3 Day Nagoya Itinerary - Nagoya Castle, Osu, Food and Shopping

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Three days in Nagoya is enough for Nagoya Castle, the Osu shopping streets, plenty of good food and a proper last-minute shopping run. This plan is what we did there in May 2024 with our toddler and our parents, around a 12-day Central Japan road trip.

We prefer flying into Nagoya over Tokyo to start a road trip: it's less crowded, and hotels and parking are generally cheaper. We usually keep 1–2 days at the end for last-minute shopping before flying home to Singapore. This time we had more, and we didn't do many attractions. We shopped, ate well and recharged.

Arrival: Tokoname Manekineko Street and Fusha Bakery

We went straight to Tokoname Manekineko Street after picking up our rental car, on the day we landed. It's just a 10-minute drive from Chubu International Airport, so it's an easy first stop before heading into Nagoya or starting a road trip. Compare car rentals in Japan on Klook.

We enjoyed a pleasant walk around the neighbourhood while waiting for the restaurants to open, then had noodles and dessert at Wabisuke.

Don't miss Fusha Bakery

The real surprise was a bakery a few steps down the street. We bought several pieces of bread for the journey, and they were so good that we went back for more. We even considered making another trip before flying back to Singapore.

Pan Koubou Fusha: 3-90 Sakaemachi, Tokoname. Open 11am–5pm, closed on Tuesdays (and Wednesdays in July and August). On Tuesdays, you can still buy its bread at the Tokoname Tourist Information Center.

Day 1: Nagoya Castle, Kinshachi Yokocho and Osu

Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle was built in the early 1600s and marked the city's rise as a political and economic centre. Most of it was lost in World War II and later rebuilt. We spent our time in the grounds.

Before you go: you can't enter the main keep, which has been closed since 2018 for a planned wooden rebuild. The grounds and the restored Honmaru Palace are open. Admission went up from ¥500 to ¥1,000 on 1 October 2026; you can buy a Nagoya Castle ticket on Klook. Check the official site for opening hours.

Lunch at Kinshachi Yokocho

After the castle, walk over to Kinshachi Yokocho, the restaurant street right next to it. Along the traditional Edo-style street you'll find specialty restaurants serving katsu, tempura and more. Hours vary by shop.

Osu Kannon Temple and Osu Shopping District

After lunch, visit Osu Kannon Temple, dedicated to the goddess Guan Yin. It's one of the most impressive sights in central Nagoya and free to visit. Then head to the Osu Shopping District next door, a vast and popular area with over 1,200 shops and restaurants.

Dinner at Umegaoka Sushi no Midori

Travelling with little ones can be challenging, but this conveyor belt sushi restaurant was so good that we dined there twice during our trip. Honestly, it's better than some of the touristy seafood markets we've visited. We'd go on a weekday night.

Umegaoka Sushi no Midori Sohonten: JR Gate Tower 12F Restaurant Plaza, 1-1-3 Meieki, Nakamura Ward. Daily 11am–10pm.

Day 2: Old Spaghetti Factory, LaLaport and Don Quijote

Brunch at Old Spaghetti Factory

We had a late brunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory Nagoya, a family-friendly restaurant with an old tram parked in the dining room. The food was simple but good, and the all-you-can-eat bread is the thing to order. Arrive early, as it gets very crowded at lunch: we waited about 30 minutes for a table on a weekend.

Old Spaghetti Factory Nagoya: 1-9 Sanjo, Minami Ward.

Shopping at LaLaport Nagoya Minato

LaLaport is just a 10-minute drive away. It's a children-friendly mall with ample parking and baby care facilities, which makes it an easy shopping stop with a toddler. Without a car, the mall is a short walk from Tokaidori Station on the subway.

Parking and tax-free: get a parking discount ticket from the shops where you buy something. Not all shops at LaLaport offer tax-free shopping, so look for the tax-free logo at the entrance or cashier.

MEGA Don Quijote UNY Tokaidori

We continued our shopping spree at MEGA Don Quijote UNY Tokaidori, next to LaLaport. It was crowded, but not as busy as the main branch in Nagoya. Go if you have extra time.

