Nagoya

Birthplace of the Tokugawa shogunate and a technological powerhouse, famous for its 'Nagoya-meshi' cuisine, its castle, and Ghibli Park.

JapanAichi
3 days

About Nagoya

About Nagoya - Culture, History & Character

City Description

Nagoya, Japan's fourth most populous city and the country's industrial engine, combines the legacy of the three great samurai unifiers with cutting-edge architecture and a bold culinary culture of its own. From the reconstructed Hommaru Palace at its castle to the anime mecca of Ghibli Park and the centuries-old temples of Osu, Nagoya offers an authentic, uncrowded immersion into contemporary and historic Japan.
Country
Japan
Region
Aichi
Highlights
20+ Attractions

Population

Approximately 2.3 million (city), 10.2 million (Chūkyō metropolitan area)

Languages

Japanese

Japanese is the standard language of communication. The local dialect is Nagoya-ben. Signage at stations and key sites includes English, Chinese, and Korean, and translation apps work very effectively.

History of Nagoya

Explore the fascinating past of Nagoya and discover how it has developed over the centuries.

Historical Journey

Ancient Period

The area flourished around the ancient Atsuta Jingu Shrine, founded almost 2,000 years ago to safeguard Kusanagi no Tsurugi, the sacred sword of Japan's Three Imperial Regalia. The region was the birthplace of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, the three figures who unified Japan.

Development Period

In 1610, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the construction of the imposing Nagoya Castle and the relocation of the city from Kiyosu. The Owari branch of the Tokugawa clan ruled the region, fostering trade, traditional crafts (ceramics, textiles), and a network of routes linking Kyoto with Edo.

Modern Period

After rapid industrialization driven by textile and automotive manufacturing (the origin of the Toyota Group), the city was heavily bombed in World War II. Rebuilt with wide avenues and modern grid layouts, it now leads in aerospace development, robotics, the magnetic levitation train (SCMaglev), and cultural tourism.

Historical Timeline

The historical timeline shows the key moments that have defined the development of Nagoya through the centuries.

City Scores

City Scores

Discover what makes this city special with our comprehensive scoring system

Safety

Excellent
99100

One of the safest big cities on the planet, where violent crime is practically nonexistent and walking at night poses no risk.

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One of the safest big cities on the planet, where violent crime is practically nonexistent and walking at night poses no risk.

Advantages:
  • Extraordinarily low crime rate; recovering lost items at police boxes ('Koban') is common.
  • Absolute peace of mind for solo travelers and families at any hour.
Challenges:
  • Take basic precautions with informal business approaches or insistent touts on certain adult entertainment streets in Sakae.

Walkability

Excellent
84100

Districts such as Osu, Sakae, and Shikemichi are ideal for exploring on foot, supported by a gigantic underground pedestrian network in Meieki.

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Districts such as Osu, Sakae, and Shikemichi are ideal for exploring on foot, supported by a gigantic underground pedestrian network in Meieki.

Advantages:
  • Wide avenues, flat paved streets, and perfectly regulated pedestrian crossings.
  • The network of covered 'shotengai' arcades lets you stroll sheltered from rain or summer heat.
Challenges:
  • Distances between emblematic districts (Meieki to Sakae or to the Castle) are considerable and require using the subway.

Public Transport

Excellent
97100

Pinpoint punctuality and seamless connectivity via the subway, JR trains, Meitetsu and Kintetsu lines, and the Tokaido Shinkansen.

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Pinpoint punctuality and seamless connectivity via the subway, JR trains, Meitetsu and Kintetsu lines, and the Tokaido Shinkansen.

Advantages:
  • Nagoya Station connects with Tokyo in 1 hour 35 minutes and with Kyoto in 35 minutes by bullet train.
  • A 6-line subway network that is clean, fast, and perfectly signposted.
  • Full compatibility with contactless IC transit cards (Suica, Pasmo, Manaca, Icoca).
Challenges:
  • The Nagoya Station interchange can be overwhelming due to its underground scale during rush hour.

