Aichi
Chubu
Hub of Japanese industry with Nagoya Castle, Toyota's birthplace, and Inuyama's hilltop fortress.
Capital
Nagoya
Best Time to Visit
Spring (late March to April) for Nagoya Castle cherry blossoms; autumn for Inuyama Castle foliage. Nagoya is a year-round destination with excellent indoor attractions.
Getting There
Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya (1h 40min, ~¥11,000). Nagoya is the main hub between Tokyo and Osaka on the Tokaido Shinkansen.
Top Highlights
Nagoya Castle
Imposing castle with iconic golden shachi (tiger-fish) roof ornaments — birthplace of Oda Nobunaga and center of the Owari domain.
Toyota Commemorative Museum
Fascinating museum tracing Toyota's evolution from automatic looms to automobiles, with working machinery demonstrations.
Inuyama Castle
Japan's oldest original castle (1537), perched on a cliff above the Kiso River with sweeping views — one of only 12 surviving originals.
Meiji Mura
Open-air architectural museum preserving 60+ buildings from the Meiji period, including Frank Lloyd Wright's original Imperial Hotel lobby.
Local Cuisine
Miso Katsu
Nagoya's signature dish: crispy pork cutlet drenched in rich, thick hatcho miso sauce — dark, salty, and deeply savory.
Hitsumabushi
Grilled eel over rice eaten three ways: first plain, then with condiments, finally as ochazuke (with green tea poured over).
Kishimen
Wide, flat udon noodles in clear dashi broth — a Nagoya staple sold in station shops and traditional restaurants alike.
Stay Connected in Aichi
Yesim eSIMs activate on arrival — no SIM swap needed. Japan data plans from $5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nagoya worth visiting between Tokyo and Kyoto?+
Very much so. A half-day or full day stopover in Nagoya offers world-class castle, excellent museums, unique cuisine, and easy connections to Gifu and the Ise Peninsula.
Things to Do in Aichi
12 sustainable experiences
Little Kyoto Nishio :Enjoy matcha & the first classic book museum
Nishio City Historical Park is a new historical and cultural center that conveys the life of the past by partially restoring “Nishio Castle,” which was the center of the Nishio clan‘s Rokumangoku castle town until the Edo period. In this plan, you can learn about the history of Nishio by visiting th
From US$122.76
Nishio Matcha Story｜Tea Ceremony & Matcha Kaiseki Journey
Highlights -Journey into Nishio, Japan’s historic hometown of premium matcha cultivation -Discover the story of matcha through stone-milling, tea ceremony, and whisking -Learn from a licensed tea master in a noble family’s historic tea room -Conclude with a refined Kaiseki (multi-course meal) inspir
From US$226.14
Nishio Matcha Story｜Tea Ceremony & Matcha Kaiseki Journey
Highlights -Journey into Nishio, Japan’s historic hometown of premium matcha cultivation -Discover the story of matcha through stone-milling, tea ceremony, and whisking -Learn from a licensed tea master in a noble family’s historic tea room -Conclude with a refined Kaiseki (multi-course meal) inspir
From US$224.65
Unique Matcha Experience in Nishio: Matcha Tour and Matcha Making
Nishio, is a small town located in the south-central part of Aichi Prefecture. Nishio is known for being one of the major production areas of matcha along with Uji (Kyoto) and Kyoto proper. The quality of Nishio matcha is highly recognized throughout the country and overseas. This one day experience
From US$70.6
Unique Matcha Experience in Nishio: Matcha Tour and Matcha Making
Nishio, is a small town located in the south-central part of Aichi Prefecture. Nishio is known for being one of the major production areas of matcha along with Uji (Kyoto) and Kyoto proper. The quality of Nishio matcha is highly recognized throughout the country and overseas. This one day experience
From US$71.07
Aichi: Meiji Village & Japan’s Modernization Journey
Explore the transformative Meiji era at Meiji Village, an open-air museum showcasing authentic structures from Japan's modernization period. This guided experience adapts to your interests, allowing you to choose from express visits to in-depth explorations of historic buildings that illustrate Japa
From US$110.81
Exclusive Karakuri Puppet Performance and Viewing in Aichi
The journey begins with an exclusive demonstration by the master puppet creator: Shobei Tamaya IX. In the privacy of this personal encounter, you will witness firsthand the exquisite craftsmanship of both Inuyama Festival float Karakuri and Zashiki (tatami room) Karakuri, enriched by Shobei’s expert
From US$1,938.32
Inuyama Ware Pottery Experience
You can recreate the potter's wheel experience as many times as you like. You can create it as many times as you like until you are satisfied. Please create your favorite utensils such as rice bowls, plates, tea cups, etc. You can also choose the color when finished. The craftsmen's talk will be uni
From US$193.83
Nagoya: National Treasure Inuyama Castle & Tea Room Private Tour
Discover Inuyama’s rich history and charm on this private guided tour. Start at Inuyama Station and explore the historic Castle Town, with stops at the Donden-kan and Former Isobe Residence, where you’ll learn about the town’s unique features. Visit the Castle and Town Museum to dive deeper into t
From US$135.44
Inuyama Private Dinner and Sake Experience
We have prepared a special original course meal. We are filled with a sense of hospitality, including ingredients from Aichi, Inuyama ware dishes, and original chopstick bags. Local sake is also abundant. You can choose where to eat, such as a counter, table, or private room. There's also a surprise
From US$277.83
Private Kimono and Tea Ceremony Experience in Inuyama Castle Town
Walk through the town dressed in a kimono and savor matcha in a tea room. By combining these two experiences, you can gain a deeper appreciation of the charm of Japanese culture. In the tea room, you can actually try making matcha yourself. Enjoy a special moment that is not only perfect for photos
From US$96.92
Seto: Discover Japan’s Ceramic Capital & Story of Setomono
Seto, a pivotal town in Japan’s ceramic history, invites you to discover its rich tradition of pottery. Begin your adventure at the Seto-gura complex, home to the Seto-gura Museum, where the evolution of Seto ware is unveiled from the Heian period to contemporary designs. Learn about the unique char
From US$75.59