Visiting Aichi: Nagoya, Inuyama and How to Plan the Days

Many Thai travellers only pass through Aichi on the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto, but the prefecture has enough to fill a short trip of its own. Nagoya is one of the largest cities in the country, with a castle, shrines, motor and industry museums, and a food culture you will struggle to find elsewhere. This guide covers how many days to spend, when to go and how to branch out to the surrounding towns.

Who it suits and how many days to spend

Aichi suits travellers who have already done Tokyo or Osaka and want something calmer, people who enjoy museums, crafts and regional food, and families who want a theme park or animation-themed site. If you want dense old temples and geisha districts as in Kyoto, or Tokyo's night-time energy, Aichi is a weaker match. With limited time, two days covers central Nagoya plus one nearby town. Three to four days lets you add Inuyama, Tokoname and the Ghibli Park area.

Best months and weather

Late March to early April brings cherry blossom, with Nagoya Castle and the riverbanks looking their best and the weather comfortable for walking. Late November is the autumn colour period, particularly in the hills in the east of the prefecture. Summer, from late June to September, is hot and very humid, with a rainy spell early on and a typhoon risk later. Winter is cold but often sunny, and heavy snow in the city is not typical. Check the forecast before you go and pack a light rain layer.

Getting there and getting around

There are two main entry points. One is Chubu Centrair Airport near Tokoname, which has a Meitetsu rail link straight into Nagoya Station. The other is the Tokaido Shinkansen, which stops at Nagoya. Inside the city, the subway covers most sights, for example the Higashiyama Line that links Nagoya Station and the Sakae district. Inuyama is reached on the Meitetsu Inuyama Line from Nagoya. Fares and timetables change, so check them with the operators.

• Nagoya is the easiest base because every direction connects from there.
• Most surrounding towns are easy day trips by private railway or JR.
• Some outlying sites need a local bus or branch line, so allow extra travel time.

Main sights

Nagoya Castle is the city's symbol, topped with its golden mythical fish. Atsuta Shrine is one of the most important Shinto shrines in Japan, with shaded grounds that are easy to walk. The Osu district offers market-style shopping and street food. For motoring fans, the Toyota-related museums in Nagoya and in Toyota City are options. In Inuyama, an old wooden castle stands beside the Kiso River and is a national treasure, with a small old town below it that fits a half-day walk.

Lesser-known stops

Tokoname is a pottery town near the airport, with a walking route past old kilns and workshops that suits a half-day before a flight. Okazaki is the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, with a castle and riverside gardens. The Chita Peninsula and Mikawa Bay are known for seafood and a small-town feel. Another option is the Expo Memorial Park in Nagakute, home to Ghibli Park, where the entry and advance-booking rules should be checked on the official site first.

Areas to know

Food and souvenirs

Nagoya food is often grouped as Nagoya-meshi. Signature dishes include miso katsu, a pork cutlet in rich miso sauce, hitsumabushi, grilled eel on rice eaten in three ways, tebasaki fried chicken wings, and miso-based noodles. The dark local miso is stronger than many visitors expect, so order one dish at a time to judge the flavour. Common souvenirs are red-bean sweets, Tokoname ceramics and Nagoya's traditional rice-flour sweets. If you avoid pork or have allergies, ask the restaurant before ordering.

Budget in broad terms

Four things drive the cost: the flight or Shinkansen ticket, accommodation, local transport and entry fees. Actual figures depend on the season, public holidays and how early you book, and hotels around Nagoya Station can rise when large events are on. Aichi can feel less costly than the most popular tourist cities in the same period, but compare using current websites because numbers in any article go out of date quickly.

Sample short plan

1. 1Day 1: central NagoyaNagoya Castle in the morning, miso katsu for lunch, then Sakae and Osu for the afternoon and evening.
2. 2Day 2：犬山Take the Meitetsu line to Inuyama, visit the castle and walk the old town, then return for hitsumabushi in Nagoya.
3. 3Day 3: Tokoname or Ghibli ParkChoose Tokoname if you fly out that day. Ghibli fans should check the advance ticketing and pick an entry date early.

When you move between towns or change trains, mobile data helps with maps, train times and translating menus. A Japan eSIM installed before departure is one option that saves hunting for a SIM at the airport.

日本のeSIMプランを見る

Good to know and FAQ