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Nagoya

Castle, car makers and miso-rich food

Nagoya is one of Japan's biggest cities and the centre of the Chubu region, with a long history as the Tokugawa clan's castle town and a modern role as a base for the car industry. The castle, Atsuta Shrine and the Osu shopping district are the main old sights. In Sakae, MIRAI TOWER and Oasis21 are the new ones. The city is flat and its underground is easy to use. With the Shinkansen stopping at Nagoya Station, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are all a quick ride away. A night or two works better than a quick stopover.

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City in Japan

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.9

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	9
Accessibility:	8
Tap water:	9

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3/5

Many tourist spots, hotels and restaurants offer English signage and service. However, English proficiency among locals can vary, especially in more traditional or suburban areas.

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Last update: 20 Oct 2026

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Nagoya Summary

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Strong for castles and modern industry museums. Visit Nagoya Castle, explore science museums, enjoy regional food and shop lively districts.

Place score

7.7

Best at:

Large cities

Spotless

Local cuisine

Zoos

Aquariums

Personal score

Suited for

👶 9

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

👩 8

Solo

Japan – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	100 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A Type A: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Japanese Yen (JPY) £1 ≈ JP¥210
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in cities, with some shops still preferring cash. Be prepared for occasional cash-only situations in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in Japan and can be considered rude. Excellent service is the norm, and tipping is unnecessary in most places.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is legal and commonly accepted, particularly during festivals and events.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas. Some restaurants may have smoking sections.

New Year (January)	One of the most important holidays, expect crowded temples and high prices. Plan ahead.
Golden Week (April-May)	The busiest travel time, expect high demand for accommodation and transport.
Obon (August)	A time to honour ancestors, many businesses close, and transport can be crowded.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 110 (Police), 119 (Fire & Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, JapanTaxi, DiDi
Other:	Japan is a country of respect, so understanding local customs and etiquette is important. Public transport is efficient, but can be crowded during peak hours.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Nagoya, Japan

🌤️

Jan

☀️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌦️

May

🌦️

Jun

🌦️

Jul

🔥

Aug

🌦️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	April, Nov.
Shoulder season:	March, May, Oct.
Crowdedness:	4 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Cherry blossoms late March to early April; autumn leaves mid to late November

Rainy season mid June to mid July; typhoon risk August to September

Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament held for two weeks in early to mid July; tickets sell out quickly

Don't miss

🏯 Admire the golden shachihoko ornaments at Nagoya Castle
⛩️ Marvel at the Atsuta Shrine, one of Japan’s oldest Shinto sites
🚄 Explore SCMAGLEV and Railway Park to see futuristic trains
🛍️ Shop and dine in the bustling Sakae district
🍱 Taste Nagoya’s famous miso katsu at a local restaurant
🌸 Relax by the carp-filled ponds of Shirotori Garden

You've been here?

Why travel to Nagoya?

Nagoya meshi is the local style of cooking, built on rich miso and chicken dishes you won't find in the same form elsewhere. Hitsumabushi is grilled eel over rice that you eat in three ways. Misokatsu is a fried pork cutlet under a dark miso sauce. Tebasaki are crisp fried chicken wings while kishimen are flat wheat noodles. Mornings here are known for ogura toast with sweet red bean paste. The castle was the seat of a branch of the Tokugawa family. Its main keep is closed while a replacement is planned but the restored Honmaru Palace is open and worth the visit. Atsuta Shrine is one of Japan's most important Shinto shrines and is in quiet woods. The Tokugawa Art Museum and Shirotori Garden show more of the old city. The Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology covers the local car and loom industry. For something lighter there's the Osu Shopping District with its old temple, vintage shops and street snacks. MIRAI TOWER and Oasis21 are lit up after dark in the modern Sakae area. Families can add Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens or LEGOLAND Japan. A full day covers the castle and a meal or two while two or three days give room for the rest.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
2 Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
3 Nagoya castle
4 Atsuta Shrine
5 Tokugawa Art Museum
6 Nagoya City Science Museum
7 Legoland Japan
8 Osu-kannon Temple
9 Noritake Garden Babbling Brook

🎡Places for activities

1 Toyota Automobile Museum
2 SCMAGLEV and Railway Park

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
A large hillside zoo and botanical garden in Nagoya with koalas, gorillas, elephants and a big greenhouse. The underground stops a three-minute walk from the entrance while the grounds can easily fill a whole day.
2 Hisaya Ōdōri Park
3 Tsuruma Park
4 Meijō Park

