Nagoya


 * For the city in Batam, Indonesia, see Nagoya (Indonesia).

Nagoya (名古屋) is the capital and largest city of Aichi prefecture, in the Chubu region of Honshu. It's not one of Japan's top tourist draws as most tourists just zip through on the bullet train on their way between Tokyo and Kyoto. But if you do decide to stick around, there are plenty of car-related attractions, a restored castle, an ancient shrine, and a surprisingly happening nightlife.

Understand
The hub of the Aichi region, Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city after Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka and one of the nation's major economic centers. In terms of manufacturing, as home to auto-making giants Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi Motors, Nagoya is to Japan what Detroit is to the United States &mdash; and it was completely flattened during World War II.

History
Now a modern metropolis, Nagoya gets its name from an old manor called Nagono which was built in the area in the 12th century. The manor prospered for two hundred years, and people began to refer to the area by the manor's name. Over time, the pronunciation of the Chinese characters in the name "Nagono" shifted to "Nagoya", by which the city is now known.

Three famous local figures later helped to put Nagoya firmly on the map of Japan. Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu all hailed from around Nagoya, and all shared the ambitious goal of unifying Japan under one government. Tokugawa finally succeeded in 1603 after winning in the Battle of Sekigahara, and established the Tokugawa Shogunate, which would rule Japan for the next 250 years.

Soon after uniting the country, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the construction of Nagoya Castle for his son. He then ordered the people of nearby Kiyosu (on the outskirts of Nagoya) to move to the area around the castle, and a town soon came into being. Cotton, ceramics and lumber were the main industries sustaining the town as it grew into a small city.

Following Japan's opening to the world during the Meiji era, Nagoya rapidly industrialized and established transportation links with the rest of Japan that would allow it to easily export its goods. During World War I, Nagoya became known for its foundries as well as its machinery and heavy industry exports, which would continue to grow throughout the 1930s.

The 1920s marked the beginnings of the automotive industry in Nagoya, which continues in importance to the current day. At the heart of the industry is the Toyota Motor Corporation. Starting from humble beginnings as a loom-making company, Toyota entered into the automobile business in the 1930s. It now stands as the world's largest automaker, and continues to dominate the local economy along with the car-making giants Honda and Mitsubishi.

During World War II, much of Nagoya's manufacturing infrastructure turned to the production of military goods, making it a prime target for bombing raids. Almost 25% of the city was destroyed during the war, with almost half the population fleeing to the countryside to avoid the attacks.

The end of the war marked a new start for Nagoya. Car-friendly wide streets and boulevards were bulldozed through the rubble of war, making for the city of today.

Nagoya now ranks as one of the nation's economic powerhouses, and is home to the head offices of Toyota Motor Corporation, Brother Industries, Daido Steel, Makita, Denso Corporation, INAX, Noritake, NGK Insulators and many others. Unlike other parts of Japan, which borrowed heavily for elaborate and expensive public works projects in the bubble years of the 1980s, kechi ("miserly") Nagoya held to a pay-as-you-go philosophy, and has not been as adversely affected by the post-bubble recession as other major centers.

The booming economy has also brought many foreigners to the area, and the region now hosts a thriving community of Japanese-descent Brazilian immigrants, who help to keep the wheels of the local economy spinning. With its strong economy and growing population, Nagoya is a city to watch in the coming years.

Climate
Nagoya's climate varies greatly throughout the year, with average temperatures ranging from a low of 4 °C (39.2 °F) in January to a high of 27 °C (80.6 °F) in August. The city is known for its incredibly hot and humid summers like many cities in Japan, with high temperatures routinely surpassing 30 °C (86 °F) in August, so those with an aversion to heat would be better off visiting in the milder temperatures of the spring or autumn.

Orientation
While divided into 16 wards or ku (区), the focal points of this sprawling agglomeration are Nagoya Station (名古屋駅) to the north, Sakae (栄) to the east and Kanayama (金山) to the south.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

By plane


The best way of connecting between Centrair Airport and central Nagoya is the Meitetsu Airport Line. The fastest trains are the all-reserved "μSKY" trains, which depart for Nagoya every 30 minutes. The journey takes 28 minutes at a cost of ¥1230. Slower Limited Express trains offer first class (reserved) and ordinary class (non-reserved) seating and take 37 minutes for the run to Nagoya - the standard fare is ¥870. Japan Rail Passes are not valid for the Meitetsu, though you can exchange your rail pass voucher at either the airport or at Nagoya station.

