Exploring Nagoya
1. LEGOLAND Japan
Opened on April 1, 2017, LEGOLAND Japan features seven themed zones with over 40 attractions and shows. Using 17 million LEGO bricks and 10,000 LEGO models, it’s a paradise for LEGO enthusiasts.
• Ride a dragon around a castle.
• Learn to drive and get a “driver’s license.”
• Work as a team to extinguish a burning building.
• Explore ancient ruins.
The Miniland zone uses over 10 million LEGO bricks to recreate iconic Japanese landmarks from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, and beyond, offering a whirlwind tour of Japan in just one day.
2. Osu Shopping Street
Dating back to the Edo period, Osu Shopping Street is over 400 years old and stretches for more than 1,700 meters. It boasts over 1,200 shops, including eateries, clothing stores, vintage shops, miscellaneous goods stores, and electronics shops.
Unlike the upscale Sakae district, Osu exudes a laid-back, welcoming vibe. It’s also a hub for otaku culture with numerous anime, cosplay, and gaming stores, and it’s the birthplace of the World Cosplay Summit.
Year-round events include:
• Antique markets on the 18th and 28th of every month.
• The Osu Summer Festival in August.
• The Osu Street Performers Festival in October.
• Treasure ship parades during the Setsubun Festival in February.
3. Additional Must-See Spots
Nagoya offers diverse attractions to suit every interest:
• Tokugawa Art Museum
• Nagoya Castle
• Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
• Atsuta Shrine
• Noritake Garden
• Asahi Beer Nagoya Brewery
• Shirotori Garden
• Nagoya Aquarium
Nagoya Cuisine
Nagoya is renowned for its culinary delights:
• Fried Shrimp Rice Balls: A fusion of tempura and sushi, delicious even when cold.
• Hitsumabushi: Grilled eel served three ways—plain, with condiments, or as a tea-infused rice bowl.
• Ogura Toast: Thick, toasted bread topped with butter and sweet red bean paste, perfect with tea or coffee.
• Miso-Based Dishes: Nagoya’s love for red miso shines in dishes like miso udon, miso katsu, and miso oden.