Affordability

Excellent
82100

Excellent value for money compared with Tokyo and Kyoto, with international-standard hotels and abundant food at moderate prices.

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Excellent value for money compared with Tokyo and Kyoto, with international-standard hotels and abundant food at moderate prices.

Advantages:
  • Central accommodation (Meieki and Sakae) is noticeably cheaper than in the capital.
  • Lunch set menus ('teishoku') and Osu street food offer generous portions for under €10.
Challenges:
  • The Shinkansen to connect with other metropolises is a significant expense.
  • Private or themed attractions (Legoland, Ghibli Park) have medium-to-high admission prices.

Nightlife

Excellent
83100

Dynamic nightlife centered on food and entertainment, themed pubs, bustling 'izakayas', and nightclubs in Sakae.

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Dynamic nightlife centered on food and entertainment, themed pubs, bustling 'izakayas', and nightclubs in Sakae.

Advantages:
  • Neighborhoods such as Sakae and Meieki stay active until late with bars, karaoke, and 'tebasaki' joints.
  • The Nishiki district concentrates nightclubs and sophisticated cocktail bars.
Challenges:
  • Trains and the subway stop running around midnight.
  • Fewer mega-clubs with international DJs than in Tokyo.

Art & Culture

Excellent
88100

Home to the Tokugawa samurai treasure, first-rate Shinto shrines, and cutting-edge hubs of comics, anime, and industrial design.

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Home to the Tokugawa samurai treasure, first-rate Shinto shrines, and cutting-edge hubs of comics, anime, and industrial design.

Advantages:
  • The Tokugawa Art Museum displays weapons, armor, and original pieces of the ruling samurai clan, including national treasures.
  • Atsuta Jingu is one of the three most sacred shrines of Japanese Shinto.
  • Worldwide home of the prestigious World Cosplay Summit festival and gateway to Ghibli Park.
Challenges:
  • Fewer classic Zen temples and gardens compared with neighboring Kyoto.
  • Some art galleries offer limited explanations in Western languages.

Food Scene

Excellent
95100

A unique and hearty food culture known as 'Nagoya-meshi', famous for red hatchō miso, glazed eel, and Cochin chicken.

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A unique and hearty food culture known as 'Nagoya-meshi', famous for red hatchō miso, glazed eel, and Cochin chicken.

Advantages:
  • Unmissable local dishes: Hitsumabushi (grilled eel served three ways), Miso Katsu, and spicy Tebasaki wings.
  • The café 'Morning Service' culture: coffee served with buttered toast and sweet red bean paste (Ogura Toast).
  • A high density of traditional 'izakayas' and exclusive ramen restaurants such as Taiwan Ramen.
Challenges:
  • The strong, fermented flavor of hatchō miso is not to every palate's liking.
  • Strict vegetarian and vegan options are limited at traditional local-cuisine establishments.

Shopping

Excellent
91100

A shopper's paradise ranging from covered 'shotengai'-style arcades with otaku subculture to vertical temples of luxury.

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A shopper's paradise ranging from covered 'shotengai'-style arcades with otaku subculture to vertical temples of luxury.

Advantages:
  • The Osu Shotengai arcades combine vintage clothing, retro electronics, anime figurines, and street food.
  • Iconic department stores (Takashimaya, Matsuzakaya, Parco, Lachic) with entire floors devoted to gourmet products ('depachika').
  • An endless underground shopping promenade beneath the central station.
Challenges:
  • Many independent shops in traditional neighborhoods close early, around 19:00 or 20:00.

Weather

Good
76100

Four very distinct seasons, with dry winters and pleasant springs and autumns, offset by summers of intense, humid heat.

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Four very distinct seasons, with dry winters and pleasant springs and autumns, offset by summers of intense, humid heat.