🛍️Shopping

1 AEON Mall
2 Midland Square
3 JR Takashimaya
4 Lachic
5 Matsuzakaya
6 Oasis 21

🍽️Eat & Drink

1 Atsuta Horaiken Honten
Atsuta Horaiken is a historic specialist in hitsumabushi: charcoal-grilled eel over rice, traditionally enjoyed plain, with condiments, then in dashi broth. It is at 503 Godo-cho in Atsuta Ward, about a five-minute walk from Jingumae Station and near Atsuta Jingu Shrine.
2 Misokatsu Yabaton Yabacho Honten
Yabaton serves Nagoya miso katsu, a crisp pork cutlet covered in a rich, slightly sweet red miso sauce. Its flagship is at 3-6-18 Osu, about five minutes on foot from Yabacho Station and near Osu Kannon.
3 Sekai no Yamachan Honten
Sekai no Yamachan is known for tebasaki, peppery fried chicken wings seasoned with a sweet-savoury sauce and sesame. Its main shop is in Sakae, close to Sakae Station and central nightlife streets.
4 Furaibo Honten
Furaibo serves Nagoya-style tebasaki, fried chicken wings coated in a sweet-spicy sauce, plus casual izakaya dishes. It is in Sakae, within walking distance of Sakae Station and Oasis 21.
5 Yamamotoya Sohonke Honten
Yamamotoya Sohonke specialises in miso nikomi udon: firm udon noodles simmered in a dark Hatcho miso broth, often with egg, chicken or tempura. It is in central Sakae, near the shopping and department-store district.
6 Miya Kishimen Jingu Store
Miya Kishimen serves kishimen, Nagoya’s broad, flat wheat noodles, in dashi broth or chilled with dipping sauce. It is inside the grounds of Atsuta Jingu Shrine, convenient after visiting the shrine.
7 Nadai Kishimen Sumiyoshi
Sumiyoshi serves quick bowls of kishimen, including versions topped with tempura, egg or fried tofu, at a compact station stand. It is on the JR Nagoya Station platform area, convenient for rail travellers.
8 Spaghetti House Yokoi Sumiyoshi Main Store
Yokoi is known for ankake spaghetti, thick noodles topped with a peppery, starchy tomato-based sauce and toppings such as sausages, vegetables or fried cutlets. It is at 1-12-2 Sakae, near Sakae Station and the nightlife district.
9 Tenmusu Senju Honten
Tenmusu Senju sells tenmusu: small rice balls wrapped with nori and filled with shrimp tempura, a convenient local takeaway snack. Its main store is in Osu, near Osu Kannon and the covered shopping arcades.
10 Komeda’s Coffee Honten
Komeda’s Coffee’s flagship offers Nagoya café culture, including morning-service toast and its Shiro-noir warm Danish pastry topped with soft-serve ice cream. It is at 3-20 Aoi in Higashi Ward, near Kurumamichi Station.

🎈Events

Nagoya Festival (October)
Atsuta Festival (June)
World Cosplay Summit (Summer)
Nagoya Castle Cherry Blossom Festival
Osu Summer Festival
Tsuruma Park Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing)
Toyota Oiden Festival
Nagoya Marathon
Endoji Shotengai Festivals

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Hitsumabushi restaurants often have a queue at midday, so go early.
Nagoya Castle's main keep is closed, but the Honmaru Palace is open until late afternoon.
Many cafes include toast and a boiled egg with a morning drink, so skip a hotel breakfast.
The Higashiyama line connects Nagoya Station, Sakae and Higashiyama Zoo without a change of trains, which saves time.

How to travel to Nagoya

The Tokaido Shinkansen stops here. From Tokyo the fastest Nozomi trains take roughly 1 hour 40 minutes. From Kyoto they take about 35 minutes and Osaka is a little further. The station also serves JR, Meitetsu and Kintetsu lines, with buses from the nearby terminals. Centrair, the airport for the region, is on an island south of the city. Meitetsu express trains reach Nagoya Station in roughly 30 to 35 minutes. Flights from Tokyo take about an hour but the Shinkansen is usually easier door to door. By car, both the Tomei and Meishin expressways go to Nagoya. Driving from Tokyo takes around 4 to 5 hours without traffic and tolls add up, so most visitors take the train.

