13 Popular Date Spots in Nagoya: Enjoy Dates You Can Only Have in a Big City!

A massive aquarium made up of the North Building, where you can see dolphins, belugas, and orcas, and the South Building, home to a wide variety of tanks including a live coral tank.
Most impressive are the dolphin performances and the orca training sessions held in Japan’s largest pool—60 m wide, 30 m deep, and up to 12 m at its deepest point.
You can watch animals moving in ways close to their natural behavior as they swim swiftly and energetically through the huge pool.

Nagoya’s largest shopping district, spread across an area bordered by four streets: Wakamiya Odori, Fushimi Dori, Osu Dori, and Minami Otsu Dori.
It’s packed with around 1,200 shops and facilities across every genre imaginable, including restaurants, vintage clothing stores, variety shops, and electronics retailers, creating a distinctive atmosphere.
Today, many shops sell trendy foods, and the area is lively with young people enjoying street food.

A multi-level urban park symbolized by its glass roof, “Spaceship Aqua.”
It also serves as a transportation hub with a bus terminal inside and direct connections to both the subway and Meitetsu lines.
Its photogenic lighting has become a hot topic in recent years, brightening up nights in Sakae, central Nagoya. Different lighting displays are held daily by season.

One of Japan’s largest castle complexes, built in the early Edo period by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who founded the Edo shogunate.
Two golden shachihoko (mythical tiger-headed carp) shine atop the castle tower with its five-tiered roof, making it a symbol of Nagoya.
Hommaru Palace, built in 1615 as the lord’s residence and a political venue, is also well worth seeing.

This shrine is said to have begun around 1,900 years ago, when it enshrined the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, one of the Three Imperial Regalia (three treasures said in Japanese mythology to have been bestowed by Amaterasu and passed down as proof of the emperor’s legitimacy).
In addition to the main sanctuary, it enshrines a total of 45 shrines, including Kamochiwaga Shrine, where ema prayer plaques for passing exams and academic success are dedicated, and Kusunomikozen Shrine, revered by women as a deity of safe childbirth.

The birthplace of Noritake, a Western tableware brand highly regarded worldwide.
Now developed as a lush, relaxing space, the grounds are dotted with shops, cafes, restaurants, and a museum.
The red-brick building built in 1904 was the first factory of Nippon Toki Gomei Kaisha (now Noritake Co., Limited).

A massive zoo and botanical garden so large you can’t see it all in one day, with a zoo, botanical gardens, and an amusement park across Approx. 600,000 m².
The zoo, which exhibits around 450 species, has plenty of crowd favorites, including koalas—one of the park’s signature animals.
Exhibits are thoughtfully designed to make visits fun. For example, the Asian elephant house “ZOOASIUM” is designed with Sri Lanka, the elephants’ homeland, in mind, giving it an exotic feel.

A science museum in central Nagoya made up of three buildings: the Life Sciences Building, the Science & Technology Building, and the Astronomy Building.
It features many hands-on exhibits, including the “Extreme Cold Lab,” where you can watch aurora footage in a -30°C room (suspended as of July 2021).
Other large-scale exhibits pack a punch, like the “Tornado Lab,” which can generate a 9 m-tall artificial tornado, and the “Discharge Lab,” where you can see 1.2 million-volt electrical discharges—bringing the power of nature to life.

Toganayama Fruit Park is an agricultural park surrounded by rich natural scenery.
Located at the foot of Mt. Togaya on the northeastern edge of Nagoya, it opened in April 1980.
In 17 orchards, familiar fruits like pears, apples, and grapes are grown, while the Tropical Fruit Greenhouse cultivates over 100 varieties of tropical and subtropical fruit trees, including bananas and papayas.

Showcasing 39 full-size train cars, from conventional rail centered on the Tokaido Shinkansen to the superconducting maglev.
In the “Symbolic Exhibition,” the first area you enter, you’re welcomed by three trains that once set world speed records: the C62 steam locomotive, the 955 Series Shinkansen test train (300X), and the superconducting maglev MLX01-1.
The main exhibition hall displays old and new trains together in one space—truly impressive.

An art museum that collects and exhibits treasures passed down through the Owari Tokugawa family. It opened in 1935, founded by the 19th head of the family, Tokugawa Yoshichika, to preserve daimyo culture for future generations.
The collection includes masterworks such as swords, arms and armor, tea ceremony utensils, and Noh theater items passed down from Tokugawa Ieyasu to the Owari Tokugawa line, as well as cherished belongings of successive lords and their wives—over 10,000 daimyo tools and artworks in total.
It features many rare items, including the Tale of Genji Illustrated Scrolls, the oldest surviving National Treasure depicting The Tale of Genji.

The museum collects works mainly around the themes of “Local Art,” “École de Paris,” “Mexican Renaissance,” and “Contemporary Art.” Exhibits are rotated in two or three phases each year, showcasing works that match each season’s theme.
Don’t miss the special exhibitions and planned permanent exhibitions held throughout the year. Themes range widely, from Impressionism and contemporary art to sculpture. Masterpieces from world-famous museums often gather here in Nagoya.

