Things to do in Nagoya, Japan (near the Studio Ghibli Park!) 🌳

22 places in this vlog

In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.

1. 1:25

   SCMaglev and Railway Park

   🏛️ Museum · Kinjo Futo

   It's half an hour by train from Nagoya Station, and the diorama alone is worth lingering over.

2. 2:20

   Nabana no Sato

   🌳 Park · Kuwana, Mie Prefecture

   Illuminations run late October to late May; take the train to Nagashima Station, then walk 2 km or take the bus.

3. 3:05

   Nagashima Spa Land

   🚡 Activity · Kuwana, Mie Prefecture

   Steel Dragon 2000 is billed as the world's longest roller coaster, and the Joyful Water Park has slides and a wave pool in summer.

4. 3:40

   Yuami no Shima

   🚡 Activity · Kuwana, Mie Prefecture

   An easy way to try many types of onsen bath without leaving the city.

5. 4:03

   Gero Onsen

   🚆 Day trip · Gero, Gifu Prefecture · brief mention

   It's about 1 hour 40 minutes from Nagoya by train.

6. 4:13

   Takayama

   🚆 Day trip · Gifu Prefecture · brief mention

   It's about 2.5 hours from Nagoya.

7. 4:16

   Legoland Japan

   🚡 Activity · Kinjo Futo, Minato-ku

   It's right next to the SCMaglev museum and half an hour by train from central Nagoya.

8. 4:52

   Sea Life Nagoya

   🚡 Activity · Kinjo Futo, Minato-ku

9. 5:07

   Nagoya Castle

   🏛️ Historic site · Naka-ku

   Reopening of the earthquake-proofed keep is planned for 2028.

10. 5:22

    Hommaru Palace

    🏰 Palace · Naka-ku · brief mention

11. 5:34

    Obara Fureai Park

    🌳 Park · Obara, Toyota City

    The Four Season Cherry Blossom Festival is in November; on public transport it takes several subway changes plus a bus.

12. 6:09

    Nagoya City Science Museum

    🏛️ Museum · Sakae

    Also shows a giant lightning bolt of electricity.

13. 6:27

    Cafe Kodama

    ☕ Cafe · Osu

    The menu includes a Calcifer bacon-and-egg set, straw-hat omurice and a Totoro dessert served in a flower pot.

14. 6:49

    Penguin Cafe Osu

    ☕ Cafe · Osu

    Try the penguin afternoon tea, hot drinks with penguin marshmallows and penguin donuts.

15. 7:32

    Osu Kannon

    ⛩️ Temple · Osu · brief mention

16. 7:37

    Osu Shotengai

    🛍️ Shopping · Osu

    Otaku shops here are less busy than Tokyo's, and secondhand shops can turn up real bargains.

17. 7:58

    Super Potato

    🛍️ Shopping · Osu · brief mention

18. 8:23

    Oasis 21

    🏢 Landmark · Sakae

    The roof is lit up at night, making it a good evening spot.

19. 8:45

    Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER

    🏢 Landmark · Sakae · brief mention

    Visible from the top of Oasis 21.

20. 8:57

    CoCo Ichibanya Museum

    🏛️ Museum · Nishi-Biwajima, Kiyosu

    You can eat a meal in the original first CoCo Ichibanya restaurant downstairs.

21. 9:30

    Site of Reversible Destiny

    🌳 Park · Yoro, Gifu Prefecture

    It's in Yoro Park, about 1.5 hours by train with a change; spots include the Zone of Clearest Confusion.

22. 10:27

    Maneki Neko Museum

    🏛️ Museum · Seto

    Tea in the cafe is served in cat-shaped teapots.