21 Tourist Spots in Nagoya, Aichi

The recommended and must-see sightseeing spots ranking when you visit Aichi!

Other than classic spots, there are also hidden sightseeing spots of Aichi that are known only to locals!

Related tour:Samurai Discovery Full Day Walking Tour in Nagoya

Aichi Where You Can Enjoy Big City, Nature, and Distinctive Culture

There are opening the spots of hot topics one after another in Aichi Prefecture, including “Kinshachi Yokocho” in March 2018, and the next in April “LEGOLAND® JAPAN HOTEL”, and also “Nagoya Castle” that fully opened Honmaru Palace in June.

While enclosing the big city, Nagoya, that is the next big city to Tokyo and Osaka, it is also the charm that Aichi Prefecture is close to the nature of the sea and mountains, including “Sakushima Island”, “Irago Misaki Cape (Koijigahama Beach)”, and “Mt. Houraijisan”.

Also, the distinctive food culture, including “Coffee shop breakfast special” and “Sugakiya Ramen Noodles” that can be introduced only by the locals, is also must-check points!

LEGOLAND JAPAN / Nagoya-City

LEGOLAND JAPAN is located in Kinjofuto Wharf, it is an amusement park of open-air style, with target to children of ages from 2 to 12 years old and families.

There are lined up attractions and shows of more than 40 in seven areas of different themes, and you can indulge in the world of Lego, by riding on rides and by touching to and making the Lego models.

n 2018, “LEGOLAND JAPAN HOTEL” has also opened, and you can enjoy more and more in the powered-up LEGOLAND!

7 Main Areas of LEGOLAND JAPAN!  in NagoyaLEGOLAND Japan has opened in Nagoya on April 1, 2017. Although th...

Kinshachi Yokocho / Nagoya-City

Opened in 2018, It is a large scale dining facility in the castle town of Nagoya Castle.

There are two areas; the one is “Yoshinao Zone” that gathered the classic and long-standing Nagoya Meshi Cuisines and is located at the main gate side of the Nagoya Castle.

The other one is “Muneharu Zone” that lined up with restaurants of hot topics that create new food culture and is located at the east gate side.

Together with the opening of “Kinshachi Yokocho“, the re-entry to Nagoya Castle became possible, so you can fully enjoy the delicious taste of Nagoya at in and out of the castle.

Nagoya Castle / Nagoya-City

Nagoya Castle was built in 1612 (Keicho 17), it is the symbol of Nagoya.

Although it was burnt down by the war damage, in 1959 (the Showa 34), the big tower castle of five layers with golden killer whales on the top and the small tower castle had been re-built.

In June 2018, fully opened was Honmaru Palace that has “Yudono Shoin” of a high formality shoin-zukuri style (a traditional style of Japanese residential architecture), and “Jorakuden” of absolutely gorgeous, both of which are very worth to see.

Wall paintings of 400 years ago that were reproduced by the modern painters are breathtakingly beautiful.

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The Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium / Nagoya-City

The Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium is consisted of the south building that is with the theme as “A Journey to the Antarctic” and the north building that is with theme as “A journey spanning 3.5 billion years: Animals that have returned to the seas.

At the main pool with the capacity of about 3,000 people and of the largest in Japan, the high level performance of a killer whale or a dolphin is a must-see.

It is a rare aquarium even nationwide where you can observe a killer whale from inside of the water.

The first in Japan attempts, including breeding of a beluga (a white whale) that has a cute expression and a penguin aquarium that is kept at minus two degrees Celsius by making artificial snow fall, are also must-check.

National treasure Inuyama-jo Castle / Inuyama-City

In the Tenmon 6 (1573), it was built by Nobuyasu Oda, who was an uncle of Nobunaga Oda.

It is the rare castle that evaded from the period of Sengoku even though when Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu were fighting over the castle.

It evaded also from air raids, and the wooden constructed tower castle that is the oldest existing in Japan is also designated as the national treasure.

The view from the top floor of the castle tower that was built on the small mountain along Kisogawa River is indeed superb.

Around there is old streetscape of Inuyama Castle town and many sightseeing facilities.

THE MUSEUM MEIJI-MURA / Inuyama-City

THE MUSEUM MEIJI-MURA is an open-air museum that stores and exhibits the buildings of the Meiji period, including 11 important cultural treasures, which were relocated and re-constructed.

Among them, “Former central entry hall of the Imperial Hotel” that was finished in the Taisho 12 (1923), and that was designed by Mr. Frank Lloyd Wright is a must-see spot.