Buses run hourly from Centrair Airport to the Meitetsu Bus Terminal, taking about 1 hr 20 min at a cost of ¥1200. The bus also stops at a few major hotels, including the Nagoya Tokyu, Nagoya Kanko and Hilton Nagoya.

For large groups, Tsubame Airport Limousine offers private van service between Nagoya and Centrair Airport. Vans seat between six and nine passengers, and the cost for the service depends on the destination. As an example, trips to Nakamura-ku, where Nagoya Station is located, cost ¥12000.

Slightly more expensive than the van is a taxi. A trip to Nagoya station will run ¥15000-16000.

Shinkansen
Nagoya is along the Tokaido Shinkansen route between Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. To the west are Gifu and Kyoto, and to the east are Hamamatsu and Shizuoka.

The fastest service on the Tokaido Shinkansen is the Nozomi. With the Nozomi you can travel from Tokyo in 1 hr 40 min (¥11090), Kyoto in 35 min (¥5800) and Shin-Osaka in 50 min (¥6560).

Users of the Japan Rail Pass cannot use the Nozomi, but can use the slightly slower Hikari services that run through Nagoya twice every hour. The all-stations Kodama services operate to/from Tokyo twice per hour.

Thru Nozomi trains from western Japan reach Nagoya from Okayama (1 hr 40 min, ¥11290), Hiroshima (2 hr 20 min, ¥14230) and Hakata station in Fukuoka (3 hr 20 min, ¥18540). If using the slower Hikari or Sakura you will need to change trains at least once, either at Okayama, Shin-Kobe, or Shin-Osaka. Note that while there are three direct Hikari trains that leave Nagoya in the morning towards Hiroshima and Fukuoka, there are no such direct Hikari trips from these cities to Nagoya.

If you wish to sacrifice travel speed for savings, you can take advantage of the Puratto (Platt) Kodama Ticket, which offers a discount for Kodama services if you purchase at least one day in advance. You get a reserved seat and a coupon for a free drink (including beer) which can be redeemed at a "Kiosk" convenience counter inside the station. With this ticket a trip to Nagoya costs ¥8300 from Tokyo (3 hr; 2 trains per hour), ¥4300 from Kyoto (1 hr; 1 train per hour) and ¥4400 from Shin-Osaka (1 hr 15 min; 1 train per hour). A few early-morning Kodama trains cannot be used with this ticket.

Discounted tickets can also be purchased in advance through Japan Railways' official SmartEX App, available in English and other languages - look for Hayatoku fares.

Limited Express Services
Nagoya serves as the terminal point for the hourly Wide View Shinano, a JR Chuo Line limited express train to the mountain resort town of Nagano (3 hr) via Matsumoto (2 hr). The Wide View Hida JR Takayama Line limited express connects Nagoya with Takayama (2 hr 30 min), with some runs continuing to Toyama (4 hr).

Local trains (which can be used with the Seishun 18 Ticket) take about 6 hours from Tokyo (¥6260), 2 hr 15 min from Kyoto (¥2590) and 2 hr 45 min from Osaka (¥3350). Multiple train transfers are required (three at minimum when traveling from Tokyo, at Numazu, Hamamatsu, and Toyohashi, and one in Maibara at minimum when coming from Kyoto or Osaka, although more are often required if travel is not optimally timed), and travel times do not include rest stops.

Nagoya is also served by the Meitetsu (名鉄) and Kintetsu (近鉄) private railways. If coming to Nagoya from Osaka, a travel option that comes cheaper than the Shinkansen is a Kintetsu limited express service called the Urban Liner (アーバンライナー), which runs from Osaka-Namba station. The Urban Liner departs at 0 and 30 minutes past the hour, covering the journey in about 2 hr 15 min at a cost of ¥4260. (The shinkansen, by comparison, makes the run from Shin-Osaka to Nagoya in under an hour for ¥6560.) Japan Rail Passes are not valid for the Urban Liner.

