Tom If you’re visiting Nagoya and wondering what are some of the things to do in Nagoya, this post is just for you! We have curated some of our favourite travel experiences in Nagoya during our 12 days of travels in Japan. In this post, we’ll also be covering some of foods that you should try while you’re in Nagoya!
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1. Nagoya Castle
Nagoya Castle is arguably the top attraction in Nagoya. One can say that a trip to Nagoya is not complete without a visit there. Hence, if you’re wondering what to see in Nagoya, head direct to Nagoya Castle. Fun fact: Nagoya was named 名古屋 (famous ancient house) because of Nagoya Castle. The history of Nagoya is intrinsically linked to Nagoya Castle and the exhibits within tell the story. The foundation of Nagoya Castle was actually built in the 1600s. Through the years, restorations and upgrades were made to the castle as various administrations took over from the Edo-period till modern Japan in the 1900s. Unfortunately, the original Nagoya Castle was burnt down during World War 2 and reconstruction took place after the war. The current Nagoya Castle seen today is a reconstruction of the original castle and was re-opened some time in 1959. The cool thing about Nagoya Castle is that for an entrance fee of only 500 yen, you’ll be treated to the residence, castle and also shows ranging from ninjas to samurais. Take a walk (or use the lift) up Nagoya Castle and enjoy amazing views over the surround Nagoya City.
Address: 1-1 Honmaru, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture 460-0031, Japan
Opening Hours: 9am to 4:30pm
2. Rikyu Okonomiyaki / Monjayaki Nagoya
An authentic experience you should try in Nagoya (and Japan), is to make your very own okonomiyaki! To clarify, the term okonomiyaki is used relatively loosely in Singapore to refer to a kind of Japanese pancakes stuffed with generous portions of meats, seafood and cabbage, topped with mayo, otafuku (okonomiyaki sauce), aonori (seaweed flakes) and loads of katsuobushi (bonito flakes). However, in Nagoya, the “okonomiyaki” or “grilled as you like it” experience is more clearly defined as Monjayaki. At Rikyu Monjayaki, you have all the ingredients above to make your very own okonomiyaki! A quick tip: Be GENEROUS with the mayonnaise and otafuku sauce! 😉
Address: 3 Chome-17-33 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture 450-0002, Japan
Opening Hours: 5pm to 1am
3. Komeda’s Coffee Nagoya
Komeda’s Coffee may be available throughout Japan, it actually originated in Nagoya in 1968. Hence, in Nagoya, you’ll find that it has the highest concentration of Komeda’s Coffee in the whole of Japan as well. So what’s good at Komeda’s? According to our cafe connoisseur Kate, EVERYTHING! Komeda’s Coffee is popular with the working population because of its value-for-money breakfast sets. This time, we ordered the Breakfast Toast Set (400 yen) as well as the Croissant Pancake with ice cream (600 yen). Yum!
Address: Japan, 〒453-0015 Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya, Nakamura-ku, Tsubakicho, 6−9 エスカ地下街内
Opening Hours: 7am to 10pm
Book with Agoda Here: Popular Hotels in Nagoya
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4. Yabaton Pork Miso Katsu
Another MUST-TRY food in Nagoya is Yabaton Pork Miso Katsu! For 1200 yen, you’ll be able to get 2 large portions of the famous pork katsu, slathered with 2 different miso sauces. One dipped in the lighter miso sauce and the other draped in a thicker version of the Yabaton miso sauce. Both versions were delectable, probably because of the high quality pork with fatty bits sprinkled in between. Did we say that Yabaton Pork Katsu is a must try food in Nagoya?