Also, you can enjoy experiencing rides on the locomotive of the Japan’s oldest class and the Kyoto Municipal Streetcar, experiencing haikara wears, and you can also enjoy the gourmets of Meiji, including “Gyunabe (a beef pot dish)” that was a symbol of civilization and enlightenment.

* Haikara wear: The old western style of wear that was symbolic of the Meiji period.

LAGUNA TEN BOSCH / Gamagori-City

With a view of Mikawawan Bay, LAGUNA TEN BOSCH is the marine resort compound, the best in the Prefecture.

There are lined up various attractions, including the fulfilled entertainment amusement park “Lagunasia” that is imaged with the seaport town of legend, also gourmets and shoppings, Thalassotherapy, a day-use natural hot spring, a jumbo swimming pool in summer.

In 2017, the world’s first hotel called “Henn na Hotel”, where robots work, and that was certified also by Guinness was also opened!

Lagunasia of LAGUNA TEN BOSCH in Aichi, mapping projection and the illumination are must-seesAt "Lagunasia", a theme park that is located in LAGUNA TEN BOSCH of ...

Himakajima Island / Minamichita-Town

“Himakajima Island” that the whole island is included in the Mikawa-wan Quasi-National Park is an isolated island that you can go readily by high-speed boat from the ports of Chita Peninsula.

The specialties are Japanese pufferfishes and octopuses, and around inside the island, there are scattered the welcome monument of octopus and the buildings, etc.

You can enjoy, of course, sea bathing, playing with dolphins, and experiencing fishing.

Also, “Heidi’s swing” that gathers attention in SNS in recent years is a must-check sightseeing spot.

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Shinojima Island / Minamichita-Town

Same as Himakajima Island, the whole island of “Shinojima Island” is included in the Mikawa-wan Quasi-National Park.

It is an isolated island where you can readily go in 20 to 30 minutes by ferry or a high-speed boat from the ports of the Chita Peninsula.

You can view the Atsumi Peninsula and Shima Peninsula, and the island has so beautiful scenery that it is called “Matsushima of Tokai”.

The scene of setting the Sun in Matsushima is also selected as “the 100 most beautiful sunset-view spots in Japan”.

The specialties are gourmets, including “whitebait”, of which landing amount is proudly one of the most in Japan, Sea bream dish, and the luxury in winter “Japanese pufferfish”.

Okazaki-jo Castle and Okazaki Park / Okazaki-City

“Okazaki-jo Castle” is known as the castle where Ieyasu Tokugawa was born.

In “Okazaki Park” that was made to the park from the castle ruins, there stands a tower castle of chalk that is the same as of the former castle, and there are many ruins in the ground of about 10 hectare, including the fortress, the inner moat, and the historical remains related to Lord Ieyasu.

Also, “The Ieyasu and Mikawa Bushi Museum” that exhibits ways of life of Ieyasu and Mikawa Bushi (Samurai or a warrior in Sengoku) is also one of the must-see points.

In spring, it is also known as the cherry blossom famous place.

Sakushima Island / Nishio-City

Along with Himakajima Island and Shinojima Island, Sakushima Island is one of the inhabited islands of Aichi-Prefecture.

More than 80% of the island is satoyama (woodland close to the village), and there is no traffic light and convenience store.

In this pastoral landscape, quite different from the other islands, there is revitalization of the island by the art that started in 1996.

Art works are exhibited all around the inside of the island, and there are held various art events from time to time.

Specialty dishes, including a large clam rice bowl and Takoshabu (a dish like shabu-shabu hot pot with sliced octopus instead with sliced beef) that are available only on islands, are also charm!

Sakushima Island, an isolated island of Aichi! Photogenic strolling with arts and catsFloating on Mikawawan Bay of Aichi-Prefecture is an isolated island ...

Coffee shop breakfast special / All areas of inside the prefecture

Speaking of “breakfast special” of a coffee shop, it is the special menu in the morning that you can enjoy toasted breads, salads, and egg dishes, etc., with the price for just one drink.

It is said that Ichinomiya-City, Aichi-Prefecture for the first time has started such “breakfast special”.

Now, it is common that there is a breakfast special in a coffee shop in Aichi-Prefecture.

Especially, at “Komeda Coffee” which is a large scale franchise of coffee shop, local specialties, such as Ogura toast (Red bean paste in toasted bread) are popular.

Sugakiya Ramen Noodles / All areas of inside the prefecture

In the Showa 23 (1948), “Sugakiya” that was opened as ramen noodles and desserts shop in Sakae of Nagoya, started serving the ramen noodle of pork bone broth with Japanese flavor, a mix of a seafood broth + a pork bone broth that was rare at that time, and that was a smash hit.

