2 Nagoya Souvenirs
📍 Address: 1-2 Meieki, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 450-0002, Japan (Nagoya Souvenirs)
This area, mapped as ‘2 Nagoya Souvenirs,’ refers specifically to the ‘Meieki 1-chome 2-banchi’ vicinity around Nagoya Station, where Meitetsu Nagoya Station, Kintetsu Nagoya Station, and Meitetsu Department Store are concentrated. Unlike the souvenir shops inside the station near the Shinkansen exit (Taikodori Exit), this area is also part of the daily life route for locals. Therefore, its greatest characteristic is that you can find not only standard souvenirs for sharing but also long-loved local confectionery and deep, lesser-known products cherished by connoisseurs.
A common trap for travelers is to become complacent, thinking, ‘I’ll just buy them at a Kiosk near the ticket gate right before I board the Shinkansen on my way back.’ On weekends and after evening, souvenir shops inside the station become tremendously crowded with long queues, and often your desired items are sold out. That’s why it’s a smart move to allow a little extra time to stop by this Meitetsu side area and leisurely select carefully chosen items.
Especially in recent years, modern souvenir shops like ‘Meitetsu Shoten,’ which have teamed up with local Aichi industries and long-established Japanese confectioneries, have garnered attention. They offer a rich selection of rare, exclusive items, such as limited-edition packages featuring Nagoya’s symbol, the ‘Nana-chan doll.’ Beyond classics like ‘Uiro’ and ‘Yukari,’ the appeal of this Meieki 1-chome 2-banchi area lies in its ability to offer a more sophisticated and discerning souvenir selection.
Absolutely Must-Buy! ‘Insider’ Nagoya Souvenirs Recommended by Locals
While standard items found in catalog gifts are good, if you have the chance, you’ll want to choose items that make people exclaim, ‘Oh, you know your stuff!’ Here, we carefully select and introduce deep local souvenirs that are truly appreciated.
1. The Shock of a New Texture: ‘Nama Shiruko Sandwich’
The ‘Shiruko Sandwich,’ a supermarket snack that’s a soul food for Aichi residents, has undergone a miraculous evolution into a luxury version called the ‘Nama Shiruko Sandwich.’ It features a moist, semi-raw textured biscuit filled with a special cream made from Hokkaido adzuki beans, offering an elegant fusion of Japanese and Western flavors. Priced affordably from the low 1,000 yen range for a pack of five, it pairs well with both coffee and Japanese tea, making it an unfailing choice as a gift for colleagues or friends.
2. Ephemeral Sweetness Where Freshness is Key: ‘Kichiimo Hanabi’
Ignoring shelf life, the ‘Kichiimo Hanabi’ from Kakuozan Kichiimo is an absolute must-try. It’s a fresh type of Imo-kenpi (sweet potato snack) made from raw sweet potatoes, cut into matchstick-thin strips, crisply fried in high-quality rapeseed oil, and coated with a special homemade syrup. Its short shelf life of only three days from production makes it exceptionally special. Its irresistible deliciousness will keep you coming back for more, and it’s perfect as a personal snack on your Shinkansen ride home.
3. Full of Nagoya Charm: ‘Nana-chan Collaboration’ & Original Wagashi
A unique target around Meitetsu Department Store is the limited-edition packaged goods featuring Nagoya Station’s giant mannequin, ‘Nana-chan.’ Items like Sakakaku Sohonpo’s ‘Yukari’ and Aoyagi Sohonke’s ‘Uiro’ offer the undeniable taste of long-established brands, while their impactful packaging ensures great buzz. Additionally, Meitetsu Shoten offers surreal yet stylish limited items that will make you chuckle, such as wagashi and candies shaped like Nagoya taxi lanterns (andon).
Tips for Avoiding Crowds and Smart Shopping
When shopping at Nagoya Station, the golden rule is ‘distribution of time and location.’ After 4 PM, business travelers returning from trips and tourists intermingle, popular bento boxes and souvenirs sell out rapidly, and long queues form at the registers.
If you want to leisurely select souvenirs, it’s best to purchase ‘long-lasting sweets and limited-edition items’ beforehand at department stores or specialty shops in the Meieki 1-chome 2-banchi area during the relatively uncrowded morning to early afternoon hours. You can then store them in a coin locker or an empty space in your suitcase, allowing you to continue sightseeing unencumbered.
Furthermore, adopting a ‘two-tiered shopping strategy’—buying refrigerated sweets (like the extremely popular ‘Piyorin’) or ‘Ekiben’ (station lunch boxes) to eat on the Shinkansen just before your departure at in-station shops (such as PLUSTA Nagoya Chuo)—will enable you to complete your perfect Nagoya souvenir collection without the stress of queues.
