People often ask: “Is Nagoya worth visiting?”
As Japan’s third-largest metropolitan area, Nagoya isn’t as ancient as Kyoto or as flashy and bustling as Tokyo or Osaka. But that’s exactly its charm. It’s a city where you can slow down, sightsee at an easy pace, enjoy some shopping for everyday essentials, and savor unique local dishes without feeling overwhelmed. If you're planning a trip to Japan and wondering if Nagoya is worth adding to your itinerary, this guide will help you discover why it’s a refreshing alternative to more crowded destinations.
The food scene in Nagoya might not blow your mind with every single bite, but overall, it’s reliably solid and satisfying. Think miso katsu at Yabaton, the legendary Hitsumabushi (grilled eel) at Houraiken—yes, it’s absolutely worth the 90-minute wait, trust me 🙏—crispy chicken wings, Nagoya’s unique morning café culture, or a slice of delicate cake at the original Harbs. Plus, the nostalgic charm of old-school Showa-era kissaten cafés is a must-try.
If you’re tired of the "people everywhere" feeling in many Japanese cities, Nagoya might surprise you with its laid-back vibe and unexpected pockets of calm.
How to get to Nagoya
We started our trip from Kyoto and booked our Shinkansen tickets using JR’s official Smart EX app (スマートEX). We highly recommend this app—you can reserve Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen tickets up to a month in advance, get early bird discounts, and even link your IC card for easy gate entry. It's super convenient!
If you’re bringing large luggage, you can also reserve a seat with extra storage space in the last row. Plus, your reservation is flexible, so you can change your train time before departure, making travel stress-free.
Smart EX is a free online reservation service for the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen. Once registered, you pay with your credit card, link your Japanese IC card (like Suica, Icoca, or Pasmo—there are about 10 options), then just tap your card at the gate like a regular train. Your paper ticket prints out automatically. It’s so easy! If you don’t have a physical IC card, you can pick up your ticket at a vending machine instead. But honestly, applying for a virtual IC card on your iPhone ahead of time makes the whole process much smoother. (Yes—you can link your iPhone’s mobile IC card. No physical card needed!)
Our round-trip fare for two reserved seats:
Outbound: ¥11,420
Return: ¥11,020 (discounted)
📍 Tip: Smart EX requires you to register a credit card and link your IC card. The first time takes a few minutes, so do it in advance to avoid any day-of-travel panic.
📍 A Shinkansen ride from Kyoto to Nagoya is just about 35 minutes—basically the length of a power nap (we just had a rice dumpling and a bun, then we were there!). Coming from Tokyo or Osaka? Travel times are:
Tokyo → Nagoya: about 1.5 hours by Shinkansen
Osaka → Nagoya: about 1.5–2 hours by Shinkansen or Kintetsu line
Where to stay in Nagoya: Nagoya Station area vs Sakae
Nagoya has plenty of places to stay, but most travelers pick one of two main areas: around Nagoya Station or Sakae. Each has its perks, depending on your trip style.
Nagoya Station area | Best for transfers and short stays
- Close to Shinkansen, JR, Meitetsu, Kintetsu, and subway lines
- Tons of malls and restaurants; super convenient for everyday needs
- Nighttime vibe is more business-like and less local.
☞ Great if you’re arriving late or catching an early train the next morning.
Sakae Area | Downtown Nagoya’s Best Spot for Shopping & Sightseeing
- Sakae is the lively heart of Nagoya—packed with department stores, delicious food, and local cafés.
- It’s close to landmarks like Oasis 21 and Chubu Electric MIRAI TOWER (the old TV Tower).
- You can walk to Hisaya Odori Park, the MIRAI TOWER Plaza, and underground food arcades; plus, it’s only about five minutes by subway to Nagoya Station.
