As Japanese cities go, Nagoya doesn’t get a lot of love. And while some (including myself, at turns) might argue this is unjustified, it makes sense in other ways.
I wish I could tell you that Aichi, the prefecture Nagoya anchors, was not similarly lackluster in many ways. Unfortunately, just as Nagoya is useful primarily as a gateway to other destinations in central Japan, so too does Aichi-ken functions best as a base, rather than an end-all, be-all.
The good news? No matter how much of your time you actually spend within its boundaries, my Aichi travel guide will get you sorted quickly and easily.
Where to Stay in Aichi
It will not surprise you at all to learn that most Aichi hotels are in Nagoya. However, there’s something you should know about them. Namely, that while many of the top-rated hotels in Nagoya are near that city’s top attractions (in other words, closer to Sakae Station than to Nagoya Station), I personally prefer convenience over a “central” location within the city.
To make some specific recommendations, I like Nagoya Marriott Associa on the higher end and Compass Hotel Nagoya on the lower end. If you do want to stay closer to the heart of Nagoya, meanwhile, I’d suggest The Tower Hotel. Want to stay elsewhere in Aichi? I’d probably only choose more luxurious accommodation such Hotel Indigo in Inuyama, though in my opinion this is a pretty inconvenient choice.
Things to Do in (and Around) Aichi
Explore underrated Nagoya
Nagoya isn’t likely to become your favorite city in Japan, but it’s still worth visiting—at least if you follow my advice. One tip? Rather than wasting time on the ground at Nagoya Castle (which is a replica, and not very impressive) admire it in context from the Midland Square Sky Promenade. Secondly, sacred areas like Atsuta Shrine and the area around Osu Kannon Temple are more interesting than commercial zones.
(And eat misokatsu)
Whether or not you set foot in Nagoya (let alone do so intentionally), it just isn’t an Aichi itinerary without indulging in the city’s most famous culinary treasure. I’m talking specifically about misokatsu, which is a juicy tonkatsu port cutlet smothered in sweet, red miso sauce. While you can enjoy this at many places throughout the city, the Yabaton chain is your most reliable bet.
Admire Inuyama Castle
While Nagoya-jo leaves a lot to be desired, as Japanese castles, I’m happy to report that the castle up in Inuyama (which is one of the 12 original castles in Japan, and is allegedly the very oldest of them) is very much worth visiting. Conveniently, you can get here directly from Meitetsu-Nagoya Station in less than an hour door-to-door (including a 15-20 minute walk, do note).
Hike along the Nakasendo
You can’t technically consider any part of the Nakasendo Way hiking route among things to do in Aichi. It begins in Gifu prefecture; it extends all the way into Nagano. Still, if you hike from Magome-juku the most direct way to get here is by riding a train from Nagoya Station to Nakatsugawa, so whether you take a day trip or an overnight excursion, it still ends up being within Aichi’s orbit.
Use Aichi as a gateway to Mie
Or, you can head in the other direction. In particular, I’m talking about Mie, located to the southeast of Nagoya on the northeastern part of the Kii Peninsula. While some attractions are accessible via local train lines, I personally like renting a car, whether I’m bound for a wa-gyu lunch in Matsusaka, or to watch ama pearl divers in Toba on the Shima Peninsula.
How Many Days Do You Need in Aichi?
Aichi is a part of Japan many travelers skip, so if you even stay here a night—if you even come here for the day!—you’re the exception. On the other hand, spending a couple of nights in and around Nagoya can really unlock options, particularly if you plan to visit adjacent prefectures like Gifu and Mie on day trips, rather than as overnight excursions.
Indeed, beyond Nagoya and Inuyama (and, perhaps, Toyota or Toyohashi), the question of how many days in Aichi is really a question of which day trips you will make. Adding more days will simply allow you to explore Gifu-ken or Mie-ken more, or even to go beyond, whether to an urban destination like Hamamatsu in Shizuoka, or perhaps even down to the sacred east coast of Wakayama beyond Mie.
Other FAQ About Visiting Japan’s Aichi Prefecture
What’s the nearest airport to Aichi, Japan?
The nearest major airport to Aichi prefecture is Nagoya Centrair International Airport (NGO). However, limited domestic flights depart from Nagoya Komaki Airport (NKM); Osaka-Kansai Airport (KIX) is less convenient, but offers many more international flight options than NGO.
What food is famous in Aichi?
Whenever I think of Aichi prefecture, I think of Nagoya’s famous misokatsu, a succulent tonkatsu pork cutlet swimming in sweet red miso sauce. You can enjoy other foods here, of course, but this is a meal I never miss when I’m in town.
Is Aichi near Osaka?
Aichi prefecture is relatively close to Osaka, with Nagoya Station around an hour by Shinkansen bullet train from Shin-Osaka Station. In particular, Osaka’s Kansai Airport (KIX) is often the most convenient one to arrive from overseas if you’re ultimately bound for somewhere in Aichi.
The Bottom Line
My Aichi travel guide comes with a caveat, but it’s more useful as a result. To be sure, you’ll be spending more of your time in Aichi-ken day-tripping elsewhere in central Japan, whether that’s watching ama dive for pearls in Mie or hiking along the Nakasendo from Gifu into Nagano. On the other hand, I do think there’s value to giving Nagoya the time it deserves, to say nothing of destinations in its immediate periphery, namely the castle town of Inuyama to the north. Need personalized help incorporating Aichi into your Japan trip? Consider hiring me to plan it!
