There are plenty of cities to visit in Japan if you want to forgo the hustle and bustle of the metropolis that is Tokyo.
Nagoya is just one of those cities which benefits from an excellent location and has a great history all of its own. This is still Japan’s fourth-largest city based on population and remains an export center as well as a vibrant industrial hub.
The city may be a train stop on the Golden Route which links Tokyo and Kyoto with Osaka but it is well worth disembarking off that train.
In this guide, we will look at what is special about Nagoya, how to get there, and what you need to know about the city.
What Is Special About Nagoya
Perhaps the most special feature of Nagoya is how it visually changes from season to season due to its range of blossoming flowers.
In early spring, you can see the plum blossoms, typically in February, while in March and April you can enjoy the stunning cherry blossoms.
This is followed by the wisteria flowers in May and then the hydrangea flowers the next month so it is worth staying around if you can.
Nagoya does become busy during spring as the temperatures between March and May are considered warm but not excessively hot.
However, in late autumn the foliage changes again and there is also the Nagoya Festival to enjoy. This festival typically takes place in mid-October and is a great way to showcase the city.
Those contrasts in foliage represent why Nagoya is such an interesting city to visit.
That is seen in the history of the city which is largely what marks it out as a great place to visit due to the power struggles between Samurai lords while the city has developed culturally during times of peace.
A lot of those remnants of the past still exist as tourist attractions.
Nagoya Castle
To witness the structures that were present during those power struggles, you need to visit the places that have stood the test of time.
The first is Nagoya Castle which is typically known as the biggest draw for tourists to the city. Nagoya Castle was constructed in the Edo Period and indicates the sheer splendor that the local lords and Shogun enjoyed.
It is a one-story wooden castle with paintings and exquisite wood carvings that have been reconstructed from the original plans.
Toyota Commemorative Museum Of Industry And Technology
The Toyota headquarters lies just outside of Nagoya yet as the home of the automotive giant it has its own museum. You may be surprised to learn about how Toyota began as a textile manufacturer towards the end of the 20th century.
The company continued to make strides in innovation which included its route to becoming the huge automobile manufacturer it is now.
The museum also features the history of that particular industry in the nation of Japan all the way through to the first cars being developed by the company.
Shirotori Garden
Of course, every great Japanese city has its own gardens and Shirotori Garden is one to visit. This is a traditional garden and offers a peaceful escape from the busy city.
Take your time exploring as there are many elements portrayed in the geography of the garden itself. Low hills and streams represent the mountains and main rivers that typify the Central Japan region.
Atsuta Jingu
The spiritual side of Nagoya is also important and should be taken in when you visit the city. The Aichi Prefecture has numerous temples and shrines with Atsuta Jingu being one of them.
This is not just one of the most known shrines in the Aichi Prefecture but one of the most renowned shrines in Japan.
It is hard to miss the shrine as it is so easily accessible but it also has the sword known as Kusanagi no Tsurugi which is one of the three regalia belonging to the Emperor.
Arimatsu Narumi Tie-Dying
One of Nagoya’s other industries is their local crafts which includes Arimatsu Narumi Tie-Dying for dying fabrics. This includes face masks, western clothing but also hand towels, and Kimono fabric.
The Arimatsu Tie-Dying Museum has exhibits regarding the craft and you can even join a workshop to intimately learn about it. The museum is also in an ideal picturesque location between Tokyo and Kyoto on the old Tōkaidō Road.
Legoland
For a more modern place to visit, try Legoland which is great for young children and families alike. If you want to see Japan’s other attractions, check out the models of Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, and Kyoto built from Lego bricks.
Legoland is also the place to go to find out how the bricks are manufactured and you can even go on some rides. Try to build your own models and go home with a few sets.
Osu Shopping District
Of course, every modern city will still have its own shopping district. In Nagoya, that’s where shopping meets pop culture, and street food at The Osu Shopping Streets.
The shopping arcades are popular with the city’s young population and includes secondhand clothing shops and modern electronics stores. If you want a break from the shopping you can also find a few shrines and temples in the same district.
How To Get To Nagoya
Nagoya is in the Aichi Prefecture and sits around halfway down Japan’s Pacific Coast on the main island of Honshu.
Its strategic importance should be remarked upon as it can be found between Tokyo and Osaka while Kyoto is a brisk 90-minute train ride away. The city also has an airport so you should be able to take a domestic flight to the city too.
What You Need To Know About Nagoya
The city of Nagoya is the main one in the Aichi Prefecture, largely due to its status as a vital transport hub with an airport, harbor, and train station.
Car aficionados will know that Nagoya is home to the car manufacturer Toyota but also plays host to several other industries including aircraft, automotive, and machine tools.
The city is considered significant due to its population and such buildings as Nagoya Castle and Shirotori Garden which give an insight into Japanese culture and the nation’s past.
Final Thoughts
When you visit Nagoya, you should quickly realize that it is a city of contrasts. From the changing colors from the blossoming flowers in Spring to the history of the city marking the various power struggles that the nation has gone through.
The city holds a special place in Japan due to being the birthday of three prominent feudal lords.
If you do visit, make sure that you take in the new and the old so visit Nagoya Castle, Shirotori Garden, and the Toyota Commemorative Museum Of Industry And Technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is The City Of Nagoya Considered Important To The Nation Of Japan?
As well as being Japan’s fourth-largest city by population, it has a long history.
The underlying reason why Nagoya is so important is that it is the birthplace of three noted feudal lords including Tokugawa Ieyasu, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Oda Nobunaga.
How Far Away Is Nagoya From Tokyo?
If you are heading straight to Tokyo, you may want to use that as a base to explore more of Japan. The city of Nagoya is a great place to visit and is only 265km away.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