We stayed at a hotel just a 2-minute walk from Sakae Station—super convenient! I’d recommend picking a spot near Hisaya Odori Park and the MIRAI TOWER Plaza. It’s great for evening strolls, café hopping, and photos. After its recent renovation, this area now blends green space, shops, restaurants, and public areas, making it a go-to spot for shopping, hanging out, and local snapshots—especially popular with young locals.
If you love shopping, stay between Sakae and Yabacho Stations. This stretch is full of department stores like PARCO, Matsuzakaya, LACHIC, Mitsukoshi, plus the Apple Store, Jump Shop, LOFT, Don Quijote, and more—all within walking distance.
Nagoya Subway: How to Ride It + Ticket & Day Pass Tips
Nagoya’s city subway has six lines: Higashiyama, Meijo, Meiko, Tsurumai, Sakura-dori, and Kamiida. Trains are frequent, and transfers are easy—it’s your best bet for getting around town. We mainly used the Meijo, Meiko, and Higashiyama Lines during our four-day stay; these three lines cover most major spots for sightseeing.
🎫 Subway Fares (One-Way)
Prices vary by distance: expect ¥210–340 per ride.
🚉 Recommended Passes (If You Plan to Hop Around):
- Subway 24-Hour Pass | ¥760: Ideal if you’ll be on the subway several times in a day.
- Subway + Bus 24-Hour Pass | ¥870: Unlimited rides on all subway lines and city buses.
- Weekend Eco Ticket | ¥620: Available on weekends and the 8th of every month—a great deal!
Tip: If you think you’ll take the subway more than three times in a day, a day pass will definitely save you money.
Nagoya 4-Day, 3-Night Itinerary: Eat, Stroll & Explore at an Easy Pace
First things first—our trip style was slow and flexible: leisurely breakfasts, no rushing out before noon. We planned our days but probably did about 80% of it—and that was perfect. Subway and walking were our main modes of transport; you can adjust this itinerary to your energy level and pace.
Day 1 | First Impressions: A City Where Parks & Skyscrapers Coexist
Afternoon: Arrive in Nagoya → Hotel check-in → Walk around Oasis 21 & MIRAI TOWER
Evening: Dinner at Yabaton (miso katsu) → Sunshine Sakae Ferris wheel night view
We got off the Shinkansen and hopped on the Higashiyama Line—just two stops to Sakae Station. It’s super close! Compared to Tokyo, Nagoya Station isn’t complicated at all—once you know where the Shinkansen, Kintetsu, and subway connect, transfers are smooth and easy.
Oasis 21 is one of Nagoya’s most iconic spots. This futuristic structure, nicknamed the “Water Spaceship,” seems to float right in the middle of the city. The top deck holds a shallow glass pool that glitters in the sunlight—perfect for adding a cool vibe to the summer cityscape. If you go up at dusk, you’ll catch a relaxed sunset view of the city.
The first basement floor of Oasis 21 is a major bus terminal; the second basement combines shops and an open dining area with plenty of seating. It connects directly to Sakae Station and Hisaya Odori Park. We happened to run into a cosplay event that day—the lawn was packed with young people chatting and taking photos. It felt like a local hangout just as much as a tourist spot.
Just across the street is the Chubu Electric MIRAI TOWER (formerly Nagoya TV Tower). At night, the tower lights up with changing colors, reflected in the pond below—like a slow, glowing piece of urban art. Both sides of the pond have stylish restaurants and boutiques; it’s lovely to sit outside with a drink, watch the lights, and people-watch. So relaxing!
For dinner, we had Nagoya’s signature dish: Yabaton’s miso katsu. We went to their CentRise Sakae location—the pork was thick yet tender, with a slight bounce; the miso sauce was sweet yet savory, rich but not heavy. The portions are huge though—I only managed a couple bites of rice after finishing all that pork!
After dinner, we strolled over to the Sunshine Sakae Ferris wheel. The clear cabins were a bit scary at first, but as we rose higher, the street lights below turned into a calm, twinkling nightscape. It’s not a grand, sweeping view, but more like a cozy look at the city’s everyday charm from above.
