Having a free and easy day in Nagoya, we decided to plan for some sightseeing around the city area. It was not that difficult to think of the place we wanted to go as it is our last day in Nagoya we focus more on the important tourist attraction and shopping to get our last minute shopping spree.
Here are some of the places that you should go once if this is your first time in Nagoya.
Places to visit?
- Nagoya castle
- Osu Shopping street
- Osu Kannon Temple
- Oasis 21
How to get around?
Buy a one day pass.
For more information, visit IC Card and One Day Pass Transportation Guide.
Nagoya castle
Nagoya Castle was one of the largest castles in the country, as one of the three branches of the ruling Tokugawa family, the Owari branch which was built at the beginning of the Edo Period. The castle town surrounding it ultimately grew to become Japan’s fourth largest city.
To note:
As of 7th May 2018, the Main Castle Tower of Nagoya Castle will be closed for wooden reconstruction.
The castle grounds and facilities, including the Hommaru Palace, will be open during the reconstruction.
Where?
Operating hour:
09:00~16:30 (Entrance to the donjon until 16:10)
Closed: 29th December ~ 1st January
Cost?
Adult
500JPY
Children in junior high school and younger
Free
How to get there?
Subway
- Get off at the “Shiyakusho (City Hall)” or M07 stop of the Meijo Line.
- Get off at the “Sengencho” or T05 stop of the Tsurumai Line.
Bus:
- Get off at the “Nagoyajo Seimon-Mae” stop of Sakae No. 13.
- Take a Nagoya Sightseeing Route Bus called “Me-guru”.
- Get off at the “Shiyakusho” stop of the Key Route Bus No. 2.
Train:
Get off at the “Higashi-ote” stop of the Meitetsu Seto Line
Duration:
2 hours
What to see?
Photo-taking spot with the Kin Shachin
View from the top of the castle
Overall:
It is one of the must-visit attraction and is rank as the top 10 most popular castle in Nagoya. I always felt that a castle is a place where we are able to learn the history of the place and be able to see the intelligence of the past. It is a great place to spend your afternoon, there will be some events in the weekends like performance or magic show around which is quite interesting.
For the ticket price is worth the cost because you are able to see a lot of things and not only the top view from the Nagoya castle but also the construction of the castle, some photoshoot area and a place where they show the street of Edo period.
Osu Shopping street
The Osu Shopping District has over 1,200 shops and restaurants, it is a huge and popular shopping district where there are all kinds of shops, including electrical appliance shops, secondhand clothing stores. The shopping street is always crowded with people and filled with energy.
Where?
Operating hour:
Operation hour may vary by each shop.
Most stores open at 11:00 ~ 20:00
Closed on: Holidays vary by each shop
Cost?
Free
How to get there?
Subway
Get off at the “Kamimaezu” or T09 or M03 stop of the Meijo Line and Tsurumai Line.
Alight at Exit 9
Duration
2 hours or more
Map
What to see?
Nioumon street
Osu Kannon Street
Alice on Wednesday
Fuji Sengen shrine
Overall:
This shopping street will sure let you spend most of your time buying, eating and visiting the temple or shrine nearby. You will not be bored here as there are lots of things to do here, what I will recommend is to buy your souvenir or things that you need here.
Osu Kannon Temple
Osu Kannon Temple is one of Nagoya’s most famous and popular temples. The temple is the special head temple of the Shingon Chisan section. The main deity that is worshipped at the temple is Sho-Kannon Avalokiteśvara Buddha, the goddess of mercy. Inside the Shinpukuji Bunko Library, there are over 15,000 books including the oldest manuscript and national treasure.
On the 18th and 28th of each month, a flea market and antique fair are held on the temple grounds.
Where?
Operating hour:
Open 24/7
Cost?
Free
Duration
30mins~1hour
How to get there?
Subway
- Get off at the “ Osukan-Non” or T08 stop of the Tsurumai Line.
- Get off at the “Kamimaezu” or T09 or M03 stop of the Meijo Line and Tsurumai Line.
Alight at Kamimaezu station exit 9, 10 minutes walk to the temple. On the way, you will walk past the Osu shopping street.
What to see?
Entrance to the temple
Overall:
A small temple where you do not need to spend too much time inside, I like the simplicity of it. If you are a devotee for the goddess of mercy, do stay longer to visit the surrounding of the temple. Inside you are able to pray for study, health, etc. No photography is to be taken inside the temple.
Oasis 21
Opened in 2002, in Sakae area where the Oasis 21 is built as the multi-purpose complex. It is also called Spaceship-Aqua because of its symbolic thin veil of water that flows on the glass surface drawing a pattern of uncountable ripples of light. At the top level, there is a walking path surrounds the glass roof, allowing visitors to enjoy a stroll in the air 14 meters above ground.
Where?
Operating hour:
10:00~21:00
Cost?
Free
Duration:
1 Hour
How to get there?
Subway
Higashiyama/ Meijo-Line “Sakae” station Exit 4
Meitetsu “Sakae-Machi” station
Bus
Sightseeing Route Bus ME-GURU “Nagoya TV Tower” sta.
What to see?
At the top of Oasis 21
View of both Oasis 21 and Nagoya TV Tower.
Nagoya TV Tower
2-cents opinion:
Sadly to say, we did not spend much time around Oasis 21, it is located at Sakae station which is like our Singapore Orchard Road, the place to shop. If you are a shopaholic you can spend more than 2 hours here. For photo taking it will only take you maybe less than an hour, whether to go up the Nagoya TV Tower it will depend on your time and interests.