Stand on the sky balcony of the Nagoya TV Tower and the grid of Sakae opens below you, with the fountains and tree-lined walks of Hisaya-Odori Park directly beneath. That view is a good way to get your bearings in a city that rewards a slow, deliberate itinerary rather than a rushed checklist.
Nagoya suits travellers who are interested in industrial history, castle towns and Shinto tradition in roughly equal measure, and who are happy to move between them on the subway. It also works well for families, thanks to a large aquarium, a hands-on science museum and a railway museum.
This guide covers the sights and experiences in and around the city, with practical notes on timing, tickets and what to pair with what. Everything below can be reached using the city's subway and rail lines.
Top things to do in Nagoya
1. Nagoya Castle
The castle is the city's best-known landmark, recognisable by the two golden carp on the roof. The original was home to Oda Nobunaga, and although it was largely destroyed during World War II, the main keep was rebuilt in concrete in 1959. That keep is being demolished to make way for a more faithful reconstruction using traditional materials and methods, and the honmaru goten, the main palace of the castle's lords, was reconstructed in traditional materials in 2018.
Go early in the day, as the site closes at 16:30 and is shut from 29 December to 1 January. Free English tours with volunteer English-speaking Japanese guides are sometimes available. The nearest station is Shiyakusho on the Meijo line, a five-minute walk from exit 7.
2. Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
A large aquarium built around a number of different marine environments, including killer whales. It sits a short walk from Nagoyakō Station on the Meikō line.
It is open daily from 09:30 to 17:00, and stays open until 20:00 between 21 July and 31 August. Admission is ¥2,000 for adults. Because it sits at the port rather than in the city centre, treat it as a half-day outing rather than something to squeeze between two other stops.
3. Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
Built on the site of one of Toyota's original loom factories, this museum tells the story of the company from industrial loom manufacturer to one of the world's largest car manufacturers. It includes large loom machinery and car display halls, plus a hands-on "Technoland" with interactive science exhibits, a library, a video library with personal viewing booths, a restaurant, a cafe and a gift shop.
Displays, brochures and audioguides are available in English and several other languages, and there is barrier-free access and Freespot Wi-Fi. It is closed on Mondays (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday) and over the New Year holidays, and last admission is at 16:30. Reach it via a three-minute walk from Meitetsu Sako Station on the Nagoya line, or a ten-minute walk from exit 2 of Kamejima Station on the Higashiyama line.
4. Atsuta Shrine
This shrine houses the sacred Kusanagi no mitsurugi sword, one of the three Imperial regalia of Japan, though nobody but the emperor and a few high priests gets to see it. There are some 4,400 other artifacts on the grounds, and the shrine hosts some 70 festivals every year.
The nearest station is Jingūmae. Pair the visit with Shirotori Garden, which is located relatively near the shrine, and with the Danpusan Kofun, which stands within the shrine's grounds.
5. Shirotori Garden
A Japanese garden where you can see and feed koi fish in large ponds, look at the tea ceremony house and view the waterfall. In spring the plum trees bloom, and in autumn there is night illumination.
Admission is ¥300 for adults, and free for middle-schoolers and younger. It is close to Atsuta Shrine, so the two fit naturally into one outing. The nearest station is Jingūnishi.
6. Tokugawa Art Museum
The museum displays some treasures of the Tokugawa family. It sits next door to the Tokugawa-en Japanese gardens, which require a separate admission charge.
It is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with last admission at 16:30. Reach it on a ten-minute walk from the south exit of JR Ōzone Station on the Chuo line, or a fifteen-minute walk from exit 3 of Ōzone Subway Station on the Meijo line.
7. Nagoya City Science Museum
Located in the city centre, this museum houses interactive exhibitions and a planetarium. It is mostly geared towards children, and there is very little information in English, although a guide app is offered.
Admission is ¥400, or ¥800 including the planetarium. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:30 to 17:00, and closed on Mondays, the third Friday of every month, and from 29 December to 3 January. Use exit 5 of Fushimi Station.
8. Nagoya City Art Museum
The collection runs to 2,000 works, including pieces by Modigliani, Laurencin and Utrillo, as well as those of local artists such as Takanori Ogisu and Tamiji Kitagawa.
Permanent collection admission is ¥300 for adults, ¥200 for students over 16, and free for under-15s. It is open Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 09:30 to 17:00, and Friday from 09:30 to 20:00, with last admission 30 minutes before closing. It is closed on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a national holiday) and from 29 December to 3 January. It is an eight-minute walk south of Fushimi Station, exit 5.