Advantages:
  • Plenty of sunny, clear days between October and April.
  • Visual splendor during the weeks of cherry blossom and autumn color change.
Challenges:
  • Summer (July and August) brings very high temperatures with a stifling heat index.
  • Typhoon season in late summer can disrupt individual itineraries.

Tourist Friendly

Excellent
86100

High-quality tourism infrastructure, without the suffocating overtourism of neighboring cities and with services adapted to Western travelers.

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High-quality tourism infrastructure, without the suffocating overtourism of neighboring cities and with services adapted to Western travelers.

Advantages:
  • A relaxed tourist experience, without unbearable crowds at the main monuments.
  • Highly efficient multilingual tourist offices at the central station and at Oasis 21.
Challenges:
  • Fewer Spanish-speaking tour guides; service is mainly in English and Japanese.

Family Friendly

Excellent
94100

One of Japan's best family destinations thanks to its theme parks, interactive science museums, and world-class train museums and aquariums.

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One of Japan's best family destinations thanks to its theme parks, interactive science museums, and world-class train museums and aquariums.

Advantages:
  • Direct access to Ghibli Park, Legoland Japan Resort, and the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park.
  • The Science Museum houses one of the largest planetariums in the world, with interactive pavilions for children.
  • A safe city, accessible for strollers, with baby-care facilities in every station.
Challenges:
  • Tickets for Ghibli Park require strict reservations months in advance.
  • The outdoor parks can be exhausting during the peak of summer heat.

LGBTQ+ Friendly

Good
75100

A tolerant, civilized, and safe city; visibility is discreet, but there is a welcoming bar scene around Sakae.

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A tolerant, civilized, and safe city; visibility is discreet, but there is a welcoming bar scene around Sakae.

Advantages:
  • A completely safe environment, free of public hostility.
  • A small but vibrant district of inclusive venues and bars in Sakae 4-chome ('Joshi-dai').
  • The annual Nagoya Rainbow Pride festival and parade.
Challenges:
  • Japan still has a legal framework that lacks full marriage equality.
  • The specialized nightlife scene is modest compared with Shinjuku Ni-chome in Tokyo.

Local Friendly

Excellent
88100

Locals are polite and helpful and show sincere appreciation for visitors who choose to get to know their city off the typical golden route.

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Locals are polite and helpful and show sincere appreciation for visitors who choose to get to know their city off the typical golden route.

Advantages:
  • Less tourist saturation than Kyoto, which translates into more relaxed, attentive, and patient treatment.
  • Hospitality and retail staff go out of their way to help using translators or kind gestures.
Challenges:
  • Somewhat more reserved than the people of Osaka; keeping proper decorum in public spaces is appreciated.

Natural Beauty

Good
72100

Located on a vast coastal plain surrounded by mountains, with quick access to postcard-worthy rivers and valleys in the prefecture.

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Located on a vast coastal plain surrounded by mountains, with quick access to postcard-worthy rivers and valleys in the prefecture.

Advantages:
  • Direct proximity to the Kiso Valley, the Japanese Alps, and the Chita Peninsula.
  • Spectacular views of the Nobi Plain and Ise Bay from panoramic viewpoints.
Challenges:
  • The central urban area lacks notable relief or accessible natural coastline.

Architecture

Excellent
85100

A fascinating contrast between finely reconstructed feudal wooden architecture, railway engineering giants, and futuristic glass complexes.

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A fascinating contrast between finely reconstructed feudal wooden architecture, railway engineering giants, and futuristic glass complexes.

Advantages:
  • The Hommaru Palace at Nagoya Castle is one of the most accurate reconstructions of traditional 'shoin-zukuri' carpentry on the planet.
  • Unique contemporary icons such as Oasis 21 ('Spaceship Aqua') and the Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER.
  • JR Central Towers station is one of the largest railway skyscraper complexes in the world.
Challenges:
  • The castle's main keep (tenshu) remains closed for structural work on its timber reconstruction.
  • The modern postwar urban layout prioritizes functionality over uniform historic aesthetics.

