There are some things that you may not think of. We have written this guide to help you understand as much as possible so that you are fully prepared for your trip and you can make the most of your time in Nagoya.
We have lived in Nagoya as a family and explored the area extensively. This article is based on our own first-hand research and experience (including our own mistakes). We love to share our experience to equip you to enjoy your own adventures, so grab a coffee, sit back, and enjoy this article.
GET YOUR JR PASS SORTED EARLY – It is not possible purchase your JR Pass from the stations in Japan – so you need to book it online in advance. We highly recommend getting your JR Pass on KLOOK. They offer 7, 14 and 21 day Whole-Japan passes and also include a FREE Guide Book to help you make the most of your pass.
Things to Do in Nagoya
Nagoya is packed with a lot of amazing things to see and do. In order to see all of the main attractions in the city, we recommend spending at least three days in Nagoya. If you spend any less time, you will need to be very selective about what you hope to see. However, if you spend three days in Nagoya and you are very organized and intentional, you should be able to enjoy all of the main attractions and activities. Here is a list of some of the top things to see and do in Nagoya:
- Gokoku Shrine: Free to explore and great in blossom season.
- Nagoya Castle: 500 yen (roughly £2.50 or $3). Junior high school and under free.
- Mirai Tower (Chubu Electric Power Tower): 1,300 yen for adults (£6 or $8) and 800 yen for kids elementary and junior high. Preschool children free.
- Oasis 21 Floating Lake: This one is unique and very beautiful at night. It is easy to miss.
- Skyboat Ferris Wheel at Sunshine Sakae Shopping Mall: 600 yen per person.
- Nagoya Science Museum: 400 yen museum only. Museum and Planetarium 800 yen (free for junior high and below). This is an amazing activity for families. We recommend planning a full day here if possible.
- Shirakawa Park: Situated right next to the science museum, this is a fantastic place to explore with kids.
- Osu Shotengai Shopping Street.
- LEGOLAND JAPAN – Not cheap but a lot of fun, especially for families. It takes around 30 minutes to travel to Legoland from the center of Nagoya. Book it on KLOOK!
- Tokoname Pottery Village: This is truly an underrated hidden gem in Nagoya. We definitely recommend a trip to the pottery village.
- Atsuta-Jingu Shrine: Beautiful Japanese Temple.
EXPLORING ON A RAINY DAY? – Don’t miss our guide to The BEST indoor activities in Nagoya
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Best Nagoya Day Tours
If you are planning a dream trip to Japan, it is important to be as organized and prepared as possible. A great way to get your ducks in a row is to book your trips and tours online in advance. Here is a selection of our top pick trips and tours for Nagoya:
1. Full-day Nagoya City Tour (Get Your Guide): A great way to connect with locals and explore the city with an expert. Great value for money and a lot of fun – Full day tour of Nagoya City on Get Your Guide (£90)
2. Nagoya Half Day (Klook): Fun, flexible, and engaging half-day tour with a local expert. They also include a hotel pickup, and you can prioritize the attractions and activities that you are most interested in. You can Book the Nagoya Half Day Tour on KLOOK (£110)
3. Takayama and Shirakawa-go (Klook): This is an epic and long day trip which visits the iconic praying hands village (in the picture above), and you also explore Takayama. This is a great way to get out of the city into the mountains and explore an authentic, beautiful rural part of Japan. It is also excellent value for money, costing only £40 per person. The whole tour takes around 10 hours – Book Takayama & Shirakawa-go on KLOOK (£40)
What Are Prices Like in Nagoya?
Like most of Japan, Nagoya is a relatively expensive city. However, there are cheap ways to travel in Nagoya. Firstly, there are plenty of convenience stores around. Family Mart and Lawsons are particularly common. You can find a good range of fresh, healthy, and affordable food, including sushi, sashimi, ready meals, sandwiches, and a wide range of snacks. Kura Sushi is also a fantastic affordable way to eat in Nagoya, with sushi plates starting at 125 yen.
LEARN MORE – Don’t miss our Full Guide on Budget Travel in Japan
Accommodation in Nagoya is relatively expensive, especially in the city center. The average price in Nagoya is £80 per night, with not many options below £50 per night. The cheapest options start at £30 per night. In Japan, you can sometimes get better deals on accommodation if you are willing and able to lock in for over one month. You can also find some better deals in the suburbs and smaller towns around Nagoya.
Best Areas to Stay in Nagoya
1. Nagoya Castle Area: Relatively central and surprisingly tranquil. There are some affordable apartments in the Nagoya Castle area.
