Nagoya Travel Tips

Nagoya (名古屋), Japan’s fourth-largest city and the capital of Aichi Prefecture, is a dynamic urban center located in the heart of the Nōbi Plain—one of Honshu’s major industrial and economic regions. With a population of over two million, Nagoya plays a key role in connecting central Japan via its extensive rail and road networks, including the Tokaido Shinkansen. The city’s origins date back to the early 1600s, when it thrived as the castle town of the Owari branch of the Tokugawa shogunate. Although much of its historical landscape was destroyed during World War II air raids, cultural landmarks like Atsuta Shrine — home to one of Japan’s Imperial Regalia — and the lively Osu shopping district continue to preserve the spirit of old Nagoya.

Today, Nagoya is a city where heritage and innovation coexist. The reconstructed Nagoya Castle, with its golden shachihoko roof ornaments, remains a proud symbol of its feudal past. Museums such as the Tokugawa Art Museum and the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology offer immersive perspectives on samurai culture and the rise of modern industry. Contemporary attractions include the futuristic Oasis 21 complex, the Nagoya City Science Museum with its iconic planetarium, and LEGOLAND Japan Resort. Visitors can also savor local specialties like miso katsu, crispy tebasaki chicken wings, and hitsumabushi grilled eel, offering a flavorful introduction to the city’s culinary identity.