9. Nagoya TV Tower
At 180 metres, this is Japan's oldest TV tower, predating even the Tokyo Tower. An elevator takes you to the 100-metre-high sky balcony for views of Hisaya-odori park and Sakae, and under the tower there is a small terrace with tables and a number of small food stands.
It is open daily from 10:00 to 21:00, with admission at ¥1,300 for adults and ¥800 for children. Use Hisaya Odori Station on the Meijo or Sakura-dori line.
10. Hisaya-Odori Park
A central park with trees and fountains, and home to the Nagoya TV Tower observation deck. On weekend afternoons and evenings, local musicians set up in and around the park and perform for passers-by. Shops and restaurants can be found around the area as well.
Use the Sakae or Hisaya-Odori subway exits. It combines naturally with the tower and with the Sakae shopping and dining around it.
11. SCMAGLEV and Railway Park
A train museum highlighting the evolution of Japan's high-speed rail. It is open from 10:00 to 17:30, with last entry at 17:00, and closed on Tuesdays (the next day if Tuesday is a holiday) and from 28 December to 1 January. Admission is ¥1,200 for adults.
It sits in Minato Ward, so plan it as a standalone trip rather than an add-on to a central Nagoya day.
12. Ōsu Kannon Temple
Founded in the Kamakura era, this temple was moved to its current location by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612, and the present main temple on the site was reconstructed in 1970. You can look around the main hall or buy an omamori charm in the gift shop for good luck.
The grounds in front of the temple host a small flea market twice every month. It is south of Ōsu Kannon Station on the Tsurumai line, exit 2.
13. Nittai-ji Temple
Within the temple grounds stands the 15-metre Gandhara-style Taian Pagoda, which houses relics of the Buddha presented to Japan by the king of Thailand. Unlike any other temple in Japan, Nittai-ji does not belong to a particular sect and is instead managed by a different sect every three years.
It is in Chikusa-ku. Allow time to walk the grounds rather than treating it as a quick stop.
14. Kōshō-ji Temple
Established in the 17th century by the Tokugawa family, this temple hosts the annual "1,000 Lantern Festival." There are numerous restaurants and universities surrounding the temple area, so it is easy to combine with a meal.
It is a five-minute walk from Yagoto Station on the Meijo and Tsurumai lines.
15. Tōgan-ji Temple
Dating back to the 16th century, this temple features a statue of the seated Buddha and has many ties to Hindu religion, particularly a temple honouring the Goddess Saraswati, who is honoured in a Benzaiten Festival every 7–8 May. Tōgan-ji also contains a huge wood block said to purge past sins if touched with one hand.
It is near Motoyama Station on the Higashiyama and Meijo lines. The Shiroyama Hakusan Shrine is a five-minute walk uphill north of the same station, so the two can be visited together.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Nagoya Castle, arriving when it opens at 09:00 so you have time before the 16:30 close and can join a free English tour if one is running. From there, head to the Nagoya City Science Museum or the Nagoya City Art Museum, both of which are in the city centre and open from 09:30.
Afternoon: Move to Sakae for Hisaya-Odori Park and the Nagoya TV Tower, taking the elevator to the sky balcony for views over the park. If you have time left, the Tokugawa Art Museum is open until 17:00 with last admission at 16:30.
Evening: Return to Hisaya-Odori Park, where local musicians perform on weekend afternoons and evenings, and eat at one of the shops and restaurants around the Sakae area. The tower stays open until 21:00 if you want the view after dark.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium open?
It is open daily from 09:30 to 17:00, and until 20:00 between 21 July and 31 August. Adult admission is ¥2,000.
Which day of the week should I avoid for the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology?
The museum is closed on Mondays, or on the Tuesday instead if Monday is a holiday, as well as over the New Year holidays. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:30 to 17:00, with last admission at 16:30.
Can I see the sword at Atsuta Shrine?
No. The shrine houses the sacred Kusanagi no mitsurugi sword, one of the three Imperial regalia of Japan, but nobody except the emperor and a few high priests gets to see it. There are some 4,400 other artifacts on the grounds to look at instead.
What can I combine with a visit to Atsuta Shrine?
Shirotori Garden is located relatively near the shrine and has koi ponds, a tea ceremony house and a waterfall. The Danpusan Kofun burial mound also stands within the shrine's grounds.
Work out which of these fit your days, check the closing days against your dates, and start building your Nagoya itinerary around them.