Things to do in Nagoya

the best legoland by far! :) My son and mothet enjoyed the rides! :) Hassle free in entering. staff are courteous and polite :) This Legoland experience is one for the books and were happy to have visited and tried (almost) all the rides ♥️

we were really amazed at how huge the aquarium is! they have orcas, dolphins, penguins, deep sea fishes etc. its very easy to spend the whole day here. there is also a food court within the compound with different yummy options. the aquarium is really worth a visit if ever you are visiting Nagoya.

The day trip to Hida Takayama and Shirakawa-go Gassho Village was very well-organized overall. The tour guide introduced the attractions and meeting times on the bus, then allowed travelers free time upon arrival, with a final meeting at a designated location. I really enjoyed this style of travel. Compared to traditional day trips where you have to follow the guide the entire time, this itinerary was much more relaxed and comfortable. There was no pressure to rush or be hurried, allowing us to explore at our own pace. During this trip, we savored delicious Hida beef skewers and pudding in Hida Takayama. In Shirakawa-go, we not only admired many beautiful Gassho-zukuri houses but also took many stunning photos. Overall, it was a very pleasant and comfortable day trip experience, and I highly recommend it to everyone!

Our guide, Tao, was very patient and has been deeply involved with Japan for 20 years, so he has a great understanding of Japanese culture. My navigation was a bit off, but Tao patiently guided me to the parking lot. The parking lot was on a slope, and my navigation led me behind it, making me think there was no road.😅 Sorry for the trouble! It rained on the way there and back today, but luckily the weather was clear and sunny during our sightseeing.☀️ We arrived in Takayama at 10:30 AM. Takayama Old Town has many interesting small shops. We passed by Takayama Betsuin and also visited Takayama Jinya, the only existing county magistrate's office in Japan. Around 1:00 PM, we had a Hida beef set meal for lunch. At 1:55 PM, we arrived at Shirakawa-go Gassho Village. The village architecture, with its thatched-roof wooden houses, was truly impressive. We departed at 3:25 PM for Nagoya. The itinerary was excellent and saved us the hassle of traveling on our own.

Saw a TikTok about this place and became super hyperfixated that I NEEDED to go here no matter what. Taking this tour was a great choice as it allowed for an easy transfer to and from Kamikochi. The first stop at Taisho Ike Pond was breathtaking which got me excited for the rest of the walk. the greenery of the forest in mid June was a sight to behold along with the Japanese Apls in the distance. The trial was not super crowded until you reached Kappa Bridge. There is also an additional trail to Myojin Bridge and Myojin First Pond but only if you have an additional 2 hours to spare. I was taking my time on the first trail that couldn’t make it to the second but I would definitely come back to do it!!

Nagoya Castle was one of the highlights of our trip and far exceeded my expectations. The castle grounds are beautiful, well-maintained, and rich with history. While the main castle tower is impressive, I highly recommend taking the time to explore the entire complex rather than limiting your visit to the castle and Honmaru Palace. The palace itself is stunning and absolutely worth seeing, but there is much more to discover throughout the grounds. One thing that greatly enhanced our experience was wearing yukata during our visit. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend renting a yukata or kimono before your visit. The effort is worth it. Be sure to explore the quieter areas around the moat and the back portions of the castle grounds. There are beautiful views overlooking the city. If you are visiting Nagoya, do not miss Nagoya Castle. Give yourself plenty of time to explore, wander, and enjoy the grounds. It is far more than just a castle—it is an experience.

Kamikochi, known as "God's Homeland," truly is the most beautiful hiking destination. Walking along the Azusa River trail, nestled beneath the Hotaka mountain range, is incredibly refreshing. The breathtaking scenery, where the clear stream intertwines with the Hotaka peaks, is stunning and truly uplifting. Our tour guide, Yukino, was exceptionally dedicated on this trip. She meticulously prepared all the information, including introductions to attractions, suggested routes, and food recommendations, providing comprehensive details to all participants. She also catered to both Chinese and English-speaking guests, proving to be an incredibly diligent and responsible leader. Highly recommended!

◎ The timing was excellent; we not only explored three areas of Ghibli Park but also visited Japan's renowned Toyota Museum. The itinerary was very fulfilling. ◎ The round-trip bus saved us a lot of time we would have spent on transfers. The bus was quite comfortable, and I even fell asleep on the way back. ◎ Our tour guide was a very interesting Japanese gentleman, I believe his name was "Ushida Yasuhiro." On the way there, he patiently introduced the itinerary, counted heads, and kept the atmosphere lively. On the way back, seeing that everyone was tired, he started singing for us and even handed out song sheets (Ponyo's theme song, which Fan Xiaoxuan covered as "Doudoulong"). The trip was quite enjoyable. ◎ Ghibli Park is definitely worth a visit; it's Miyazaki's world everywhere you look. I spent a long time taking photos in the Ghibli's Grand Warehouse. At Mononoke Village, I didn't have the patience to wait in long lines, so I only spent about an hour there and rode the carousel 🎠. There were many tourists from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, and they were all quite enthusiastic and willing to help take photos, which was very nice. ◎ Afterwards, we went to the Toyota Museum and saw many cars, souvenirs, and cultural exhibits. It was excellent.

I really enjoyed this tour. Nancy is super knowledgeable and shared a lot of interesting information. It was possible to leave stuff in the bus at different stops, which made the sightseeing much more relaxing.