[A New Kansai Trip Starting from Nagoya] A Model Course Full of Deep Experiences

Your journey begins at Chubu Centrair International Airport (Centrair) in Nagoya.
The passenger terminal and the various transportation options are directly connected by the covered walkway Access Plaza, allowing you to move comfortably without worrying about the weather or heavy luggage.
The route from the plane to Centrair Airport Station is also smooth and straightforward, so even first-time visitors can transfer with peace of mind.

From Centrair Airport Station, take the Meitetsu Airport Line for about 5 minutes to Tokoname Station, then walk to your first destination, the Pottery Footpath.
On the way, you will pass Tokoname Manekineko-dori, where walls are decorated with countless cat figurines-already one of the highlights of the walk.
Towering above is Tokonyan, a giant beckoning cat measuring 3.8 m tall and 6.3 m wide, serving as the symbol of Tokoname, which boasts the largest maneki-neko production in Japan. Be sure to take a commemorative photo here.
The Pottery Footpath flourished as a ceramics district during the early to mid-Showa era, and today it still preserves remnants such as brick chimneys, climbing kilns, black-walled workshops, and Dokanzaka (Ceramic Pipe Hill).
The walking route lined with traditional townscapes has been selected for the Top 100 Beautiful Historical Landscapes of Japan (Provisional Selection). It is especially popular for the unique atmosphere created by the harmony between daily life and cultural heritage.
Maze-like alleys dotted with cafés and general stores make strolling itself an enjoyable experience.
If you come across the retro-style Tokoname Milk Stand, be sure to stop by and try Tokoname Milk, known for its sweet aroma and smooth richness, available only in this region.

Next, head to the symbolic landmark of Nagoya, the Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER.
From Tokoname Station, transfer trains and travel for about 1 hour to Sakae Station, then walk about 3 minutes.
Completed in 1954, this was Japan’s first consolidated radio tower. In 2022, it became the first tower in the country to be designated as an Important Cultural Property.
Standing 180 m tall, the tower offers two observation decks: the indoor Sky Deck at around 90 m and the outdoor Sky Balcony at around 100 m, both providing panoramic views over Nagoya’s cityscape and distant mountains.

After enjoying the tower, walk a few minutes to Oasis 21, a futuristic multi-level park that integrates a lawn plaza, a bus terminal, and more than 30 shops into one large facility.
Its symbolic circular glass roof, Spaceship-Aqua, is covered with a thin layer of water that reflects light to create mesmerizing ripples.
At night, the structure is beautifully illuminated, creating an enchanting and photogenic atmosphere.

After exploring Oasis 21, take the Nagoya Municipal Subway Higashiyama Line for about 10 minutes to Nagoya Station.
In the underground shopping street ESCA, directly connected to the station, you will find Ebidote Shokudo, a rare specialty restaurant dedicated to deep-fried shrimp.
For dinner, we recommend the signature dish Ebidote: freshly fried, large, crispy shrimp dipped into a secret sauce made with Hatcho miso.
This hearty dish is both visually appealing and uniquely Nagoya.
After dinner, stay at a hotel near Marunouchi Station to prepare for the next day.

Nagoya is famous for its morning service culture, where ordering a single drink often comes with complimentary toast or a boiled egg.
On the second day, start with a visit to Cafe New Poppy, located about 5 minutes on foot from Marunouchi Station.
The café preserves a retro Showa-era charm that makes every corner photogenic, and its warm, homey atmosphere is loved by locals.
The standard set includes a drink, one slice of toast, a boiled egg, and salad. For bigger appetites, you can order two slices of toast or even a curry breakfast for an additional fee.
If time permits, take a short walk to the Endoji Shopping Street, a historic arcade dating back to the Meiji era (1868-1912). The area is lively with a mix of venerable old shops and unique new ones, making for an enjoyable stroll.

After breakfast, take about 20 minutes from Marunouchi Station to Kiyosu Station, then walk about 15 minutes to reach Kiyosu Castle.
This castle, once the residence of Oda Nobunaga, is a historically important site where the Kiyosu Alliance and the Kiyosu Conference took place.
It is especially popular among history enthusiasts as the location where Nobunaga took his first step toward unifying Japan.
The keep was reconstructed in 1989 and now houses a museum displaying local historical materials, armor replicas, and video exhibits. From the observation deck at the top, you can enjoy panoramic views of the townscape, and in spring, the sight of cherry blossoms is particularly beautiful.

After exploring Kiyosu Castle, head to Atsuta nagAya, a newly opened tourist and commercial facility near Jingū-mae Station.
From Kiyosu Station, transfer at Kanayama Station and take the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line Limited Express, arriving in about 30 minutes.
Opened in 2024 under the concept of “a place to savor and rediscover regional charms,” this facility recreates the feel of traditional townhouses along old highways in a modern way.
Inside, you will find shops selling local specialties, souvenirs, and food, making it a great place for both shopping and casual dining.