Day 3: Sawamura Bakery and Nagoya Station Shopping

Brunch at Sawamura Bakery & Restaurant

Sawamura has a wide range of bread and sandwiches, which is perfect before more shopping. The French toast was soft and fluffy, and the Croque Madame was delicious.

Sawamura Bakery & Restaurant Nagoya: Midland Square B1F, 4-7-1 Meieki, Nakamura Ward. Daily 7:30am–8pm.

JR Central Towers and Takashimaya

On our last day, we headed to Nagoya Station for last-minute shopping at JR Central Towers and Takashimaya Department Store. We also stopped at Mon Cher for its swiss roll cakes before carrying on. Everything here is under one roof at the station, so it's the easiest place to finish your shopping before you fly.

Dinner at Ichiran Nagoya Station

After a long day, we had dinner at Ichiran, and it was as good as ever. The restaurant is spacious, with minimal waiting when we went. We brought our parents to Ichiran in Tokyo a few years back, and they still remember it fondly.

Ichiran Nagoya Station: Hotel Resol Nagoya B1F, 3-25-6 Meieki, Nakamura Ward, about 5 minutes on foot from the Sakuradori Exit. Open 24 hours, but check before you go as hours can change.

Where We Stayed in Nagoya

We stayed at ibis Nagoya in the Meieki area, within walking distance of Nagoya Station. That puts Sushi no Midori, Sawamura, Takashimaya and Ichiran all close to the hotel. We stayed there again on our 2025 coastal road trip. You can also compare other hotels in Nagoya.

Getting There and Around

From Chubu Airport by train: the Meitetsu μ-SKY takes about 28 minutes to Meitetsu Nagoya Station. All seats are reserved, with a ¥450 seat ticket on top of the normal fare.

By car: we had a car, which made LaLaport and the Old Spaghetti Factory easy to reach. For Nagoya Station shopping, you don't need one.

Connectivity: you'll want data for maps and restaurant queues. We recommend sorting this before you land with a Japan eSIM on Klook.

Tax-Free Shopping in Japan Has Changed

When we shopped in 2024, the tax came off at the cashier. Since 1 November 2026, you pay full price in the shop, including the 10% consumption tax, and claim it back at the airport when you leave Japan. If most of your Nagoya days are for shopping, plan for this:

• Minimum: ¥5,000 before tax, per shop, per day.
• Where: a tax-free terminal in the international departure lobby, including at Chubu Airport, within 90 days of purchase.
• When: before you check in your bags, so leave extra time on your last day.
• Bring: your passport, all your receipts and the items themselves. Each receipt is checked as a whole, so one missing item means nothing on that receipt qualifies.
• Don't eat or use it first: items that have been used or eaten can't go through the terminal.

Details are on the JNTO tax-free guide.

FAQ

Is 3 days enough for Nagoya?

Yes. We had time for Nagoya Castle, Osu, a mall day at LaLaport and a last day of shopping at Nagoya Station. If you only want last-minute shopping before a flight, 1 to 2 days is what we usually keep.

Can you go inside Nagoya Castle in 2026?

Not the main keep, which has been closed since 2018 for a planned wooden rebuild. The grounds and the restored Honmaru Palace are open. Adult admission rose from ¥500 to ¥1,000 on 1 October 2026.

Is Nagoya good with a toddler?

Travelling with little ones can be challenging, but Nagoya helps: it's less crowded than Tokyo, LaLaport Nagoya Minato has baby care facilities and ample parking, and the Old Spaghetti Factory is family-friendly.

Why fly into Nagoya instead of Tokyo for a road trip?

It's less crowded, and hotels and parking are generally cheaper. Chubu Airport is also just 10 minutes' drive from Tokoname, so you can start exploring straight after picking up your car.

How does tax-free shopping in Japan work now?

Since 1 November 2026, you pay the full price including tax in the shop, then claim it back at a terminal at the airport before you check in your bags. Bring your passport, receipts and the unused items.

The one stop not to miss is that Tokoname bakery. It's 10 minutes from the airport, so you can stop on your way in or out, as long as it isn't a Tuesday.

Prices correct as of November 2026. Always check current rates before booking.