Access summary

From Chubu Centrair Airport (NGO): Meitetsu μ-SKY train to Nagoya, about 30 minutes.
From Tokyo: Shinkansen to Nagoya Station typically around 1.5–2 hours.
From Osaka/Kyoto: Shinkansen to Nagoya usually 50–70 minutes.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Nagoya

Most visitors stay in one of two areas. Around Nagoya Station you'll find the most business hotels, the Shinkansen and the airport train. This is the best choice for a short stop or an early train. Sakae is a few minutes away on the Higashiyama underground line and has more nightlife, shopping and restaurants, plus easy walks to Osu and Oasis21. Fushimi and the streets between the two are quieter and often cheaper, with the underground close by. Hotels near the castle are few, so it's easier to take a short ride in. Ryokan are rare in the centre. If you want a hot spring stay, look at the countryside outside the city. Rooms fill on major event weekends and during conventions, so book early at those times.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Mitsui Garden Hotel Nagoya Premier

9.0

Vessel Inn Sakae Station

9.2

Dormy Inn Premium Nagoya Sakae Natural Hot Spring

Nishitetsu Hotel Croom Nagoya

9.1

Hotel Keihan Nagoya

8.8

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagoya Shinkansenguchi

8.9

Meitetsu Grand Hotel

8.4

KOKO HOTEL Nagoya Sakae

8.7

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Nagoya

Nagoya is flat and the main sights are around Nagoya Station, Sakae and the castle, with the underground as the easiest way between them. You don't need a car in the city.

Underground:
Six lines reach most sights and the Higashiyama and Meijo lines are the two you'll use most. The Higashiyama line goes from Nagoya Station to Sakae in a few stops. Station signs and announcements include English. Day passes for the underground and city buses are worth checking if you plan several rides, though prices and rules change.

Buses:
The Meguru sightseeing bus goes around a loop past Nagoya Castle, the Tokugawa Art Museum and other major sights. It's handy if you want to cover several in one day. The NAGOYA Sightseeing Pass bundles transport with entry to selected attractions.

Walking and taxis:
The centre is flat, so walking between Sakae and Osu works well. Taxis are plentiful and fares are fair for short trips.

Food in Nagoya

The local style, called Nagoya meshi, is the city's best-known cooking. It leans on dark red miso, which is salty and slightly sweet.

Miso dishes:
Misokatsu is a pork cutlet covered in miso sauce. Miso nikomi udon is thick noodles simmered in a miso broth in a clay pot. Miso oden has radish and eggs cooked in the same rich base.

Hitsumabushi:
Hitsumabushi is chopped grilled eel on rice. You eat it plain first, then with seasonings and finally as a soup with broth.

Chicken:
Tebasaki are fried chicken wings with pepper while Cochin chicken is a prized local breed.

Ogura toast:
For breakfast try a morning set with toast and coffee. Ogura toast is topped with sweet red bean paste and butter.

Ankake spaghetti comes in a thick peppery sauce and is more of a local quirk than a fine dish. Department store food halls and station malls near Nagoya Station are handy for quick meals. Many local dishes use miso broth or fish stock, so vegetarians should ask before ordering.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-48 %

Daily expenses in Nagoya are around 48% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-20 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to JPY) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£41	£87	£225
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£49	£98
🍝 Food per day	£17	£30	£89
🚕 Transportation per day	£5	£8	£38

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£10.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£5
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.70
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7
☕ Cappuccino	£2
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.10

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.25
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£23
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.80

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£8.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£19
🤧 Cold medication	£9
💇 Basic haircut	£10.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Nagoya is very safe, with low crime and calm streets even late in the evening around the stations and Sakae. Pickpocketing is rare, though crowded trains call for care. Typhoons in late summer and autumn can bring heavy rain and transport delays.

Health & Medical

Nagoya has many hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, including large university hospitals. English-speaking care is available at some but not all of them, so travel insurance is worth having. Summers are hot and humid, so heat is the main health risk.

Accessibility

The city is flat and most underground stations have lifts, so getting around is easier than in many Japanese cities. Large hubs like Nagoya Station and Sakae can mean long walks between lines. The castle grounds have gravel paths while Atsuta Shrine's paths are wide.

Tap water

Tap water in Nagoya is safe to drink, as in the rest of Japan. Vending machines and convenience stores sell bottled water and tea on almost every block. Carrying a bottle to refill at your hotel is easy and cheap on hot summer days.