Nagoya

Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art

愛知県美術館 Aichi-ken-bijutsukan

Collection features international and Japanese 20th century art, including works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Gustav Klimt, Paul Klee, Joan Miro, Max Ernst, German Expressionists, Surrealists, and postwar US artists. Japanese collection features the art of Yuichi Takahashi, Ryuzaburo Umehara, Sotaro Yasui, Taikan Yokoyama, and Shunso Hishida. Two private collections donated to the museum also include Edo-period paintings and traditional crafts.

Tue-Thu Sat Sun 10:00-18:00; Fri 10:00-20:00 (last admission: 30 min before closing), closed Mon (or Tue if Mon is a public holiday), Dec 28-Jan 3·Permanent collection: ¥500; high-school/college students: ¥300; high-school groups, junior high-school students, children 12 and under, disabled visitors and escorts: free

Arako Kannon Temple

荒子観音

This small temple is the oldest building in Nagoya, with original construction on the site dating from the Heian Period (8th century). Despite several fires which destroyed older portions of the temple, the Tahoto pagoda on site remains intact after 472 years.

Atsuta Shrine

熱田神宮 Atsuta Jingū

This shrine houses the sacred Kusanagi no mitsurugi (草薙神剣) sword, one of the three Imperial regalia of Japan — but unfortunately nobody but the emperor and a few high priests get to see it. There are some 4,400 other artifacts on the grounds though and the shrine hosts some 70 festivals every year.

Danpusan Kofun

断夫山古墳

The Dampusan Kofun is a large keyhole-shaped kofun burial mound located within the grounds of the Atsuta Shrine.

Open now · open 24 hours

Fujigaoka

Fujigaoka is known for its cherry blossoms (sakura) trees in the spring lining the streets. It is close to the site of the 2005 World Expo held in Nagakute, a 15-min linear motor car (Linimo) train ride from Fujigaoka station. This quaint little area at the edge of town has a plethora of shops, boutiques, patisseries and coffee shops. They also hold a market the 3rd Sunday of every month.

Hisaya-Odori Park

久屋大通公園, hisaya-ōdōri kōen

Nice trees and fountains, Nagoya TV Tower observation deck. On weekend afternoons and evenings, local musicians set up in and around the park and strut their stuff for the passers-by. Shops and restaurants can be found around the area as well.

Kōshō-ji Temple

興正寺

Koshoji Temple was established in the 17th century by the Tokugawa family. The temple hosts the annual "1,000 Lantern Festival." There are numerous restaurants and universities surrounding the Koshoji Temple area.

Nagoya Castle

名古屋城 Nagoya-jō

Trumpeted as a famous landmark, particularly the two golden carp (金の鯱 kin-no-shachi) on the roof. The original castle was home to Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan's famous warlords. Largely destroyed during World War II, the main keep was rebuilt in concrete in 1959, but is being demolished to make way for a more faithful reconstruction using traditional materials and methods. The honmaru goten, the main palace of the castle's lords, was reconstructed using traditional materials and methods in 2018. Free English tours with volunteer English-speaking Japanese guides are sometimes available. See also Japanese castles.

Daily 09:00-16:30, closed Dec 29-Jan 1·Adults ¥500, Jr. high school students and younger free

Nagoya City Art Museum

名古屋市美術館 Nagoya-shi-bijutsukan

Collection of 2,000 works including pieces by Modigliani, Laurencin, and Utrillo, as well as those of local artists, such as Takanori Ogisu and Tamiji Kitagawa.

Tue-Thu Sat Sun 09:30-17:00, Fri 09:30-20:00 (last admission 30 min before closing), closed Mon (Tue when Mon is a national holiday), Dec 29-Jan 3·Permanent collection: adults ¥300, students over 16 ¥200, under 15 free

Nagoya City Science Museum

名古屋市科学館, Nagoya-shi Kagakukan

Located in the city centre, this museum houses loads of interactive exhibitions and a planetarium. It's mostly geared towards children and there is very little information in English, although they offer a guide app.

Tue-Sun 09:30-17:00; closed Mon, third Fri every month, and Dec 29-Jan 3·¥400 (¥800 incl. planetarium)

Nagoya TV Tower

名古屋テレビ塔 Nagoya-terebi-tō

Standing 180 meters tall, the Nagoya TV Tower is Japan's oldest - predating even the Tokyo Tower. Take an elevator to the 100-m-high sky balcony for great views of Hisaya-odori park and Sakae. Under the tower is a small terrace with tables and a number of small food stands.

Daily 10:00-21:00·Adult ¥1300, child ¥800

Nittai-ji Temple

覚王山日泰寺, kakuōzan nittai-ji

Among the 165,000 m² of temple grounds is the 15 meter Gandhara-style Taian Pagoda, which houses relics of the Buddha that were 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 3 years.

Port of Nagoya Aquarium

名古屋港水族館 Nagoya-kō-suizoukan

(site in Japanese) Large aquarium featuring a number of different marine environments, including killer whales.

Daily 09:30-17:00 (until 20:00 Jul 21-Aug 31)·Adults ¥2,000

Shirotori Garden

白鳥庭園, Shirotori Teien

In this Japanese garden you can see and feed koi fish in large ponds, take a look at the tea ceremony house, and also view the beautiful waterfall. On spring the plum trees bloom beautifully and on autumn you can enjoy the night illumination.

Adults ¥300, middle-schoolers and younger free

Shiroyama Hakusan Shrine

城山八幡宮, shiroyama hachiman-gū

Formerly the Suemori Castle, the present day Shrine hosts festivals that feature Japanese dance and music.

Tokugawa Art Museum

徳川美術館

Displays some treasures of the Tokugawa family. Located next door to the beautiful Tokugawa-en Japanese gardens (additional admission charge required).

Daily 10:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30)

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology

トヨタ産業技術記念館 Toyota-sangyō-gijutsu-kinenkan

Built on the site of one of Toyota's original loom factories, this museum tells the story of the Toyota corporation, from its beginnings as an industrial loom manufacturer to its transformation into one of the world's largest car manufacturers. Includes large loom machinery and car display halls as well as a hands-on "Technoland" with interactive science exhibits. Museum also includes a library, video library with personal viewing booths, restaurant, cafe, and gift shop. Displays, brochures, and audioguides available in English and several other languages. Barrier-free access for disabled visitors. Freespot Wi-Fi access available.

Tue-Sun 09:30-17:00 (last admission 16:30), (restaurant open until 21:00), closed Mon (Tue if Mon is a holiday), New Year's holidays·Adults ¥1000, Jr. & Sr. high school students: ¥300, Elem. School Students: ¥200

Tōgan-ji Temple

桃巌寺

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 honoring the Goddess Saraswati, who is honored in a Benzaiten Festival every May 7–8. Toganji also contains a huge wood block said to purge past sins if touched with one hand.

Ōsu Kannon Temple

大須観音

Founded in the Kamakura era (1192-1333), this temple was moved to its current location by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612. The present main temple on the site was reconstructed in 1970. Check out the main hall or buy an お守り (omamori) charm in the gift shop for good luck. The grounds in front of the temple are host to a small flea market twice every month.

SCMAGLEV and Railway Park

リニア・鉄道館 Rinia-Tetsudōkan

Train museum highlighting the evolution of Japan's high-speed rail.

10:00-17:30 (last entry 17:00), closed Tue (next day if holiday) & Dec 28-Jan 1·Adults JPY 1200

Shirakawa Park

白川公園, shirakawa-kōen

Beautiful trees, Nagoya Science and Modern Art Museums.