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Nagoya (pop. 2,109,000) is Japan's fourth largest city (pop. around 2,1 million). Although the 3 great leaders of the Azuchi-Momoyama period (Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu) were all born in the vicinities of Nagoya, the city is not a major touristical destination. However it is conveniently located on the shinkansen line 30-45min East of Kyoto and Osaka and 2h West of Tokyo, and is a good base to visit Ise Jingu or the Gifu prefecture.
The EXPO 2005 will be held in the outskirt of Nagoya.
Nagoya Station Area
Visitors coming by train will first set eyes on the JR Central Towers above the station. The JR Central Tower Office has 51 floors on a 245m height, while the 226m JR Central Tower Hotel houses the Marriott Associa Hotelon its 53 floors. The Takashimaya and Matsuzakaya department stores are also housed in the station.
Nagoya Castle 名古屋城
Built in 1612 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, it is a typical example of plain castle with defensive moat. The castle was the residence of the Owari branch of the Tokugawa family until 1867.
The castle was destroyed by American air raids in 1945. The present building is a 1959 ferro-concrete reconstruction with an elevator (lift) inside.
The castle is famed for its two golden dolphins on its roof, which appear on most souvenirs.
The gardens are quite large and attractive during the cherry blossom or autumn leaves season, although they clearly lack maintenance. Weeds grow almost uncontrollably, even with the few deers grazing in the moat.
Tickets (adults ￥500) can be purchased either at the main gate (south-west) or east gate.
Atsuta Jingu 熱田神宮
Located 5km south of Nagoya station, it is one of the three most sacred Shinto shrines in Japan along with Ise Jingu and Meiji Jingu.
Atsuta Jingu houses the sword "Kusanagi no tsurugi" (草薙の剣 or "grass-cutting sword"), which is one of the the three Imperial Regalia (三種の神器 "sanshu no jingi"). The two others are the mirror in Ise Jingu and the jewels in Meiji Jingu. The sword, also called "ame no murakumo no tsurugi" was given by the Sun Goddess Amaterasu to her grandson to fight an evil kami who had taken the shape of a giant snake.
Atsuta Jingu can be accessed by subway (Meijo line, Jingu Nishi Station), JR Tokaido line (Atsuta Station) or Meitetsu line (Jingu-mae Station).
Osu Kannon Temple 大須観音
Relocated in 1612 from Gifu prefecture to central Nagoya by Tokugawa Ieyasu, Osu Kannon is probably the most interesting Buddhist temple in Nagoya. Dozens od smaller temples and shrines can be found around, as well as the provincial feeling Osu Shopping Arcade.
An antique market is held on the 18th and 28th of each month.
How to get here from :-
How to travel between Nagoya and Tokyo
By shinkansen:
Tokyo and Nagoya are connected with each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. Nozomi trains require about 100 minutes to reach Nagoya from Tokyo. Hikari trains are roughly ten to twenty minutes slower than the nozomi, while kodama trains take about three hours.
The regular one way fare from Tokyo to Nagoya is 10,070 Yen by non-reserved seat on any train, around 10,600 Yen by reserved seat on kodama or hikari trains and around 10,800 Yen by reserved seat on a nozomi train. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on hikari and kodama trains, but not on nozomi trains.
With the "Hikari Hayatoku Kippu", you can travel from Tokyo to Nagoya by reserved seat on a hikari train for only 9,200 Yen. You have to purchase the "Hikari Hayatoku Kippu" at least one week in advance of the departure date.
With the "Puratto Kodama Economy Plan", you can travel from Tokyo to Nagoya by reserved seat on a kodama train for only 7,900 Yen and will receive one drink for free. The "Puratto Kodama Economy Plan" has to be purchased at least one day before departure.
Foreign tourists visiting Tokyo as a side trip from Nagoya, should consider JTB's Free Plan Tokyo 2 Days tour package, which consists of a round trip from Nagoya to Tokyo by kodama shinkansen and a one night stay at a hotel in Tokyo, starting at the amazing cost of only 20,100 Yen per person.
By local trains:
By local trains, the one way trip from Tokyo to Nagoya takes about six hours and typically involves about three transfers of trains. The regular fare is a relatively expensive 6090 Yen, however, with a Seishun 18 Kippu you can do the trip for as little as 2300 Yen.
By bus:
The one way trip from Tokyo to Nagoya by highway bus takes about five to six hours. There are daytime and overnight buses. The typical one way fares are betwen 3500 and 6000 Yen. Please visit our highway bus page for more details.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current Yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
Nagoya and surroundings are served by multiple railway companies, six subway lines and a bus network. Japan Railways (JR) including the Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train), Meitetsu Railways, Kintetsu Railways, the Aonami Line and two subway lines converge at Nagoya Station.
Nagoya Subway
The most convenient means of getting around Nagoya for foreign visitors are the city's six subway lines. Color coded and thoroughly bilingual, they are easy to navigate, and provide convenient access to most of central Nagoya's attractions.
JR (Japan Railways)
JR connects Nagoya via the Tokaido Shinkansen with Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Other JR lines commencing or passing through Nagoya are the Tokaido Main Line, Chuo Line (to Kiso Valley, Nagano), Kansai Line (to Ise) and Takayama Line (to Takayama).
Meitetsu (Nagoya Railways)
Meitetsu Railways operates numerous railway lines from Nagoya Station into Nagoya's suburbs and surrounding regions. Meitetsu's main station is located below JR Nagoya Station and also known as Meitetsu Nagoya Station. Of interest to foreign travelers are the Inuyama Line (to Inuyama), Toyota Line (to Toyota) and the Airport Line (to Central Japan Airport).
Kintetsu Railways
Kintetsu Railways connects Nagoya Station with Ise and various cities in the Kansai region, including Nara and Osaka.
Linimo (Tobu Kyuryo Line)
The Linimo started service as Japan's first maglev train in March 2005. It operates between Fujigaoka and Yakusa Stations and provided access to the Expo 2005 site.
Special Tickets
One Day Subway Pass (740 Yen)
Unlimited use of subways on one calendar day. Available at vending machines in subway stations and at ticket counters.
One Day Bus and Subway Pass (850 Yen)
Unlimited use of subways and city buses on one calendar day. Available at vending machines in subway stations, at ticket counters and from bus drivers. On the 8th of each month, a one day pass for buses and subways, called "Nagoya Kankyo Pass", is available for only 620 Yen.
Yurika Prepaid Card (1000, 2000, 3000 or 5000 Yen)
Yurika prepaid cards can be used on subways and city buses and provide small discounts over single tickets (no discount in case of the 1000 Yen card). Available at vending machines in subway stations and at ticket counters. Further discounted daytime prepaid cards, which cannot be used on weekdays before 10:00 and after 16:00, are also available.
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