Nagoya is a city in Japan, rich with stunning sightseeing spots, from the magnificent spires and moat of Nagoya Castle to cozy street food stalls and sake tasting tours at night. Here, you can experience a multitude of unforgettable impressions.
Start your day by visiting the Honmaru Palace, where you can immerse yourself in luxury, enjoy lavish fusumae, and don’t miss visiting the science museum with its fascinating exhibits for children, such as the tornado lab.
SCMAGLEV Railway Park
Train enthusiasts must visit the SCMAGLEV Railway Park during their visit to Nagoya. Owned and operated by JR Central, this museum showcases railroad technology through 39 actual train cars. From antique trains to Shinkansen models and modern Maglev prototypes – there is something interesting for everyone.
Children will especially love this museum for its interactive exhibits and train simulators. There's also a massive train diorama where visitors can observe various landscapes along Japan’s railways while learning about the history of life in these places.
You can reach the SCMAGLEV Railway Park from Nagoya Station by taking a direct train (25 minutes, 360 yen one-way). From Kinjofuto Station on the Aonami Line, it's just a short walk to the museum.
At SCMAGLEV Railway Park, you can not only admire impressive train exhibits; visitors can also participate in various interactive activities, such as the tornado lab and freezing lab, conduct fascinating scientific experiments, and attend special shows featuring amazing scientists and engineers. Additionally, the museum is well-adapted for international visitors, with almost all exhibits and information available in English.
Outside the museum, you can see actual railroad tracks and experience train simulation. However, please note that test rides are only conducted on weekends or during certain holiday periods.
Beyond trains, Noritake Gardens showcase beautiful porcelain and ceramic pieces made by local craftsmen. If you want to learn more about the history and techniques of pottery making, participate in one of their workshops to hone your skills!
Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens are a must-visit for animal lovers, offering a diverse collection of species from around the world in enclosures dedicated to conservation. Additionally, the botanical gardens feature plants from around the globe.
Arimatsu Dyeing Museum
In the southeastern suburbs of Nagoya lies a journey back in time to the days of the Shogunate, through the Arimatsu Narumi Shiborizome Museum with its 400-year-old tradition of dyeing cloth, still upheld by artisans creating exquisite kimono designs. It takes between 50,000 to 200,000 hand stitches and four to six months to make one kimono!
The museum features historical artifacts and a gift shop, while upstairs masters demonstrate the art-making process. Visitors can participate in hands-on workshops for a more immersive experience (reservations required). After touring the museum, head to Dasenka Kura bakery for authentic brick oven baked treats using high-quality ingredients that will surely satisfy your appetite!
Korankei Valley, one of the top spots in Central Japan for autumn colors, is also an important attraction in this area. Shaped by 254-meter-high Mount Iimori and home to the 17th-century Kojakuji Temple, its peaceful atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for relaxation and meditation.
The Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology offers visitors interested in Toyota's history an intriguing exhibition covering over 8,000 square meters, showcasing every stage of the production process.
This museum offers the perfect opportunity to deeply delve into Japan's rich artistic and cultural history with a multitude of exhibits and events. Traditional Japanese crafts are displayed on the first floor, while modern art takes center stage on the second.
In addition to traditional art and crafts, the museum also hosts events and programs specifically designed for children. This provides them with the perfect opportunity to learn more about Japanese culture while having fun! There's also a tornado laboratory and freezing lab where they can conduct cool scientific experiments!
Arimatsu Dolphin Park
While Arimatsu Dolphin Park may not be one of Nagoya's main attractions, it adds a unique character to the city. Home to various marine animals ranging from dolphins and sea urchins to tropical fish species found only here and in Antarctica's ice sheets, Arimatsu Dolphin Park offers regular dolphin shows that amaze and entertain visitors. Additionally, there is an impressive tank displaying marine ecosystems from Japan's rivers to Antarctica's ice sheets in one large tank display; there's also an interactive museum with interactive exhibits – ideal for kids!
Higashiyama Zoo & Botanical Garden is Asia's largest combined zoological and botanical garden and one of Nagoya's premier tourist attractions. It's an attractive year-round destination, but especially lively during the cherry blossom season in early April. Home to the world's sexiest gorilla, Shabani, an internet phenomenon; a must-visit for animal lovers!
Futaba Museum offers an enriching cultural experience. Located along Nagoya's Cultural Path, this historic residence now serves as a museum, showcasing the lifestyle of Japan's wealthy residents in the early 20th century. Visitors can explore their collection of furnishings and architecture before learning more about this time period from interactive exhibits within.
In the Sakae district and central Nagoya, visitors can spend their days strolling or watching sumo (Xiang Pu) matches, but come nightfall, the area comes alive as locals visit its many bars and clubs – two popular choices are T2 Cafe and iD Cafe, featuring multiple floors with different genres of music; there are also plenty of restaurants to suit your palate!
Regardless of your mood or activity level, Arimatsu has something for everyone. Their extensive leisure complex includes a spa, amusement park, outlet shopping mall, and flower park, so visitors can experience a variety of fun in one location. They even host entertainment events such as live music performances and dance competitions – perfect for family outings or relaxing evenings spent with friends!
Meiji Mura Museum
Meiji Mura, Japan's open-air architectural museum/theme park, offers visitors an unforgettable journey back in time to Japan's industrializing Meiji period. Situated around Iruka Pond, this site houses structures moved from their original locations across Japan; many feature classical Western styles combined with Japanese construction techniques.
The attraction is also known for its activities specifically designed for children, including a tornado laboratory and freezing lab, plus live shows featuring science experiments that children will love to partake in.
Nagoya residents sometimes accuse it of being dull and boring, but that can only be understood through clichéd depictions of its landscape and amenities. Lena Yamaguchi and Elisabeth Llopis created "Nagoya is Not Boring" as a way to show that this vibrant city offers more than it initially appears and features many interesting attractions for tourists.
There are many interesting things to do in Nagoya, and one of these activities is visiting the Noritake Gardens, where you can learn to create traditional porcelain and ceramic pieces. Additionally, its gardens are great spots for strolling and admiring all of their craftsmanship on display!
The Meiji Mura Museum, featuring buildings from Japan's Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa periods. Here you can take photos wearing schoolgirl uniforms or summer uniforms from these periods and ride the Meiji Mura Railway (only open on weekends).
The Meiji Mura Museum displays paintings, sculptures, and ceramic pieces by Japanese artists across generations. You'll have an excellent opportunity to observe how their art has evolved over time and try your hand at painting or drawing!
The Atsuta Jingu Shrine in Nagoya is another must-visit site. Dating back over a millennium, this sacred Shinto shrine is said to house the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, a legendary figure who protected against invasions from foreign powers in ancient times. You can visit any season, but autumn brings special beauty with the blossoming of its cherry trees.