Friday, February 1, 2019

Nagoya | Backpacking for 3 days

 |Japan Itinerary| 
#backpacking #solotraveller


Nagoya is located at the center of Japan and it’s easily accessible by air or rail. It was New Year’s Eve when I decided to travel to Nagoya - a spur of the moment decision. 

Going to Nagoya from Tokyo by Shinkansen takes about 2-3 hours depending on the type of train you are taking. One way ticket costs about 11,300 yen. 

Highway buses are also popular. The only downside is the traveling time which is about 6-8 hours. I used the highway bus when I went back to Tokyo and it only cost me 3000 yen. The bus center is next to Nagoya station so if you are on a tight budget (like me), love long rides, and have a lot of time to spare, you might want to consider this option. 

Domestic flight is another way to reach Nagoya from Tokyo. Although the ticket prices could go up to 20,000 yen, it is the best choice if you want to reach Nagoya the fastest. You can check airline carriers for specific prices as they also offer discount tickets. 

January 1, 2019
A visit to Osokano Temple commenced my adventure. It was cold so the 25-minute walk from the station made me warm a bit. It was New Year’s day and everyone was here for their first temple/shrine visit for 2019 (hatsumode). It was around 4 PM when I walked back to Nagoya station and checked-in at my hostel. 

Midland Square and JR Central Towers are go-to places in Nagoya if you want to see a bird's eye view of the city. They are very close to the station so you won't miss these.  



January 2, 2019
Since Nagoya Port Area is a bit far, I walked from Nagoya station to Kanayaman station. From there, I took the Meiko Subway Line to Nagoyaku station. The port offers a variety of recreation for your enjoyment - the Garden Pier, an aquarium, a shopping mall, an amusement park, and a museum. I spent my whole day here. 






Although the Science Museum was closed for the holiday, I took my time enjoying the surrounding area. It will take you 20 minutes on foot from Nagoya station. 


January 3, 2019
You can access Nagoya Castle using the subway or the loop bus. But if you’re down to long walks like me, you can reach the castle in 30-40 from Nagoya station. The castle is especially crowded from March to April during the cherry blossom season. Just going around is more than enough but spending 500 yen for the entrance won’t hurt especially if you’ll get a glimpse of the past. 





Twenty-five minutes on foot from Nagoya castle is Sake district. Packed with shopping malls and restaurants, this is a must-see place for shoppers and restaurant-goers. Also found in Sakae is the oldest TV tower in Japan, Nagoya Tower. Adjacent to the tower is the Oasis 21; a futuristic landmark in Nagoya. A lot of people say these two are best seen at night.







January 4, 2019
Bound for Tokyo via the Highway bus. 

Other Attractions
City Science Museum, Toyota Commemorative Museum, and Toyota Automobile Museum are must-visit places but no shots for them since they were closed for the holidays. They opened on the 4th.