Nagoya

Nagoya is a rail hub in central Japan known for its rebuilt castle, Atsuta Shrine and the local dishes called Nagoya meshi.

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Nagoya is the capital of Aichi Prefecture, on Japan's Pacific coast in central Honshu. It is the largest city in the Chūbu region and sits on the Nōbi Plain, north of Ise Bay. Nagoya Station is said to be the largest station in the world by floor area, and trains on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen reach Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto from it. Automobiles are the city's best-known industry.

Nagoya Castle, rebuilt in reinforced concrete after the May 1945 air raids, is known for the golden tiger-headed carp on its roof. Atsuta Shrine, a Shinto shrine that ranks just behind Ise Grand Shrine in Japan, is also in the city. Nagoya meshi is the food draw, from tebasaki chicken wings to hitsumabushi, grilled eel served in a lidded wooden box. Summers are hot and humid, with highs that can reach 40°C, so spring and autumn suit outdoor sightseeing best.

Nagoya in five

Book Ghibli Park tickets before your hotelTickets are date-specific and go on sale at 2pm Japan time on the 10th of each month for the month two ahead. Popular dates sell out.Ghibli Park tickets and how to visit
Base yourself at Nagoya Station or SakaeThe station suits early shinkansen and Hida trains. Sakae has the evening food streets and a direct subway line to Fujigaoka for Ghibli Park.
Skip the castle keep, see the palaceThe main keep has been closed since 2018 while the city plans a wooden rebuild. The grounds and the rebuilt Honmaru Palace are open.
Visit Atsuta Shrine in the morningOne of Shinto's most important shrines sits about 10 minutes from Nagoya Station by Meitetsu. The grounds are free to enter and quietest early.
Use Nagoya as the gate to TakayamaThe Wide View Hida limited express runs Nagoya to Takayama in about 2.5 hours, and the JR Pass covers it.Takayama travel guide

Things to do in Nagoya

See all attractions in Nagoya

Gymnasts hugging on chairs in a purple arena at the Asian Games

Sight · NagoyaNagoya-jō

Museum · NagoyaSCMaglev and Railway ParkBook the Shinkansen simulator in advance. The other simulators are walk-in.

Two people walk through a historic castle gate

Museum · NagoyaArimatsu Narumi Shibori Tie-Dyeing Museum

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to NagoyaPut the places you like in Nagoya on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Getting there: Shinkansen: Tokyo about 1 h 40, Kyoto about 35 min
Getting around: Subway, plus the Linimo maglev for Ghibli Park
Best base: Nagoya Station for rail, Sakae for evenings
Time needed: 1 day for the city, 2 with Ghibli Park
Ghibli Park: Date-specific tickets, sold from the 10th, two months ahead

Weather by month

Rainy days
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh9°Low1°Cold, dry
FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh10°Low1°Cold, dry
MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low5°Plum blossom
AprilRain11 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°Cherry blossom
MayRain13 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Golden Week
JuneRain15 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Rainy season
JulyRain17 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Hot, humid
AugustRain17 rainy daysHigh33°Low25°Hottest
SeptemberRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Typhoon risk
OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Clear, mild
NovemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Autumn color
DecemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh11°Low3°Cold, clear

Average daily high and low in Nagoya, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Mar Hōnen Matsuri · May Tado Festival · Jul Owari Tsushima Tennō Festival · Aug Ishidori Matsuri

Right now in Nagoya

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 12°
Humidity: 88%
Wind: 8 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Nagoya

05:37 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+9

Today22°12°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed21°11°40%Wednesday: Rain. High 21°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 40%.
Thu21°14°73%Thursday: Rain. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 73%.
Fri22°13°16%Friday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 16%.
Sat15°9°0%Saturday: Clear. High 15°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun15°8°2%Sunday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 2%.
Mon17°8°2%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 2%.

Updated 02:20 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY

Amount

Converted to

JPY · Japanese Yen

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Nagoya

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Every year

MarHōnen MatsuriNagoya
MayTado FestivalNagoya
JulOwari Tsushima Tennō FestivalNagoya
AugIshidori MatsuriNagoya

Day trips by train

TakayamaAbout 2.5 hours by Wide View HidaOld town, morning markets and the gateway to Shirakawa-go.Read the guide
KyotoAbout 35 min by shinkansenTemples and Gion, easier as a stop than a day return.Read the guide
MatsumotoAbout 2 to 2.5 hours by limited expressA National Treasure castle and the gate to Kamikochi.Read the guide
InuyamaAbout 30 min by MeitetsuA hilltop castle keep above the Kiso River.

Before you go to Nagoya

Shinkansen to NagoyaTokyo, Kyoto and Osaka legsSee pass prices

Ghibli Park ticketsDate-specific, no refundsBook timed entry

eSIM for JapanData plans for city and trainRead the guide

Travel insurance for JapanWhat hospitals ask forRead the guide

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Rules for Nagoya, checked

Ghibli Park tickets cannot be refunded or changed after booking, and resale is prohibited.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source

All Nagoya guides

Nagoya castle stands tall against a blue sky

How toGhibli Park tickets: how to buy them and plan the visitChecked Oct 3, 2026

Plan around Nagoya

Is the JR Pass worth it?

Price Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka before you buy.

Read the guide Best time to visit Japan

Blossom, autumn color, rainy season and typhoons.

Read the guide Money in Japan

Cash, cards and IC cards, and where cash still rules.

Read the guide Best eSIM for Japan

Data plans compared for trains and cities.

Read the guide

Nagoya FAQ

Is Nagoya worth visiting?

Yes, for Ghibli Park, Atsuta Shrine and local food such as miso katsu and hitsumabushi. It has fewer classic sights than Kyoto, so most visitors give it one or two nights, or use it as a base for Takayama and Matsumoto.

How many days do you need in Nagoya?

One full day covers Atsuta Shrine, the castle grounds and Sakae. Add a second day for Ghibli Park, which needs most of a day on its own.

Where should I stay in Nagoya?

Near Nagoya Station if you are catching trains, and Sakae if you want food and nightlife on foot. Fushimi is the cheaper business-hotel option between them.

Can you buy Ghibli Park tickets on the day?

No. Tickets are date-specific and sold in advance, on the 10th of each month at 2pm Japan time for the month two ahead. Check the official ticket page and book as soon as your dates are set.

Can you go inside Nagoya Castle?

Not the main keep, which has been closed since 2018. You can walk the grounds and visit the rebuilt Honmaru Palace, which is open to visitors.

How far is Nagoya from Tokyo and Kyoto?

About 1 hour 40 minutes from Tokyo and about 35 minutes from Kyoto by shinkansen. Single tickets usually beat a JR Pass on this route.