Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. This city, known for its unique food culture called ‘Nagoya Meshi’ and its historical castle town heritage, attracts many domestic and international travelers. However, many of you might be wondering, ‘Where can I truly enjoy myself?’ or ‘I want to know about attractions beyond the standard textbook tours, something more in-depth.’
Therefore, this time, while focusing on Nagoya’s classic tourist spots, we will introduce four carefully selected spots, incorporating ‘deep insights’ that travelers truly want to know, such as historical anecdotes, the real local atmosphere, and the best times to visit.
Nagoya Castle
📍 Address: 1-1 Honmaru, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0031, Japan
The symbol of Nagoya is ‘Nagoya Castle,’ famous for its golden shachihoko (tiger-fish statues) shining on its roof. Built by Tokugawa Ieyasu through a nationwide construction project, this magnificent castle boasts an overwhelming scale with its vast grounds and massive stone walls alone.
The most important point travelers should know in advance is that the castle keep is currently inaccessible due to seismic regulations (since 2018). You might think, ‘If I can’t go inside, is its value halved?’ but that is a big misconception.
The biggest highlight is the ‘Honmaru Palace,’ which was fully restored in 2018 (accessible with just the Nagoya Castle admission fee of 500 yen). Although this palace was once designated a National Treasure and was destroyed by air raids in 1945, life-sized photographs and blueprints from before the war were preserved, and the important cultural property Kano School screen paintings (fusuma-e, etc.) were evacuated and survived. Thus, it was meticulously restored by modern craftsmen.
Step inside, and you’ll be enveloped by the scent of Kiso cypress. The golden screen paintings and vibrantly colored transoms, which grow more luxurious as the room’s status increases, are truly ‘the finest masterpiece of early modern castle palace architecture.’ The ‘Bamboo Forest Leopard and Tiger Painting’ by a Kano School artist is especially a must-see. Knowing the backstory that people at the time believed leopards were ‘female tigers’ makes the experience even more enjoyable.
💡 Tip for Sightseeing:
Upon entering from the main gate, volunteer guides are usually present. They can guide you through the history and often-overlooked points for about an hour and a half, so it’s highly recommended if you have time. Also, if accessing from ‘Nagoyajo Station’ on the subway, aiming for the ‘East Gate’ rather than the main gate will result in a shorter and smoother walk. After your visit, enjoying Nagoya Meshi (such as Miso Katsu or Hitsumabushi) at ‘Kinshachi Yokocho Yoshinao Zone’ near the main gate is a classic tourist route.
Atsuta Jingu Shrine
📍 Address: 1-1-1 Jingu, Atsuta Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 456-8585, Japan
A vast, tranquil sacred grove, ‘Atsuta Jingu Shrine,’ suddenly appears amidst the urban bustle. It enshrines the ‘Kusanagi-no-Mitsurugi’ (Grass-Mowing Sword), one of the Three Sacred Treasures, as its divine object, boasting a prestige second only to Ise Jingu, making it one of Japan’s foremost power spots. Historical remnants, such as the ‘Nobunaga-bei’ (Nobunaga Wall) dedicated by Oda Nobunaga as a token of gratitude for his decisive victory after praying for success before the Battle of Okehazama, are scattered throughout, captivating history buffs.
At Atsuta Jingu Shrine, a deep and recommended spot to visit is ‘Kiyomizu-sha (Oshimizu-sama),’ located in the eastern rear of the main shrine. This shrine is dedicated to Mizuha-no-Me-no-Kami, the goddess of water, and behind it, a spring continuously gushes forth.
In fact, this place holds a mysterious legend related to Yang Guifei, a legendary beauty. There’s a grand folklore that ‘Atsuta Okami transformed into Yang Guifei, deceived Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, and prevented Japan’s invasion.’ The stone pagoda deep within the spring is even said to be ‘part of Yang Guifei’s tomb.’ It’s believed that if you ladle water onto this stone pagoda three times and pray, your wish will come true. Furthermore, there’s a legend that washing your skin with this spring water will beautify it, making it a popular hidden spot that attracts many visitors daily.
