Nagoya Station
TransportHotels and the shinkansen.
Nagoya city guide
Things To Do In Nagoya
Japan's industrial heartland, often skipped, with a rebuilt castle palace, great museums of trains and cars, its own hearty food and Ghibli Park an hour away.
1
Hostels in the city
9.1
Average, from 699 reviews
35 min
To Kyoto
Toyota
Home city
1 h
To Ghibli Park
The overlooked city
Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city and the home of Toyota, and most travellers only see it from the shinkansen. They miss a lively, affordable city with one of the most distinctive food cultures in Japan.
Nagoya Castle's main keep is closed while it is rebuilt in wood, but its reconstructed Honmaru Palace is one of the finest interiors in the country. The city is also the gateway to Ghibli Park and to Takayama and the Alps.
Two days is right.
Where to stay
Around Nagoya Station are the hotels, shinkansen and buses, best for day trips. Sakae, the centre, has the department stores, bars and Oasis 21. Osu, south of Sakae, is a lively shopping district of old arcades, temples and cheap food.
Sakae
NightlifeThe centre, with bars and shops.
Osu
ValueArcades, temples and cheap food.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 1 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Nagoya
Nagoya, Japan's fourth-largest city, is often skipped, but it has good sights and some of the country's most distinctive food.
Nagoya Castle's concrete main keep has been closed for a planned rebuilding in wood, but the Honmaru Palace, reconstructed with painted screens and gold, is open and beautiful, and the grounds are worth the visit. Atsuta Shrine, one of the most important in Japan, is said to hold the sacred sword Kusanagi.
The Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology tells the story of the company, from looms to cars. The SCMAGLEV and Railway Park displays shinkansen and maglev trains.
Osu is a district of covered arcades with second-hand shops, electronics and street food around Osu Kannon temple. Oasis 21 has a glass 'spaceship' roof you can walk on.
Ghibli Park, in Nagakute, recreates the worlds of Studio Ghibli films; tickets must be booked well ahead, by date. Inuyama has one of Japan's twelve original castles, half an hour away.
Free things
Free things to do in Nagoya
The grounds of Atsuta Shrine are free, and so is the Osu shopping district and Osu Kannon.
Oasis 21's roof walk and the Hisaya Odori park, with the Nagoya TV Tower, are free, as are the city's riverside walks.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Nagoya
Nagoya food, Nagoya meshi, is rich and distinctive. Hitsumabushi is grilled eel on rice, eaten three ways: plain, with condiments, and with broth poured over it. Miso katsu is pork cutlet covered in thick red miso sauce, and tebasaki, peppery fried chicken wings, are the bar snack.
Try kishimen, flat udon noodles, and a Nagoya 'morning service', where coffee shops serve toast and an egg free with your coffee. A meal is €6 to €20.
Nightlife
Going out in Nagoya
Nagoya's nightlife is in Sakae and around Nishiki, with izakaya, bars and clubs, and around the station.
A beer is €4 to €6.
Getting around
Getting around Nagoya
Nagoya Station is on the Tokaido shinkansen: Tokyo about one hour forty minutes, Kyoto 35 minutes, Osaka about 50. Chubu Centrair Airport is about 30 minutes by the Meitetsu train.
The subway covers the city; use an IC card. The Hida limited express goes to Takayama, and trains reach Inuyama and Ghibli Park.
Costs
What Nagoya costs
Nagoya is cheaper than Tokyo. Dorms start around €18 and a careful day is €40 to €55.
The Honmaru Palace and castle grounds are a few euros, Ghibli Park tickets €15 to €45 depending on the areas, and hitsumabushi €20 to €35, a splurge.
Since July 2026, the international tourist tax added to flights out of Japan is ¥3,000.
The currency is the yen (JPY); prices here are euro equivalents. Cards and IC cards work widely in cities, but carry cash: small restaurants, temples and rural places are often cash-only. Convenience store ATMs (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) take foreign cards.
Safety
Staying safe in Nagoya
Nagoya is very safe.
Book Ghibli Park tickets well ahead; they are sold by date and sell out.
Emergency: 110 police, 119 ambulance and fire.
Day trips from Nagoya
Ghibli, an original castle and the Alps.
Ghibli Park
The worlds of Studio Ghibli; book tickets ahead.
Inuyama
One of Japan's twelve original castles.
Takayama
The Alps town.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The Nagoya Festival parades through the city in October.
Staff pick
17–18 October
Nagoya Festival
The Nagoya Festival in Nagoya, Japan, is renowned for its spectacular parade featuring the Three Feudal Lords—Nobunaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and Ieyasu Tokugawa—brought to…
Staff pick
18–24 October
Asian Para Games
The Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, bring together para-athletes from 45 countries and regions across Asia for a dynamic multi-sport event that celebrates…
Staff pick
13–18 November
Aichi Nagoya International Animation Film Festival
The Aichi Nagoya International Animation Film Festival in Nagoya, Japan, is dedicated to advancing animation culture and industry by showcasing a wide array of…
18–24 October
5th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games
The 5th Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games is a major multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities from across Asia. It brings together competitors in…
2 Oct – 3 Nov
Legoland Halloween Party
Legoland Halloween Party 2026 invites you to enjoy a festive atmosphere filled with unique Halloween decorations made from thousands of LEGO blocks. You can…
3–20 October
130th Anniversary Misonoza Autumn Kabuki
The 130th Anniversary Misonoza Autumn Kabuki celebrates a rich tradition of Japanese theater with a special seasonal performance. Running from October 3 to October…
19 November
Japan vs. USA Softball
The Japan and USA women's softball teams will face off in a series of games across two venues in Japan. The competition starts on…
22 November
Chunichi Dragons vs Yomiuri Giants Legends Match
A memorable baseball game is set to take place as legendary players from the Chunichi Dragons and Yomiuri Giants reunite at the Vantelin Dome…
Hostels
Where to stay in Nagoya
The top-rated places to stay in Nagoya right now, live from Hostelworld.
When to go
Spring and autumn are best.
Jan
Cold, clear
Feb
Plum blossom
Mar
Cherry blossom starts
Apr
Cherry blossom, Golden Week
May
Good
Jun
Rainy season
Jul
Hot, humid
Aug
Obon, hot
Sep
Typhoons possible
Oct
Excellent
Nov
Autumn leaves
Dec
Illuminations
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in yen locally; these are euro equivalents.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Nagoya travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Nagoya Castle open?
The main keep is closed for rebuilding in wood, but the Honmaru Palace and grounds are open.
How do I get Ghibli Park tickets?
Online, well ahead; they are sold by date and sell out.
What should I eat?
Hitsumabushi, miso katsu, tebasaki and a morning service breakfast.
Is Nagoya worth a stop?
Yes, for a day or two, and as a base for Takayama and Ghibli Park.
How many days do you need?
One or two.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring and autumn.
How far is Kyoto?
35 minutes by shinkansen.
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