Romantic Getaway in Nagoya: 8 Unforgettable Experiences for Couples
What to Do on a Romantic Trip to Nagoya?
Whether it’s a quick day-trip or a relaxing stay in the city, Nagoya has many romantic things to do for couples. Start your day by savoring the morning menus at charming local coffee shops, take a leisurely stroll through bustling shopping streets, and for a more interactive experience, try seasonal fruit picking at nearby orchards.
Don’t miss the chance to capture unforgettable moments at the city’s photogenic landmarks and cultural sites, which provide the perfect backdrop for your shared memories. Read on to explore the best spots that showcase Nagoya‘s charm and romance.
1. Coffee shop morning tour
Morning charm with delicious breakfast add-ons
Good for: Couples, Food, Budget
Start your day with a coffee shop morning tour and get to know Nagoya’s unique breakfast culture known as “Nagoya’s morning” or “Morning service.” With this service, you get trimmings such as toast, eggs, and salad simply by buying a drink and paying a small extra charge. This has now become something of a tourist attraction.
Some coffee houses offer this service all day long, so by adding a small amount to the price of a drink, you’ll also get ogura-an toast (toast with sweet red bean paste), for example. The food items included may also be rice balls or miso soup. Some coffee shops to try include Gohan Café Beni in Meito Ward and Komeda’s Coffee Honten.
Coffee shop morning tour
2. Nagoya Castle and Kinshachi Yokocho
Opulent interiors and culinary delights in a historic setting
Good for: Food, History, Photo
No trip to Nagoya as a couple would be complete without a visit to the city’s iconic Nagoya Castle and Kinshachi Yokocho. The castle’s luxurious and glamorous interior, with gold leaf at every turn, is amazingly Instagrammable. It’s not only worth visiting for sightseeing, but also for the delicious food.
A food entertainment zone called Kinshachi Yokocho is home to long-established Nagoya-meshi restaurants like Yabaton, famous for its misokatsu (miso pork cutlets), as well as up-and-coming restaurants featuring Nagoya’s new cuisine culture. After enjoying a royally good time at the illuminated castle, why not head here for dinner? Access is via the Meijo Subway Line. Get off at Shiyakusho Station and you’ll find Nagoya Castle immediately outside Exit 7.
Location: 1-1 Honmaru, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0031, Japan
Open: Nagoya Castle: daily from 9 am to 4.30 pm
Nagoya Castle and Kinshachi Yokocho
3. Nagoya City Science Museum
Home of the awe-inspiring planetarium
Good for: Couples, History, Budget
Nagoya City Science Museum is one of the city’s main attractions for visitors. The reason? The planetarium, which boasts one of the world’s largest domes (with a diameter of 35 meters) and the highest quality images.
The “Science Stage” is a talkshow with various events scheduled throughout the day. The museum shop offers a wide variety of interesting science-inspired items (everything from masking tape to notebooks). Nagoya City Science Museum is a 5-minute walk from Fushimi Station on the Higashiyama and Tsurumai Subway Lines.
Location: Shirakawa Park, 2 Chome-17-1 Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0008, Japan
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 9.30 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays, or on the next day if Monday is a public vacation, and on the 3rd Friday of the month)
Phone: +81 (0)52-201-4486
Nagoya City Science Museum
4. Osu Kannon and Osu Shopping Street
Culture and cuisine in Nagoya’s historic shopping haven
Good for: History, Photo, Shoppers
Osu Shopping Street and the surrounding area, which was developed as the temple town of Osu Kannon, is a classic tourist spot where you can experience the essence of Nagoya. Vintage clothing stores, souvenir shops, and general merchandise stores line the street. Beyond retail therapy, the area is renowned for its eateries, serving Nagoya-meshi favorites like kushikatsu with miso, fried buns, and dumplings, perfect for sharing as you explore.
Adjacent to the shopping street, Osu Kannon is one of Japan’s three great Kannon temples, housing the oldest manuscript of The Kojiki along with other national treasures. The temple’s fortune slips often predict bad luck, encouraging visitors to create their own fortune.