Now, it expanded to more than 330 shops around with the center at the Chubu area.

“Ramen” of the classic is a surprisingly good value for money as it is 320 Yen per one bowl.

The menu is fulfilled such as with eggs, with pork, specials, and also seasonal limited noodles as well as desserts.

Nana-chan doll / Nagoya-City

The most famous lady in Nagoya is “Nana-chan”.

Her true character is a giant mannequin of 6 meters 10 centimeter in height, who works as a mascot character of Meitetsu Department Store.

Since appearing in the Showa 48 (1973), she wears various clothes by seasons and had once in the past a daring device that exhales from her nose, like fizzing.

When you visited Nagoya, please, first of all, check her fashion!

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Nagoya City Hall / Nagoya-City

The main building of the Nagoya City Hall is distinctive with its clock tower standing in the center.

On the top of the tower, there is shachi (a killer whale) glaring all directions, and the harmonious design with Nagoya Castle is applied.

It is also designated as national important cultural treasures together with the main building of the Aichi Prefectural Government Office that is neighboring as commemorative government office construction of the early Showa that adopted the Japanese elements into the western construction style.

During the business hours of weekdays, it is free to observe also the entrance hall and the hallways, etc.

The Osu Shopping District / Nagoya-City

“The Osu Shopping District” is numerous shopping arcades that are located in an area from Osu-Kannon station to Kamimaezu station that was crammed with about 1,200 shops and facilities.

It was once flourished as a temple town of Osu Kannon Temple and Banshoji Temple, and today having accepted various cultures, nationalities, and generations, it has the charm of the “hodgepodge” atmosphere.

On holidays, there are many people of all ages, men and women strolling, and enjoying shopping and eating around, etc.

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Mama Kannon Temple / Komaki-City

Founded in the Eisho 5 (1508), “Mama Kannon Temple” is officially named as “Ryuonji Temple”, and it is known as “the temple of the breast” or “breastfeeding temple” of only one in Japan.

It is said that the temple brings luck for, including breast-feeding, parenting, breast growth, and easy delivery, and it is popular among expecting mothers, couples, and families with babies.

It is also fun finding the breasts in the temple site, including the votive pictures of breasts, and Chozuba (place for cleaning hands and rinsing the mouth for purification) of breast-shaped.

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Irago Misaki Cape (Koijigahama Beach) / Tahara-City

“Koijigahama Beach” is the curved sand beach facing the Pacific ocean continues for about one kilometer from Irago Misaki Cape until Hii no Sekimon (a stone gate of rising sun).

It is said that the origin of the name was from the ancient love story of a man and a woman, and it is certified to be “sacred place of lovers” as a beautiful and romantic spot, together with Irago Misaki Todai Lighthouse.

At the side of the parking place, there is equipped the place where can be locked the keys written a wish of the two.

You can buy the key at a nearby shop.

Toyota Kaikan Museum / Toyota City

Toyota Kaikan Museum is located in the ground of the head office of Toyota Motor, it is a corporate exhibition facility that introduces to the rich world, which Toyota aims through cars, and the latest car-making, by exhibits and videos.

In addition to the exhibits of the new car model of Toyota Lexus, etc., at the car classroom for children, it is introduced in an easy-to-understand-way about mechanism of a car and traffic safety, etc.

Also, a plant tour by dedicated staff is also available (reservation required).

Mt. Houraijisan / Shinshiro-City

In Mt. Houraijisan, there inhabits the prefectural bird of Aichi, Japanese scops owls that cries as “Bupposo (Buddhist monk)”.

Designated as the national scenic place and the natural monument, the whole mountain is the treasure house of nature, and there is the old Horaiji Temple in the middle of the mountain.

When you climb up the approach of continuous stone steps of 1,425 steps, you will see the brave posture of Kasasugi (Japanese cedar tree) appeared that is about 800 years old and almost 60 meters in height.

Gamagori Orange Park / Gamagori-City

Gamagori Orange Park is a facility where you can enjoy various fruit picking throughout a year, including Gamagori mikan (mandarin orange), the specialty of Gamagori.

Strawberry picking is available from January through around May.

Melon picking that you can cut and bring home one whole melon that you like is from June through September.

From late June through late August is available grape picking.

Required no reservation, orange picking is ready from October through late December.

You can enjoy together also with signature Kama-mabushi-gohan (rice mixed with ingredients in an iron pot) and barbecue.

Aichi’s Attraction Map