Nagoya Travel Guide

While not typically thought of as a top place to visit in Japan, Nagoya is in fact an excellent destination for the traveler. Being the hub which connects Eastern and Western Japan, Nagoya is the fourth largest city in Japan and has a sprawling metropolis, with 2.2 million people in the city and 8.4 million in the greater metro area.

Aside from all the city related sites (the port, museums, towers, amusement park, Toyota) Nagoya has many traditional sights including the oh-so popular Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Shrine and Osu Temple.

http://www.ncvb.or.jp/en/contents/

Nagoya Restaurants & Food [VIEW ALL]
Experience Local dining

Atsuta Horaiken Matsuzakayaten

Score some local fair at the Horaiken. The signature dish is the premium ‘unagi’ set which comes in at around 3,000 yen. Unagi means ‘fresh water eel’ and is a component in a traditional Japanese dish: Hitsumabushi (broiled eel in BBQ sauce) which Atsuta is known for.

This is a well known tourist spot so the lines are always over-whelming. Is it worth all the hype? You’ll have to find out and see for yourself. You should know however that there are many other places to get some fresh water eel in Nagoya.

3-16-1 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture 460-0008, Japan

+81 52-264-3825

http://www.shunpanro.com/

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Yabaton

Perhaps Nagoya’s most famous signature dish is ‘miso tonkatsu’, where they take standard tonkatsu but dip it in totally wicked spicy miso sauce and serve it up with cabbage and various sides. This dish comes highly recommended and although you can get it in many locations throughout the region the most famous (and most congested of course) is the Yabaton - restaurant next to the Yabacho subway station which serves as the region example of miso tonkatsu.

The life-changing signature dish will cost around $18 USD.

3 6-18 Osu, Nakaku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture 460-0011, Japan

+81 52-252-8810

http://www.english.yabaton.com/

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Nagoya Sightseeing & Attractions [VIEW ALL]
Our top picks of things to see and do

Nagoya Castle

Along with Himeji, Matsumoto and Osaka, Nagoya is one of the last standing great castles of Japan. Although the castle was nearly completely destroyed in fires resulting from WWII bombing, it was rebuilt in 1959 and reconstruction continues even now for all surrounding buildings in the palace complex. The reconstruction is set to finish in 2018, but don’t let this deter you from visiting! The castle itself is still fully open to the public, as well as the construction zone, where you can view the progress.

The castle is easily accessible from the Shiyakusho Subway Station.

http://www.nagoyajo.city.nagoya.jp/13_english/index.html

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Atsuta Jingu (Shrine)

Founded over 1900 years ago the Atsuta Shrine (or ‘miya’ as the locals refer to it) is one of two most important shrines in Japan (the other being Ise). It is the site where the Kusanagi (sacred sword) (one of three pieces of the Imperial Regalia) is housed. Although these are not open for the public to view there are plenty of other artifacts and sights to see in the shrine’s complex.

Visitors will notice a difference in the architecture of the shrine and buildings; they are fashioned after the shrines of the Grand Ise Shrine of Mie Prefecture and embody the concept of simplicity and minimalism.

The Atsuta is easily accessible at the Jingumae Station.

http://www.atsutajingu.or.jp/en/intro/

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Nagoya Hotels & Accommodations [VIEW ALL]
Cheapest and best places to stay

Nagoya Marriott Associa

1-1-4 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture 450-6002,
1 (888) 236-2427

Travelers rejoice! For the Nagoya Marriot is directly connected to the JR Nagoya Station, making the hotel a mere thirty seconds from the platform! Such convenience doesn’t come without a price tag however as it is a little expensive. Surprisingly, the rooms are nothing life changing but still perfectly acceptable. With this hotel the only thing you are paying for is the location.

Being a tower the rooms have a spectacular view of Nagoya and the surrounding areas. Amenities include free wifi in the rooms and an impressive continental breakfast.

Single Occupant: $260
Double Occupant: $350

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ngodt-nagoya-marriott-associa-hotel/?pid=corptbta&scid=b661a3c4-9c47-48c8-9e13-75b66089dd79

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Hilton Nagoya

1-3-3 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture 460-0008, Japan
(888) 414-2018

The Hilton is about one mile away from the Nagoya JR Station, therefore the hotel offers a free shuttle back and forth for guests. They even offer shuttle services to some of the nearby tourist attractions.

Rooms are fresh, modern and up to date, more so than the rooms at the Marriot in fact. As you can expect with a Hilton there are plenty of amenities including a fitness center with indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and tennis courts, seven restaurants and bars.

An added bonus is that the staff are particularly good with English and taking care of foreigners which is always a relief for travelers with no Japanese speaking ability.

Single Occupant: $200
Double Occupant: $270

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/aichi/hilton-nagoya-hotel-NAGHITW/index.html

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Transportation

Train from Tokyo

Depart from Tokyo Station, for Nagoya Station via the Shinkansen NOZOMI 265 (101min)

Time: 101 minutes
Cost: 10,780 yen

Train from Osaka

Depart from Osaka Station (Umeda) for Shin-Osaka Station via the JR Kyoto Local Line (4 min)
Transfer at Shin-Osaka station to the Shinkansen NOZOMI 412
Take the NOZOMI 412 to Nagoya (51 min)

Time: 66 minutes
Cost: 6,380 yen