Many travelers zip through Nagoya from Tokyo to Osaka without a second glance, but the center of Japan’s automobile industry is much more than a manufacturing powerhouse. Located between Ise Bay and the Japanese Alps, Nagoya was historically at the heart of Japan’s samurai culture, a legacy still in evidence at Nagoya Castle and the Japanese sword museum. But while exploring the city’s feudal heritage is one of the best things to do in Nagoya, you’d be remiss if you didn’t dive into its rich culinary scene, too.
For the mildest temperatures and most beautiful scenery, the best time to visit Nagoya is during the spring (March to May). However, this is the peak tourist season, as the city’s cherry trees are in full bloom and travelers flock to the Yamazaki River and Tsuruma Park to see their gorgeous display. For smaller crowds, plan your trip for fall (September to November), which offers equally beautiful foliage.
Nagoya and its surroundings are well-served by public transportation, which includes several railway and subway lines. The Me~guru Nagoya Sightseeing Route Bus connects the city’s main attractions—including Nagoya Castle and Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology—and is particularly useful to tourists. As Nagoya Station lies along several of Japan’s major railway lines, the city is an excellent base for day trips to such landmarks as Inuyama Castle and the Ise Shrine.
The city is known for its rich regional cuisine, called Nagoya meshi. Some of the top local specialties worth sampling include miso katsu (breaded deep-fried pork cutlet with red miso sauce); kishimen (flat udon noodles), and hitsumabushi (grilled freshwater eel coated with a sweet sauce and served over rice). Nagoya is also known for its kissaten (a retro tearoom/coffee shop) culture.