Day 2 | A Day of History & Dessert: Nagoya Castle Meets Cakes
Morning: Breakfast at Komeda Coffee
Lunch: Yamamotoya Sohonke (miso udon + tebasaki + tempura rice ball)
Afternoon: Nagoya Castle + Honmaru Palace → Harbs Hisaya Odori Park flagship café
Evening: Sekai no Yamachan (tebasaki izakaya) → Evening stroll near the hotel
We started the morning at BINO Sakae, on the second floor at Komeda Coffee. This branch feels airy and bright, with big windows overlooking the street. Even though Komeda is a chain café, this location felt extra nice. The toast that comes with breakfast was perfectly crisp outside and fluffy inside—I don’t usually like red bean paste, but here, spread with butter, it was surprisingly good. Maybe it’s just psychological, but Komeda breakfasts in Nagoya always seem to taste better than in Kyoto :)
We originally planned to visit Nagoya Castle in the morning and Osu Shopping Street in the afternoon, but we overslept—so we swapped things around and grabbed lunch nearby at Yamamotoya Sohonke instead.
We ordered miso udon, tebasaki (fried chicken wings), and a tempura rice ball. The miso broth was rich but not too salty, and the hand-pulled udon had a wonderful chewy bite—it’s actually better if you let it sit for a bit before eating. The tebasaki were crispy outside, juicy inside, and the rice ball was tasty too.
We were so full afterwards that we decided to walk it off and headed to Nagoya Castle. The castle sits inside Meijo Park—it’s a huge area, with cherry blossoms in early April and wisteria blooms in late April. When we went, the wisteria was in full bloom. The main keep is currently closed for seismic retrofitting, though.
Luckily, you can still visit the Honmaru Palace, which turned out to be one of our favorite spots. The whole building is made with beautiful cypress wood that fills the air with a fresh scent, and the gold leaf decorations and folding screens are stunningly restored. Photos are allowed inside, but no flash or tripods—be sure to respect the rules.
After the castle, our legs were pretty tired, so we hopped on the subway for just one stop to have cake at the Harbs Hisaya Odori Park flagship café. The cakes here are really loaded with fresh ingredients—the chocolate cake had ganache and whipped cream, super smooth and rich. We had to wait a bit for a table, but it was worth it for the generous slices and great flavor.
In the evening, we recharged back at the hotel, then headed out for dinner at Sekai no Yamachan—famous for its “Maboroshi no Tebasaki” (legendary fried chicken wings). The wings were peppery, crispy, and juicy—perfect with beer. We’re not really drinkers, so maybe we didn’t fully “get” why tebasaki is such an iconic Nagoya food, but hey—another local dish checked off the must-eat list. We wrapped up the day with a relaxing stroll through the backstreets near our hotel, full of miso and dessert memories.
Day 3 | The Best Surprise: A Hidden Gem While Waiting for Unagi
Morning: Breakfast at a local café → Back to the hotel to freshen up → Head out again
Lunch: Take the Meitetsu Line to Denma-cho Station → Arrive at Atsuta Houraiken main branch (1.5 hour wait)
Afternoon: Explore Shichiri-no-Watashi Ferry Site → Stumble upon Kissaten Miyamachi for a slow coffee break
Later: Back to Houraiken for the famous hitsumabushi unagi set meal → Our favorite meal of the trip
Evening: Nagoya Port area → Antarctic Research Ship Fuji & Ferris wheel (rained out)
Night: Back to the city → Dinner at an underground tempura rice bowl place in Sakae → Fresh fruit back at the hotel lobby for a chill nightcap
We had another slow morning—breakfast, back to the hotel to tidy up, then out the door. Today’s highlight was the legendary unagi restaurant, Houraiken Main Branch. We took the Meitetsu Line to Denma-cho Station in the Atsuta area, then walked a short distance to the restaurant.
