Nagoya, Japan’s fourth-largest city, boasts an array of world-class attractions from world-class museums to historic shrines and temples.
Sheraton also houses the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, an engaging destination for car enthusiasts. Here you’ll learn all about how Toyota began in this industry. You can easily fly into Nagoya with Cathay Pacific and you will experience places like the following.
Sea Life Nagoya
Sea Life Nagoya, situated within LEGOLAND Japan Resort, is an aquarium dedicated to local ecology. Here you can explore the Kiso River and meet some of its fish inhabitants.
Experience a world of sharks, clownfish and anemones up close! Not only can you learn about these fascinating creatures, but you also get to interact with them!
Nagoya Port Aquarium is one of Japan’s best places to witness some magnificent animal displays, from dolphin and killer whale shows to otherworldly aquatic attractions. Here, visitors can witness some truly magnificent creatures in one of the world’s largest pools!
Visit the park for an array of enjoyable and educational activities, such as interactive exhibits and rides. Plus, you can purchase your tickets in advance for extra savings and convenience.
Sea Life Nagoya is an ideal attraction for families with children. It features an array of exhibits and activities suitable to children of all ages to enjoy.
SEA Life Nagoya, Japan’s first of its kind, offers visitors an immersive experience into the oceans and marine animals around the world. Here you’ll find a vibrant collection of sharks, coral reefs, and other species from around the globe.
Here, there are plenty of attractions to enjoy throughout the day, such as an ‘Orchard of the World’ where visitors can learn about and sample exotic fruits from around the globe. Additionally, numerous restaurants and shops can be found on site so that visitors can spend their entire day here.
At LEGOLAND Japan Resort, don’t miss the Factory. Here, you can take a guided tour through an actual LEGO factory and learn how bricks are created. At the end of your experience, take home a souvenir to remember!
For younger kids, the park also features a free-to-build area where they can create their own masterpieces. This makes for an excellent option for parents looking for something more interactive than typical rides and shows.
The LEGOLAND Hotel is an excellent option for those looking to spend the night and get some rest before returning to the park. At an unbeatable value, it’s conveniently situated close to town center.
Arimatsu Tie-dyeing Museum
For those seeking to experience the ancient Japanese art of tie-dyeing, Arimatsu is one of the best destinations. Situated along Tokaido road, this picturesque town is lined with traditional wooden buildings and shrines.
At the Arimatsu Tie-dye Museum, visitors can experience a range of attractions and activities to enjoy, such as an exhibition hall, store and hands-on workshop. Here they can gain knowledge about Arimatsu Shibori’s history while watching videos that showcase its process.
About 1,300 years ago, the Arimatsu Shibori technique was brought to Japan from China and used for creating kimono and other high-quality cloths. Over time however, demand for these traditional tie-dyeing methods diminished, being replaced by industrial processes in favor of faster turnaround times.
Local dyers who have preserved the traditional techniques are still producing stunning Kimono and Yukata as well as Noren (Japanese curtains or fabric room dividers). Nowadays, Arimatsu has become a renowned destination for Shibori artists and its townscape has been preserved through Arimatsu Townscape.
Visit to the Arimatsu Tie-Dyeing museum is a must when in town. Here, you can see traditional Arimatsu Shibori fabrics as well as watch an introduction video about the process in English. On the first floor there’s a shop selling tie-dyed items and on the second there is both an exhibition hall and workshop area.
At Takeda Shokuro’s monument to Arimatsu tie-dyeing and Suzuki Kinzo who revived it, you’ll find a memorial service held annually to honor their accomplishments.
After leaving the museum, we continued our walk down Tokaido road and passed a traditional Arimatsu house with its wide main entrance facing streets. Above its eaves hung a sign reading “Haribun”.
Once inside, we found three women – including the owner – working on a tie-dyeing project. A unique technique called yunoshi (steam ironing) is employed to bring out the colors in this fabric dyed with natural dyes.
This intricate process necessitates several specialized steps, from mold carving to image printing and knot tying to dyeing. Furthermore, the artist must use washable inks made from flowers or stings as washable inks for this step. Once complete, the fabric is sent off to a specialist dye factory where it can take up to four days for dyeing!
Nagoya Castle
Nagoya is home to many iconic attractions, but one of the most renowned is its magnificent castle. Situated at the center of town, this historical landmark should not be missed by any traveler visiting the region.
Nagoya Castle is situated within a large park and can be easily reached from Nagoya Station by subway or bus. During the summer months, there are also concerts and shows held on its grounds – making for an entertaining and unique experience.
As you approach the complex, behold the impressive main gate and its surrounding stone walls. Additionally, there are several smaller sets of gates set into both inner and outer walls which were utilized for different purposes.
Inside, you’ll find many fascinating museums and exhibitions. These include displays of swords and shields used during feudal times.
The tower keep is a renowned tourist destination. Its white walls and green corroded metal roofs are adorned with two golden Kinshachi, mythical figures half fish and half tiger that were given to the Owari Tokugawa clan by Emperor Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612.
Though it can be somewhat challenging to take in the splendor of this structure during daylight hours, you won’t miss a thing when its lights shine brightly at night. Additionally, Bon Odori – a traditional Japanese dance performed during summer months – often takes place here as well.
Once you’ve taken in the sights of the castle, head to Ninomaru East Garden for a peaceful walk through this picturesque space. You can also grab an aperitif or snack from one of the nearby small shops.
For something more active, why not visit the nearby city science museum? It boasts one of the world’s largest planetariums and offers an array of scientific displays.
At the castle, you can watch Hattori Hanzo and the Ninja performance for an insight into Japan’s secret agents of years past. This group consists of seven Ninja who perform regularly at both the castle and Centrair International Airport.
SCMAGLEV Railway Park
For fans of trains, SCMAGLEV Railway Park in Nagoya is a must-visit. This museum showcases Japanese train technology’s history and how it has affected society and culture over time.
The museum is just a short walk from Kinjofuto Station on the Aonami Line, but you can also reach it by train from Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka.
At the core of the museum is a vast complex that houses various railway vehicles, from an antique steam engine to the futuristic “maglev.” Each train here is impressive and thrilling to view; particularly impressive is the maglev which uses superconducting magnets to propel itself through the air at speeds up to 603 km/h (375 mph).
Most railway museums showcase historical depictions of trains that have shaped our lives, but SCMAGLEV places an emphasis on tomorrow’s technologies – particularly maglev travel.
This new technology is being tested for high speed rail lines between Tokyo and Nagoya and Osaka. It’s anticipated to be ready for public use by 2027.
If you’re taking your children to the museum with you, they’ll love learning about different types of trains and how they have shaped society. Plus, they’ll get up close and personal with actual trains!
One of the greatest features of this museum is that it’s wheelchair accessible. It has several elevators and washrooms designed with people in wheelchairs in mind for ease of access.
The museum also provides an English audio guide. You can rent an iPad touch screen audio guide for 500 yen, which provides explanations and additional details about each train.
SCMAGLEV Railway Park boasts a number of exciting attractions for visitors of all ages. These areas include a train driving simulator, miniature display space and kids corner – popular with adults as well as children of all ages.
SCMAGLEV Railway Park boasts the added bonus of being near Nagoya’s Legoland theme park, making it a perfect addition to any family getaway.
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