By bus
Many day and overnight buses run to Nagoya from other locations throughout Japan. They can be cheaper than the shinkansen or local trains. Some of the main bus operators include Nagoya-based Meitetsu Bus and JR Tokai Bus, along with Willer Express. In addition to major cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe, highway buses run from places including Sendai, Fukushima, Koriyama, Utsunomiya, Tokyo Disneyland, Takasaki, Maebashi, Kofu, Fujiyoshida, Niigata, Toyama, Takaoka, Kanazawa, Fukui, Nagano, Matsumoto, Iida, Ina, Shirakawa-go, Takayama, Shingu, Okayama, Kurashiki, Yonago, Matsue, Izumo, Hiroshima, Miyoshi, Takamatsu, Tokushima, Matsuyama, and Fukuoka.

Most buses will pick up and discharge passengers around Nagoya station, either near the station's shinkansen exit or at the nearby Meitetsu Bus Center. An exception is Willer Express, which will use either Sasashima Live south of Nagoya station or Noritake 1-chome west of Nagoya station.

Buses between Tokyo and Nagoya are very frequent. Direct trips take 5–6 hours, but some trips could take up to nine hours depending on the route and stops. Buses charge in the range of ¥3500-5000 for daytime trips and ¥4000-6500 for overnight trips. Discounted fares are sometimes available based on the date of purchase.

Many buses also operate from the Kansai region: Meishin Expressway buses leave several times per hour, operating from Kyoto (2 hr 30 min, ¥2550), Osaka (3 hr, ¥3000) and Kobe (4 hr 15 min, ¥3400). A few buses also travel from Nara (2 hr 30 min, ¥2550). Discounts are given on round-trip purchases.

Willer Express bus journeys can be booked online in English, and Willer's Japan Bus Pass is valid on all of their routes with some exceptions. Willer also sells tickets for Meitetsu Bus and other bus operators on their website, but these trips are not valid with Willer's Japan Bus Pass. Both the Willer and Meitetsu buses leave from the Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku), above the JR tracks at Shinjuku Station, which is served by many of Japan's highway bus operators.

JR Bus reservations can be made in English through their Kousoku Bus Net web site. You can also make reservations in train stations at the same "Midori-no-Madoguchi" ticket windows used to reserve seats on trains. Buses depart from Tokyo Station - Yaesu Exit (八重洲口) and from Busta Shinjuku.

Ferry Port Access
A Meitetsu shuttle bus to the ferry is available from the downtown Meitetsu Bus Center (名鉄バスセンター) next to Nagoya Station. The bus departs from platform 22 on the 4th floor at 17:20 and arrives at the ferry terminal at around 17:55 (Adults: ¥550 Children: ¥280).

The ferry terminal is also accessible by train and city bus. Take the Aonami line (あおなみ線 Aonami-sen) south to Noseki stn (野跡駅). From there, you can board a city bus bound for the Feri futo (フェリーふ頭) bus stop (takes 7 to 10 min).

More details are available on the Taiheiyo Ferry access page.

Get around
Nagoya is a big automotive industry center, and it shows. The street network is extensive and even downtown locations can be easily reached by car. On the downside, trains and subways are less convenient than in Tokyo or Kansai, and more expensive. If you're travelling with a JR Rail Pass, the train network doesn't have many stations in the city and you'll probably find yourself using the bus or subway a lot, something your pass won't cover.

By subway
There are 5 main subway lines:
 * The red Sakuradōri Line (桜通線, S) curves southwest from Nagoya Station.
 * The purple Meijō Line (名城線, M) runs in a loop around the eastern side of the city, connecting Sakae and Kanayama.
 * The Meikō Line (名港線, E) spur branches from Kanayama to Nagoya Port.
 * The yellow Higashiyama Line (東山線, H) connects Nagoya, Fushimi, Sakae, and Fujigaoka.
 * The blue Tsurumai Line (鶴舞線, T) connects Fushimi and Osu Kannon, then goes south.