We arrived just before 1 PM but got a number that meant waiting until around 2:30 PM. The line was packed—not just tourists but plenty of locals too, everyone patiently waiting in the small square until their number was called.
Originally, we thought about using the wait time to visit Atsuta Shrine, but worried we’d miss our call, so we decided to wander nearby instead. A quick look at Google Maps showed a small historic spot called Shichiri-no-Watashi Ferry Site. It was only about a five-minute walk, so we strolled over.
It’s really just a stone monument marking the Edo-era starting point for the ferry route across Ise Bay. Facing the pier and open sea, the wide view was calm and refreshing. The place itself is small but has a quiet, balanced vibe. As we were about to leave, we noticed a charming old building just across the road—no sign, closed shutters; you couldn’t tell what it was. Just then, two older ladies came out, and we peeked inside: it looked lovely! So we stepped in to explore.
The place is called Kissaten Miyamachi, a historic building that used to be an old ryokan (Isekyu) and is now a registered cultural property. The first floor is a coffee shop; the second floor is a traditional Japanese restaurant. Inside, you can smell the wood everywhere—the decor is retro yet refined, with a small Japanese garden at the back and big windows upstairs that overlook the ferry site and peaceful bay. We ordered two drinks and a pudding—silky smooth and sweet—and the staff were warm and friendly. Every detail felt considered: Noritake coffee cups, Aesop hand soap in the bathroom; it made us want to linger even longer. Fun fact: this café is actually run by Houraiken too!
Just before 2:30, we headed back to Houraiken, and our number was finally called. We were guided into a tiny room with only four seats—so quiet and clean, the atmosphere was perfect.
Each of us ordered the hitsumabushi unagi set. After waiting an hour and a half, it did not disappoint! The eel was nearly boneless, crispy on the outside, juicy and rich inside—hands down our favorite meal of the whole trip.
By the time we finished, it was almost 4 PM. We decided to take the Meitetsu Line to the Nagoya Port area. Unfortunately, it started raining as soon as we got there. We could only snap a few photos of the Antarctic Research Ship Fuji from the outside—the aquarium was about to close too. We wandered over to the waterfront amusement park, where couples were still lining up under umbrellas for the giant Ferris wheel—very romantic in theory, but with the wind and rain whipping around, we chickened out and skipped the ride.
Before the rain got heavier, we hopped back on the subway and headed into the city. We grabbed dinner at a small tempura rice bowl place in the Sakae underground shopping street (the tendon was tasty, though the sticky floor felt like walking on flypaper 😆). Afterward, we browsed a department store and supermarket, picked up some fresh fruit, and enjoyed it slowly back in the hotel lobby—the perfect low-key ending to the day.
Even though so many things didn’t go as originally planned, this turned out to be our most relaxing, favorite day of the entire trip.
Day 4 | Strolling in the Rain & Sweet Little Wins Before Goodbye
Morning: Early breakfast at Komeda Coffee → Pack up → Checked out at 10 AM sharp & left our luggage with the front desk
Late morning: Meitetsu Line to Kamimaezu Station → Visit Osu Kannon → Wander Osu Shopping Street
Before lunch: Bought coffee-flavored mochi → Found the “Alice on Wednesday” themed shop, took photos & picked up a few cute things
Lunch: Tempura rice balls at Nigiritate → Bonus round: tried Gohei-mochi too
Afternoon: Back to the hotel to grab our bags → Headed to Nagoya Station → Rain changed our plan, so we explored inside the station instead
Later: Stumbled upon “Miyazaki Cuisine Mansaku” on the 3rd floor of Dai Nagoya Building → Had charcoal-grilled jidori chicken and chicken nanban set meals
Before leaving: Gave up on the famous Piyorin chick pudding (the line was huge!) → Happened to find the ÉCHIRÉ butter sweets shop instead and stocked up
Evening: Sat for a bit with coffee at Starbucks → Caught the Shinkansen back to Kyoto, ending our sweet, easygoing Nagoya adventure.
