wendy's Reviews Page 9/19

While visiting downtown Nagoya, I unexpectedly came across the atmospheric Wakamiya Hachimansha Shrine. As Nagoya's guardian shrine, it is best known for the historic and lively Wakamiya Festival held every May.

Although the shrine is in the middle of the city, it feels like a quiet retreat amid the bustle. As soon as you enter, it becomes much quieter, making it a great place for a walk, a prayer, and a chance to experience the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese shrine.

There are also many distinctive goshuin to collect. However, the monthly limited-edition goshuin has date restrictions. If you don't visit on the first day of the month, you can only get a postcard-style goshuin, which still makes a nice keepsake!

If you're visiting Nagoya, make sure to leave time for Osu Shopping Street.

This place is basically one huge treasure-hunting area, with long-established shops, affordable food, vintage clothing, trendy accessories, and even an otaku paradise!

What I like most is that the food is delicious and inexpensive. Every few steps, you'll see something you want to eat, so it's impossible to stop snacking while browsing. The shops are also full of character, and you'll often suddenly come across something and think, “Huh? What's this? It looks interesting!” 😂

If you want to see Nagoya from above, MIDLAND SQUARE is really worth adding to your itinerary!

Take the elevator straight to the Skydeck on the 42nd floor and look out over Nagoya from about 220 meters above the ground, with the entire city spread out before you.

The observation deck is very spacious and spans two floors. With huge floor-to-ceiling windows and 360-degree views, you'll see different beautiful scenery whether you visit during the day or at night.

Admission is JPY 1,000, or an additional JPY 300 with a one-day pass. It's also a great place to enjoy the night view after exploring the Sakae shopping district and the Nagoya Station area.

Hitsumabushi is a must when visiting Nagoya! This is a fairly well-known local eel restaurant that uses high-quality eel. You finish the meal with plum ochazuke, which really gives it a distinctive Nagoya touch.

There aren't many seats inside. This time, we were put in the second seating group, but fortunately, people ate fairly quickly, averaging about 30 minutes, so we only waited around 40–50 minutes before being seated.

It certainly lives up to its reputation as one of Nagoya's top hitsumabushi restaurants. The eel was wonderfully fragrant and had a great texture. I normally don't care much for ochazuke, but even I was completely won over in the end. The grilled eel liver we ordered separately was also delicious. If you like eel, it's definitely worth ordering!

How could you come to Nagoya and miss its signature chicken wings?

Furaibo is one of the best-known names for Nagoya chicken wings. The skin is crispy and fragrant, the meat is tender, and there's a hint of pepper. The more you eat, the more you want. I personally prefer Furaibo, and whenever I come to Nagoya, I always want to have them again!

Besides chicken wings, you can also try quite a few Nagoya specialties here all at once. If it's your first time in Nagoya and you don't know what to eat, this is the place to come. It's a great first stop for getting to know Nagoya's food!

The Nagoya City Art Museum is located in Shirakawa Park and is a great cultural attraction to include in a city itinerary. Its collection mainly features works by artists from Nagoya and is quite extensive, with occasional special exhibitions that are well worth seeing.

Admission to the permanent exhibition is very affordable, and you can easily look around without spending too much time. If you happen to have rainy weather or want to avoid the crowds at popular attractions, it's also nice to come here, see an exhibition, and soak up the artistic atmosphere. Afterward, you can take a stroll through Shirakawa Park for a relaxed and pleasant outing.

If you're visiting Nagoya, I highly recommend stopping by Oasis 21. It's right in the bustling Sakae shopping district, with convenient transportation and tons of places to explore nearby! During the day, you can shop at the nearby department stores and underground malls, then find a restaurant when you need a break. At night, the illuminated Spaceship-Aqua creates a completely different atmosphere and looks great in photos.

There are also plenty of izakayas, restaurants, and shopping centers nearby, so you can eat, shop, and take a walk all in one trip. Personally, I think it's worth visiting both during the day and at night. It's especially relaxing to take a walk here after an evening of shopping.

If you're shopping in Nagoya's Sakae area, I recommend stopping by the Chunichi Building! It's in a great location, and you can enjoy food, shopping, and views all in one building.

My favorite part is the free observation area on the 7th floor. You can look out over central Nagoya without paying admission, and the nighttime city views are especially atmospheric. You don't need to set aside much time for it. It's just right for ending the day by coming up for some fresh air and city views after getting tired from shopping.

When shopping around Sakae in Nagoya, don't miss this distinctive multipurpose building! The Ferris wheel on the roof is the biggest eye-catcher and has become a prominent landmark in the Sakae area. You can ride it and enjoy views of downtown Nagoya from above.

There are also tons of department stores, shopping centers, and dining options nearby, so you'll never run out of places to go. It has a great atmosphere from day to night, letting you shop, enjoy good food, and take in the city views all in one trip.

You have to try Sekai no Yamachan's chicken wings when you come to Nagoya!

Their signature Maboroshi no Tebasaki have crispy skin and tender meat, with a very prominent pepper aroma. They go really well with beer! I ordered them mildly spicy this time, and I could barely taste any heat. Instead, they were packed with fragrant, savory flavor, and I couldn't stop eating one after another. I was really impressed the first time I tried them, so it's no wonder they've become one of Nagoya's signature foods. If you're visiting Nagoya, you should definitely make time to try them!