Things to do

24 Cool And Fun Things To Do In Nagoya, Japan

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Nagoya is a very busy city with a long history. This state is famous for its industrial facilities, and in particular, the automotive industry since Toyota originated in this region.

Nagoya also has cultural sights such as the Nagoya Castle and the Atsuta Shrine. It merges new technology with conventional practice which makes it new yet old.

The city is a hub of transport systems, and there is always lots of hustle and bustle. Moreover, here is a list of more things to do in Nagoya.

1. Offer Your Prayers At Atsuta-jingu Shrine

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This is one of the major Shinto temples in Nagoya. First, wash your hands, then bow once you pass through the wooden torii gate. This shows respect as you get into the holy place. Then proceed to the larger complex of the shrine.

There will be an offertory box where you can place a small coin; the five yen is considered lucky to be placed in this box. If there is a bell, you should ring it just once to summon the kami (Shinto deities).

Then, bow deeply twice. Then, snap your fingers twice. Finally, close your eyes, wish, or give a thank to god and bow once more before exiting the place.

2. Visit The Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology

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The museum is bigger than expected and there are a lot of exhibits and information provided. From the early days of Toyota (as a weaving company and pivoting to the automobile industry) to the current day.

It consists of two big parts, textile and car pavilions. Both explain part of the history and production process very widely and in detail. There are many demos as well, so you can see some parts of the process in a lifetime.

In all the parts you can see scheduled live demonstrations (for example robot playing a violin), which are very interesting. They also offer scheduled guided tours in Japanese and English.

3. Wander Around Osu Shopping Street

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It has over 1,200 shops and restaurants; therefore, a great place for shopping and getting any kind of food you desire. There are electronics, clothing, toys, and souvenirs as well as local food.

It is a well-known place for energy and festivals such as the Osu Summer Festival. Osu Kannon Temple is a very attractive site in the center of the shopping area and it looks like a nice place to calm down during shopping.

People like visiting Osu for the blend of the old and new and most shops are tax-free for the tourist.

4. Explore The Port Of Nagoya Public Aquarium

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This is listed as one of Japan's largest and most popular aquariums. The facility is in Minato-ku, Nagoya, and includes numerous sea creatures from different regions on the globe.

The aquarium is divided into two main buildings: the North Building and the South Building. The North Building is devoted to the transformation of sea animals and the South Building is devoted to the existence in the Antarctic zone.

The aquarium provides unique opportunities to get closer to the water inhabitants and observe them during feeding, as well as to touch dolphins.

5. Catch A Live Show At Music Farm

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Based in the Meito Ward which has been staging live music performances since 1988, the farm accommodates bands, idols, and singers. A lot of concerts are performed here and they offer different forms of music starting from rock to pop and the rest.

If you want to watch a show you can purchase tickets from their website or look into their calendar. Local and international artists can usually be found performing at Music Farm which makes it a perfect venue if you are interested in some new music.

Do not miss this place when visiting Japan Nagoya City.

6. Explore History At Nagoya Castle

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You can easily get to Nagoya Castle via the metro. The entrance fee is 500 Yen - Cash or Credit payment accepted. The Castle is beautiful - a must-see if you're in Nagoya City Japan.

The rebuilt castle is a historically prominent site that marked the ebb and flow of the Tokugawa shogunate. While the restored palace is the highlight, the courtyard is equally impressive and worth a look.

The castle grounds showcased displays of unique chrysanthemums shaped in bonsai styles and shapes. There are some ninja actors and other storytellers on the property that you could pose and take pictures with.

7. Hike The Nakasendo Trail

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One of the old trails in Japan. It links Tokyo to Kyoto passing through several mountains. The trail is approximately 540km in length and was once traveled by samurai and merchants.

There are opportunities to promenade the old stone-paved walks and see the local rustic settlements. These villages, known as post towns, are equipped with places for travelers to stay and places to eat.

The trail passes deep in the woods, through mountains, and gives you a look into what Japan was like in the past. Many folks trek in some sections of the trail, for example, the Kiso Valley which is beautiful.

8. Plan A Visit To Oasis 21

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This is like a spaceship in the middle of the city! It has a rooftop called Spaceship-Aqua, and its height is 14 meters; visitors can see a beautiful water view from there. One can capture images especially when they light it at night.