Subways run every several minutes between about 05:30 until about 00:30. Fares range from ¥200 to ¥320. One day passes can be bought for ¥620 (bus), ¥760 (subway), and ¥870 (bus & subway).

On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays you can also take advantage of the cheaper Donichi-Eco-Kippu (ドニチエコきっぷ) one-day subway ticket which offers unlimited subway travel for ¥620. This pass is available from ticket machines, or can be purchased in person from a station employee at the ticket gate.

City transportation one day passes also offer discounted entry at various attractions in Nagoya, including Nagoya Castle and the Toyota Museum.

More information about public transportation in Nagoya can be found on the official website of the Nagoya Transportation Bureau.

By taxi
Taxis are a viable option in this car city, especially as the basic fee is only ¥500. The catch is that the basic fee only takes you 1.01 km compared to 2 km in most other parts of Japan. But for shorter distances within the city, a taxi is not only much more convenient than descending to those dark, unappealing subway stations, but also as cheap as the subway if there are at least two of you.

By bicycle
Most parts of central Nagoya were built on landfill just above sea level, making it a relatively flat city and seemingly easy to traverse by bicycle. However, downtown Nagoya is also known throughout Japan for its wide streets, fast moving traffic and crazy drivers. So it's no surprise that you will find most of the city's cyclists (especially mothers riding with young children and the elderly) riding on the sidewalk. Riding on the sidewalk is legal on most city streets in Japan (unless marked). However, the sidewalks can be bumpy, crowded and far from ideal for two-wheeled transport - leading an increasing number of riders to brave the city's roads.

Secondary roads can be more enjoyable to ride and there are some major roads with protected cycling lanes - although these are rare and sometimes seem to have been designed without rhyme or reason. Cyclists have also been known to park their bicycles on some of the lesser sidewalk-adjacent "paths" downtown, making them largely impassible.

Parking
Bicycle parking near train and subway stations is strictly limited to designated and (usually paid) areas. Paid locking bike racks with fare collection machines are common and most charge around ¥100 for a day's worth of parking. There is also usually a window of free parking time (15–30 minutes) for cyclists making brief stops. Near the main train stations there are also attended and unattended indoor areas to park with short term and long term facilities. Be sure not to park in one of the long term facilities by mistake, as you will probably be fined more than it costs to park in a short-term area.

Cycle sharing
Nagoya has a cycle sharing serivice called Cariteco Bike (run by the Meitetsu train company). It requires returning bicycles to the nearest docking station. As of May 2024, there are 410 docking stations around the city. The service offers registration and information only in Japanese, so they are probably not a practical option for most visitors with limited Japanese ability.

Do

 * Ride the gold and white Nagoya Sightseeing Bus Me-Guru (メーグル) past many of the city's main attractions. Operates T-Su. Offers hop-on-hop-off hourly service Tu-F from 09:30-17:30, and Sa Su every half hour. Closed M, year-end holidays. Daypass: adults ¥500, children ¥250. (includes discount on featured attractions). Single ride: adults ¥200, children ¥100. Daypasses may be purchased getting on the bus. 1-day transport passes also accepted.
 * Catch a traditional Japanese Noh play at the Nagoya Noh Theatre. (Subway: Shiyakusho stn.)
 * Go for a jog (or a walk) around beautiful Meijo Park (名城公園 Meijo Koen), one of Nagoya's largest green spaces, and take in the great view of Nagoya Castle (Subway: Meijo-Koen station, Meijo line). Showers and lockers available.
 * Higashiyama Park (東山公園 Higashiyama-koen). (Higashiyama-koen station). Features a zoo, conservatory, monorail, roller coasters, "sky tower" and a great deal of open space.

