Nagoya

🔥 Hotspots

🥘 Food

Nagoya has a strong culinary identity with local dishes you won’t easily find elsewhere in Japan. Here are some must-try food experiences:

Yabaton (矢場とん) $$ – Famous for miso katsu, a local variation of tonkatsu with a rich red miso sauce.

Atsuta Horaiken (あつた蓬莱軒) $$$ – Serves the original hitsumabushi, Nagoya’s specialty grilled eel dish served over rice with condiments.

Sekai no Yamachan (世界の山ちゃん) $ – A lively izakaya chain known for tebasaki (spicy fried chicken wings), perfect for group dinners.

Maruya Honten (まるや本店) $$ – Another top spot for eel rice (unagi-don) and great value sets.

Endoji Shotengai (円頓寺商店街) $ – A traditional covered street market filled with retro shops, ramen spots, and coffee houses.

☕ Cafés

Trunk Coffee – A trendy roastery with a Scandinavian vibe, great for remote work and serious coffee lovers.

Maison YWE – Stylish brunch café known for pancakes and curated interiors — popular with students and creatives.

 

🍾 Going Out

Nagoya’s nightlife is more compact than Tokyo or Osaka, but it has everything from student bars to clubs:

Sakae (栄) – The heart of nightlife: bars, karaoke, izakayas, and clubs all within walking distance.

Shinsakae-machi (新栄町) – A slightly more alternative scene with live music venues and underground bars.

Osu (大須) – Known for vintage shops and street snacks during the day, but also home to quirky themed bars and cafés at night.

Bar Owl or ID Café – Two popular clubs for students and international crowds.

 

⛰ Activities

Nagoya is a mix of history, pop culture, and convenience — ideal for short getaways across Japan too!

Nagoya Castle (名古屋城) – One of Japan’s most famous castles with reconstructed interiors and peaceful gardens.

Osu Shopping Street (大須商店街) – Youth culture, cosplay, second-hand shops, arcades, and temples all in one spot.

SCMAGLEV and Railway Park – Museum with full-size Shinkansen trains and VR simulators — must for tech or train fans.

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology – Tells the story of Toyota from textiles to automobiles.

Higashiyama Zoo & Sky Tower – Zoo, botanical gardens, and an observation deck with views over the city.

 

💶 Cost of Living

🏠 Rent

Nagoya is much more affordable than Tokyo or Osaka — ideal for students.

  • Share houses: Very common for exchange students. Expect 300–500 EUR/month.

  • One-room apartment: Private studios range from 400–700 EUR/month depending on location.

  • Platforms: Suumo, GaijinPot Housing, Leopalace21, or OYO Life Japan

🛒 Groceries

  • Main supermarkets: Aeon, Valor, Don Quijote (Donki)

  • Konbinis (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) for daily needs

  • Budget: ~150 EUR/month if cooking mostly at home

Fruits and foreign imports are expensive — shop at local markets for the best deals.

 

🚇 Transportation

  • Manaca Card: Nagoya’s version of IC cards (like Suica/Pasmo) – works on subway, buses, and regional JR lines.

  • Subway ride: ~1.50 EUR

  • 📱 Apps: Google Maps, Japan Transit Planner, Navitime, or Nagoya Subway app

You can also travel quickly to Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka via Shinkansen in under 2 hours.

 

✈️ Airports

Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) – Located on an artificial island, modern and student-friendly.

✈️ Tip: You can take the μ-SKY Limited Express from Meitetsu Nagoya Station to the airport in about 30 minutes.