Nagoya
A practical hub with a palace, shrines and big flavors.
Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city and the heart of its car industry. Many visitors only change trains here, but it rewards a day. Nagoya Castle's rebuilt Honmaru Palace is beautifully painted, Atsuta Jingu is one of Japan's major shrines, and the railway and Toyota museums are excellent. The food is bold: miso cutlets, grilled eel and chicken wings. It is a good base for Takayama and Ise.
Best time: Late March to early April for cherry blossoms, or October to November. Summers are hot.
Weather
Average temperature, °C. JMA 1991–2020 normals (Nagoya (JMA)).
Top 5
- Nagoya Castle Honmaru PalaceThe rebuilt palace is open; the main keep has been closed since 2018.
- Atsuta JinguA large forest shrine in the south of the city.
- SCMAGLEV and Railway ParkShinkansen and maglev trains up close.
- Toyota Commemorative MuseumLooms and cars in an old red-brick factory.
- OsuA busy shopping district around Osu Kannon temple.
A simple day
- Nagoya Castle and the Honmaru Palace.
- Toyota Commemorative Museum.
- Hitsumabushi lunch.
- Atsuta Jingu in the afternoon.
- Tebasaki wings in Sakae.
Where to stay
- Nagoya Station (Meieki)Best for shinkansen and day trips.
- SakaeShopping, dining and nightlife.
- FushimiBetween the two, often quieter.
Getting there
Tokyo → Nagoya: about 1h30 by Nozomi shinkansen.
psst — skip this mistake: Expecting to go inside Nagoya Castle's main keep. It is closed; the palace is the highlight.