20 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN NAGOYA

Nagoya is the fourth largest city in Japan but by far it is not one of the most visited. It is not one of the destinations that one includes in the itinerary when preparing a trip through Japan, however it suited us perfectly to stop one day here on the way to the Japanese Alps. Also, our friend Yukiko lives here, so reunion time! But we not only had time for highballs in happy hour, we took the opportunity to go around the city and discover its few, but interesting charms. Here we tell you the best 20 things to see and do in Nagoya.

1. One of the symbols of the city is the Nagoya Castle, who claim to be one of the most beautiful in the country. It was built in the early 1600s by Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of the most important shōguns of the Edo period, although it was razed during the bombings of the II GM. What we see today is a reconstruction of the original and there are plans to tear down the main tower (Tenshu) and make a new one entirely in wood, since the one now is concrete. We do not enter, and we just look at it from outside, the best views are from the little park to the north. Price: ¥ 500, which is paid at any of the two entrances (to the south and east) when crossing the pit (eye, which is currently under renovation).

2. Give yourself one back by Sakae, the most lively district of Nagoya, full of restaurants, shops of all kinds, karaokes, neons and ambience. Do not miss here Oasis 21, a shopping center with a very curious architecture, and the NAGOYA poster in colors.

3. From Oasis 21 walk north on the Hisaya Odori Park, where you will find another of the icons of the city: the Nagoya Television Tower, the oldest telecommunication tower in Japan, built in 1954, and with a height of 180 meters. You can climb one of its two viewpoints (90 and 100 meters), to enjoy beautiful views of the city. Price: 700 ¥ (in renovation work until summer 2020).

4. However, the best views of Nagoya are those obtained from the Sky Promenade Observatory, which sits atop the Midland Square skyscraper. We did not go by time, but Yukiko told us that the views are amazing.

5. And speaking of buildings and skyscrapers ... if the architecture is cool, come closer to contemplate the Mode Gakuen Spiral Towers, a modern building with a peculiar spiral shape, which is very close to the train station (so if you get there, look out and be very attentive!).

Nagoya Castle

6. The Osu Kannon temple It is without a doubt the most beautiful and visited temple in Nagoya so you cannot miss it. He is a Buddhist cult and is famous because they say that here is the Kojiki oldest in Japan. What is the Kojiki? It is a book where the history of the country is told, although unfortunately you will not be able to see it ...

7. From the side of the temple extends the Osu Shopping Street, a covered shopping street with clothing stores (at a very good price, by the way), vintage items, some technology and street food. It is not at the level of the galleries of other cities, but its ambient has it.

8. And near here, you have to go through the street Akamon-dori, that with its neon stores, its pachinkos and karaokes, reminds a little of the Akihabara district of Tokyo (we have said "a little").

9. The other temple you have to visit in Nagoya is the Shintoist shrine of Atsuta Jingu. Too bad the most interesting part (the treasure room where relics of brutal historical importance are housed) is not open to the public, peeeeeeero, yet we recommend you go as it is a very relaxing sanctuary and will fill you with peace.

10. Give yourself a ride on the banks of the Yamazaki River for him 4 Seasons Trail. The best time to do so is in spring or autumn, when the flowers and leaves of the trees take center stage. But if as we visit the city in winter, nothing happens ehhh, it's still a nice walk (and cool, so warm up).

Osu Kannon Temple in Nagoya

11. You will not be able to enter the beautiful Nagoya City Hall building, but you can see it on the outside. This near the castle and it is one of the few original buildings that survived the bombing of the city. In the back street there is another building that stands out, the Museum of the Municipal Archives, which was formerly the Palace of Justice and that this can be visited for free to see, among other things, the cells where the detainees spent hours.

12. Are you one of those who always visit museums and art galleries on your trips? Then you have to go to Tokugawa art museum, where historical objects such as samurai armor, maps of the Edo period await you and, in addition, a perfect Japanese garden to rest after the visit. Tip: the museum is located in the old feudal residence of one of Nagoya's large families, the Owari. Price: ¥ 1,400, more info.

13. Go shopping in the Sunshine Sakae Mall and ends up getting on his huge ferris wheel 40 meters, which is located directly on the street. The ticket is worth about ¥ 500 and is one of the best things to do in Nagoya and the most curious (if you do not suffer from vertigo, of course).

14. Take a picture of the enoooorme Buddha of Toganji temple. The statue measures about 15 meters and is very pretty (although they have spent a little with the green, do not you think?).

15. An essential visit in Nagoya for train enthusiasts is the Train museum (SCMAGLEV and Railway Park), where you can learn a lot about the amazing Japanese trains. Did you know that there are trains here that “levitate”? It's fine with the spoilers ... go and freak out! Price: ¥ 1,000

Ferris wheel of the Sunshine Sakae shopping center

16. Another highly recommended museum is the Nagoya Science Museum, which highlights its planetarium, one of the largest in the world. Check out the temporary exhibitions and don't miss out on the labs, super interactive and interesting, for young and old. Price: ¥ And if you do not have time to enter, at least visit it from the outside because the architecture deserves it (and take a photo with the wings that are in the annex park). EYE: many of the museums close on Mondays, keep that in mind!

17. Nagoya is not only one of the most important commercial cities in the country but also has one of the main seaports. Well worth approaching the area of Garden pier, always full of life thanks to its many restaurants, shops and even an amusement park. Curiosity: here is the Fuji breaker, the ship with which the Japanese entered to explore part of the Antarctic Ocean. It is south of the city, somewhat remote, but in 20 minutes you can plant there by subway (410 ¥).

18. Personally, we love old industrial neighborhoods, with brick buildings converted into art galleries and exhibitions. In Nagoya there is something similar: Noritake Garden, a leisure space in what were the old ceramic factories of the historic Noritake company. There is a museum that costs ¥ 500, but a snoop around is free!

19. Nagoya is the land of motor and near here are the official headquarters of companies like Toyota. If you are passionate about cars, you may want to visit the following museums:

• Toyota Automobile Museum: that crazy old cars will especially like it.
• Toyota Commemorative Museum of Technology and Industry: where you can learn more about the history of the number 1 company in the sale of cars worldwide.
• Toyota Kaikan Museum: Perfect for those who want to deepen the technological side and the innovations that await us for the future.

20. You can't leave Nagoya without trying any of their typical dishes As the misokatsu, a breaded pork steak and coated with a miso sauce made only here. Or the Tebasaki chicken, fried wings and bathed in a very rich spicy sauce (better if they are accompanied by a beer). Oh, and if you want to fart to a cool and cheap place, aim at the Pub HUB (cocktails from 250.

20 + 1. Take the opportunity to do some excursion to nearby places. These are our recommendations:

• Visit the beautiful Kiso Valley. We from Nagoya went to Magome, one of the prettiest villages on the Nakasendo Route. It was like going back to the Edo era, we will tell you here (soon).
• If by chance you will only be between Tokyo, Nagoya and Kyoto and you will not go to the Japanese Alps, you can choose to take a day trip to Shirakawa Go already Takayama, more information. Both sites are very worthwhile and although it is true that theirs is to dedicate at least a couple of days of visits, a few hours are better than nothing!

Nagoya Science Museum

Map with things to see and do in Nagoya

Here you have a map with the most interesting places to visit in Nagoya:

As you see, Nagoya has its charm! Of course, it was very easy for us to enjoy the city thanks to Yukiko and our new Japanese friends. What a laugh we had, especially when we went to dinner at a traditional izakaya! Do you know more things to see and do in Nagoya? Leave us your comment!