10 Places Where Locals Love to Go in Nagoya

Nagoya Castle is one of Japan’s 3 greatest castles, It's also known as Kinshachijo or Kinkojo, as the castle tower displays a gold statue of shachihoko (a half-fish and half-tiger mythic creature). Constructed by Tokugawa Ieyasu as the residence of the Owari-Tokugawa clan, Nagoya Castle represents the zenith of early-modern design and architecture. Unfortunately, most of Nagoya Castle was burned down in air raids during the Pacific War.

After restoration efforts in 2009, the restored Hommaru Goten Palace (with its original luxurious and splendid appearance) is now open to the public. Join the free guided tour if you want to admire the highlights of Nagoya Castle. For details, check the signboards located at the front and east gates of the castle. It's a 5-minute walk from the Subway Shiyakusho Station.

Tokugawaen is a Japanese garden built over the retreat of Tokugawa Mitsutomo, the second feudal lord (hanshu) of the Owari-Tokugawa clan. Taking advantage of the vertical intervals of the terrain, the Feudal Garden (daimyo teien) has seasonal flowers, 3-dimensional rock arrangement, and a waterfall flowing down into a pond.

The nearby Tokugawa Art Museum displays belongings of the feudal lord, along with those of Tokugawa Ieyasu, 9 National Treasures – including a Tale of Genji picture scroll – and 59 Nationally Important Cultural Properties. Special exhibitions are held every season, the most popular being the Owari Tokugawa Family Doll Festival Exhibition (February to April).

Atsuta Shrine is a prestigious shrine where one of the Imperial Regalia of Japan, the Sword of Kusanagi (believed to contain the spirit of the deity), is enshrined. The shrine still serves as a place of prayer for locals in Nagoya.

The shrine is within a 10-minute walk from JR Atsuta Station. This spiritual hotspot remains serene and peaceful even though it's in the city center. Spanning 190,000 square meters, the shrine is surrounded by greenery with various trees – a must-see is the camphor tree that was believed to have been planted by Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism. One of the most popular festivals in Atsuta Shrine is Atsuta Festival, which celebrates the coming of summer.

SCMAGLEV and Railway Park is a railway museum that was opened in 2011 by JR Tokai. It exhibits around 40 carriages of shinkansen (bullet trains) and conventional trains of Japan. Children and adults alike will enjoy the exhibitions, which include a diorama of Japan's rail network, a life-sized simulator of the N700 Series Shinkansen, and a Superconducting Maglev Room. Food and drinks are allowed in the cabins of the 117 Series Shinkansen, so you can enjoy the ambience of the cabin with a bento (boxed lunch) or sandwich. SCMAGLEV and Railway Park is a 2-minute walk from Kinjofuto Station on the Aonami Line.

Osu-Kannon Temple in central Nagoya is one of Japan’s great Kannon sacred sites, which includes Asakusa Kannon and Tsu Kannon. The Buddhist temple is located just outside the Subway Osu-kannon Station, making it quite easy to access. Locals often come to the temple to pray for safety, luck, good health, success in business, academic achievement and road safety.

You’ll also find the Shinpukuji Library, which stores over 15,000 books – one of which is the oldest existing copy of the Record of Ancient Matters. A flea market takes place at Osu-Kannon Temple on the 18th and 28th of each month.

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology stores the brand's industrial heritage within a red brick building that dates back to the Taisho era. At the entrance of the building, you can see a circular loom that was invented by Toyoda Sakichi – it's the symbol of Toyota’s core philosophy, the “spirit of being studious and creative”.

There are several exhibitions within the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology. The Textile Machinery Pavilion displays a 19th-century spinning mill, while the Automobile Pavilion invites you to learn about the development of the automotive industry. You can also have fun learning about manufacturing through informative demonstrations and guided tours. The museum is within a 3-minute walk from Sako Station.

Higashiyama Zoo, the largest in Japan, houses around 500 animal species in several enclosures. Some of its highlights include the Elephant House, Gorilla and Chimpanzee House, Koala House and Bird Hall. There’s also a botanical garden with approximately 7,000 species of plants. A must-see is gasho-zukuri, a traditional Japanese house relocated from Shirakawago. In addition to hands-on exhibits, there are regular interactive events where you can pet goats and guinea pigs, as well as feed giraffes, African elephants, kangaroos, seals and hippos. You’ll need to get numbered tickets for these events, so check the official website for details.

Noritake no Mori (Noritake Garden) is a complex by Noritake Company, which manufactures luxury ceramic products in Japan. The garden was established on its old factory site to commemorate the company's 100th anniversary. With the theme “Discover Culture, Rest in the Forest”, this 48,000-square-meter site is made up of 3 themed zones –Meet Culture, Enjoy Life, and Discover History.

Noritake Garden also has a crafts museum, gallery and restaurants, as well as a promenade. Illuminations in wintertime produce a warm and romantic ambience. Getting here is a 15-minute walk from Meitetsu Line Sako Station.

Okehazama Kosenjo Koen (Okehazama Old Battlefield Park) is believed to be the place where Imagawa Yoshimoto was killed, which resulted in Japan's unification. Today, historic landmarks remain in the form of gravestones and stone statues. There’s also an AR-driven diorama – capture the AR-marked spot with the downloaded app to watch a movie that replicates the battle scene.

Okehazama Kosenjo Festival takes place in early June to commemorate the death of the Shogun who lost his life in the battle. Transfer to a bus from Meitetsu Arimatsu Station and get off at Makuyama (Okehazama Kosenjo Koen) stop, from where it’s a 2-minute walk to the park.

Sky Promenade is a 230-meter-high observatory offering panoramic views of Nagoya. It spans from the 44th to 46th floors of Midland Square, a high-rise building in front of Nagoya Station.

The observatory is also one of the most beautiful night-viewing spots in Nagoya. Shows produced with light and mist create a magical atmosphere at night. This is a famous dating spot, but it’s also a great way to spend some time while waiting for a bullet train.