Things To Do

Nagoya is a city that personifies Japan's overall ideology as a nation: progressive, but always harbouring strong respect for tradition. With museums aplenty, restaurants galore and a series of reconstructed buildings to feast your eyes upon, this is an area of Asia that has a little bit of everything.

The Must-See Sights

There are several key sights you ought to take in if you visit the city of Nagoya. The first is one you will struggle to miss: the main train station. Often referred to as a "town within a city", this complex is recognisable by its two colossal cylindrical twin towers that stand side by side, containing shops, gardens, spas, cafes, bars, restaurants and even a hotel inside.

The second must-see sight is the city castle. This ancient building suffered severe damage during the Second World War, but the government has pumped funding into its reconstruction to turn it into one of the most famous tourist locations in this region of Japan. Beautiful, bold and striking, the castle area is made up of several turrets, gates and gardens, all of which are something terrific for the eyes to behold.

The City Science Museum is another venue that's well worth a visit. This museum is home to the largest planetarium in the world, and whilst it looks tremendous from the outside with its big silver globe structure, further fascination lies in wait behind the main doors - with seven stories of laboratories and exhibits to explore.

If it's natural beauty that you seek, you can find it at Atsuta Shrine. Enshrining the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, this ancient Japanese site also has a spot nearby that serves up delicious bowls of kishimen noodles - a delicacy enjoyed by the locals.

For The Shopaholics

Those with an unquenchable thirst for shopping will find themselves completely satisfied with the range of stores present in and around the city. Many of the very best department stores can be found inside the main train station itself, although there are also a wide array of more authentic Japanese shops located across the city, especially in Sakae and Fushimi which are particularly popular areas with the younger crowd.

Unwinding Nagoya Style

If you fancy letting your hair down with a few drinks in the evening, the nightlife here won't disappoint. There's My Bar and Steps for getting groovy on the dancefloor, and if you fancy a bite to keep your energy levels up there's the The Red Rock Aussie Bar & Grill. Just outside the city is also Nagashima Resort - a spectacular entertainment centre with rides, shops, shows and restaurants that offers a fun-filled day out for all the family.