Explore Nagoya City and Nearby Areas Efficiently and Affordably! A Nagoya Transportation Guide

Nagoya’s subway system has a total of six lines: the Higashiyama Line, Meijo Line, Meiko Line, Tsurumai Line, Sakura-dori Line, and Kamiiida Line.
The Higashiyama Line and Sakura-dori Line both stop at Nagoya Station and Sakae Station, two key stations in central Nagoya.
The other lines generally run through different areas, so it’s easiest to check the nearest station to your destination and refer to the color-coded route map.
Another plus is that most major sightseeing spots are within walking distance of subway stations.
For that reason, when getting around Nagoya for sightseeing, it’s efficient to first check whether your destination can be reached by subway.
The table below summarizes each line, so take a look.

The Nagoya Sightseeing Route Bus “Me-guru” is a bus that takes you around Nagoya’s major sightseeing spots.
Its flashy gold exterior stands out even in the city, and one of its main features is that it goes directly to the destination.
On Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays, a guide is also on board to provide information, making it especially recommended for tourists who are unfamiliar with the area.
Please check the table below for details about “Me-guru.”

City buses operate not only throughout Nagoya but also across a wide area including neighboring Owariasahi City, Nisshin City, and Toyoyama Town in Nishikasugai District.
There are many routes, but the one tourists are most likely to use is the “City Center Loop Bus C-758 Route.”
This bus runs from Nagoya Station through Sakae and around the Osu area, and is designed for convenience with relatively short distances between stops and multilingual guidance.
One feature of this route is that there are many shrine and temple sightseeing spots along the line, such as Asahi Shrine, Naritasan Manpukuin, and Kasuga Shrine.
It’s also worth referring to the English sightseeing map published on the official Nagoya City website.
If you plan to focus on these spots, taking a city bus is recommended over the subway or Me-guru.
If Me-guru is operating that day, you can also ride with the “Me-guru 1-Day Ticket,” so make good use of it.
Also remember that city buses have a flat fare of 210 yen for adults and 100 yen for children, and payment is generally made when boarding.

In addition to the subway, Nagoya also has five other rail lines: the JR Chuo Main Line, Meitetsu Line, Kintetsu Nagoya Line, Aonami Line, and Linimo.
These lines are mainly used when sightseeing in Nagoya’s suburbs or nearby Tokai region destinations such as Gifu and Mie.
Please refer to the table below for the stations they connect and their main features.

Located almost in the center of Japan, Gifu Prefecture lies north of Nagoya and is one of the three Tokai prefectures alongside Aichi and Mie.
Surrounded by richly varied nature represented by the Hida and Mino regions, it offers beautiful grand scenery ranging from mountains to clear streams.
Its appeal lies in enjoying a luxurious time soothed by nature while savoring famous hot springs such as Gero Onsen, local sake, and gourmet specialties such as Hida beef.
Among its many attractions, the World Heritage site Shirakawa-go (Gassho-style village) is especially unmissable and highly popular both in Japan and overseas.
Showing a different face in every season, it lets you feel the charm of old Japan and draws you into its nostalgic atmosphere.
The way to travel from Nagoya to Gifu is as follows.
Aichi and Gifu are adjacent, so trains run frequently and fares are inexpensive, making it easy to make a casual round trip.

This article introduces the charms of Gifu in detail, focusing on local food and sightseeing spots, so be sure to check it out as well.

Osaka Prefecture, the largest city area in western Japan, lies to the southwest and west of Nagoya and has long flourished as a commercial center known as “the nation’s kitchen.”
It has fostered a free-spirited and humorous culture completely different from Tokyo, and its warm, personable atmosphere is also popular with international visitors.
With a wide variety of attractions such as Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan, and Dotonbori, it’s easy to enjoy without getting bored.
It is also known as a city of kuidaore, or eating to your heart’s content, and flour-based dishes such as takoyaki are especially famous.
Basically, the main way to travel from Nagoya to Osaka is by shinkansen, but if you want to consider transfer hassle and cost, an express bus is also worth considering.

Located west of Nagoya, the ancient capital Kyoto is one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations, known for its beautiful, atmospheric streetscapes.
Its appeal lies in the coexistence of traditional culture and seasonal nature, creating a special and moving atmosphere even if you don’t visit major sightseeing spots.
As you stroll around, you’ll naturally come across lovely scenes you’ll want to photograph and restaurants you’ll feel like stopping by.
Of course, Kyoto is also home to many historic buildings designated as World Heritage sites or special historic sites, such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Byodoin Phoenix Hall, where you can truly feel Kyoto’s unique history.
The transportation method and travel time from Nagoya to Kyoto are as follows.

This article introduces classic sightseeing spots in Kyoto as well as recommended places to eat, so it’s well worth a look.

Located to the southwest of Nagoya, Nara Prefecture preserves the original landscapes of old Japan throughout the area, from many historic temples to scenic spots rich in nature.
With a longer history than Kyoto, it is especially appealing for its many shrines and temples filled with National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, such as Horyu-ji Temple and Todai-ji Temple.
Culture and nature also exist in harmony here, and at the scenic Nara Park, around 1,000 wild deer designated as a Natural Monument coexist with people.
As shown below, there are two ways to travel from Nagoya to Nara: by train or by express bus.
If you are in a hurry, choose the train; if you want a lower-cost option and definitely want a seat, the express bus is a good choice.