Many travelers pass through Nagoya on the way between Tokyo and Kyoto.
But stopping here can completely change your trip.
Located in the center of Japan, Nagoya is an excellent hub city for exploring the Chubu region.
It offers history, modern industry, pop culture, and one of Japan’s most distinctive food scenes.
Even better, many famous destinations—such as Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Ise Grand Shrine—are easily accessible from here.
Here are ten places worth visiting if you use Nagoya as your travel base.
- Easy Access from Major Cities
- 10 Best Places to Visit in Nagoya
- 1. Nagoya Castle
- 2. Atsuta Shrine
- Tokugawa Art Museum
- Inuyama Castle
- 5. Ghibli park
- 6. Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
- 7. SCMAGLEV and Railway Park
- 8. Osu Shopping Street
- 9. Arimatsu Historic District
- 10. MIRAI Tower & Oasis 21
- Nagoya’s Unique Local Food Culture
- Why Nagoya Is an Ideal Travel Base
Easy Access from Major Cities
Tokyo → about 1 hour 40 minutes by Shinkansen
Kyoto → about 35 minutes
Osaka → about 50 minutes
Nagoya Station is one of Japan’s major transportation hubs, connecting Shinkansen lines, local trains, and subways.
From here you can easily reach:
- Takayama
- Shirakawa-go
- Ise Grand Shrine
- Kiso Valley (Magome & Tsumago)
Nagoya is compact enough to explore comfortably, yet large enough to offer a diverse range of experiences.
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10 Best Places to Visit in Nagoya
1. Nagoya Castle
Famous for its golden shachihoko roof ornaments, Nagoya Castle is the city’s most recognizable landmark.
Built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in the early 17th century, the castle symbolized the power of the Tokugawa shogunate.
The beautifully reconstructed Honmaru Palace allows visitors to experience the elegance of samurai-era architecture.
Nagoya Castle
https://www.nagoyajo.city.nagoya.jp/en/
2. Atsuta Shrine
One of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines, Atsuta Shrine enshrines the sacred sword Kusanagi—one of the imperial regalia.
Despite being located in the middle of a large city, the shrine grounds are filled with ancient trees and a calm, spiritual atmosphere.
It has been an important place of worship for more than a thousand years.
Atsuta Shrine
https://www.atsutajingu.or.jp/
Tokugawa Art Museum
This museum preserves the treasures of the Tokugawa family, including samurai armor, swords, and tea ceremony utensils.
The collection offers a rare look at the culture of Japan’s ruling samurai class.
After visiting Nagoya Castle, you can see the real treasures of the Tokugawa family here.
Tokugawa Art Museum
https://www.tokugawa-art-museum.jp
If you want to explore the highlights of the museum in more detail, check our full guide to the Tokugawa Art Museum.
Inuyama Castle
Located about 30 minutes from Nagoya, Inuyama Castle is one of Japan’s few original castles with an intact wooden keep.
From the top of the castle you can enjoy views of the Kiso River and the surrounding town.
The nearby castle town is perfect for a relaxed half-day trip filled with traditional streets and local snacks.
Inuyama Castle
https://inuyama-castle.jp/
5. Ghibli park
Located in Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, Ghibli Park brings the worlds of Studio Ghibli films to life.
Unlike typical theme parks, it focuses on immersive environments and detailed recreations from the movies.
Advance reservations are required, so plan ahead when visiting.
Ghibli Park
https://ghibli-park.jp/en/
6. Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
Nagoya is the heart of Japan’s manufacturing industry, and this museum tells the story of Toyota’s evolution from textile machinery to automobiles.
Interactive exhibits make the technology and history easy to understand.
It’s one of the best places to learn about Japan’s famous craftsmanship and innovation.
Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
https://www.tcmit.org/english/
7. SCMAGLEV and Railway Park
This railway museum showcases historic Shinkansen trains and the future of high-speed travel, including the maglev line currently under development.
Full-size train cars and simulators make it engaging even for visitors who are not railway enthusiasts.
It’s an impressive introduction to Japan’s world-leading rail technology.
SCMAGLEV and Railway Park
https://museum.jr-central.co.jp/en/
8. Osu Shopping Street
Centered around the historic Osu Kannon temple,
Osu Shopping Street is a lively district filled with small shops, street food stalls, and vintage stores.
The area blends traditional culture with modern subculture.
Many travelers compare it to a mix of Asakusa and Akihabara—but smaller and less crowded.
Osu Shopping Street
https://osu.nagoya/ja/
9. Arimatsu Historic District
Arimatsu is a traditional town famous for Arimatsu-shibori, a unique Japanese tie-dye technique that dates back to the Edo period.
The district is designated as an Important Preservation District for Traditional Buildings and is also recognized as a Japan Heritage site.
Its quiet streets offer a peaceful contrast to the modern city center.
Arimatsu Historic District
https://shibori-kaikan.com/arimatsu-isan/en/
10. MIRAI Tower & Oasis 21
Located in the Sakae district, these two landmarks represent modern Nagoya.
MIRAI Tower provides panoramic city views, while Oasis 21 features a futuristic glass roof known as the “Spaceship-Aqua.”
At night, the area is beautifully illuminated.
Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER
Oasis 21
https://www.nagoya-tv-tower.co.jp
https://www.sakaepark.co.jp/en/
Nagoya’s Unique Local Food Culture
Nagoya is also famous for its distinctive cuisine.
Local specialties include:
- Miso katsu (pork cutlet with red miso sauce)
- Hitsumabushi (grilled eel served three ways)
- Tebasaki (peppery chicken wings)
- Kishimen noodles
- Miso nikomi udon
Another unique tradition is Nagoya Morning.
Order a cup of coffee and it often comes with toast and a boiled egg.
Coffee with free toast?
Learn more about Nagoya’s unique “Morning Service” culture in our full guide.
Why Nagoya Is an Ideal Travel Base
Nagoya may not be as famous as Tokyo or Kyoto.
But that’s exactly why it works so well as a travel hub.
It’s:
- Less crowded than Kyoto
- More compact than Tokyo
- Perfectly located for exploring central Japan
For travelers who want to see a different side of Japan, Nagoya can be a surprisingly rewarding place to stay.
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* affiliate links are incluede — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices will be changed.
