You're Going to Love Nagoya
The Toyota and Honda factories are the not the only reason millions of travelers flock to Nagoya each year. Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city and is teeming with rich history, futuristic modern architecture, varieties of global and local cuisine, and a fast-paced nightlife.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Nagoya
1. A Vibrant City Center
Nagoya's city center Sakae is full of bright lights, great shopping centers, and pubs, bars, and restaurants without the crowds of Tokyo and Osaka.
2. Old Japanese Castles
Don't miss the oldest castle in Japan, Inuyama, which stands tall and is open for visitors to tour, as well as the nearby Meiji village.
3. Great Local Fare
From deep-fried, peppered chicken wings to battered pork cutlet served with red miso and round after round of delicious sake, you can literally eat your way through this city and skip the fine dining.
4. Nagashima Spa Land
Nagashima Spa Land is actually a thronging amusement park with the world's longest roller coaster, the Steel Dragon 2000.
5. Visit the Osu District
Home to vintage clothing boutiques, manga and second-hand record stores, and flea markets, the Osu District will keep you occupied for days.
When to Visit Nagoya
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Nagoya enjoys steaming hot summers and mild falls and winters. It gets as low as 39.2 degrees in January and gets as high as 95 degrees in August.
How to Get to Nagoya
Plane
Nagoya is serviced by Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) which is 30 minutes away from the city's center. Take the μSKY train service, which costs ¥1200.
Train
Getting in by train, travelers use the high-speed shinkansen service. Depending on where you're coming from (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto), tickets cost between ¥6,180 and ¥10,780.
Car
Driving from Tokyo to Nagoya, you can take the Chuo Expressway or the Tomei. Chou Expressway is the more scenic route. The Tomei is a straighter route and though it has more traffic, you can catch views of Mount Fuji on a clear day.
Bus
Overnight buses to Nagoya, run by Willer Express, come from many neighboring cities. Tickets cost between ¥3,000-5,300 and can be booked online.
Airlines serving Nagoya
Where to stay in popular areas of Nagoya
Most booked hotels in Nagoya
How to Get Around Nagoya
Public Transportation
Between the bus, rail, and subway, Nagoya is well connected. Tickets cost between ¥200 to ¥320, and a one-day pass is ¥850 for both bus and subway.
Taxi
Fares for taxis start at a basic fee of ¥480 and ¥725 per mile after that.
Car
Use services like JR Eki Rent-A-Car or Nippon Rent-A-Car to get around Nagoya for ¥7,668 a day.
The Cost of Living in Nagoya
Shopping Streets
The Osu Shopping Arcade is a great place to begin as it has dozens of vintage, independent, mom-and-pop shops, traditional craft markets, and second-hand electronic stores, and bookstores. Or check out the Oasis 21 mall in Sakae.
Groceries and Other
A quart of milk costs ¥207 and a dozen eggs is ¥354.
Where to Eat in Nagoya
You're definitely not pressed for choice: Nagoya's best eats are everywhere. Try handmade udon noodles in thick broth at Yamamotoya Sōhonke for ¥1200 or some Tex-Mex fun at Desperados Mexican Restaurant and Bar for around ¥1,100.