Oasis 21 also includes garden space for rest and the popular Field of Green. Local amenities include stores and eateries, as well as a bus terminal. A lot of activities occur here for instance festivals and performances and as such is a great place to be.

Mainly, it is recognized for its innovative architecture and cozy ambiance.

9. Go To SCMaglev and Railway Park

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This museum is a property of Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central). It demonstrates the transformation of trains from old steam trains to new maglev ones. There are 39 exact scale models of real trains and it is possible to enter some of the models.

There are also train simulators where one can just pretend to drive a train. It also has a large model of the train track with contents such as Tokyo and Osaka. This is entertaining and can be enjoyed by the young and the grown-ups.

The lighting processes are modified to observe from daylight to sunset, and nightfall.

10. Spend Family Time At The Nagoya City Science Museum

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An enjoyable place where people of all ages can get science knowledge. It has three particular buildings including the Astronomy building, the Science and Technology building, and the Life Sciences building.

The museum attracts a lot of visitors due to the large planetarium that is among the biggest globally. Inside, you can see stars and read information about the space.

The museum is also filled with touching things where you can play and explore things such as tornadoes and electricity. It is a good place to go with children and adults as well.

11. Stop By Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

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It is among the largest zoos in Asia and was started in 1937. They have many animals here such as elephants, tigers, and koalas. It also includes a large botanical garden with many plants and flowers.

You can view cherry trees during spring while maples during the autumn season. The zoo generally operates throughout the week except Mondays. A lot of animals are either threatened or near threatened.

However, the zoo is doing its best to keep them protected. The initial fee is quite low at 500 yen and one gets a pass into the sky tower for 680 yen extra.

12. Learn About The Rich History of The Samurai At Tokugawa Art Museum

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About a 30-minute bus ride from Nagoya Station is this wonderful museum with artifacts from the family of the Shoguns. The museum has a wide selection of Samurai arms and armor as well as broader Japanese art.

It is not as crowded as many historical museums and isn't as comprehensive in the depth of its collection, but it has some wonderful pieces and is not crowded.

There are nine items designated as national treasures which include 12th-century handscrolls. The items that have been passed down in the Owari Tokugawa family are nicely displayed with good English explanations.

13. Take Your Kids To Legoland Japan

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This theme park is the first Legoland in Japan. It has different attractions for children between 2 and 12 years of age. In the Miniland section, you can find productions of famous Japanese cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto, for instance.

It is also possible to build LEGO animals and LEGO buildings. You can watch a video on the practical manufacturing process of LEGO toys in a factory. Subsequently, there is a LEGO hotel and a Sea Life park somewhere around the park.

Though the park is not as vast as Disneyland, most of the time, the queues are not long; thus, Legoland Japan is ideal for families.

14. Go For Night Show At Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER

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This is an important tourist attraction in Nagoya and serves as the first radio tower in Japan. The tower is 180 meters tall and has two observation decks: a Sky Deck at 90 meters and a Sky Balcony at 100 meters.

For a night show, you can go to the Sky Deck, for the great view of Nagoya in Japan. The tower has an artistic way of decorating the tower during the night by having diverse color and pattern lighting.

On certain occasions such as "Naked Sakura Tower," the observation deck will feature cherry blossom art, projections, and mapping.

15. See Stars Up-close At Konica Minolta Planetarium Manten Nagoya

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This venue utilizes a new LED called DYNAVISION-LED so that the stars appear real and they are in many colors. It is the first time that such technology is employed in Japan.

The planetarium is available in the AEON Mall, which is near Nagoya Station. You could sit perfectly well and watch the beautiful lovely sky full of stars. It is a perfect place for recreation and having a good time, being at the same time an opportunity for a great pastime for the guests.

Tickets can be purchased through QR codes, and there are accessories related to stars available in the gallery.

16. Browse Collections At TSUTAYA Bookstore

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This bookstore is a very unique place where several books, art, and cultures can be seen. It is renowned for its great architectural appearance and has a large number of books from around the world.

You can sit to read or wander around the store. It is advisable to peruse the store categories, which are grouped in rather peculiar sections by the combination of genres, and languages.

You may also take coffee or tea and spend time reading alongside your snacks. On the same note, some places have a bar where you can order drinks while encouraged by books and wall art.

17. Relax At Shirotori Garden

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An excellent type of Japanese garden located in the city of Nagoya. It occupies an area of approximately 3.7 hectares and has streams, ponds, and trails for walking.

