Best Tours and Itineraries around Nagoya
Located in the heart of Japan with easy access from Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, this modern and innovative city has a diverse food scene, rich history, great access to nature, a vibrant nightlife, and a bit of something for everyone. Serving as the gateway to Central Japan, Nagoya is an ideal place to stay as you travel across Japan.
— Best Itineraries around Nagoya
— Where to Stay When Visiting Nagoya
One of the largest and most easily accessible cities in Japan, Nagoya is well suited to a multi-day visit combining regional highlights with the many attractions of a large city. There are so many things to do in the region and when you want to move on, transportation is easy to any major city or destination by plane, train, or bus. Our tours are here to help you make the best out of your time in Japan and create experiences that will last for a lifetime.
WHERE IS NAGOYA?
Nagoya is located almost exactly halfway between Tokyo and Osaka. With Ise Bay to the south, the Hida Highlands to the North, and easy access to the many castle towns along the Nakasendo and Tokaido roads to the east and west, Nagoya makes for a great base offering easy access to a wide range of day trips. And while many international visitors pass through Nagoya en route to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and beyond without thinking to stop—those who do will find Nagoya to be the ideal location for travelers who wish to avoid the crowds and discover the hidden charms of Japan for themselves.
BEST TOURS AROUND NAGOYA
Nagoya and the surrounding region is filled with historical monuments, gorgeous nature, and plenty of one-of-a-kind experiences. With so many unique locations to choose from, our tours are designed to maximize your time and to connect you with the local people and culture of this beautiful region. The tours are divided geographically below, so whether you are looking for something close to Nagoya or farther away explore the links below and start planning your trip to Central Japan today!
Find your favorite day trip from Nagoya, or select a few which can easily be combined for a longer tour of the region. And discover why Nagoya is known as “the Heart of Japan.”
DAY TOURS IN NAGOYA
Foodie Trip through Nagoya / all year round
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Eat Like a Local in Nagoya | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 8:00-16:30 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
For those who prefer to eat their way through Japan, there probably aren’t many cities more “foodie-friendly” than Nagoya. With a large port and fertile plains, along with the wealth and resources of the powerful city of Samuri, Nagoya has long had access to a wide variety of foods distinctive from other regions of Japan.
This tour will not only give you a taste of the wonderful flavors of the region and introduce you to some of the most notable landmarks in the city, but also provide you with the confidence to go out and try more Nagoya Meshi on your own.
Garden Walk through Nagoya / all year round
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Guided Garden Walk through Nagoya’s Castle, Gardens, and Historic Estates | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 9:00 – 17:00 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
The castle city of Nagoya attracted samurai and craftsmen alike and, later, wealthy merchants and innovative leaders of industry. Today, Nagoya has cemented itself as Japan’s center of industry and is home to manufacturing giants such as Toyota, Brother, Noritake, Ibanez, Buffalo, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
This tour will take you into several historical estates and private gardens of these titans of industry. Marvel at the gilded artwork and golden screens in Honmaru Palace and sip tea while gazing at a garden designed for a daimyo as you are led by an experienced, English-speaking guide through Nagoya on this full-day tour.
Nagoya’s Industrial Legacy and Toyota’s Innovation / all year round
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Nagoya’s Industrial Legacy and Toyota’s Innovation | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 10:00-17:00 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
From automobiles to AI, and from Edo-Era lodgings to glass skyscrapers, this journey through Japan’s center of commerce will provide you with a glimpse into Nagoya’s industrial past and its dreams for a technological future as you are led through the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, the Noritake Garden Gallery, a well-preserved warehouse district from Nagoya’s Edo Era, and more!
DAY TRIPS FROM NAGOYA
Nagoya’s location makes it ideal for traveling to large cities and remote hidden gems alike. From the thatched roof houses of Shirakawa-go, to the captivating coastlines by the Ise Grand Shrine and from the winding trails of the Nakasendo Road to the hidden secrets of the Koka Ninja Village there truly is something for everyone in the Nagoya region.
Inuyama & Seki / all year round
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Samurai Swords and Japan’s Oldest Castle | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 9:00-16:30 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥21,900 ~ |
| Child Rate | ¥14,000 ~ |
Located just outside of Nagoya, travel with us to Inuyama and Seki to explore the oldest castle in Japan, a National Treasure teahouse, a “city of swords,” and the charms of Central Japan. Learn about the techniques behind crafting a Japanese sword, then test your own skills in sharpening a Japanese kitchen knife. Taste matcha and Japanese sweets and learn about the art of the tea ceremony in a tranquil Japanese garden.
Shirakawa-go & Takayama / all year round
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Hida Takayama and World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 8:30-18:30 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥24,900 |
| Child Rate | ¥12,900 |
Step into the past and savor the views of the Japanese countryside as you discover the historic towns of Hida-Takayama and Shirakawa-go in this retreat into the scenic countryside of Central Japan.
Ise / all year round
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Ise’s Sacred Shrines and Captivating Coastlines | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 9:00~18:00 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥24,900 |
| Child Rate | ¥19,900 |
Ise is not only blessed with abundant natural beauty, but the region is also home to Japan’s most sacred shrine, Ise-Jingu. Touring these sacred grounds is a special opportunity to understand the heart and soul of the Japanese people.
The Kiso Valley / all year round
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Embrace Rural Japan in the Kiso Valley and Magome | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 8:00-17:30 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥29,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥17,900 |
Escape to the mountains and enjoy a refreshing getaway through Japan’s picturesque Kiso Valley as you tour two historic villages on this day trip from Nagoya. Sip sake as you tour a 200-year-old brewery, and dine on a wide array of dishes at a farm-to-table buffet. Stroll down the streets of Magome-juku a post town on the Nakasendo trail, and enter Edo-era residences in Iwamura, a castle town once ruled by a powerful female samurai.
