8:00 AM: Start Your Day Like a Local with Breakfast
Nagoya is the birthplace of Japan’s café breakfast culture, and you’ll find cafés everywhere as you stroll through the city. Breakfast in these traditional cafés typically comes as a complimentary side to your coffee—like sandwiches or toast—and the portions are generous, showcasing the café’s hospitality.
A must-visit café near Nagoya Station is Coffee House Kako Hanaguruma Honten, established in 1972. Known as the first café in Nagoya to roast its own coffee beans, this cozy spot is adorned with stained glass windows, antique chandeliers, and a retro Showa-era atmosphere.
The coffee, hand-brewed by the owner, is exceptional, and their signature ogura toast—topped with homemade red bean paste and fruit jams—is a treat for both the eyes and the taste buds. This café is popular with locals, often attracting long lines right after opening, so plan your visit carefully, especially on weekends.
10:00 AM: Explore the Tokai Region’s Largest Antique Fair
Take the subway from Nagoya Station to Fukiage Station, where you’ll find the Fukiage Hall, host to the largest antique fair in the Tokai region. With a history spanning 20 years, this event attracts antique dealers from all over Japan.
Inside, the vast array of items will leave you awestruck. Common antique market staples like ceramics, teapots, and vases abound, but you’ll also discover scrolls, swords, lacquerware, kimonos, and even antique furniture. Visitors can be seen carefully selecting their favorite pieces, while dealers often engage in lively exchanges about their treasures. For fans of history and vintage items, this is an experience not to be missed.
1:00 PM: Stylish Lunch at a Beatles-Themed Curry Restaurant
For lunch, walk 10 minutes from Fukiage Hall to Abbey Road, a curry restaurant dedicated to Beatles fans. The walls are adorned with iconic photos, Beatles music fills the air, and memorabilia is displayed throughout the cozy interior—even the serving trays feature Beatles imagery.
The star of the menu is the Special Curry, a dish crafted by the owner to replicate legendary curry flavors. Made with Gifu Prefecture’s “Hatsushimo” rice—known for its perfect texture—and a curry sauce simmered for five days, the result is a harmonious blend of spices with a hint of fruity aroma. Slightly spicy and easy to digest, it’s a dish foodies flock to enjoy.
3:00 PM: A Whole Building of Antique Shops
Return to the Fukiage Station area and you’ll find a modest-looking building that’s an antique lover’s paradise: Antique Market Fukiage. This multi-story building houses an array of antique shops:
• 1st Floor: Western antique furniture imported from the UK, France, and Belgium, including stunning chairs, tables, and light fixtures. There’s also a repair workshop where furniture can be restored.
• 2nd Floor: Junk-style retro items from the Showa era, evoking nostalgia with familiar household objects that can be stylishly incorporated into modern decor.
• 3rd Floor: European antique goods, such as ornate dinnerware, lace, and lamps. For example, a silver-plated ivory cutlery set, said to be a noblewoman’s dowry, was even featured in magazines.
• 4th Floor: Japanese antiques from the Edo, Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras, including ceramics, lacquerware, paper crafts, old clocks, and kimonos at reasonable prices. Fashion enthusiasts interested in vintage kimonos will find treasures here.
When you’re tired from shopping, head to the rooftop garden café to relax and enjoy panoramic views of Nagoya’s skyline, a refreshing way to recharge.
8:00 PM: Wrap Up Your Day at “Yamachan” Izakaya
End your day with a visit to Yamachan, an izakaya famous for its Nagoya-style fried chicken wings (tebasaki). Beloved by both locals and tourists, it’s the perfect spot to unwind.
These wings are uniquely seasoned with pepper and salt, offering a slightly spicy kick. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they burst with flavor in every bite. Pair them with a cold beer, and you’ve got the ultimate combo to conclude your Nagoya experience.
The Flavors of Nagoya
Nagoya may not have as many traditional sightseeing spots beyond Nagoya Castle, but its relaxed pace and distinctive food culture leave a lasting impression. If you’re unsure about your next destination in Japan, book a ticket to Nagoya. From soaking in hot springs on the Shoryudo route to exploring the sacred Kumano Kodo trails, Nagoya serves as a perfect base. Don’t forget to dedicate a day to experiencing the city’s leisurely charm and culinary delights!