On our last day in Nagoya, it was still raining outside. We headed to Komeda Coffee for breakfast around 7 AM, then rushed back to the hotel to pack up and freshen up. We checked out right at 10 AM and stored our luggage at the front desk—honestly, this hotel’s checkout time felt so early; talk about checkout pressure!
We hopped on the Meitetsu Line to Kamimaezu Station, and right outside the station is the Osu Shopping Street. At 10:30 AM, most shops hadn’t opened yet, so we first visited the Osu Kannon Temple. The atmosphere was serene and solemn—a peaceful way to start the day.
After that, we strolled back through the shopping street at an easy pace. A traditional-yet-creative wagashi shop called Benzaiten caught our eye. There was a poster for coffee-flavored mochi that looked way too tempting, so we bought a box to try—soft, chewy, sweet, and delicious. Apparently, their fruit daifuku is their signature item too; definitely worth a taste next time.
We also stumbled across a quirky little shop called Alice on Wednesday. The whole place is themed around both Alice in Wonderland and the delightfully weird Wednesday Addams vibe. The fun part? There’s an extra-tiny “big door” you have to crouch and squeeze through to enter—just like diving down the rabbit hole. Inside, it felt like a secret little fairy tale base—dark in a Wednesday Addams way, but dreamy and cute like Alice. We couldn’t resist snapping tons of photos.
Around noon, we stopped by Nigiritate (the Osu Banshoji Street branch) for hot tempura rice balls. Crispy batter, fluffy rice—so satisfying. We even added a local treat, gohei-mochi from Ena—sweet and savory, simple but tasty.
When the rain eased up, we decided to walk back to the hotel to grab our luggage. From Yabacho Station to Sakae Station it’s just a 10-minute stroll through the department store district. We originally planned to squeeze in a visit to Noritake Garden, but the weather stayed damp and chilly, so we ended up wandering near Nagoya Station instead.
By chance, we found Miyazaki Cuisine Mansaku inside the Dai Nagoya Building. We ordered the charcoal-grilled jidori chicken and chicken nanban set meals—both surprisingly delicious. Sometimes the places you don’t expect end up being the best!
Our last mission was to grab Nagoya’s famous Piyorin chick pudding—but the line was massive and it sells out by time slots, so we passed. Luckily, we stumbled across the ÉCHIRÉ Butter Sweets Shop and stocked up on treats to enjoy back in Kyoto.
After that, we sipped coffee at Starbucks while waiting for our Shinkansen. Just like that, our Nagoya trip wrapped up—a mellow last day with plenty of sweet little moments to remember.
Nagoya’s Local Food Highlights
During this trip, we tasted a few of the classics known as “Nagoya Meshi”—the city’s iconic local eats like hitsumabushi, miso katsu, miso udon, and tebasaki. Each one left a lasting impression.
Of course, we missed a few we wanted to try, like miso oden, silky kishimen noodles, and the quirky-sounding ankake spaghetti—a thick black pepper sauce poured over chunky noodles. We also skipped the “Taiwan Ramen” on our last day because we were craving rice dishes instead. All good—that just means we have more food goals for our next Nagoya adventure!
Local Eats We Loved or Shortlisted
- Hitsumabushi (ひつまぶし - Grilled Eel Rice)
Charcoal-grilled eel cut into small pieces over rice, eaten in three stages: plain, with condiments, then with broth poured over like ochazuke. So flavorful—absolutely worth trying!
→ Recommended: Houraiken, Maruya Honten - Miso Katsu (味噌カツ)
Deep-fried pork cutlet topped with sweet-savory Hatcho miso sauce. Rich, bold, and so good with rice.
→ Recommended: Yabaton - Taiwan Ramen (台湾ラーメン)
Nagoya’s signature spicy ramen with stir-fried minced pork and a punchy broth—not actually from Taiwan, but so flavorful!
