Nagoya is an industrial city that hides an astonishing depth of culture. It has a Shinto shrine older than 1,900 years, the most technologically advanced railway museum in the world, and Ghibli Park — which opened in 2022 and has drawn visitors from across Asia ever since. The city sits squarely between Tokyo and Osaka on the Tokaido Shinkansen, making it a natural 2–3 night stop on any Japan itinerary.
#1 Nagoya Castle
Nagoya Castle was completed in 1615 by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Its defining features are the two golden shachihoko — mythical tiger-fish hybrid ornaments — that gleam from the rooftop across the entire city. Inside, the Honmaru Palace (reconstruction completed 2018) is decorated with meticulous Edo-period wall paintings. The original castle was bombed flat in World War II, then rebuilt with such precision that the damage is nearly impossible to detect.
- Buy the combined ticket that includes the Honmaru Palace — it is considerably better value.
- In spring, cherry blossoms line the castle walls in full bloom.
- Arrive before 9 a.m. to beat the crowds.
#2 Atsuta Shrine
Atsuta Shrine is one of the most sacred sites in Japan, with a history stretching back more than 1,900 years. It enshrines the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi — the Grass-Cutting Sword — one of the three Imperial Treasures of Japan. The surrounding forest covers more than 200,000 square metres, creating a rare pocket of calm in the middle of a major city. The shrine draws more than 9 million visitors a year.
- Walk the ancient forest paths through the hinoki cypress trees to absorb the original atmosphere.
- The Bunkaden treasury holds more than 4,000 artefacts.
- Kisomochi — sweet rice cakes sold at stalls near the entrance — are genuinely worth trying.
#3 Ghibli Park
Ghibli Park opened in November 2022 on the site of the 2005 World Expo, covering five zones: Ghibli's Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, Mononoke Village, and Valley of Witches. There are no thrill rides or roller coasters — the park is designed to let visitors walk through the actual landscapes of Studio Ghibli films. Tickets must always be booked in advance.
- Tickets sell out weeks in advance online — book as early as possible.
- The Dondoko Forest zone features the house of Satsuki and Mei from Totoro.
- Plan a full day to cover all five zones at a comfortable pace.
#4 Osu Shopping District
The Osu district traces its origins to 1612, when Osu Kannon Temple relocated here. Today it spans more than 1,200 shops along over 1,700 metres of covered arcade — a dense mix of vintage clothing, electronics, street food, manga, fashion and maid cafés. It is regularly described as Nagoya's answer to Akihabara. Every August the district hosts the World Cosplay Summit.
- Street food stalls open from the afternoon onward — ideal for a browse-and-snack session.
- Vintage and second-hand goods here are priced noticeably lower than in Tokyo.
- Osu Kannon Temple is free to enter — step inside as you pass.
#5 Tokugawa Art Museum
This museum holds the personal treasure of the Owari Tokugawa clan — one branch of the shogunate family that ruled Japan for 265 years. The collection runs to more than 12,000 pieces, including 9 National Treasures and 59 Important Cultural Properties. The headline item is the 12th-century illustrated Genji Monogatari scroll — so rare that it is displayed for just one week per year, in November.
- If seeing the Genji Scrolls is a priority, plan your trip around November.
- Tokugawa-en Garden sits directly next door — walk through it after the museum.
- Allow at least 2 hours to see the collection properly.
#6 Nagoya TV Tower (Chubu Electric MIRAI TOWER)
Completed in 1954, this was Japan's first television transmission tower. It stands 180 metres tall in the middle of Hisaya Odori Park — the longest park in Nagoya — and goes by the nickname "Lightning Tower" for the purple glow it casts at night. Observation decks at 90 and 100 metres give a clear view across the city all the way to Mount Ontake. It was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2005.
- Go up to the Sky Balcony at 100 metres for an open-air view.
- The purple lighting after dark makes for excellent photos.
- Shops and a café on the ground floor are a good spot to rest before moving on.
#7 SCMaglev and Railway Park
Operated by JR Central and opened in 2011, the museum brings together 39 trains — from vintage steam locomotives through successive Shinkansen generations to the MLX01-1 Maglev prototype that set a world record of 581 km/h in 2003. There is a three-city diorama (Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka) and a Shinkansen driving simulator that is extremely popular with younger visitors.
- Queue for the driving simulator first thing in the morning — slots go fast.
- Admission is just ¥1,000, exceptional value given the size of the collection.
- Families with children interested in trains can easily fill an entire day here.
#8 Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
Open since 1992, this is Japan's largest aquarium by total water volume — 35,000 square metres of floor space housing more than 50,000 animals across 500 species. The standout is its beluga whale, the first ever born in Japan at this facility. The dolphin show takes place in a 13.5-million-litre pool, and the aquarium runs a successful emperor penguin breeding programme.
- Check the show schedule before you arrive — the whale and dolphin performances run at set times.
- Directly across is the retired icebreaker Fuji, a compact museum worth a quick visit.
- The aquarium pairs well with the SCMaglev and Railway Park — both are on the same Aonami Line.
Where to stay in Nagoya for this trip
A well-located hotel means less commuting and more sightseeing. Here are real, top-rated stays in Nagoya — compare Agoda · Booking · Trip.com in one click.
The Strings Hotel Nagoya
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Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel
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Richmond Hotel Nagoya Shinkansen-guchi
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The Strings Hotel Nagoya
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Tours, tickets & activities in Nagoya
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Nagoya — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Before You Pack
Nagoya delivers a remarkable range of experiences in a compact, easy-to-navigate city — history, technology, and pop culture all within reach. Plan for at least 2 full days to get a genuine feel for what makes it worth the stop.