[Nagoya Spring Travel Guide] Spring Scenery Framed by Cherry Blossoms and Modern Architecture

Opened in 1909 as the first park established by the City of Nagoya, this representative urban park celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2019.
The historic grounds, dotted with a fountain tower blending Japanese and Western styles and an Italian Renaissance-style music pavilion, are also known as a famous cherry blossom spot selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites. In spring, cherry trees bloom throughout the park, and illuminations are held at night. The sight of Ukimido Hall and cherry blossoms reflected on the surface of Ryugaike Pond is especially beautiful.

A large general park spread across Approx. 80 hectares.
Located at the foot of Nagoya Castle, the park is planted with Approx. 2,800 cherry trees. It's a place where you can enjoy spring scenery along with seasonal flowers, and it becomes lively with many visitors during cherry blossom season. Walk around Ofuke Pond, which offers a sweeping view of Nagoya Castle, and the scenery of the castle framed by cherry blossoms adds color to your spring stroll.

A Japanese stroll garden with a central pond, designed based on the topography of the Chubu region.
Water flowing from the artificial hill, representing the source, leads into scenes of valleys and branching streams, creating a garden where the landscape changes as if tracing the land itself. Around 30 cherry trees, including weeping cherries and mountain cherries, can be seen throughout the grounds, softly coloring the spring scenery in harmony with the water and greenery. It's a peaceful place to enjoy a quiet walk where natural beauty and seasonal colors come together.

A science museum in central Nagoya made up of three buildings: the Life Science Building, the Physical Science Building, and the Astronomy Building. Its spherical exterior dome is especially distinctive, and its location next to Shirakawa Park makes it perfect for a spring stroll.
Inside, you'll find plenty of hands-on exhibits and one of the world's largest planetariums, making it a great place to experience the world of science right in the middle of the city.

The museum's collection focuses mainly on four themes: local art, the École de Paris, the Mexican Renaissance, and contemporary art. Inside, works by a wide range of artists are displayed, including Aichi-born painter Takamichi Oguiss.
Set in a calm environment next to Shirakawa Park, the museum also features scattered outdoor contemporary sculptures by artists such as Calder and Noguchi. In spring, the park's trees begin to bud, creating a soft harmony between the sculptures and the greenery. It's a spot where you can enjoy a quiet artistic space.

A multi-level urban park symbolized by its giant glass roof, the "Spaceship-Aqua." Located in the heart of Sakae, it also serves as a transportation hub connected to the subway and bus terminal.
You can take the elevator or stairs up to the "Spaceship-Aqua" and enjoy a walk there. Taking an aerial stroll under the pleasant spring sunshine is highly recommended.
There are also shops and restaurants around the "Galaxy Platform," making it a great place to take a break during your walk or shop for souvenirs.

The birthplace of the world-famous Noritake brand, this site has shops, cafes, a museum, and more spread throughout the grounds.
The red-brick building constructed in 1904 was the first factory of Nippon Toki Kaisha, Ltd. (now Noritake Co., Limited). It's a stately building that symbolizes the beginning of Western tableware manufacturing in Japan. At the Craft Center, you can also watch artisans decorating ceramics. In spring, fresh greenery spreads across the grounds, making it a pleasant place for a walk as well.

The current Nagoya City Hall Main Building is the city's third city hall building. Constructed as a commemorative project for Emperor Showa's enthronement ceremonies, it was completed in 1933. Its distinctive design, a modern building topped with a Japanese-style tiled roof, is symbolized by the shachihoko ornaments placed atop the clock tower.
Valued as an early Showa-period building that incorporates Japanese elements into a Western architectural style, it has been designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. In spring, the building is wrapped in soft light, making its stately appearance stand out even more.

Built as the "Nagoya TV Tower" for sightseeing and television broadcasting, this tower has long been loved as a symbol of Nagoya.
From the indoor observation deck "Sky Deck" located 90 meters above ground, you can enjoy sweeping views of Nagoya and the distant mountains. At the outdoor observation deck "Sky Balcony" 100 meters above ground, you can also take in the cityscape while feeling the breeze. In spring, when the greenery of Hisaya Odori Park spreads out below, the view feels even more pleasant.

Its unique exterior, designed to resemble a white sailing ship, is known as a landmark of Nagoya Port.
From the top-floor observation room, you can look out over Nagoya Port and the city's cluster of high-rise buildings, enjoying the view along with the openness of the waterfront. The building also houses a maritime museum where you can learn about ports and ships, making it a great place to visit along with a stroll around the breezy port area in spring.

