Arrival + Nagoya Castle + Sakae
Arrive from Tokyo, castle, first Nagoya food
Day 1 Locations
Itinerary
- 12:30 PM Nozomi 33 departs Tokyo Station
Green Car 10, Seat 10-D. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
- 2:09 PM Arrive Nagoya Station
Nozomi 33 pulls in. Your luggage was sent ahead from Tokyo via Yamato — it should be at the hotel already.
- 2:15 PM Late Lunch at Nagoya Station
Nagoya's signature flat udon noodles. Eki (station) kishimen is a tradition — there are stand-up noodle shops right on the platform and in the underground concourse. Quick, cheap, delicious.
- 1:00 PM Nagoya Castle
Subway Higashiyama Line to Sakae, then Meijo Line to Shiyakusho (~15 min total). The castle keep is currently closed for reconstruction in wood (to match the original), but the grounds and Honmaru Palace are spectacular. The palace rooms have stunning painted fusuma (sliding doors) recreated using traditional techniques. Cherry blossoms on the grounds.
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In Sakae, Nagoya's main entertainment and shopping district. ~15 min subway from castle.
- 3:30 PM Walk Sakae District
Nagoya's central entertainment area. Oasis 21 is a striking glass-roofed "spaceship" structure with shops below and a rooftop walkway. TV Tower (Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER) nearby — Nagoya's version of Tokyo Tower, Japan's oldest TV tower (1954).
- 4:30 PM Hisaya Odori Park
Tree-lined park running through central Sakae. Good for a relaxed stroll. Cherry blossoms if timing is right. Connects Oasis 21 to TV Tower.
- 5:30 PM Taikounoyu Sento
Large bath facility near Nagoya Station with multiple bath types. Take the subway back toward the station area.
- 7:30 PM Hitsumabushi Dinner
Nagoya's most famous dish — grilled eel (unagi) over rice, eaten three ways: plain, with condiments, then as ochazuke (with broth). Atsuta Horaiken is the legendary spot (expect a wait), or find a good one near Sakae. Rich, satisfying.
Tips
- Nagoya Castle keep is closed for wooden reconstruction — but Honmaru Palace is the real draw
- Hitsumabushi is a must-try — the three-way eating style is unique to Nagoya
- Oasis 21 is best at dusk when the glass roof lights up
- You're arriving from Tokyo — keep it relaxed