Ninja & the Tokaido Road / all year round
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Myths and Mystery of Ninja and the Tokaido Road | |
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| Period | all year round |
| Time | 9:00-17:00 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥24,900 |
| Child Rate | ¥12,900 |
Travel to the home of one of the most powerful ninja clans in Japan and step foot into the past as your guide leads you through real-life locations in search of the “real ninja.” This tour not only gives insight into the daily lives of ninja but also takes you along the most important route of Edo-era Japan, the Tokaido road, as you are led by an experienced English-speaking guide on this full-day tour from Nagoya.
TOURS IN THE REGION
If you are looking to continue on to other parts of Japan, there are other great tours for you too. These tours will make it easy for you to start your journey from Nagoya, and end your day in another location with new destinations to explore.
Hikone & Omi Hachiman / all year round
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Castles and Canals in Hikone and Omi Hachiman | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 9:00-18:00 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥28,900 |
| Child Rate | ¥24,000 |
For those looking for something to do between Nagoya and Kyoto, this tour will take you to two castle towns, Hikone—with one of the oldest castles in Japan, and Omi Hachiman—known for its charming canals. Taste Matcha, relax in peaceful gardens, and soak in the scenery as you travel along the coast of Japan’s largest lake, Lake Biwa.
Nakasendo Trail / April – December
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Hiking the Historic Nakasendo Trail | |
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| Period | March – June / September – December |
| Time | 10:00-18:00 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥24,900 |
| Child Rate | ¥12,900 |
Hike the historic Nakasendo trail from Tsumago-juku to Magome-juku as you take in the views of the lush forests, crystal-clear streams, and remote mountain villages—which have remained relatively untouched by the modern world. This tour will reward those who like to take the road less traveled and enjoy an adventurous experience into the heartland of Japan.
Rafting the Tenryu River / late-April to November
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Matsumoto: Tenryu River-Rafting & Fruit-Picking | |
| Period | late-April to November |
| Time | 8:00 |
| Meeting Place | Matsumoto Station |
| Price | ¥135,000 ~/ Group |
Turn-up the excitement with an afternoon of rafting on the Tenryu River led by a qualified instructor and accompanied by your English-speaking guide. Enjoy lunch at a popular local restaurant serving Japanese favorites including ‘soba’, ‘tempura’, ‘katsudon’ and more, and pick in-season fruits for yourself at a local farm along the Tenryu River.
BEST ITINERARIES AROUND NAGOYA
There are many great locations in Central Japan so why not combine them together? This section has a selection of some of our tours that you have already read about above and interesting ways to combine them. One of the greatest benefits of these tours is the transportation. You can relax and enjoy the tour as you travel across the region and finish in a city where you can continue your trip easily. The selection of tours is ever expanding so check back for more later or inquire with us if you are interested in something specific!
— 3-Day Nagoya Highlights Trip
3 DAY ITINERARY AROUND NAGOYA / ALL YEAR ROUND
Only have time for a short trip to Nagoya? This 3-day itinerary allows you to make the most of your time in the region and conveniently returns to Nagoya each night—thus making it possible to stay in same hotel each night.
Click the link below to explore each day of this itinerary individually and begin your Nagoya adventure today!
4 DAY ADVENTURE ITINERARY FROM NAGOYA / late-April to November
This itinerary is perfect for the adventure seekers and those looking for a more active adventure through the Japanese countryside.
From this itinerary, you can continue your journey through Central Japan making your way through Nagano to Kanazawa and beyond, or you can head back to Nagoya or Tokyo for all the excitement of the cities.
Click the link below to explore each day of this itinerary individually
10 DAY ULTIMATE DISCOVER JAPAN ITINERARY FROM NAGOYA / ALL YEAR ROUND
A 10-day adventure of culture, cuisine, and captivating landmarks! Discover Japan’s hidden gems as you are led by our English-speaking guides as they take you off the beaten path.
This itinerary takes you deep through Central Japan and connects you to the people, history, and culture of this beautiful and diverse region of Japan. You’ll see three of the five National Treasure Castles, Japan’s most sacred shrine, the famous snow monkeys, and so much more!
Click the link below to explore each day of this itinerary individually
PRIVATE TOURS AND CHARTERS
PRIVATE CHARTERS
If you are looking for transportation to/from major destinations, our company is happy to help! Our buses and vehicles are suitable for single travelers, couples, families and groups of up to 45 people. Click the button below to browse some of our popular charters and to inquire directly.
PRIVATE TOURS
In addition to providing transportation, we can also accommodate your tour needs by providing guides with the itinerary of your choice. If there are tours that you want us to conduct or if you want to adjust our current tours to your needs, feel free to contact us. There are a number of private tours already on our website that allow you to enjoy our tours without the stress of having to worry about other guests, so check those out, too. Click on the button below to make an inquiry.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING NAGOYA
As one of Japan’s largest cities, Nagoya has a variety of accommodations to suit every traveler’s preferences and budget.
The area immediately around Nagoya Station has many large hotels—ranging from high-end to budget—including some inside the station itself.
Located a short subway ride away from Nagoya station, the Sakae area of Nagoya is the city’s main shopping and entertainment district. As such the area has many great options for travelers looking to enjoy the city’s fine dining or nightlife.
For travelers looking for a more traditional stay, Nagoya and the surrounding areas also have many traditional ‘ryokan’ to choose from.
Most hotels are located in and around Nagano Station and nearby Sakae Station while travelers with early or late flights out of Chubu Centrair might consider staying around the airport. Our ‘Best Places to Stay in Nagoya’ page provides information about each of those areas including links to accommodation listings.
