Best Nagoya Tours & Trips

How Many Days Are Needed for Nagoya

A trip to Nagoya can take 3 to 5 days. Three days allow you to visit the city's main attractions, while five days enable you to take day trips to nearby cities.

Best Month to Visit Nagoya

The best times to visit Nagoya are spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November. Spring offers comfortable weather, with average temperatures ranging from 14 °C to 25°C (57°F to 77°F). Late March to early April is also an ideal period for viewing cherry blossoms.

Average temperatures in autumn range from 7 to 29°C (45 to 84°F), making this the ideal season to view the fall foliage. The summer months from June to August in Nagoya are hotter, with highs reaching 32°C (90°F) and frequent rainfall, though the city's largest festival, the Atsuta Festival, takes place on June 5th. Winter months from November to February bring snowfall, with average temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and fewer crowds.

Nagoya's Top Attractions

Nagoya Castle: This symbol of Nagoya showcases exhibits and culture from the Edo period. Inside, the buildings feature intricate architecture and statues.

Atsuta Shrine: One of Japan's most significant Shinto shrines. It houses the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, a sacred sword counted among Japan's Three Sacred Treasures. Its treasure hall displays over two thousand antique artifacts and works of art.

Osu Shotengai Shopping Street: With its highly visible lanterns adorning the exterior, this bustling neighborhood street is lined with shops selling everything from traditional goods and vintage clothing to electronics and local snacks.

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology: If you're interested in technology and innovation, or simply want to learn about Toyota, this museum chronicles the Toyota Group's history from textile machinery to automobile manufacturing.

Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium: This modern aquarium features dolphins, whales, penguins, and more.

How to Get Around in Nagoya

Subway: This is the best way to explore the city. Nagoya has 6 subway lines, with fares determined by distance.

Bus: Can take you to more places, with a flat fare of 210 yen. We recommend purchasing the Nagoya City Bus & Subway 1-Day Ticket, allowing unlimited rides on subways and buses for 870 yen.

Bus Me~guru: This bus is designed specifically for tourists, connecting Nagoya Station with many of the city's major attractions. A one-day pass for this bus costs 500 yen. It operates from Tuesday to Sunday.

Day Trips from Nagoya

Inuyama: Home to Inuyama Castle, one of Japan's oldest castles, Inuyama also features historic teahouses worth visiting. Take the train from Nagoya for a 32-minute journey.

Shirakawa: This village is home to Shirakawa-gō, its most famous attraction, featuring traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses. It is recommended to join a guided tour for a more convenient experience.

Ghibli Park: If you're a fan of Studio Ghibli, this theme park brings scenes from the films to life, making it a magical journey.

Kyoto: Just a 35-minute bullet train ride away, where you can visit historic shrines and temples.

Accommodations in Nagoya

For first-time visitors to Nagoya, we recommend staying near Nagoya Station or in the Sakae Area. Staying near Nagoya Station offers greater convenience for train travel and day trips. The Sakae Area, meanwhile, is the main shopping and entertainment district, featuring a wider selection of restaurants and bars.

Must-Try Foods in Nagoya

Like other cities in Japan, Nagoya has an exclusive local specialty:

Hitsumabushi: This is grilled eel served on rice in a lacquered bowl. It's eaten in three stages: first plain, then with condiments like wasabi and green onions, and finally as soup with dashi broth poured over it.

Miso Katsu: Fried pork cutlet coated in a rich, thick miso sauce. This staple dish of Nagoya is beloved by locals and tourists alike.

Tebasaki: Nagoya-style fried chicken wings, not coated in batter but double-fried and then glazed with a sweet-salty sauce.

Kishimen: A type of flat, wide udon noodle. Served in hot broth with toppings such as steamed fish cakes and deep-fried tofu.

Ogura Toast: A popular local breakfast consisting of thick-sliced toast topped with red bean paste and a small amount of butter.