Nagoya Day Tour

Pick-up from hotel in Nagoya (or can arrange pickup from Nagoya Station)

Nagoya Castle, approach this magnificent fortress originally built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1610 (reconstructed in 1950s after WWII bombing), marvel at massive stone walls and expansive moats, visit Honmaru Palace, stunning reconstruction completed 2018 with authentic screen paintings, gold leaf decorations, and traditional architecture showing feudal lord's lifestyle, walk through beautifully restored rooms (Genkan entrance hall, audience chambers, private quarters), enter castle keep's museum with exhibits on castle history, Tokugawa family, and samurai culture, climb to observation floors for city views, see replicas of famous golden shachihoko (mythical tiger-headed fish with carp body) that top the castle - symbols of Nagoya, photograph the impressive castle structure from Ninomaru Garden, learn about castle's strategic importance in unifying Japan

Drive to Toyota Commemorative Museum (20 minutes)

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, housed in original red-brick factory where Toyota started as Toyoda Automatic Loom Works in 1911, Textile Machinery Pavilion: see founder Sakichi Toyoda's revolutionary circular loom and other weaving machines in action, understand how Toyota began with textiles before switching to automobiles, Automobile Pavilion: trace evolution of Toyota cars from 1936 Model AA to modern hybrids, see robots assembling cars, interactive displays showing engineering innovations like the Prius hybrid system, learn about Toyota's kaizen (continuous improvement) philosophy that influenced global manufacturing, hands-on exhibits and working displays make it fascinating even for non-car enthusiasts, museum café for light refreshments if desired

Lunch at museum café or nearby restaurant, perfect time to try Nagoya specialties: miso-katsu (pork cutlet with thick red miso sauce - Nagoya's signature dish), kishimen (wide flat udon noodles), or tebasaki (peppery fried chicken wings), lunch not included - typical cost ¥1,200-2,000

Drive to Osu area (10 minutes)

Osu Kannon Temple & Osu Shopping District, visit Osu Kannon, popular Buddhist temple rebuilt in 1970 with impressive vermillion main hall and huge red paper lantern, temple attracts locals for prayers and various festivals, walk to surrounding Osu Shopping District, network of covered shopping arcades (shotengai) with 1,200+ shops, eclectic mix: traditional kimono shops, cutting-edge electronics stores, vintage clothing boutiques, anime/manga specialty shops, street food vendors, this is where Nagoya locals actually shop (unlike touristy areas), browse for unique souvenirs, gadgets, or fashion at reasonable prices, try street food like taiyaki (fish-shaped cake) or fresh mochi, experience authentic local shopping atmosphere - much more interesting than typical tourist areas

Drive to Sakae district (10 minutes)

Sakae - Nagoya's modern downtown, see Oasis 2, futuristic glass and steel structure housing bus terminal topped with 'water spaceship' (oval glass roof with water flowing on top), walk on glass roof for unique perspective and city views, see Nagoya TV Tower - Japan's oldest TV tower (built 1954, now called Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER), 180m observation deck offers city panorama (optional ascent ¥900), browse underground shopping complex beneath Sakae or walk Hisaya Odori Park, experience contrast of ultra-modern architecture (Oasis 21) with Showa-era tower, feel the energy of Nagoya's business and entertainment hub

Optional: Choose one additional stop based on interests, Option A: Tokugawa Art Museum - extensive collection of samurai armor, swords, tea ceremony utensils, and illustrated Tale of Genji scrolls (National Treasures), adjacent Tokugawa Garden offers beautiful Japanese strolling garden, Option B: Atsuta Shrine - one of Japan's most important Shinto shrines (houses sacred sword Kusanagi, one of three Imperial Regalia), walk peaceful forested grounds despite urban location, Option C: Noritake Garden - porcelain heritage site with museum, craft center to watch artisans paint china, gardens and original kilns, Option D: More shopping time in Sakae or return to favorite area

Early dinner or snack featuring Nagoya specialties if not tried at lunch, hitsumabushi (Nagoya's style of grilled eel on rice - eaten three ways: plain, with condiments, as ochazuke with tea/broth poured over), tebasaki at world-famous Sekai no Yamachan or Furaibo chains, miso nikomi udon (hearty miso stew with thick noodles), dinner not included but driver can recommend excellent local restaurants

Drop-off at Nagoya hotel or station