The garden contains Nagoya scenery, such as a hill similar to Mount Ontake and a stream similar to the Kiso River. In the center, there is a suite of tea ceremony rooms, Seiu-tei, which resembles a swan.

It is a good place; very suitable for relaxation and has that country look leaving the busy city life behind. Facilities inside the building are designed commendably and there is a delightful little cafe in which tasty Japanese pastries can be eaten while admiring the park.

18. Step Into The Enchanting World of Studio Ghibli

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This park in Nagakutte City of Aichi Prefecture is an enchanting one that gives life to the animated movies from Ghibli. You can explore five magical areas: Ghibli's Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, Mononoke Village, and Valley of Witches.

Every zone is filled with attractions possible for strolling through scenes from various films including My Neighbor Totoro and Princess Mononoke. You can also take part in sites such as Satsuki and Mei's House in Dondoko Forest, Mononoke Village, the traditional Japanese village as well as Valley of Witches.

If you are a Studio Ghibli fan or just a lover of animated movies this is a place you would love to visit on your tour.

19. Experience The Excitement of Modern-Day Ninjas Up Close

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Stop by Nagoya City Science Museum's Ninja Academy to explore techniques applied by ninjas, and even attempt the tricks by yourself. This exhibit is entertaining and informative, introducing how contemporary science ascribes ninja powers.

These silent killers from the Samurai history are invisible, agile, and skilled in using swords, shurikens, or blowpipe darts. Feel the heat coming from today's Ninjas by watching an enthralling 30-minute performance in Nagoya.

Before the event, savor a heavenly dish of Shabu Shabu hot pot with Wagyu beef, crisp vegetables, Kishimen, and others.

20. View Cherry Blossom At Tsuruma Park

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The cherry blossom is in full beauty from late March to early April. Hanami is a festival where Japanese people admire the blossoms and have a picnic.

This park also has a combination of Japanese and Western garden which includes a roses garden and a fountain garden. It is a wonderful place for rest and taking lovely pictures.

It is even more stunning in the evening when the flowers are illuminated. In addition to sakura, more events involving the flowers are held at Tsuruma Park such as the azaleas or roses.

21. Soak In Steaming Hot Spring At Hotel Associa Takayama Resort

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This is the perfect place to enjoy steaming hot springs. It has ten varied open-air baths and two indoor baths which will leave you relaxed. The resort is well known for its amazing mountain scenery, as well as authentic Japanese onsen experience.

There are also nearby hiking, karaoke options, and local culture tours for visitors. It contains four restaurants and has a highly recommended varied buffet breakfast.

The resort is close to major attractions such as the Sanmachi Suji, and Shirakawa-go thereby providing the perfect location for a base.

22. Try Nagoya Meshi

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If you are wondering what to do in Nagoya, then go for a food tour. Nagoya Meshi is a Nagoya style of food rich in taste and full of traditions that distinguishes it from other regions of Japan's eating culture.

It consists mostly of Grilled eel over rice (Hitsumabushi), deep-fried pork cutlet with miso sauce (Miso Katsu), and deep-fried chicken wings (Tebasaki). Sweet lovers should get Uiro while those with an affinity for salt should get Ebi Senbei.

For the Nagoya Meshi, you can visit the food tour in the Sakae area. It is a good way to try many of the local dishes in Nagoya and find out more about this culture.

23. Climb The Inuyama Castle

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One of only five real National Treasure castle towers that are still in Japan today. It is situated on the hillside overlooking the Kiso River which is very magnificent to see.

Certainly, the view of the main keep top floor and everything around it is simply stunning, and the cleanliness of the location is worth mentioning. Today only the main keep stands, and the building is in rather a good state.

When entering, people are supposed to keep their shoes in hand. However, the stairs are very steep and therefore require caution when using them. A must Nagoya things to do.

24. Roam Around The Historic Townscapes of Shikemichi

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A historical route in Nagoya, Japan. It is said to have been established in 1610 when the Nagoya Castle was founded. The area was a commercial center for commodities such as rice and sake.

There was a fire tragedy in the 1700s where many structures were burnt down, which saw the street broaden to avoid such incidences. This is how it came by its name, Shikemichi, or the four-measure-wide street in Japanese.

Shikemichi is now famous for its buildings in Japanese style, and old houses that became cafes and shops.