Located inside the shopping complex “AEON MALL Nagoya Noritake Garden,” close to Nagoya Station, it’s easy to stop by along with shopping and dining.
Manten NAGOYA was the first in Japan to introduce the LED dome system “DYNAVISION®-LED.” Unlike conventional projector systems, the self-emitting LED technology creates incredibly immersive visuals—beautiful starry skies, deep blue skies, vivid red sunsets, and more.
In addition to standard seats, there are ultra-comfortable premium seats at the front of the dome. Stretch out and recline, and you’ll feel like you’re wrapped in a sky full of stars.

An observation tower next to Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens, built in 1989 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Nagoya’s city government.
It stands 134 m above ground, but since it’s on an 80 m hill, its elevation is 214 m.
Selected for both the “Japan Night View Heritage” and “Japan’s 100 Best Night Views,” it offers sweeping views of Nagoya’s city lights from the 5th-floor “360° Panorama Observation Deck.”
A restaurant on the top floor also lets you enjoy dinner with the night view.

Nagoya’s iconic tower, originally built as the “Nagoya TV Tower” for sightseeing and broadcasting, completed in 1954.
In May 2021, it relaunched under the new name “Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER.”
From the indoor observation deck “Sky Deck” located 90 m above ground, you can take in views of Nagoya and distant mountains. The nighttime scenery is recognized as part of “Japan Night View Heritage,” and the mirrored ceiling and floor that reflect the outside view are a must-see.

A mixed-use complex towering in front of Nagoya Station. At 247 m, it’s the tallest building in the Tokai region.
The commercial wing is lined with boutiques of stylish overseas brands, upscale restaurants, and cafes, plus a cinema complex and a gallery where you can experience the appeal of Lexus cars.
From the outdoor observation deck “Sky Promenade” on floors 44–46 of the office tower, you can enjoy an almost 360-degree view of Nagoya’s cityscape.
With beautiful lights from the city’s buildings and towers, it’s a popular spot for couples.

A station-connected complex made up of two towers over 200 m tall, directly linked to the terminal station.
It combines JR Nagoya Takashimaya department store, Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel, restaurant floors, offices, and more.
It’s also popular for night views: from the scenic elevator running from the 1st floor to the 15th, and the glass-enclosed “Sky Street” on the 15th floor, you can take in the big-city nightscape.

A distinctive building on Nishiki-dori, one of Nagoya’s main streets, featuring a Ferris wheel mounted on its exterior wall.
The Ferris wheel, called “Sky-Boat,” is 40 m in diameter and reaches a maximum height of 52 m above ground. With fully transparent gondolas, you’ll feel like you’re floating in the air as you take in Sakae’s landmarks.
At night, you can relax and enjoy Nagoya’s city lights in a private space for two.
It also has air conditioning and heating, so it’s comfortable even in summer or winter.

Located in central Nagoya, Aichi Arts Center is a cultural facility with the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, art spaces, theaters, and more.
The 11th floor is open as an observation corridor, where you can look down on Oasis 21 with the Nagoya TV Tower in the background.
It’s a hidden night view spot with relatively few people, even though you can take in illuminated Nagoya landmarks and the nightscape.

A main dining venue on the 18th floor of Mitsui Garden Hotel Nagoya Premier, a 5-minute walk from JR Nagoya Station.
The interior features a refined design with blue as its main color, creating an elegant atmosphere.
Through large floor-to-ceiling windows, you can take in Nagoya’s beautiful cityscape and enjoy an open feeling as if floating in the sky.

A French restaurant on the 51st floor of JR Central Towers, offering breathtaking views.
Enjoy course meals made with plenty of local ingredients while taking in Nagoya’s panoramic view.
One of its highlights is creative French cuisine that adds French elements to Nagoya’s local specialties.
Lunch is recommended too, but French dinner with a beautiful night view is perfect for special occasions.

A restaurant on the 52nd floor of Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel, offering an outstanding location with sweeping views of Nagoya from 210 m above ground.
At dinner, you can enjoy course meals featuring seasonal ingredients, as well as special courses with a double main of fish and meat.
If you’re visiting on a date, window-side seats are recommended so you can dine while looking out over Nagoya’s night view.
With nightly piano live performances, you can spend a romantic evening.

A hotel directly connected to Sasashima-raibu Station, one stop from Nagoya Station on the Nagoya Rinkai Rapid Railway Aonami Line.
With the concept of a “floating boat in the sky,” all guest rooms are on high floors from 32nd to 36th, offering sweeping views of Nagoya’s nightscape.
Watching trains arrive and depart from Nagoya Station from high above can feel like looking at a miniature diorama.

Nagoya’s oldest hotel, known for its history and tradition since opening in 1936.
As the “guesthouse of Chubu,” it has welcomed many distinguished guests and VIPs from Japan and abroad. Its attentive service, cultivated over its long history, makes your stay even more enriching.
Inside the hotel are eight restaurants and bars in a wide range of genres, including French, Chinese, and Japanese cuisine.

STRINGS HOTEL NAGOYA is conveniently located Approx. 10 minutes on foot from Nagoya Station.
Luxurious guest rooms feature refined design and comfortable facilities.
The property has four restaurants with different atmospheres, offering a wide variety of dishes from breakfast to dinner.
With plenty of plans to brighten special days like birthdays, proposals, and wedding anniversaries, it’s an ideal hotel for making meaningful memories.