World Travel Guide > Guides > Asia > Japan > Nagoya

Local time Nagoya

Currency

Airports

Central Japan International Airport (Centrair)

Travel to Nagoya

Flying to Nagoya

The state-of-the-art Central Japan International Airport (or Centrair as it's popularly called) lies on a man-made island south of Nagoya.

Flight times

From London - 14 hours 30 minutes (including stopover); New York - 17 hours (including stopover);Los Angeles- 14 hours (including stopover); Toronto - 16 hours (including stopover); Sydney - 12 hours 30 minutes (including stopover).

Travel by road

Nagoya is situated in the middle of Japan along the east-west stretch between Tokyo and the western Kansai region. It is extremely well connected, and several big motorways converge on the city. Roads are well maintained.

Traffic drives on the left and the minimum driving age is 18 years old. Speed limits vary considerably so pay attention to speed limit signs. The limit is usually 40kph (25mph) in built-up areas and up to 100kph (62mph) on expressways. Foreign drivers can use an international licence for up to one year.

The Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) (tel: +81 570 008 139; www.jaf.or.jp/e), provides an English-language ‘Rules of the Road' booklet. JAF Road Service offers 24-hour breakdown assistance for both members and non-members. In the case of an accident, you must inform the police (tel: 110).

Emergency breakdown services

JAF (tel: #8139, in Japan only).

Routes

The Tomei Expressway and Chuo Expressway both run from Tokyo westwards to Nagoya, while the Meishin Expressway takes you straight to Nagoya if you drive from Osaka or Kyoto.

Coaches

The bus station in Nagoya is located adjacent to the main railway station.

JR Bus Kanto (tel: +81 3 3844 1950; www.jrbuskanto.co.jp, in Japanese only) operates regular coach services between Nagoya and Tokyo. JR Tokai (tel: +81 52 563 0489; www.jrtbinm.co.jp) runs coach services to and from Kyoto, Osaka and several other cities.

Meitetsu (tel: +81 52 582 0489; www.meitetsu-bus.co.jp) buses run between Nagoya and Kanazawa and Takayama, while Willer Express (tel: +81 50 5805 0383; http://travel.willer.co.jp/index.html) has direct coaches from Nagoya to Sendai in northern Japan, as well as Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the south.

Time to city

From Tokyo - 5 hours; Osaka - 2 hours 30 minutes; Kyoto - 2 hours.

Travel by Rail

Services

Nagoya's huge central railway station, JR Nagoya Station, is located in Nakamura-ku, on the western side of Nagoya's city centre, right below the landmark Japan Railway Central Towers. It connects the city to national and regional rail networks. Within the city there are six subway lines convenient for Fushimi, Sakae and Imaike - the main shopping and nightlife areas in Nagoya.

Operators

Central Japan Railway Company (http://english.jr-central.co.jp/index.html) runs the Tōkaidō Shinkansen bullet train that stops at JR Nagoya Station on its way between Tokyo and Osaka. Departures are frequent.

Nozomi trains are the fastest, while hikari trains are slightly slower – add about 10-20 minutes to the journey time. Please note that the Japan Rail Pass is not valid on nozomi trains. The JR Kansai line, servicing the western region, also runs from Nagoya’s main railway station.

Next to JR Nagoya Station is Meitetsu Nagoya Station, from where Nagoya Railroad (http://top.meitetsu.co.jp) operates the local rail network for Nagoya and the surrounding region, and Kintetsu Nagoya Station, the terminal of the Kintetsu Nagoya Line (www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/index.html), which connects Nagoya with Kuwana, Yokkaichi, Suzuka and Tsu.

Journey times

Journey times using the fast nozomi Shinkansen trains: From Tokyo - 1 hour 40 minutes; Kyoto - 35 minutes; Osaka - 50 minutes.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

15 shrines and temples to visit in Japan

Stepped in heritage, thousands of shrines and temples dotted around Japan and here are 15 of the best shrines and temples to visit

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

Nagoya Tokyu Hotel

The sophisticated Nagoya Tokyu Hotel is very near the bustling Sakae shopping and nightlife district. There are Western and Japanese-style guest rooms, as well as four different categories of suites to choose from. The Nagoya hotel also has a beauty salon, a business centre and a fitness centre with a large swimming pool, as well as several fine dining restaurants, including the elegant Loire French restaurant, and Nadaman, serving kaiseki (traditional multi-course banquet) and Edo-style sushi.

The b Nagoya

Right in the middle of the Sakae shopping area, this chic business hotel in Nagoya offers excellent value for money. The rooms are smart and comfortable, some with views over the leafy boulevard of Hisasya-dori, and have larger-size beds than usual and stylish bathrooms.

Hotel Trusty Nagoya Sakae

Though close to the hustle and bustle of Sakae, this Nagoya hotel has a very relaxed atmosphere. Decorated in a classic European style, there is a lot of wood panelling and leather sofas in the elegant lobby. The rooms are cosy yet well equipped, with high-speed internet access and decent-sized desks. The hotel's Cuore Lounge serves daily meals based on seasonal ingredients, as well as tapas and wine, and afternoon tea.

Hilton Nagoya

Close to Fushimi Station is Nagoya's top international hotel with stylish interiors and attentive service. Rooms are modern and comfortable and there are a good range of dining options in the hotel; choose from Indian, Chinese, continental and a variety of Japanese cuisines. Breakfast is not included and there's a fee for internet access. However, there are free shuttle buses between main station, as well as to the castle.

Nagoyakatei Miyoshi

A very clean and welcoming ryokan (traditional hotel) only five minutes on foot from the Shinkansen station. The staff don't speak much English but if you are familiar with traditional accommodation this shouldn't be a problem. All rooms are Japanese-style accommodation (no beds, just futons) and a full-course Japanese breakfast is served. There are two shared Japanese-style baths for guests, including a rooftop outdoor rotemburo.

Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel

Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel offers luxury and convenience in equal measure. Located in the southernmost of the two JR Central Towers that rise almost 250m (820ft) up in the air above Nagoya's central station, it is a city landmark and one of the best luxury hotels in Nagoya. Staff are friendly and helpful and all rooms are supremely comfortable and have panoramic views. The bar and lounge on the top floor offers a fantastic outlook over the city. The in-house restaurants offer Japanese, Chinese and European cuisines.

Introducing Nagoya

While you’re there

Plan your trip

Japan Information