Nagoya offers a mix of history, modern attractions, and unique culture, with top activities including exploring the iconic Nagoya Castle with its golden Shachihoko, visiting the futuristic Oasis 21, experiencing science at the Nagoya City Science Museum, shopping and dining in the vibrant Sakae district, and delving into automotive history at the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, alongside cultural sites like Atsuta Jingu and the quirky Osu area.
There are a number of reasons why Nagoya is worth visiting for tourists. For fellow invisible tourists who enjoy learning about history, culture through food, want to avoid crowds at major tourist attractions elsewhere and would like to venture into more rural areas, Nagoya will be worth visiting for you.
IT'S A RUNNING JOKE that Nagoya is the most boring city in Japan, and at first glance it seems like there's some truth to it. It's not the flashy Tokyo, the bustling merchant city of Osaka, or the shrine and temple-rich Kyoto, so it's understandable that there isn't the same tourist traffic.
The atmosphere of the region is similar, but the culture is quite different. If you want to visit more places, such as Kyoto and Nara, choose Osaka. If you prefer small, compact and less crowded places, choose Nagoya (you don't need to stay in Nagoya for more than 3 nights).
Today the Nagoya region is the nation's leader in automotive, machine tooling, robotics, fine ceramics and aerospace industry, and because of this, remains the financial powerhouse of Japan.
Top 10 Things to DO in NAGOYA Japan plus Toyota Stadium
Is Nagoya or Kyoto better?
Kyoto is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Nagoya is known for its food, nightlife, and big city activities. Kyoto is more touristy than Nagoya and is popular for its Buddhist temples, cultural activities, and rich history. It is also home to Kinkaku-ji.
For those comfortable walking outdoors in winter conditions, January in particular is a great month to travel in Nagoya and the surrounding Tokai region (Gifu, Mie, and Aichi prefectures).
Kyoto, considered by many as Japan's most beautiful city, was the Japanese capital until the government was moved to Tokyo in 1868. However, the city is still Japan's religious center with over 1000 Buddhist temples.
How long is the bullet train from Tokyo to Nagoya?
The Tokaido Shinkansen makes travel from Nagoya convenient and fast. Here are typical travel times: Tokyo to Nagoya: About 1 hour 40 minutes on Nozomi trains. Nagoya to Kyoto: About 35-40 minutes on Nozomi trains.
The term has been used for situations where foreign tourists avoid visiting the Chūkyō metropolitan area as well. Nagoya has been labeled as "boring" by visitors. A 2016 survey found Nagoya as "the most boring city in Japan" out of eight major cities with the city ranking last in nearly every category.
While holding hands is generally fine in Japan, kissing in public is strongly frowned upon and considered awkward or inappropriate, making it best to save passionate displays for private settings like hotels or homes, as it goes against traditional Japanese modesty and personal space norms, even if younger people are slightly more tolerant.
The "Rule of 5" in Japanese food, known as Gomi Goshiki Goho (五味五色五法), is a traditional principle of washoku emphasizing balance through five flavors, five colors, and five cooking methods to create harmonious, nutritious, and aesthetically pleasing meals. It also extends to five senses (gokan) and even five attitudes for a holistic dining experience.
The "three date rule" in Japan refers to the common cultural expectation for a love confession, known as kokuhaku, to happen around the third date, marking the transition from casual dating to an official couple, often before significant physical intimacy like kissing, emphasizing building trust and mutual respect slowly. While it's a strong guideline, not a strict law, it signifies a cultural preference for clear commitment and slow progression in relationships, with the confession setting the foundation for moving forward, but some variations exist based on individual pace.
Under Japanese law, persons suspected of a crime can be detained for 23 days without charge. The length of detention, up to the maximum period, is at the discretion of the public prosecutor and subject to the approval of local courts.
Japan's most beautiful places include iconic Mount Fuji, historic Kyoto (Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji), the floating Torii gate at Miyajima Island, stunning autumn foliage in Oirase Gorge, and traditional villages like Shirakawa-go, with beauty varying from natural wonders to cultural sites like Kenroku-en Garden and Himeji Castle.
A personal favourite, Takayama is probably one of the most charming old towns in Japan. It is also said to be the largest after Kyoto, as it escaped bombing during World War 2 due to Takayama's relative isolation.
There is a lot to see and do in Nagoya, from traditional and ancient castles and museums to modern entertainment and theme parks. Many Japanese people also come to Nagoya for its flavourful cuisine as the cities of Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo are all easily reachable by train.
The rule stems from years of problematic tourist behavior. Unfortunately, the women who work in Kyoto's geisha district are often treated as tourist attractions, with visitors aggressively trying to photograph them without their permission. The issue got really out of hand in 2019.
🇯🇵🌏 Tokyo stands out as the most English-friendly city, with a plethora of English language services and the highest number of international schools. 🏙️📚
For a Nagoya to Kyoto train ticket, it costs US$ 41.65 on average. It can go as low as US$ 32.75, depending on the ticket types, train types, and departure time you choose.