Historical Significance

Excellent
92100

A key territory in the consolidation of feudal Japan, home of the Kusanagi sword and birthplace of the leaders of the Edo Period.

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A key territory in the consolidation of feudal Japan, home of the Kusanagi sword and birthplace of the leaders of the Edo Period.

Advantages:
  • Point of origin of the Tokugawa dynasty, which ruled the country for more than 250 years of peace.
  • Atsuta Jingu holds millennia of Japanese imperial mythology.
  • Preservation of Edo-period merchant districts such as Shikemichi.
Challenges:
  • Many original historic buildings were lost in 1945 and are postwar reconstructions.

Green Spaces

Good
78100

Well-distributed urban parks with meticulously pruned traditional gardens and large nature reserves on the outskirts.

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Well-distributed urban parks with meticulously pruned traditional gardens and large nature reserves on the outskirts.

Advantages:
  • Traditional samurai pleasure gardens such as Tokugawaen and Shirotori Garden.
  • Tsuruma Park and the Yamazaki River are iconic picnic spots during sakura season.
  • Large green spaces such as Meijo Park at the foot of the castle.
Challenges:
  • The financial and industrial district has large expanses of asphalt and concrete.
  • The larger nature parks require train trips into the Aichi hills.

Cleanliness

Excellent
98100

Impeccable standard of cleanliness typical of Japanese metropolises, with streets, stations, and public spaces rigorously maintained.

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Impeccable standard of cleanliness typical of Japanese metropolises, with streets, stations, and public spaces rigorously maintained.

Advantages:
  • Spotless streets, subway stations, and trains at any hour.
  • Public restrooms in parks and stations are in excellent condition and well sanitized.
Challenges:
  • Public trash cans are scarce on the street; it is common to have to carry your own waste back to hotels or 24-hour convenience stores (konbini).

Startup Scene

Excellent
86100

A leading industrial innovation hub driven by 'STATION Ai', one of the largest hardware/mobility startup and incubation centers in Asia.

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A leading industrial innovation hub driven by 'STATION Ai', one of the largest hardware/mobility startup and incubation centers in Asia.

Advantages:
  • Strong backing from multinational giants in automotive, robotics, and precision manufacturing.
  • The opening and consolidation of STATION Ai as a magnet for tech talent and venture capital investment.
  • Active partnerships with prestigious universities such as Nagoya University.
Challenges:
  • An ecosystem traditionally more focused on engineering and heavy industry than on purely SaaS consumer models.

Digital Nomad Friendly

Excellent
80100

Outstanding technological infrastructure and efficient daily life, with an emerging coworking scene.

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Outstanding technological infrastructure and efficient daily life, with an emerging coworking scene.

Advantages:
  • Ultra-stable fiber-optic internet and 5G connectivity throughout the metropolis.
  • Comfortable cafés suited to solo work and modern coworking spaces in the Meieki area.
Challenges:
  • The international nomad community is small compared with Tokyo or Osaka.
  • Some language barrier with local paperwork or mid-term rentals.

Overall City Score

Comprehensive assessment of this destination

87/ 100

Weather & Climate

Descubre las mejores épocas para visitar Nagoya y qué esperar durante todo el año.

Monthly Temperatures

January

Max9°
Min1°

February

Max10°
Min2°

March

Max14°
Min5°

April

Max20°
Min10°

May

Max24°
Min15°

June

Max27°
Min20°

July

Max31°
Min24°

August

Max33°
Min25°

September

Max29°
Min21°

October

Max23°
Min14°

November

Max17°
Min8°

December

Max12°
Min3°

Legend

Best Months
Hot Months
Cold Months
Rainy Periods

Weather Summary

Four very distinct seasons, with dry winters and pleasant springs and autumns, offset by summers of intense, humid heat.

Weather Tips

Plenty of sunny, clear days between October and April.