Sports
The Chūnichi Dragons (中日ドラゴンズ　Chūnichi-doragonzu), winners of the 2007 Japan Series, play in the Central League of Japanese Professional Baseball. Check out one of their games at the Nagoya Dome (Japanese) in Ōzone, northeast of downtown. (15 min walk E of JR Ōzone stn. (Chūō line) via S exit, Subway: Nagoya-dome-mae-yada (Meijō line))

Shopping areas

 * Akamon-dōri (赤門通り) is known for the bright red banners hung along the street, and hosts a variety of stereo and electronics stores as well as used record shops. On the 28th of every month, Daikō-in temple (大光院) hosts a small temple festival (縁日 ennichi) on Akamon-dori with traditional street food stalls and lots of burning incense.
 * Ōtsu-dōri (大津通り) 　marks the eastern boundary of the Ōsu shopping area. On the lively stretch of Otsu-dori north of Kamimaezu subway station you will find the Ōsu 301 Building (大須301). The building is known for its small dragon sculpture and Chinese theme, and contains a number of small shops. Continuing north on Ōtsu-dōri, you will also find the small but funky Gatten-shōchi (合点承知)  building, a mini-mall featuring fashion accessories, food stands, and various fortune tellers.
 * Ōtsu-dōri (大津通り) 　marks the eastern boundary of the Ōsu shopping area. On the lively stretch of Otsu-dori north of Kamimaezu subway station you will find the Ōsu 301 Building (大須301). The building is known for its small dragon sculpture and Chinese theme, and contains a number of small shops. Continuing north on Ōtsu-dōri, you will also find the small but funky Gatten-shōchi (合点承知)  building, a mini-mall featuring fashion accessories, food stands, and various fortune tellers.
 * Sakae offers good department store shopping, restaurants and night-life. Take a walk atop the rooftop promenade of the Oasis 21 shopping arcade and get a nice view of the TV Tower.

Electronics
Best bets for cameras and electronics include Bic Camera, a massive 5 story camera and electronics megastore across the street from Nagoya station (on the Taikō-dōri side). Ōsu Market also has a number of large and small electronics shops, including Goodwill (computers and peripherals - otaku culture fans will also want to check out the maid cafe in the basement), DOS Para and others. Unfortunately, some of the electronics shops in Osu (such as Goodwill) are not located on the main shopping streets, and you may have to ask around to find them. There are also two Eiden electronics superstores located in Fushimi and near JR Ōzone stn on the JR Chūō Line.

Eat
Nagoya is big on miso, a sauce made from fermented soybeans and grain. The preferred style is red miso (赤味噌 akamiso), fermented up to two years for a stronger taste than the usual "white" miso, with Hatchō miso (八丁味噌) particularly famous.

Classic Nagoya dishes include:
 * misokatsu (味噌カツ), fried pork cutlet with a rich miso sauce
 * miso nikomi udon (味噌煮込みうどん), a thick miso and chicken stew perfect for winter
 * tenmusu (天むす), shrimp tempura wrapped up in rice and dried seaweed and turned into a handy portable package
 * tebasaki (手羽先), fried chicken wings marinated in a sweet sauce
 * kishimen (きしめん), a flat, broad type of udon wheat noodle often served in a miso or soy sauce broth. Available in most restaurant-gai in shopping centres or close to major railway stations.
 * ankake supa(=spaghetti) (あんかけスパ), spaghetti with a starchy gravy-like tomato-based sauce with a kick of black pepper. Often with onions, green peppers, and ham, bacon, or sausage.
 * hitsumabushi (ひつまぶし), an eel dish served with rice in a small box. It can be eaten three ways: first, just the eel and rice; second, with green onions and nori, and third, with tea or soup stock poured over it.
 * uirō (外郎), a confectionery made out of rice flour and sugar; a little firmer than gelatin but not as sticky as mochi. Many different flavors are available, including red bean (小豆 azuki)  and green tea (抹茶 matcha).
 * doteni (どて煮), Beef tendons and pork intestine are simmered for a long time in soybean miso such as Haccho miso and mirin.

Splurge
Nagoya's nouveaux riche are catered for by several luxury department stores and many first-class restaurants, which are sometimes difficult find for auto-less tourists.



Drink
Around Nagoya station, there are a lot of places for cheap drinking. Sakae is the big nightlife district, in a loose triangle formed by the Sakae, Yaba-cho and Osu Kannon stations. Sakae has a large red light district as well, but as with most of Japan, there's no sense of danger so don't worry about drifting around. There are countless izakayas around Kanayama station, both cheap chains and more upscale places.

