Chubu / 中部

Aichi

愛知県

Nagoya-meshi cuisine, Nagoya Castle’s golden shachi ornaments, and the birthplace of Toyota — Aichi is Japan’s hidden gem for culture, history and innovation.

🌸 Best Season: March–May, Oct–Nov
✈️ Access: Shinkansen to Nagoya (1.5 hr from Osaka, 1.7 hr from Tokyo)
🗣️ Language: Japanese / 日本語
💴 Currency: ¥ JPY

Aichi sits at Japan’s geographic and economic center, home to Nagoya — the country’s fourth-largest city. The prefecture boasts one of Japan’s finest castle reconstructions, a rich samurai heritage tied to warlords Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, and a fiercely proud local food culture known as ‘Nagoya-meshi,’ featuring flavors like red miso, chicken wings and hitsumabushi eel.

織田信長・豊臣秀吉・徳川家康の三英傑を生んだ愛知。名古屋城の金のしゃちほこ、赤みそを使った名古屋飯、そしてトヨタの工場見学まで、日本の産業と歴史を体感できる県です。

Recommended Omiyage

おすすめおみやげ 5選

Uiro

Uiro

ういろう

Steamed rice-flour cake in multiple flavors — Nagoya’s oldest and most iconic souvenir

Traditional ¥700–1,200 多彩な味
Nagoya Cochin Manju

Nagoya Cochin Manju

名古屋コーチン饅頭

Soft steamed bun filled with sweet bean paste, shaped like Nagoya’s famous chicken breed

Manju ¥1,000–1,500 Local Brand
Miso Katsu Sauce

Miso Katsu Sauce

みそカツのたれ

Nagoya’s signature red-miso sauce for pork cutlets — rich, savory and deeply umami

Sauce ¥500–800 Red Miso
Ebi Senbei

Ebi Senbei

えびせんべい

Paper-thin prawn crackers — a beloved specialty from the Chita Peninsula

Cracker ¥600–900 Seafood
Nagoya Castle Cookie
Confection

Nagoya Castle Cookie

名古屋城クッキー

Butter cookies shaped like the golden shachihoko fish — perfect photo-worthy souvenir

Cookie ¥800–1,200 Castle

Must-Visit Spots

おすすめスポット 5選

Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle

名古屋城

Iconic castle known for its golden shachihoko ornaments, symbol of Nagoya’s prosperity

Historic 9–16:30 ¥500
Toyota Commemorative Museum

Toyota Commemorative Museum

トヨタ産業技術記念館

From looms to cars — interactive museum tracing Toyota’s industrial journey

Industry 9:30–17 ¥500
Atsuta Shrine

Atsuta Shrine

熱田神宮

One of Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrines, housing the legendary Kusanagi sword

Sacred Always Free
Osu Shopping District

Osu Shopping District

大須商店街

Eclectic covered arcade mixing retro arcades, vintage fashion, street food and temples

Shopping 11–20 Free
SCMAGLEV and Railway Park

SCMAGLEV and Railway Park

リニア・鐵道館

Shinkansen and maglev museum showing Japan’s transport evolution

Transport 10–17:30 ¥1,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ‘morning service’ in Nagoya?

Nagoya coffee shops offer free toast, boiled egg and salad with any drink ordered before 11 am — a beloved local breakfast culture called ‘morning.’

名古屋のモーニングはドリンク代だけでトースト・ゆで卵・サラダが付いてくる喫茶店文化です。

How do I get from Nagoya to Kyoto or Osaka?

Shinkansen from Nagoya: Kyoto is about 35 minutes, Osaka (Shin-Osaka) is about 50 minutes. Very convenient for a day trip.

名古屋から新幹線で京都約35分、新大阪約50分。日帰り観光も可能です。

When is the best time to see cherry blossoms in Aichi?

Late March to early April. Tsuruma Park in Nagoya and the grounds of Nagoya Castle are among the best spots.

3月下旬〜4月上旬。鶴舞公園や名古屋城の桜が特に有名です。

Travel Tip

Get the ‘Donichi Eco Kippu’ subway day pass (¥620 on weekends/holidays) covering all Nagoya subway lines. Combine with a Nagoya Castle visit and Osu shopping to make the most of a single day.

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