Visual splendor during the weeks of cherry blossom and autumn color change.

Summer (July and August) brings very high temperatures with a stifling heat index.

Typhoon season in late summer can disrupt individual itineraries.

Summers are sweltering due to the geographic basin of Nobi, with perceived temperatures exceeding 35°C because of the humidity.

October, November, April, and May are the months with optimal conditions for walking around the city.

Overview

Spring

Pleasant, mild weather, with cherry blossoms (sakura) in late March and early April.

More Information

Summer

Very hot and humid; June marks the rainy season (tsuyu) and August brings high temperatures, with a typhoon risk in September.

More Information

Autumn

An excellent time to travel, with clear skies, mild temperatures, and autumn foliage (koyo) in November.

More Information

Winter

Cold, dry, and generally sunny. Snowfall is rare on the urban plain, making it ideal for cultural visits and museums without lines.

More Information

Presupuesto y Compras

Plan your expenses and discover the best shopping areas

Budget Planning

Daily spending per person

More affordable than Tokyo or Kyoto in terms of accommodation and local restaurants. The weak yen allows you to enjoy a high-quality experience at very competitive costs.

Budget Travel

35-50€

per day

Mid-Range Travel

75-130€

per day

Luxury Travel

200€+

per day

Guía de Compras

Best Areas

Luxury brands

3 areas

Midland Square (Meieki)

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JR Nagoya Takashimaya

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Matsuzakaya Nagoya (Sakae)

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High-street fashion

3 areas

Parco Sakae

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Lachic

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Gate Walk and Esca (Meieki Underground)

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Boutique & Subculture

2 areas

Ōsu Shotengai (Manga, collectible figures, streetwear)

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Shikemichi (Crafts and design bookstores)

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Vintage & second-hand

2 areas

Komehyo Flagship Store (Ōsu)

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Osu side streets (American clothing and retro denim)

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Food Markets & Depachika

3 areas

Takashimaya gourmet basement floor (Meieki)

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Matsuzakaya Depachika (Sakae)

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Snack stalls on Osu Hondori

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Points of Interest

Explore the most fascinating places this city has to offer

Nagoya Castle and Hommaru Palace

The city's great symbol, famous for its two golden carp ('kinshachi') on the roof and the masterful Hommaru Palace, faithfully reconstructed in hinoki cypress wood with gold-leaf decorated screens.

Landmark

Atsuta Jingu Shrine

Surrounded by a lush sacred forest of ancient cedars in the heart of the city, it is one of Japan's most revered shrines, safeguarding the legendary Kusanagi sword.

Landmark

Ōsu Kannon Temple

A revered Buddhist temple dedicated to the deity of mercy, housing a valuable library of classic texts and presiding over the entrance to the famous shopping arcades.

Landmark

Ōsu Shopping Arcades (Ōsu Shotengai)

An intricate network of covered streets with more than 1,200 shops where street food stalls, secondhand clothing stores, technology, and otaku subculture converge.

Market

Ghibli Park

An immersive theme park located in Aichi Expo Memorial Park, with areas such as Ghibli's Grand Warehouse, Valley of Witches, and Dondoko Forest that recreate the universe of Hayao Miyazaki.

Landmark

SCMAGLEV and Railway Park

An impressive JR Central railway museum displaying 39 real trains, from historic steam locomotives to the latest prototypes of the Shinkansen bullet train and the Maglev magnetic levitation train.

Museum

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology

Housed in an original 1911 red-brick textile factory, it tells the story of the group's evolution from automatic looms to modern automobile production robots.

Museum

Oasis 21

A cutting-edge facility nicknamed 'Spaceship Aqua', whose elliptical glass roof holds a pool of water, lit up at night, above a shopping center and bus terminal.

Architecture

Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER

Formerly the Nagoya TV Tower and Japan's oldest steel telecommunications tower, located in central Hisaya Odori Park with panoramic observation decks.

