Nagoya Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Nagoya, Chubu, Central Honshu, Japan)

Nagoya has an extensive selection of tourist attractions, with something for visitors of all backgrounds. Families will enjoy the Japan Monkey Park, Higashiyama Zoo and Nagoya Aquarium, where the animal attractions are always entertaining.

Visitors with an interest in ceramics and textiles can check out the Noritake Factory, a huge producer of local chinaware, and also the Arimatsu Narumi Shibori Kaikan attraction, where the art of fabric dying is explained.

Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium

Address: 1-3 Minato-cho, Minato-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 455-0033, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 052 654 7000
This is one of Japan's largest facilities of this kind and is as popular with locals as it is with overseas visitors. The aquarium's highlights include an IMAX theatre showing marine-related short movies; a touch tank with starfish, sea urchins and other sea creatures; and a penguin tank, perhaps the most popular attraction, with its replicated Antarctic conditions and collection of these distinctive, flightless birds. Other attractions at the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium include dolphin performances and Beluga whale training sessions, which are always firm favourites with visitors.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:30 to 17:30, seasonal variations apply
Admission: charge

Arimatsu Narumi Shibori Kaikan

Address: 60-1 Hashihigashiminami, Arimatsu-cho, Midori-ku, Nagasaki-shi, Aichi, 458-0901, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 052 621 0111
The Arimatsu Narumi Shibori Kaikan is dedicated to showing visitors the intricate processes involved in the production of tie-dyed garments. Close to central Nagoya, the attraction is located on the site of a village once famous for its tie-dyed cotton cloth, or 'shibori' as it is referred to locally. Visitors can observe women engaged in the process and watch a short video giving a greater insight into the topic. At the end of your visit, you are able to purchase some of the fabric as a souvenir.
Open hours: Thursday to Tuesday - 09:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Address: 3-70 Higashiyama Motomachi, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-0804, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 052 782 2111
This popular visitor centre is not only home to one of Asia's largest zoos, but also some impressive botanical gardens and a family-friendly amusement park. Located in the Chikusa-ku area of Nagoya, Higashiyama Zoo contains an impressive collection of animals, with species from every continent in the world. A recent addition, the Higashiyama Sky Tower, gives visitors the chance to get a different perspective of the city from its high observation decks and restaurant. The fairground meanwhile is fairly standard, offering traditional attractions, such as Ferris wheels, fast rides and roller coasters.
Open hours: daily - 09:30 to 16:30
Admission: charge

Japan Monkey Park

Address: 2-1 Kanrin Inuyama, Nagasaki-shi, Aichi, 484-0081, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 056 861 0870
The Japan Monkey Park is an attraction that appeals to everyone, from those who are lovers of nature and animal life, to those with a greater interest in evolutionary theories and the relationship between primates and humans. A thousand specimens are housed at the facility, with everything from giant to tiny hand-sized monkeys. The chimpanzee enclosure is a popular family exhibit, bringing smiles to the faces of kids and adults alike. There is also an amusement park on-site at the facility.
Open hours: daily - 09:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Noritake Factory / Garden

Address: 3-1-36 Noritake-shinmachi, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, JP
Tel: +81 052 561 7114
The city of Nagoya has long been a reputable centre for the production of porcelain and pottery, and indeed 90 percent of the country's chinaware comes from this region. Noritake is the largest chinaware manufacturer and it is here, at the site of its former factory, that visitors can gain a greater insight into the background of the company and the ceramic-making process. Watch a movie about the company's history and get to see skilled artisans at work at the facility's craft centre.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge