Aichi Travel Guide: 15 Best Things to Do and How to Plan Your Trip
The top tourist attractions in Aichi range from urban sightseeing in Nagoya and the castle town of Inuyama to the Ghibli Park area in Nagakute and the pottery and industrial heritage of Tokoname and Handa. Their appeal lies in how easily these very different atmospheres can be combined into a single itinerary.
If you're visiting for the first time, choosing areas based on your length of stay and interests will make your trip far more rewarding.
In this Aichi travel guide, we introduce 15 spots across Nagoya, Inuyama, Nagakute, Tokoname, and Handa, organized by travel theme.
First-Time Visitors: Choosing by Area Makes It Easier
Central Nagoya combines castles, shrines, shopping streets, and museums, and since you can get around by subway or JR, even a short one- to two-day stay lets you experience Aichi's distinctive culture.
The Inuyama area suits travelers who want to enjoy a National Treasure castle, historic streets, gardens, and Meiji-era architecture all in one place.
The Ghibli Park area (Nagakute) is ideal for a trip that blends the world of the films with the nature of the surrounding park, while Tokoname and Handa are perfect for those who want to explore craftsmanship and industrial heritage on foot.
Quick Comparison: Best Aichi Attractions by Travel Style
Sorting out what you can enjoy in each area first makes it much easier to decide where to stay and how to plan your travel routes.
| Spot | Area | Trip Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Nagoya Castle | Nagoya | Castle & samurai culture |
| Atsuta Jingū Shrine | Nagoya | Shrine visit |
| Ōsu Shopping Street | Nagoya | Town walking |
| Tokugawaen & Tokugawa Art Museum | Nagoya | Garden & art |
| Toyota Commemorative Museum | Nagoya | Craftsmanship |
| SCMAGLEV and Railway Park | Nagoya | Railway culture |
| Inuyama Castle | Inuyama | National Treasure keep |
| Inuyama Castle Town | Inuyama | Historic streets |
| Meiji Mura Museum | Inuyama | Meiji architecture |
| Urakuen Japanese Garden | Inuyama | Tea ceremony |
| Ghibli Park | Nagakute | World of the films |
| Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park | Nagakute | Park strolling |
| Toyota Automobile Museum | Nagakute | Automobile culture |
| Pottery Footpath | Tokoname | Pottery town |
| Handa Red Brick Building | Handa | Industrial heritage |
Best Things to Do in Nagoya: Aichi's Top Attractions
Central Nagoya is easy to get around by subway, JR, and the Meitetsu line, and its appeal is that you can enjoy history, faith, shopping, and industrial culture all in a single day.
Nagoya Castle: Experience Owari Tokugawa Samurai Culture at Honmaru Palace
Nagoya Castle lets you experience the culture tied to the Owari Tokugawa family—the foremost of the three Tokugawa branch houses—through the atmosphere of the castle grounds and the ornate decorations of the reconstructed Honmaru Palace.
The Honmaru Palace was fully reconstructed and reopened in 2018, faithfully recreating the gold-toned wall and sliding-door paintings (shōhekiga) by artists of the Kanō school using period techniques.
Note that the main keep (tenshukaku) has been closed since May 2018 due to earthquake-resistance concerns, and its interior cannot be entered because of ongoing wooden reconstruction work (viewing the exterior and the Honmaru Palace is still possible).
Since opening status and admission fees are subject to change, it's a good idea to check the facility's information before your visit.
Atsuta Jingū Shrine: The Nagoya Shrine Enshrining the Sacred Sword Kusanagi
Atsuta Jingū Shrine, located in Nagoya's Atsuta Ward, offers a calm atmosphere surrounded by roughly 60,000 tsubo (about 20 hectares) of woodland right within the city.
It is known for enshrining the Kusanagi-no-Mitsurugi, one of Japan's Three Sacred Treasures, and its founding traces back to the legend of Yamato Takeru.
Beyond the main hall, the grounds hold several other shrines, and the "Kusanagi-kan" sword treasury, opened in 2021, displays some of its collection of around 450 swords.
Combining a shrine visit, a stroll, and the sword exhibition, it is one of Nagoya's most well-known places of worship.
Ōsu Shopping Street: Shopping and Local Vibes on a Nagoya Town Walk
Ōsu Shopping Street has a long history as the temple town in front of Ōsu Kannon, and with around 1,200 shops—vintage clothing, electronics stores, general goods, cafés, and street food—it is a lively area that captures the spirit of Nagoya.
Made up of several streets such as Ōsu Hondōri and Niōmon-dōri, it places temples and shopping side by side, with old-fashioned atmosphere and new culture like international cuisine lining the same streets, making it great for walking around and taking photos.
When trying street food, eating at the storefront or in designated spots—rather than while walking—shows consideration for those around you.
Tokugawaen & Tokugawa Art Museum: Enjoy a Serene Garden and Feudal-Lord Culture
Tokugawaen and the Tokugawa Art Museum make a great pairing for those who want to spend calmer moments rather than at busy tourist hotspots.
Opened in 1935, the Tokugawa Art Museum holds around 10,000 items of feudal-lord regalia handed down through the Owari Tokugawa family, including 9 National Treasures such as "The Tale of Genji Illustrated Handscroll" and 59 Important Cultural Properties.
At the adjacent Tokugawaen you can gaze at ponds, bridges, and seasonal plants, while the museum lets you appreciate the depth of feudal-lord culture through armor, swords, tea utensils, and ceremonial garments.
Toyota Commemorative Museum & SCMAGLEV and Railway Park: Indoor Spots for Vehicle Lovers
The Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, in Nagoya's Nishi Ward, occupies a building repurposed from a Taishō-era textile mill, where you can learn about the flow of craftsmanship from textile machinery to automobiles.
The SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, at Kinjōfutō in Nagoya's Minato Ward, lets you experience Japanese railway technology through displays of actual train cars and exhibits on how railways work.
Both center on indoor exhibits, so you can stay comfortable even on rainy days or hot summer days.
Things to Do in Inuyama: Castle Town and Meiji Architecture
Inuyama, about 30 minutes from Nagoya on the Meitetsu line, is an area where you can enjoy a calm town walk quite different from Nagoya itself.
Combining the castle, castle town, gardens, and an open-air museum lets you experience Aichi's history in a richer, more layered way.
Inuyama Castle: A National Treasure Keep Overlooking the Kiso River
Inuyama Castle, a National Treasure standing on a bluff along the Kiso River, has a keep considered the oldest surviving in Japan, counted among the five National Treasure castles alongside Matsumoto, Himeji, Hikone, and Matsue castles.
Unlike modern exhibition facilities, the keep's interior retains the steep stairs and spaces typical of old wooden architecture, so it's reassuring to visit in comfortable walking shoes.
From the mawarien (encircling balcony) on the top floor, you can enjoy views of the Kiso River and the castle town.
Entry may be restricted during busy times, so follow on-site guidance and avoid stopping too long when taking photos or moving around.
Inuyama Castle Town: Enjoy Historic Machiya and Food Culture on Foot
Inuyama Castle Town lines Honmachi-dōri, the street leading to the castle, with old machiya (traditional townhouses) and shops, making the stroll itself a pleasure.
Many shops sell local dishes like gohei-mochi (grilled rice cakes with sweet-savory sauce) and dengaku, along with Japanese sweets, and simply walking while admiring the storefronts gives you a real castle-town feel.
When carrying food, be mindful of contact with others on crowded streets and of how you dispose of trash, and eating in designated spots is the safest choice.
Meiji Mura Museum: An Open-Air Museum Preserving Authentic Meiji Architecture
Meiji Mura Museum, opened in 1965, is a vast open-air museum of about 1 million square meters where you can walk among architecture and culture centered on the Meiji era.
More than 60 relocated buildings—including the central entrance of the former Imperial Hotel and Important Cultural Properties—let you imagine the daily life and technology of the time as you walk, making it ideal for those who love photography, architecture, and history.
Since there's a lot of walking across the grounds and long distances to cover, comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing will make your visit more pleasant.
Urakuen Japanese Garden: The National Treasure Tea House Jo-an and Garden Serenity
Urakuen Japanese Garden, east of Inuyama Castle, is a garden where you can experience the aesthetics of the tea ceremony.
Centered on the National Treasure tea house "Jo-an," built by Oda Urakusai, younger brother of Oda Nobunaga, it was relocated here in 1972; Jo-an is one of only three surviving National Treasure tea houses, alongside Tai-an in Yamazaki, Kyoto, and Mittan at Daitoku-ji Temple.
Gazing at the roji (garden path) and the arrangement of the buildings reveals a side of Japanese culture that savors empty space rather than flamboyance.
Access to the tea house interior may be limited to reservation-only viewing sessions, so check the viewing conditions, and being mindful of your voice level and photo positions lets you enjoy the space while preserving its quiet atmosphere.
Nature and Automobile Culture Around Ghibli Park
The Nagakute area is easy to combine not only with Ghibli Park but also with park strolls and automobile-culture facilities.
For facilities with tickets or admission rules, checking the facility information before your trip and not overpacking your schedule is the safest approach.
Ghibli Park: Enjoy the World of the Films with Date-and-Time Reservations
Ghibli Park, which opened within Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park in November 2022, is a facility where you can enjoy the world of Studio Ghibli films throughout the park.
It is made up of five areas: "Ghibli's Grand Warehouse," "Hill of Youth," "Dondoko Forest," "Mononoke Village," and "Valley of Witches."
Tickets are reservation-only, and the main tickets go on sale at 2 p.m. on the 10th of the month two months before entry, so once your visit date is set, check ticket information early and be careful not to mix up your entry area or meeting time.
Since this is a place that treasures the world of the films, it's important to follow the on-site guidance on whether photography is allowed and where you may enter.
Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park: A Park for Taking a Break Amid Greenery
Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Moricoro Park) is the large park where Ghibli Park is located, letting you relax on lawns and along walking paths.
Developed on the former site of the 2005 Aichi Expo, it's a place where you can rest amid nature between sightseeing stops, making it easy to use for families with children or travelers tired from long journeys.
Some facilities within the park may close or undergo maintenance, so if there's a specific one you want to visit, checking the facility information in advance is reassuring.
Toyota Automobile Museum: Tracing Automobile Culture from Around the World
The Toyota Automobile Museum, in Nagakute City, lets you trace the history and culture of cars from Japan and abroad through its Car Pavilion and Cultural Pavilion.
Even those unfamiliar with cars can sense the background of craftsmanship by seeing how design and daily life changed over the eras.
If you're staying near Ghibli Park, it also makes a good indoor spot that isn't easily affected by the weather.
Walking Through Pottery and Industrial Heritage in Tokoname and Handa
Venture toward the Chita Peninsula and you'll encounter port towns and craftsmanship landscapes unlike the urban center.
Tokoname and Handa retain local history in their buildings and alleys, making them ideal for those who want to enjoy the feel of walking, not just photos.
Pottery Footpath: A Townscape with Dokanzaka and a Climbing Kiln
Tokoname's Pottery Footpath (Yakimono Sanpomichi) is a walking route that conveys a thousand years of Tokoname ware history, with clay pipes and kiln scenery typical of a pottery-producing area.
As you walk along slopes and narrow alleys, there's the fun of discovering scenes with pottery shops, workshops, and chimneys—such as "Dokanzaka" (the clay-pipe slope), whose walls are filled with Meiji-era clay pipes and early-Shōwa shōchū bottles, and "Tōeigama," said to be one of Japan's largest surviving climbing kilns (noborigama).
The classic route near Tokoname Station takes about 1 to 2 hours depending on your pace, but since the footpath is also a place of daily life and production, consideration is needed—don't enter private property or peer into homes.
Handa Red Brick Building: Enjoy the Meiji Architecture of the Former Kabuto Beer Brewery
The Handa Red Brick Building is a red-brick structure that preserves the atmosphere of the "Kabuto Beer" brewery, built in 1898 (Meiji 31).
Designed by architect Tsumaki Yorinaka, who also worked on the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse and others, it is registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property and a Modern Industrial Heritage site.
Kabuto Beer was a brand that won a gold medal at the 1900 Paris Exposition, revived in 2005, and inside the building you can even taste beer that recreates its original flavor.
Combining it with Tokoname makes it easy to compare two different histories of craftsmanship—pottery and brewing.
Choosing Aichi Attractions by Season and Travel Style
Aichi's tourist attractions look different depending on the season.