Viewpoint

Tokugawa Art Museum

Safeguards thousands of heritage treasures of the Owari Tokugawa feudal lords, including samurai swords, nō kimonos, tea ceramics, and illustrated scrolls of the Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari).

Museum

Tokugawaen Garden

A splendid Edo-period stroll garden next to the museum, with a central lake that simulates the ocean, waterfalls, and a traditional wooden bridge surrounded by maples.

Park

Nagoya City Science Museum

Famous for its gigantic suspended silver spherical dome, it houses one of the largest planetariums on the planet along with laboratory halls featuring tornado and extreme cold simulators.

Museum

Sky Promenade (Midland Square)

An open-air observation deck between the 44th and 46th floors of the Midland Square skyscraper in front of Nagoya Station, with 360-degree views over the metropolitan plain.

Viewpoint

Noritake Garden

A landscaped space built at the headquarters of the legendary fine porcelain brand Noritake, featuring pottery workshops, ceramics museums, and walking areas.

Park

Shikemichi Historic District

Cobbled 18th-century lanes lined with old kura storehouses with whitewashed walls and charred timber, now converted into specialty cafés and bistros.

Landmark

Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium

One of the largest aquariums in Asia, spread across two buildings that feature cetaceans, belugas, penguins, and educational marine shows in the bay.

Museum

Tsuruma Park

The city's oldest public park, opened in 1909, combining European landscaping with Japanese lotus ponds and hundreds of blooming cherry trees.

Park

Legoland Japan Resort

A comprehensive theme park aimed at families with children, with Miniland models that recreate Japan's main urban wonders in millions of Lego bricks.

Landmark

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

An extensive natural leisure complex that brings together botanical gardens with century-old greenhouses, an observation tower, and a renowned zoo.

Park

JR Central Towers and Nagoya Station

The city's nerve-center landmark; a colossal complex with two twin towers over 240 meters high that house department stores, observation terraces, and fine dining.

Architecture

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Day Trips

Discover fascinating destinations near Nagoya perfect for day getaways

Approx. 30 minutes by Meitetsu line train.

Inuyama

Samurai history, original architecture, riverside walks.

A picturesque riverside town home to Inuyama Castle, one of the 12 original wooden castles preserved in Japan and a National Treasure, along with the Meiji-Mura open-air museum village.

Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes by JR Shinano Express train and local bus.

Kiso Valley (Magome and Tsumago)

Hiking, rural landscapes, traditional photography.

The best-preserved stretch of the historic Edo-period Nakasendo route. You can walk an 8 km cobbled trail between two picture-perfect villages with traditional wooden houses and no overhead cables.

Approx. 2 hours 15 minutes by JR Hida Wide View panoramic train or direct bus.

Takayama and Shirakawa-go

UNESCO historic villages, Hida beef, craft sake.

A getaway to the Hida mountains to admire the traditional farmhouses with steep gassho-zukuri thatched roofs (UNESCO World Heritage) and Takayama's historic timber town center.

Approx. 1 hour 25 minutes by Kintetsu Limited Express train.

Ise Jingu (Mie Prefecture)

Deep spirituality, sacred nature, seafood cuisine.

Japan's supreme Shinto complex, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami, surrounded by giant cedars and the charming pedestrian districts of Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho.

Approx. 20 minutes by JR Tokaido Line rapid train.

Gifu and the Nagara River

Mountain castles, river traditions, valley views.

A city dominated by Gifu Castle, perched on Mount Kinka, famous for the ancient night cormorant fishing ('Ukai') led by master fishermen of the imperial court.

Explore Neighborhoods

Discover the unique character and charm of each city district.

Meieki (Nagoya Station Area)

Pulsating, vertical, and cutting-edge; a transport hub with skyscrapers, business hotels, and underground dining.

Sakae

The commercial and nightlife epicenter; department stores, wide landscaped boulevards, and futuristic architecture.