Within walking distance of Atsuta nagAya is Atsuta Jingu, founded in AD 113 and revered as one of Japan’s most prestigious shrines, second only to Ise Jingu.
Affectionately known as Atsuta-san, it has long been cherished by locals.
The spacious grounds feature the Main Sanctuary, Kaguraden, and a Treasure Hall. Other highlights include the ancient camphor tree Nanahon Kusunoki and the stone bridge Nijugocho-bashi.
It is also the site where the legendary Kusanagi-no-tsurugi (sacred sword), one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, is enshrined.
Walking along the sacred approach gives you the chance to experience both history and nature in one place.

After visiting Atsuta Jingu, end the day with dinner at the long-established eel specialty restaurant Atsuta Houraiken Main Store, located nearby.
The restaurant is the birthplace of Hitsumabushi, Nagoya’s famous eel dish.
The eel is carefully grilled over binchotan charcoal and flavored with a secret sauce that has been passed down for over 150 years.
One of the charms of Hitsumabushi is that it can be enjoyed in three different ways: first as it is, then with condiments, and finally by pouring hot broth over the rice and eel. This allows you to appreciate the changing flavors in each step.
After dinner, return to Nagoya Station and stay at a nearby hotel to prepare for Day 3.

After breakfast, take the Shinkansen Nozomi from JR Nagoya Station to Kyoto Station.
Make sure to take the Nozomi, as other services will take longer. With departures running about every 10 minutes, you can travel without stress.

From Kyoto Station, board the Kyoto City Bus at stop A2 and ride for about 30 minutes to Shimogamo Shrine-mae. From there, it is only a short walk to reach Shimogamo Shrine (Kamomioya-jinja).
This ancient shrine is dedicated to Kamotaketsunumi-no-Mikoto, the deity who founded Kyoto, and his daughter Tamayorihime-no-Mikoto.
In 1994, it was registered as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.”
The grounds also include the vast primeval forest Tadasu-no-Mori, which preserves ancient vegetation and allows visitors to feel the breath of antiquity.

Next, head to Demachiyanagi Station, then take the Keihan Line to Shichijo Station. From there, walk about 10 minutes to the Kyoto National Museum.
Here, you can admire Kyoto-related paintings, sculptures, and crafts, gaining a deeper appreciation of Japanese history and aesthetics.
The museum’s architecture is also noteworthy: the red-brick Meiji Kotokan Hall during the Meiji era, and the modern Heisei Chishinkan Wing, both add to the experience.

After fully enjoying the museum, return to Kyoto Station and have dinner at Hashitate, a casual Japanese restaurant produced by the long-established Kyoto restaurant Wakuden.
The restaurant offers high-quality Kyoto cuisine such as rice bowls, set meals, and à la carte dishes. The most recommended is the Hashitate Set, which includes a sea bream sesame miso rice bowl, miso soup, and Seiko, a confection made with lotus root starch. This set allows you to fully savor the refined techniques of Kyoto’s traditional cuisine.
Takeout is also available, so if you are pressed for time, you can enjoy it on the Shinkansen.

After dinner, take the JR Kyoto Line Special Rapid Service from JR Kyoto Station to Osaka Station, a ride of about 30 minutes.
After 8:00 pm, trains run about every 20 minutes, so checking the timetable in advance helps minimize waiting time.
If you still have energy, exploring the streets around Osaka Station or enjoying local flour-based dishes such as takoyaki and okonomiyaki is also recommended.

Begin from Osaka Metro Midosuji Line Umeda Station (about a 5-minute walk from Osaka Station), then transfer to a Hankyu Bus to reach Katsuo-ji Temple, located in the mountains of Minoh City.
With a history of over 1,300 years, this temple has long been revered as the Temple of Winning Luck, attracting many visitors as a spiritual power spot.
People come here to pray for success in exams, protection from misfortune, or recovery from illness. The sight of countless red Kachi-Dharma (winning dharma) lined up throughout the grounds is truly impressive.
The temple grounds also feature seasonal flowers such as cherry blossoms, rhododendrons, and autumn leaves, creating a majestic space where natural beauty and sacred atmosphere are in harmony.

After your visit to Katsuo-ji Temple, return to Umeda Station, then head to Nakazakicho Station to explore the district of Nakazakicho.
This area preserves pre- and post-war wooden houses and traditional townhouses, blending retro Showa-era streetscapes with a modern creative atmosphere.
Its maze-like alleys make walking around an enjoyable activity in itself.
The area is dotted with old-house cafés, general stores, vintage clothing shops, and galleries, offering visitors a chance to escape the city’s bustle and discover diverse charms.

Finally, head to Ebisubashisuji Shopping Street, located in the heart of Minami.
From Nakazakicho, return to Umeda, then take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to Namba Station, where the arcade is only a short walk away.
Stretching about 370 m, this covered shopping street is lined with around 100 shops, creating a lively atmosphere full of Osaka’s distinctive warmth and energy.
Nearby are iconic landmarks such as the Glico Sign and the giant moving crab sign of Kani Doraku, both extremely popular photo spots.

After enjoying your time at Ebisubashisuji, it’s time for the finale.
From Namba Station, take the Nankai Line Airport Express for about 50 minutes to Kansai International Airport to begin your journey home.
This 4-day trip will have given you the opportunity to experience the many faces of both the Chubu and Kansai regions.
As you reflect on your memories of historic sites, World Heritage locations, and retro streetscapes during your flight home, you will likely find yourself smiling.