Location: 2 Chome-21-47 Osu, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0011, Japan
Osu Kannon and Osu Shopping Street
5. Noritake Garden
Crafting you own ceramic keepsake
Good for: Couples, Photo, Budget
Noritake Garden is a facility complex operated by Noritake Company Limited, one of the world’s leading tableware manufacturers. The former factory site adjacent to the headquarters is now home to a park, restaurants, and a museum. Noritake tableware is used in the restaurants and cafes, and you can even try painting at the onsite crafts center. If you have half a day to spare, you can make your own tableware to commemorate your visit.
You might also want to shop for a pair of cups in your favorite design at Noritake Square Nagoya, where you can buy tableware directly from the factory. Noritake Garden is a 5-minute walk from Kamejima Station on the Higashiyama Subway Line.
Location: 3 Chome-1-36 Noritakeshinmachi, Nishi Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 451-8501, Japan
Open: Hours vary by facility
Phone: +81 (0)57-001-7114
Noritake Garden
6. Nagoya City Museum of Art
Diverse art collections in a serene museum setting
Good for: Couples, History, Photo
If you’re passionate about art, the Nagoya City Museum of Art is a must-visit. Designed by renowned Nagoya-born architect Kisho Kurokawa, this modern art museum is beautifully nestled within the lush surroundings of Shirakawa Park, in the heart of the city. The museum boasts a “Masterpiece Collection” gallery featuring rotating exhibitions from its 6,000-piece collection.
Notable themes include “École de Paris,” showcasing works by Aichi-born painter Takanori Oguiss and other contemporary artists, and “Mexican Renaissance,” highlighting Tamiji Kitagawa and early 20th-century Mexican art. Other captivating collections include “Contemporary Art” and “Local Art.” After exploring, relax at Sugiura Coffee, where you can enjoy a special brew while overlooking the park’s greenery.
Location: Shirakawa Park, 2 Chome−17−25 Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0008, Japan
Open: Tuesday–Thursday and Saturday–Sunday from 9.30 am to 5 pm, Friday from 9.30 am to 8 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +81 (0)52-212-0001
Nagoya City Museum of Art
7. Atsuta Jingu
Sacred history and local flavors
Good for: Couples, History, Photo
Built in 646, Atsuta Jingu is a historic shrine dedicated to the Kusanagi no Tsurugi, one of Japan’s Three Sacred Treasures. The surrounding area is a haven for food enthusiasts, offering specialties like Atsuta Horaiken’s original Hitsumabushi. Within the shrine’s precincts, you can indulge in Miya Kishimen flat noodles and traditional Kiyome-mochi-so-honpo candies.
The temple grounds invite you for a serene walk among spiritual sites, including Mizuhame no Kami, known as Oshimizu-sama, where the spring water is believed to purify those who rinse with it. Atsuta Jingu is easily accessible, just a 3-minute walk from Jingumae Station on the Meitetsu Nagoya Line, and offers ample parking with 400 spaces.
Location: 1 Chome-1-1 Jingu, Atsuta Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 456-8585, Japan
Atsuta Jingu
8. Togokusan Fruit Park
A vibrant orchard oasis with exotic and familiar fruits
Good for: Couples, Photo, Food
Located at the foot of Mt. Togoku, on the outskirts of northeastern Nagoya City, Togokusan Fruit Park is a unique fruit-themed agricultural park. The park’s greenhouse is home to 104 varieties of rare fruit trees from tropical and subtropical regions, including bananas, papayas, coconut palms, lychees, and jackfruits. The orchard boasts around 190 varieties of familiar fruits such as persimmons, peaches, apples, and pears.
Check the schedule in advance for harvesting experiences and seasonal events. You can also buy the freshest just-harvested fruits in the onsite shop. Next to the store, the fruit bar serves cut fruits, parfaits, and freshly squeezed juices. The park is located in the mountains, so the best way to get here is by car.
Location: Togoku-2110 Kamishidami, Moriyama Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 463-0001, Japan
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 9 am to 4.30 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +81 (0)52-736-3344
Togokusan Fruit Park
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