Combining outdoor castles, gardens, and town walks with indoor museums creates an itinerary that isn't easily disrupted by the weather.
Comparing How Spots Look Across the Seasons
Even the same spot changes in photographic impression and how you spend your time by season, so choosing to match the purpose of your trip makes it more satisfying.
For example, cherry blossoms are typically at their best from late March to early April and autumn leaves from mid-November to early December, when Inuyama Castle, Tokugawaen, and Urakuen take on their colors.
| Season | Best Spots | How to Enjoy |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Castles & gardens | Flowers & strolling |
| Summer | Museums | Mostly indoors |
| Autumn | Inuyama & gardens | Town walking |
| Winter | Shrines & exhibitions | Quiet appreciation |
Combining by Travel Type
On a first trip to Aichi, choosing combinations that match your own interests—rather than just chasing famous spots—tends to leave a more lasting memory.
| Type | Combination | Ideal Trip |
|---|---|---|
| First-timer | Nagoya-centered | Classic highlights |
| History lover | Inuyama-centered | Castles & architecture |
| Family trip | Nagakute-centered | Parks & exhibits |
| Town walking | Tokoname & Handa | Photo strolling |
Getting Around Aichi: Access and Travel Tips
Aichi's tourist attractions can be toured efficiently by traveling by rail from Nagoya Station as your base.
Traveling Between Areas by Rail
The subway is convenient within Nagoya: the nearest station for Nagoya Castle is "Nagoyajō Station" on the municipal subway Meijō Line, while for Atsuta Jingū Shrine the closest are Meitetsu "Jingū-mae" Station and JR "Atsuta" Station.
For the Inuyama area, it's about 25 to 30 minutes from Nagoya on the Meitetsu Inuyama Line, and for the Ghibli Park area in Nagakute, transferring between the subway Higashiyama Line and the Linimo to "Ai-Chikyūhaku-kinen-kōen Station (Expo Memorial Park Station)" is convenient.
Tokoname is accessed via the Meitetsu Tokoname Line and Handa via the JR Taketoyo Line or the Meitetsu Kōwa Line, and since Tokoname is close to Chubu Centrair International Airport by Meitetsu, it's easy to work into your arrival or departure day.
Etiquette and Preparation for International Travelers
Sightseeing in Aichi mixes quiet places—shrines, castles, gardens, and residential alleys—with lively ones.
Go with the Flow at Shrines, Castles, and Gardens
At shrines, avoid blocking the flow of worshippers, and keeping your voice down near halls of worship and sanctuaries lets you spend a calm time.
At castles and gardens, where there are old buildings and uneven steps, watch your footing rather than focusing too much on photos.
Check Tickets and Facility Information Before Your Trip
Reservation-only facilities like Ghibli Park, and museums whose content changes with each exhibition, may not admit you on a same-day impulse.
Since fees, opening hours, closures, photography permissions, and reservation requirements can change, check each facility's information before your trip.
Don't Enter Living Spaces on Town Walks
In Inuyama Castle Town and Tokoname's Pottery Footpath, these are tourist areas, but they are also places where local people's daily lives continue.
Following the basics—don't enter private property, don't peer into homes, take your trash with you, and don't linger too long on narrow paths—lets you walk with a clear conscience.
| Situation | Good Behavior | Behavior to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Shrine | Worship quietly | Loud photo-taking |
| Castle | Follow the route | Occupying a spot too long |
| Garden | Wait for the view | Stepping into plantings |
| Town walk | Eat at storefronts | Eating while walking |
Summary: Touring Aichi's Best Attractions Your Own Way
Aichi's top tourist attractions—expanded beyond Nagoya to Inuyama, Nagakute, Tokoname, and Handa—connect history, faith, craftsmanship, nature, and town walking in a well-balanced way.
If it's your first time, use Nagoya as your base, and if you have time to spare, adding Inuyama or the Ghibli Park area lets you broaden your trip while keeping travel effort low.
Venturing as far as Tokoname and Handa lets you encounter the industry and everyday scenery of Aichi that famous attractions alone don't reveal.
Since fees, opening hours, reservations, and photography rules are subject to change, check each facility's information before you set off, and enjoy combining the spots that best match your interests.