💡 Tip for Sightseeing:
After experiencing the solemn atmosphere, it’s customary to stop by ‘Miya Kishimen Jingu Store,’ where you can enjoy Nagoya’s famous Kishimen noodles while admiring the shrine’s lush greenery. You can spend a healing time that purifies both mind and body.
Oasis 21
📍 Address: 1-11-1 Higashisakura, Higashi Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 461-0005, Japan
Stepping into Nagoya’s central Sakae area, you’ll be drawn to ‘Oasis 21,’ a futuristic structure with a giant glass roof that seems to float in mid-air. It’s a multi-level park that encompasses a bus terminal and an underground commercial facility, ‘Galaxy Square,’ but it functions not merely as a transit point but as a wonderful tourist destination in itself.
The main attraction is undoubtedly the ‘Water Spaceship’ on the rooftop. A thin layer of water covers the gigantic glass roof, floating 14 meters above ground, allowing visitors to enjoy an aerial stroll around it. The pleasant sound of water constantly echoes, creating a ‘blank space’ that mysteriously calms the mind, despite being in the heart of the city.
The best time to visit is from dusk to night (sunset-23:00). The shimmering lights reflecting on the illuminated water surface and the ‘Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER’ towering right next door, mirrored in the water, are breathtakingly fantastic and photogenic.
💡 Tip for Sightseeing:
‘Hisaya-odori Park,’ which extends from Oasis 21, is lined with cafes and shops, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll on weekends. Rather than a place ‘to do something,’ it’s an area where you can simply walk with a coffee in hand, admire the scenery, and experience ‘the comfortable maturity of Nagoya’s urban environment.’
Noritake Garden
📍 Address: 3-1-36 Noritake Shinmachi, Nishi Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 451-8501, Japan
‘Noritake Garden’ is highly recommended for those who have ‘a little free time around Nagoya Station’ or ‘want to enjoy beautiful scenery away from crowds.’ This is a complex facility developed on the former site of the factory of ‘Noritake,’ Japan’s leading luxury tableware brand.
Stepping onto the grounds, you’ll find charming red-brick buildings (the former clay preparation factory) built in the Meiji era and six tall chimneys for firing ceramics from the early Showa period, standing amidst lush greenery. These are designated as Industrial Heritage Sites, offering picturesque beauty from every angle.
Noritake, the company that completed Japan’s first dinner set in 1914 and was acclaimed worldwide as ‘Old Noritake,’ has a rich history. In the paid museum at the back, you can feast your eyes on a dazzling array of luxurious antique tableware, some worth millions of yen. Additionally, at the Craft Center, you can observe artisans’ delicate hand-painting work up close.
💡 Tip for Sightseeing:
Admission itself is free, and simply spending time relaxing on a garden bench is worthwhile. Many travelers visit in conjunction with the adjacent AEON Mall Nagoya Noritake Garden, making it a highly cost-effective tourist spot where you can enjoy shopping, historical exploration, and the healing power of nature all at once.
Must-Know! How to Get Around Nagoya
Nagoya has a highly developed subway network, and all the major spots introduced here, such as ‘Nagoya Castle,’ ‘Oasis 21,’ and ‘Atsuta Jingu Shrine,’ are easily accessible by subway (or Meitetsu/JR lines). If you’re sightseeing on weekends or public holidays, purchasing the ‘Donichi Eco Kippu’ (a one-day subway/city bus pass) issued by the Nagoya City Transportation Bureau is highly recommended. Not only does it save on transportation costs, but you can also receive benefits such as discounts on Nagoya Castle admission.
From historical romance to futuristic nightscapes and lush, healing green spaces, Nagoya is packed with diverse attractions. We hope this article helps you enjoy your own wonderful trip to Nagoya!