If the bar and club scene is not for you, try Nagoya Friends and their bimonthly international parties. Always a dynamic mix of foreigners and Japanese. At the party it's all you can drink and eat (~¥3000).



Nightclubs
Nagoya has some good clubs. A lot of the DJs who play Tokyo also pass through Nagoya. Many of the most popular clubs are located in Sakae and Shin-sakae-machi (just east of Sakae and south of the Naka ward office).

Even on week-ends, on less popular nights, clubs empty or even close early (02:00-03:00) in Nagoya. This is a sharp contrast to Tokyo, where most people come by train and have to stick around for good or for bad until the first train in the morning. In auto-city Toyota, however, many people come by car; they can and will go home early if they are bored.

Gay and lesbian dance events are held monthly by the at LOVER: z across from the CBC-TV building in Shinsakae-machi.



Banking
As elsewhere in Japan, ATM machines at post offices and 7-Elevens allow international cash withdrawals.

Consulates

 * 🇧🇷 Brazil
 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇺🇸 United States

Publications
Like other major cities in Japan, you can also pick up the (Tokyo-centric) English dailies The Japan Times and Japan News (by the Yomiuri Shimbun) at selected bookstores and convenience stores around the city (or read them for free at the International Center library).
 * Japanzine Monthly tabloid-style magazine published in Nagoya featuring a section on local events, concerts, job listings, and a restaurant/bar map and guide. Available free at numerous businesses catering to foreign residents, and at Maruzen bookstore in Sakae.
 * RAN Magazine A magazine focused on life in Nagoya and the city's culture and arts scene. Features articles on a wide array of topics. Available online and for free at businesses catering to foreigners around the Nagoya area.
 * Nagoya Calendar Monthly magazine featuring event information, daily-living advice, movie & TV listings, and a community bulletin board. Available free at International Center, the Maruzen Bookstore in Sakae, and several subway stations.
 * ET People Small monthly magazine aimed at English learners. Offers restaurant/bar map and listings in English. Available free at numerous bars and restaurants around the city.

Go next

 * Inuyama, with its picturesque castle, kinky fertility shrines, and nearby Meiji Village, is a short day trip from the city. From Meitetsu Nagoya station next to Nagoya station, there are express trains (around a 30-minute ride) to Inuyama station or Inuyamayuen station. From either station, Inuyama castle is about a 20-minute walk to the west and is on the south side of the river. The entrance is on the south side of the castle grounds.
 * Gifu - Visit Gifu castle (take a bus from the train station). Ride the cable car up the mountain (or hike), feed the squirrels (they jump on your arm and eat from your hand), visit the museum, enjoy the amazing view from the top of the castle.  See the Nagaragawa fireworks display during the summer festival.
 * Nagakute, former home of Expo 2005, now hosting the whimsical Ghibli Park and the Toyota Museum
 * Tokoname, on the first express train stop from Nagoya airport, is a ceramic centre dating back from the 9th-century Heian period. The old town by the hill next to the train station features streets decorated with industrial ceramic pieces and pottery shops with pottery displays inside old brick furnaces.
 * Okazaki - Take in the castle, tour the miso factory and enjoy the fresh suburban air.
 * Ise, home to Japan's holiest shrine, is within striking distance.
 * Tsushima - Visit Tenno River park in the spring to see amazing cherry blossoms and wisteria.
 * Tajimi - Visit Eihoji Zen Temple. A beautiful walk down to the river.  Be sure to see the bamboo grove (takebayashi).
 * Hida-Takayama - Check out the Edo-era atmosphere of this famous historic town.
 * Kiso Valley - Walk the historic Nakasendo highway, an old post road running through the valley's beautiful green hills and well-preserved towns.

Hiking

 * Asuke, where you can visit the Korankei Gorge and enjoy the changing of leaves in autumn and blossoms in spring.
 * Gujo Hachiman, an idyllic town where 80% of Japan's plastic food replicas are created.
 * Magome to Tsumago, a nice hike between the two historic villages in the Nagiso/Nakatsugawa area.
 * Tadachi, a nice hike along many waterfalls.
 * Yoro - Waterfalls, fancy onsen and Japan's most bizarre park.