Ōsu

Bohemian, eclectic, and youthful; a fascinating crossroads of temple devotion, otaku culture, and street food.

Shikemichi & Endoji

Nostalgic and serene; Edo-period merchant storehouses converted into intimate bistros and old covered streets.

Kanayama

A bustling railway transfer hub with authentic local izakayas and entertainment venues.

Atsuta

Quiet, residential, and solemn, steeped in the spiritual mystery of the great imperial shrine.

Seasonal Experiences

Discover the best experiences and activities for each time of year

Hanami at the Yamazaki River and Tsuruma Park

Spring (Late March - Early April)

The canals of the Yamazaki River and the groves of Tsuruma Park are covered in pink blossoms during the 'Shiki no Michi'. Locals gather on blankets for lunch under the trees, with lanterns lit at dusk ('yozakura').

Nagoya Sumo Tournament (Nagoya Basho)

Summer (July)

One of the six major official professional sumo tournaments in Japan. It is held over fifteen days at the Dolphins Arena (Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium), where the country's best wrestlers compete for the Emperor's Cup.

Momiji at Korankei Valley and Tokugawaen

Autumn (November)

The nearby Korankei Valley, with more than 4,000 Japanese maples along the Tomoe River, offers one of Japan's most renowned displays of red and golden leaves, with trails lit up at night and chestnut and dango stalls.

Winter Illuminations at Nabana no Sato

Winter (November - February)

A short bus ride from Nagoya, the Nabana no Sato botanical park stages one of the world's most massive LED winter illumination festivals, with tunnels of light and bioluminescent fields.

Festivals & Local Celebrations

Experience the vibrant culture and traditions of this city through its unique festivals

Third weekend of October

Nagoya Matsuri (Nagoya Festival)

The city's grand festival, with a colossal historical parade in which hundreds of costumed participants recreate the troops of the three samurai heroes (Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu) alongside mechanical floats ('dashi').

First weekend of August

World Cosplay Summit (WCS)

The world's most prestigious cosplay competition. Representatives from dozens of countries gather at Oasis 21 and Hisaya Odori Park in a massive celebration of anime and video games.

June 5

Atsuta Matsuri

The most important celebration of Atsuta Jingu Shrine, with demonstrations of ancient martial arts (kyudo, kendo), 'makiwara' floating lanterns, and fireworks at dusk.

Late August

Nippon Domannaka Matsuri (Domatsuri)

One of Japan's largest energetic dance festivals, where thousands of dancers in colorful traditional costumes from across the country compete to the rhythm of modernized folk dances.

Traveler Tips

Essential advice and local insights to make your trip memorable and safe

Safety Tips

  1. Complete Safety in Public Spaces

    The crime rate is negligible. It is safe to walk at any hour of the night, even in alleys or while carrying suitcases.

  2. Lost and Found

    If you lose your wallet, phone, or passport, go to the nearest police box ('Koban') or the station window; almost invariably it is handed back intact.

  3. Club Areas in Sakae

    On the adult nightlife streets of Nishiki and Sakae 4-chome, ignore the street touts who offer discounts for bars or cocktail clubs.

  4. Heatstroke Prevention

    In July and August, the combination of heat and humidity can cause dizziness; stay constantly hydrated at the ubiquitous vending machines ('jidohanbaiki').

Before you go

Quick answers to plan your trip with confidence

About 3 days covers the essentials. Add 1–2 days for neighborhoods or day trips.
Mid-range is around 75-130€ per person per day (stay, food, local transport). See the budget section for ranges.
A solid starting area is Meieki (Nagoya Station Area). Compare neighborhoods and hotels on this page.
The Meitetsu μ-SKY (Mu-Sky) express train connects Chubu Centrair International Airport with Nagoya Station in just 28 minutes with reserved seating.
Family-friendliness rated 94/100. It usually works well for family trips.
Safety rated 99/100. The crime rate is negligible. It is safe to walk at any hour of the night, even in alleys or while carrying suitcases.

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