→ Originated at: Misen - Tebasaki (手羽先 - Fried Chicken Wings)
Crispy on the outside, juicy inside, coated in peppery sauce—the perfect izakaya snack with beer.
→ Recommended: Sekai no Yamachan, Furaibo - Miso Nikomi Udon (味噌煮込みうどん)
Fresh udon noodles simmered in Hatcho miso broth—thick, hearty, and so comforting in cold weather.
→ Recommended: Yamamotoya Sohonke, Yamamotoya Honten - Kishimen (きしめん - Flat Udon)
Smooth, wide udon noodles usually served in light bonito broth—simple but delicious.
→ Try it: Nagoya Station platforms or a classic local noodle shop
Other Local Snacks to Try
- Tenmusu (天むす - Tempura Rice Ball)
Shrimp tempura tucked into bite-sized rice balls—the ultimate bento snack.
→ Originated at: Senju - Miso Oden (味噌おでん)
Stewed ingredients in rich miso broth—uniquely hearty and popular in winter.
→ Find it: local izakayas and snack shops - Ankake Spaghetti (あんかけスパゲティ)
Thick spaghetti with a rich, peppery gravy—sweet, salty, and spicy all in one.
→ Try it: any retro yoshoku (Western-style Japanese) café in Nagoya - Ogura Toast (小倉トースト)
Toast topped with butter and sweet red bean paste—a classic Nagoya café treat.
→ Where to try: Coffee House KAKO, Morning Café Lyon, BUCYO COFFEE KAKO, Komeda Coffee
Got an Extra Day or Traveling with Kids?
Our first Nagoya trip focused mainly on the city center, but the area is full of family-friendly day trips if you have more time or little ones in tow:
- LEGOLAND Japan
Perfect for elementary-age kids or any LEGO fans! The whole park is full of colorful brick sculptures, kid-friendly rides, and hands-on fun. Right next door is the adorable SEA LIFE Nagoya Aquarium—small but well-designed and great for a quick visit. Just a few minutes’ walk away is the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, packed with Shinkansen and maglev train exhibits, driving simulators, and huge railway dioramas. Adults will love it too!
Getting there: From Nagoya Station, take the Aonami Line (25 mins); from Sakae, about 40 mins. - Ghibli Park
If you love Studio Ghibli, this place is a dream. Located inside Aichi Expo Memorial Park, it recreates scenes from Totoro, Spirited Away, and more. No rollercoasters—just a magical, walk-through story world packed with details to photograph.
Tip: Reserve tickets online in advance and plan for at least half a day.
Getting there: From Nagoya Station, take the subway or JR Line to Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station (about 1 hour). - Inuyama Castle & Castle Town
One of Japan’s oldest original castles, perched beside the Kiso River. Climbing to the top feels like an adventure, with gorgeous views of the river and surrounding mountains. Below is the nostalgic castle town with sweets shops and street snacks—perfect for a relaxed stroll. Nearby is Japan Monkey Park, a fun spot for kids aged 3–10 with rides and animal encounters.
Getting there: 30–40 mins by Meitetsu Line from Nagoya. - Higashiyama Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Not just a zoo—this huge park includes botanical gardens, greenhouses, forest paths, and a playground. Kids can run free while adults snap photos. Star attractions include Shabani the “handsome gorilla,” koalas, giraffes, and elephants. Spring cherry blossoms and fall foliage make it beautiful year-round. Paths are stroller-friendly and there are plenty of food options.
Getting there: Right by Higashiyama Koen Station on the subway.
❗️Pro Tip: Don’t mix up Kinjofuto and Nagoya Port!
They sound similar but are totally different:
- Kinjofuto Station: LEGOLAND, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and SCMAGLEV and Railway Park—accessible via the Aonami Line.
- Nagoya Port Station: Nagoya Port Aquarium and the port area park—on the Meiko Subway Line.
📍 Double-check stations and routes when planning to avoid a mix-up!