Address: Lucent Tower B1F (Japan, 〒451-0046 Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya, Nishi-ku, Ushijimacho, 6番1号)
Opening Hours: 11am to 11pm
5. Yamachan Izakaya in Nagoya
The Izakaya (Japanese Pub) scene in Nagoya is popular with the locals. After work, many Japanese would flock to one of the many Izakayas in Nagoya to enjoy the draft beers, snacks and company of friends. Close to Nagoya Station, there are many izakaya bars (as shown above). However, we arrived slightly late and the working class locals had already secured their rightful place there. Dejected, we ventured further away and headed over to Yamachan – another popular Nagoya izakaya, famous for its tebasaki (fried chicken wing). Although we felt that the tebasaki at Yamachan was a little too dry for our liking (reminded us of the original buffalo wings experience in Buffalo, New York), we still enjoyed the experience of dining in an authentic izakaya and eating fried chicken wings the Yamachan way 😉
Address: Japan, 〒460-0003 Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya, 中区錦３丁目１−９
Opening Hours: 5pm to 12:15am
6. Nagoya Local Delicacies
In and around Nagoya Station, there are many local delicacies that you can try out. Visit the basement of Lucent Tower where you can savour all the Nagoya foods such as unagi (eel) rice, kishimen (nagoya flat noodles soup), oyakodon (probably the best we’ve ever tasted) and more. Nearby, we visited Craft Beer Koyoen for local craft beers and bar snacks. During the weekend that we were there, the vicinity of Nagoya Tower was lined with stalls and also an alfresco pub. Check out this post for details of all the foods that we enjoyed in Nagoya!
Lucent Tower Dining Hall (Nagoya Maruhachi Shokudo)
Address: Nagoya Lucent tower B1, 6-1, Ushijimacho, Nishi-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi, 451-6002
Opening Hours: 11am to 11pm
Craft Beer Koyoen
Address: Japan, 〒450-0002 Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya, Nakamura-ku, Meieki, 1−1−１ KITTE名古屋
Opening Hours: 11am to 11pm
Where to stay in Nagoya
During our visit to Nagoya, we stayed at Nagoya Ekimae Montblanc Hotel because of its convenience, a short 5 minutes walk to Nagoya train station. To enjoy the best hotel offerings in Nagoya, look no further than the Nagoya Tokyu Hotel for its impeccable service and 5 stars facilities.
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Book with Agoda Here: Popular Hotels in Nagoya
Book with Klook Here: Popular Activities in Tokyo
We hope you have enjoyed our coverage of the top 6 things to do in Nagoya. Enjoy the must-see Nagoya attraction – Nagoya Castle as well as the many must-eat foods of Nagoya!
Related Post
If you have just completed a post from our 12 days of travels in Japan. Find out more about this trip to Japan in the following posts below.
15 Travel Experiences and Things to do in Tokyo Japan!
Top 9 Things to do in Mount Fuji and Kawaguchiko Area!
Top 5 Things to do in Hida Takayama (高山)!
Top 6 Things to do in Nagoya (and food to eat)!
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12 Days of Japan Travels: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Shinjuku Pablo and Shibuya Day 2
12 Days of Japan Travels: Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, Sanrokuen and Fujizakura Inn Reviews Day 3
12 Days of Japan Travels: Lake Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center & Sightseeing Bus Tour Day 4
Konansou Mount Fuji Hotel Review (湖南庄) : In-Room Onsen and Meals with views of Mount Fuji!
12 Days of Japan Travels: Takayama Morning Markets Jinya-Mae, Miyagawa and Takayama Hidagyu Day 6
12 Days of Japan Travels: Takayama Hidagyu (Hida Beef) and Bus Ride to Nagoya Day 7
Takayama Hidagyu Beef: All You Need To Know!
12 Days of Japan Travels: Eating our way through Nagoya Day 8
12 Days of Japan Travels: Visit Nagoya Castle and Overnight Bus Ride from Nagoya to Tokyo Day 9
12 Days of Japan Travels: Ichiran Ramen & Kamiya Pub Reviews Day 10
12 days of Japan Travels: Tsukiji Fish Market, Ippudo Ramen & Akihabara Tokyo Day 11
12 days of Japan Travels: Ueno Zoo, Ameyoko Shopping Street & Giga Butadon Day 12
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