Nagoya Sights

Full Nagoya Travel Guide »    Nagoya Interactive Map »    Print This Article »

Nagoya Port Aquarium

• Port of Nagoya Aquarium (名古屋港水族館 Nagoya-ko-suizoukan), (A short walk from Subway Nagoyako Stn. (Meiko line)), ☎ +81-52-654-7080, www.nagoyaaqua.jp. Open daily 9:30AM-5:00PM (until 8:00PM Jul 21-Aug 31). (site in Japanese) Large aquarium featuring a number of different marine environments. Adults ¥2,000.

• Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology (トヨタ産業技術記念館　Toyota-sangyou-gijutsu-kinenkan), 4-1-35 Noritake Shinmachi, Nishi-ku (3 minute walk from Meitetsu Sako Stn (Nagoya line), 10-minute walk from exit 2, Subway: Kamejima Station (Higashiyama Line)), ☎ +81-52-551-6115, www.tcmit.org/english/index.html. Tu-Su 9:30AM-5:00PM (Last admission 4:30PM), (restaurant open until 9:00PM), Closed M, (T if M is a holiday), New Years' holidays. Built on the site of one of Toyota's original loom factories, this museum tells the story of the Toyota corporation, from its beginnings as an industrial loom manufacturer to its transformation into one of the world's largest car manufacturers. Includes large loom machinery and car display halls as well as a hands-on "Technoland" with interactive science exhibits. Museum also includes a library, video library with personal viewing booths, restaurant, cafe, and gift shop. Displays, brochures, and audioguides available in English and several other languages. Barrier-free access for disabled visitors. FREESPOT Wi-Fi access available. Adults ¥500, Jr. & Sr. high school students: ¥300, Elem. School Students: ¥200.

• Nagoya City Art Museum (名古屋市美術館　Nagoya-shi-bijutsukan), 2-17-25 Sakae, Naka-ku (8 mins on foot S of Fushimi stn (Higashiyama, Tsurumai Line), exit 5), ☎ +81-52-212-0001, www.ncvb.or.jp/kankou_e/40/index.html. Tu-Su 9:30-5:00PM(F 9:30-8:00PM) (Last admission 30mins before closing). Closed M, (T when M is a national holiday), Dec 29-Jan 3. Collection of 2,000 works including pieces by Modigliani, Laurencin, and Utrillo, as well as those of local artists, such as Takanori Ogisu and Tamiji Kitagawa. Permanent Collection: Adults ¥300, Students (over 16): ¥200, (under 15): Free.

• Nagoya Castle (名古屋城 Nagoya-jō), (Subway: Shiyakusho Stn (Meijo line). 5 min. walk from exit 7.), ☎ +81-52-231-1700, www.nagoyajo.city.nagoya.jp/13_english/index.html. Open daily 9:00-4:30PM. Closed Dec 29-Jan 1. Trumpeted as a famous landmark, particularly the two golden carp (金の鯱 kin-no-shachi) on the roof. The original castle was home to Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan's famous warlords. Largely destroyed during the war, the current castle is a concrete replica of the original, and was completed in 1959. The Castle houses an interesting museum (no flash photography on 1st floor), observation deck, and surrounding gardens. Adults: ¥500, Jr. high school students and younger: free.

• Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮 Atsuta Jingū), Jingūmae station. This shrine houses the sacred Kusanagi no mitsurugi (草薙神剣) sword, one of the three Imperial regalia of Japan — but unfortunately nobody but the emperor and a few high priests get to see it. There are some 4,400 other artifacts on the grounds though and the shrine hosts some 70 festivals every year.

• Toyota Automobile Museum, (Take the Higashiyama subway line to Fujigaoka, then take the Linimo line to Geidei-dori), ☎ +81-56-163-5155, www.toyota.co.jp/Museum/index.html. 9:30-5PM, closed M and holidays. Large collection of cars from many countries and manufacturers, up until about 1980. About 1/4 of the collection is dedicated to post-war Japanese cars. Restaurant on-site. ¥1000.

• Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts (名古屋ボストン美術館 Nagoya-bosuton-bijutsukan), 1-1-1 Kanayama-cho, Naka-ku (next to Kanayama station), ☎ +81-52-684-0786, www.nagoya-boston.or.jp. Tu-F 10AM-7PM, Sa, Sun, Hols 10AM-5PM Closed M. Like any world-class art museum, the MFA in Boston has far more in its archives than it can reasonably display. This sister institution is one way to make the most of the extensive collection. Student / Adult admission: ¥300/400 for the general collection, ¥900/1200 for special exhibits.

• Nittaiji Temple (日泰寺), 1-1 Hohocho, Chikusa-ku, tel. +81-52-751-2121, kikuko.web.infoseek.co.jp/english/nittai-ji.html. Among the 165,000 square meters of temple grounds is the 15 meter Gandala-style Taian Pagoda, which houses relics of the Buddha that were presented to Japan by the king of Thailand.

• Shirakawa Park. Beautiful trees, Nagoya Science and Modern Art Museums. South of Fushimi subway station.

• Tokugawa Art Museum (徳川美術館), 1017, Tokugawa-cho, Higashi-ku (Located 10 minutes on foot from the South exit of JR Ozone stn. (JR Chuo line), or a 15 minute walk from exit 3 of Ozone Subway Station (Meijo line).), ☎ +81-52-935-6262, www.tokugawa-art-museum.jp/english/index.html. 10AM-5PM (last admission 4:30PM). Displays some treasures of the Tokugawa family. Located next door to the beautiful Tokugawa-en Japanese gardens (additional admission charge required).

• Koshoji Temple, (5 min walk from Subway Yagoto stn (Meijo, Tsurumai lines)), ☎ +81-52-832-2801. Koshoji Temple was established in the 17th century by the Tokugawa family. The temple hosts the annual "1,000 Lantern Festival." There are numerous restaurants and universities surrounding the Koshoji Temple area.

• Shiroyama Hakusan Shrine, (5 min walk uphill N. of Motoyama stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines)). Formerly the Suemori Castle, the present day Shrine hosts festivals that feature Japanese dance and music.

• Toganji Temple, (Motoyama stn. (Higashiyama, Meijo lines)). Dating back to the 16th century, this temple features a statue of the seated Buddha and has many ties to Hindu religion, particularly a temple honoring the Goddess Saraswati, who is honored in a Benzaiten Festival every May 7-8. Toganji also contains a huge wood block said to purge past sins if touched with one hand.

• Nagoya City Science Museum, (Fushimi stn., exit 5). 9:30AM-5PM; closed Monday. Located in the city centre, this museum houses samurai armory and weaponry. ¥300.

• Arako Kannon Temple (荒子観音), Arako-cho, Nakagawa-ku (SE of Takabata subway station (Higashiyama line). Walk S from the major crossroads with Yagumo-dori. Follow the sign to reach the temple, which is a few hundred meters down the street, on the S side.), ☎ +81-52-361-1778. This small temple is the oldest building in Nagoya, with original construction on the site dating from the Heian Period (8th century). Despite several fires which destroyed older portions of the temple, the Tahoto pagoda on site remains intact after 472 years.

• Osu Kannon Temple (大須観音), 21-47 Osu 2-chome, Naka-ku Nagoya (S of Osu Kannon subway stn. (Tsurumai line), exit 2), ☎ +81-52-231-6525, www.ohsu.co.jp/kan_e.html. Founded in the Kamakura era (1192-1333), this temple was moved to its current location by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612. The present main temple on the site was reconstructed in 1970. Check out the main hall or buy an お守り (omamori) charm in the gift shop for good luck. The grounds in front of the temple are host to a small flea market twice every month.