2. Shike-Michi Heritage District: Peaceful district with affordable accommodation options, a short walk from the central station.
3. Osu Area: Cosmopolitan shopping district with some stylish hotels and guesthouses.
4. Central Station Area: Plenty of options in this area, including some luxury hotels.
5. Sakae Area: The cosmopolitan hub of Nagoya, lots of places to eat and drink.
6. Tokoname Pottery Village: Beautiful hidden gem around 30 minutes south of Nagoya City.
Best Places to Stay in Nagoya
Here is a map of our TOP PICK places to stay in Nagoya:
- Looking for a great family space? Check out FunHome – This two-bedroom house is great for a family. In classic Japanese style, it is impeccably clean and very well designed.
- 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.
- Looking for unique luxury in Nagoya? Check out the Luxurious Gold Stay Nagoya – Very decadent, luxurious, clean & beautifully designed.
- Looking for somewhere classy & convenient? Don’t miss JR Gate Tower Hotel – Classy Japanese high-rise hotel.
How Do You Get Around in Nagoya?
The best way to get around in Nagoya is to use the subway system. The subway system is affordable, intuitive, and extensive. The first step is to find a self-service vending machine where you can purchase your ticket. Above the vending machine, you will see a price map (you can work out the price zone for your destination). Select the correct price and then pay for your ticket. You need to pay in cash. Once you have paid the correct amount, the machine will dispense a ticket. You can use this ticket to enter the ticket gate and find your platform. There are normally plenty of subway maps around and signs are in English. It is important to keep hold of your ticket because you will need to use it at the exit gates at your destination.
- Most subway journeys around Nagoya range in price from 200 – 350 yen.
- You only need to buy one ticket, which covers the entire subway network. If you need to change lines, you do not need to exit, and you can keep traveling on the same ticket.
- Children pay the same price as adults on the subway. Children under 7 years old generally do not need to pay for the subway. However, if they are registered in elementary school, they do need to pay.
TOP TIP – If you’re traveling outside of Nagoya to other destinations and towns nearby, you may need to use a different rail line (not part of the subway network). In some cases, you may be able to use a JR line, which means you can use your pass. In other cases, you may be using a private rail line where you would need to buy a separate ticket.
Is Nagoya a Good Destination for Families?
Yes, Nagoya is an excellent destination for families. Although Osaka is probably the most popular Japanese city for families, Nagoya has a lot to offer if you are traveling with kids.
There are plenty of family-friendly activities. We particularly enjoyed the Nagoya Science Museum. It is very cheap for families, and there are a lot of things to see, do, and experience in the science museum. We would recommend at least one full day to explore the science museum with kids.
Nagoya Castle is also a fantastic place to visit with kids. There is plenty of space for kids to run around, explore, and burn off some energy. Nagoya Castle is also very affordable, making it an ideal cheap family day out.
We also loved going on the Sky Boat Ferris Wheel at Sunshine Mall in the Sakae area. This is a very unique and quirky experience and fun with kids.
Where next? – Places to Travel from Nagoya
1 Tokoname
If you’re spending a little time in Nagoya, we highly recommend a visit to the unique and beautiful Tokoname Pottery Village. This village has lots of beautiful pottery studios and workshops. You can also find quirky boutique coffee shops and plenty of hidden gems. We really loved living in Tokoname, and it is one of our favorite Japanese towns. In our opinion, it is seriously underrated.
FIND OUT MORE – Things to see and do in Tokoname
2 Takayama
Takayama is a beautiful historic town situated in the stunning Hida Valley a couple of hours north of Nagoya. The town itself is genuinely very beautiful, with plenty of temples, heritage streets, and a charming morning market alongside the river. You can also use Takayama as a base to visit the Praying Hands Village and the mountain onsen village.
3 Shirakawa-go
This beautiful iconic praying hands Village is a fantastic place to explore. You can take a day tour from Nagoya or you can travel here from Takayama. In the village you can try traditional local food, explore house museums and take a walk alongside the scenic river.
LEARN MORE – everything you need to know about Shirakawa-go Praying Hands Village
4 Osaka
Osaka is a 1-hour journey from Nagoya on the bullet train. This is a beautiful vibrant City with markets, walking streets and that Japanese Lights Big City vibe. Osaka is also one of the best family-friendly cities in Japan. If you’re planning to visit Nagoya consider a trip to Osaka as well.
The BEST places to see Blossom in Nagoya
Visiting in Blossom Season? Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE – The Best Places to See Blossom in Nagoya
