Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Nagoya?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Nagoya?
Many travelers spend two to three days in Nagoya during their visit. After all, the often overlooked city has plenty to explore such as the restaurant scene, the famous sights and museums, and the big city activities.
Nagoya is a port city that has long been a manufacturing center for the country. There are many interesting museums as well as gambling parlors in town. There are also entertainment districts and several historical sights. Many tourists don't add Nagoya to their itinerary, but those who do will appreciate the food and entertainment scene that the city offers.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Nagoya? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Nagoya?
Many visitors choose to spend around three days in Nagoya. This would give you the chance to experience this medium-sized city's highlights such as the restaurant scene, the famous sights and museums, and the big city activities. Since many visitors prefer to spend around two to three days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the often overlooked city.
How to spend 3 days in Nagoya
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Nagoya, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. There are shrines, temples, and other interesting sights in the city. Atsuta Jingu is an important Shinto shrine. Nagoya Castle is another interesting place to visit. If you're willing to head out of the city center a bit, the Meiji-mura Village Museum is an open air museum that has interesting Japanese architecture. There are also interesting museums in town such as the Nagoya City Art Museums and the Toyota Techno and Toyota Automobile Museums.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Guided Half-day Tour(AM) to Nagoya Castle & Toyota Commemorative Museum ($118)
- Guided Half-day Tour(AM) to Nagoya Castle & Tokugawa Museum and Garden ($145)
- Nagoya Sumo Tournament and Castle Tour ($184)
The culinary scene in Nagoya is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. The city has a strong food culture that's referred to as Nagoya meshi. It's a popular destination for foodies to Japan, even though the city itself is often overlooked by tourists. The city's food uses a lot of local vegetables and its influenced by several international flavors. Important ingredients in the dishes include unagi (freshwater eel), Nagoya cochin (chicken), tamari (soy sauce), and mame miso.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Nagoya Special Food Tour ($66)
Nagoya is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The downtown area, where you'll find many of the sights, is walkable. The distances vary, but many sights can be reached on foot.
In the large and diverse city of Nagoya, you'll want to dedicate at least a day to experiencing the unique neighborhoods, exciting attractions, and immersive activities offered around town. Don't miss out on visiting some of the city's famous landmarks as well. It is a major port city in Japan and capital of the Aichi Prefecture.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Walking Small-Group Nagoya City Tour ($131)
- Private Full-day Nagoya City Tour ($151)
- Private Transfer from Nagoya hotels to Nagoya Cruise Port ($66)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. There are many bars around town, many of which have an international theme. Later in the evening, many people head out to a nightclubs, most of which are concentrated in either Sakae and Shin-sakae.
The public transit in Nagoya is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. The city has both a subway and public buses. The main bus stations are at Nagoya Station and Sakae Station and there are six subway lines throughout the city.
Shopping in Nagoya is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. You'll find everything from large shopping malls to street markets and local vendors. Many people head to Nagoya Station for shopping, but Osu Shotengai is another interesting shopping area in the city's old town.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Tea Ceremony Experience in a Shopping Arcade Tea Room ($66)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Nagoya.
Is 4 days enough time in Nagoya?
Four days is more than enough time to see everything that Nagoya has to offer. After all, it's not such a huge city. Many visitors prefer to spend two to three days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the restaurant scene, the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, and the nightlife scene at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
Nagoya, Japan
How to spend 4 days in Nagoya
With 4 days in Nagoya, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Perhaps the most famous spot in Nagoya is the Nagoya Castle, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Nagoya?
Five days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Nagoya, as it's not as large as some other cities. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. Dine out at amazing restaurants, wander through the museums, enjoy the city's energy, and take advantage of the local nightlife. You could also use Nagoya as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
How to spend 5 days in Nagoya
If you have more than 5 days in Nagoya, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
After you've explored most of Nagoya, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Day Trip for Shirakawago ,Takayama & gujo hachiman from Nagoya ($60)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Nagoya.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Nagoya, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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