An annual spring event held at Arakogawa Park in Nagoya's Minato Ward.
The Sakura Festival, held every year from late March to early April, features concerts, workshops, and kitchen cars timed to the blooming of the cherry blossoms. Around 1,000 Somei Yoshino cherry trees bloom along the river, and the area is also illuminated during the event period. The cherry blossom scenery differs beautifully between day and night.

A cherry blossom event held at Nagoya Castle every year from late March to early April.
Centered around Approx. 900 cherry trees of around 10 varieties blooming inside and outside the castle grounds, visitors can enjoy both the majestic castle scenery and the vibrant beauty of spring. At night, the cherry blossoms are illuminated, and Nagoya Castle takes on a different appearance from the daytime.
Set against Nagoya Castle in spring, this is a seasonal scene where historic castle architecture and cherry blossoms come together beautifully.

A traditional event held every May at Wakamiya Hachimansha Shrine in Naka Ward, Nagoya.
This festival has continued since the Edo period. At its height, it was a grand event with seven festival floats assembled together, and today it is still carried on as a traditional event featuring mikoshi processions and float parades. In the season when fresh greenery stands out, the procession moving through the city center evokes the shift from spring to early summer in Nagoya.

Founded in 1873 in the gate town of Atsuta Jingu Shrine, this restaurant is known as the birthplace of Nagoya's famous eel dish, hitsumabushi. It's within walking distance of Shirotori Garden, making it easy to stop by before or after a garden stroll.
Fresh eel is grilled over binchotan charcoal, creating a crispy skin and tender, fluffy meat. Hitsumabushi, enjoyed in three different ways, is one of Nagoya's signature dishes.

A long-established restaurant serving Nagoya's famous miso nikomi udon, made by simmering noodles in a broth based on soybean miso. It's within walking distance of Yabacho Station and is also convenient to visit when stopping by the Nagoya City Science Museum or Art Museum.
The broth is made with a special blend of Kakukyu Hatcho Miso from Okazaki and white miso, and the firm noodles are prepared without salt. There is also a branch in Kinshachi Yokocho near Nagoya Castle, making it easy to stop by between sightseeing.

A famous restaurant founded in 1947 and known for Nagoya's signature dish, miso katsu. Located in Yabacho in central Nagoya, it's easy to stop by while sightseeing around the Sakae area.
The most popular item is the giant "Waraji Tonkatsu," measuring Approx. 22 cm. Covered generously with sauce made from naturally brewed soybean miso, it offers a distinctly Nagoya flavor.

A coffee shop tucked away in Shikemichi, a merchant district created when Nagoya Castle was built, where you can still see rows of white-walled storehouses. It carries on the legacy of the beloved Kissa Poppy, which first opened at Nagoya Station in 1977.
Inside the photogenic interior, inspired by classic Japanese kissaten from the Showa era and featuring a tower-style loft seating area, you can enjoy house-roasted coffee and local specialties such as ogura toast.

The specialty here is "Phantom Tebasaki," fried chicken wings seasoned with "phantom pepper" and a secret sauce that create an addictive spicy, flavorful taste. They are known for their crisp texture from double-frying and juicy meat. The menu also includes other Nagoya specialties such as doteni and miso kushikatsu, making it a great place to try several local dishes at once.
Located in the Sakae area, it's easy to stop by while sightseeing in central Nagoya.

An elegant hotel with a refined European-style atmosphere.
The interior is unified by graceful décor, and you can spend your time in the calm ambiance that only a long-established hotel can offer. Guest rooms range from standard to suite, which is another welcome feature for meeting a variety of travel needs.
Located in the center of Sakae, it also offers easy access to Oasis 21 and Shirakawa Park, making it a convenient base for sightseeing.

A hotel with outstanding access, directly connected to JR Nagoya Station. Occupying the upper floors from the 15th to the 24th floor of JR Gate Tower, one of its attractions is the sweeping view of Nagoya's cityscape from many of the rooms.
Guest rooms are equipped with comfortable Simmons beds and blackout curtains, making it easy to relax even on a trip with lots of travel. The breakfast buffet also includes Nagoya specialties, letting you start your day at a leisurely pace.

A highly convenient hotel for sightseeing, directly connected to Sasashima-raibu Station, one stop from Nagoya Station on the Aonami Line. All guest rooms, based on the concept of a "floating ship in the sky," are located on the high floors from the 32nd to the 36th floor, offering sweeping views of Nagoya at night.
The city lights shifting from sunset into night add a memorable touch to a spring stay in Nagoya.