Nagoya Day Trips: 16 Destinations Just Two Hours Away by Train

Take a DayTrip From Nagoya

Nagoya is one of Japan's three largest cities. Known as the home of the Toyota Motor Corporation, Nagoya and its surrounding area has many interesting sightseeing spots.

In this article we introduce enjoyable day trips from Nagoya, recommended by some MATCHA staff members who are long-time residents of this city.

All the spots featured in this article can be reached from Nagoya within two hours! We also indicate the time required when taking public transportation from Nagoya Station.

Nagoya Day Trips

1. LEGOLAND® Japan Resort (25 Minutes From Nagoya Station)
2. Ghibli Park (50 Minutes from Nagoya Station)
3. Inuyama Castle (25 minutes From Nagoya Station)
4. Laguna Ten Bosch (One Hour From Nagoya Station)
5. Meiji Mura (50 Minutes From Nagoya Station)
6. Tokoname City (30 Minutes From Nagoya Station)
7. Nabana no Sato (30 Minutes From Nagoya Station)
8. Nagashima Spa Land (50 Minutes From Nagoya Station)
9. Ise Grand Shrine (110 Minutes From Nagoya Station)
10. Mt. Kinka Ropeway (35 Minutes From Nagoya Station)
11. Nakatsugawa-Juku (90 Minutes From Nagoya Station)
12. Enakyo Wonderland (90 Minutes From Nagoya Station)
13. Site of Reversible Destiny (80 Minutes From Nagoya Station)
14. Hikone Castle (30 Minutes From Nagoya Station)
15. Nagahama (75 Minutes From Nagoya Station)
16. Hamamatsu City (100 Minutes From Nagoya Station)
Fruit-Picking Spots Near Nagoya
Day Trips to Kyoto and Osaka From Nagoya

There are also many sightseeing spots in Nagoya City. To learn more about these, please take a look at the MATCHA article directly below.

1. LEGOLAND® Japan Resort and Maker's Pier (25 Minutes From Nagoya Station)

Photo by Klook

LEGOLAND® Japan Resort is a theme park managed by the LEGO company—known worldwide for their LEGO® Bricks. It opened in 2017 and is loved as an outdoor park where children aged two through twelve and their families can have a fun time.

The park features a diorama (large-scale model) using 1,700 LEGO® Bricks, and also attractions where you can have some out-of-the-ordinary experiences.

Right across from LEGOLAND® Japan Resort is Maker's Pier, where visitors can enjoy making a variety of things. These include plastic food samples, pottery, and bath bombs. Choose the appropriate hands-on activity based on your mood and the age of your kids.

LEGOLAND® Japan Resort
Location: Aichi, Nagoya, Minato, Kinjofuto 2-chome 2-banchi 1
Business Hours: 10:00-17:00
Official Homepage: Legoland

LEGOLAND Japan

455-8605 2-2-1 Kinjofuto, Minato-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture

Legoland Japan is a theme park based on Lego blocks. Enjoy attractions and games.

2. Ghibli Park (50 Minutes From Nagoya Station)

Picture courtesy of PR Times (Ghibli Park's Grand Warehouse-Central Stairs)

Ghibli Park is a spot that represents the world of Studio Ghibli films. With the opening of the Valley of Witches area in March of 2024, the park is now in full operation.

The park is divided into five distinct areas: Ghibli's Grand Warehouse, the Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, Mononoke Village, and the Valley of Witches.

There are scenes recreated from Ghibli movies, natural scenery, all the way to various playful features. There are so many things to see and do here that you'll never get tired of this attraction.

Ghibli Park is built on the site of Expo 2005 Commemorative Park (Moricoro Park), so be careful not to get lost on your way here.

Ghibli Park
Location: Aichi, Nagakute, Ibaragabasama 1533-1
Business Hours: Weekdays 10:00-17:00, Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays 9:00-17:00
Official Homepage: Ghibli Park

3. Inuyama Castle and The Little World Museum of Man (25 Minutes From Nagoya Station)

Photo by Pixta

Inuyama Castle—designated a National Treasure of Japan—is known for having Japan's oldest tenshu (castle tower). It was built in 1537 by Nobunaga Oda's uncle, Nobuyasu.

The castle's highlight is the outstanding view of the Kiso River and the cityscape from the top floor of the castle tower. In the springtime, visitors can see the cherry blossoms gently falling to the ground, and in the evening see the beautiful sunset.

If you take a 20-minute bus ride from Inuyama Castle you'll reach The Little World Museum of Man. This spot showcases folk cultures from many regions of the world, and about 6,000 items are exhibited on the museum's large premises.

Visitors can have a meal and hands-on cultural experiences, so this is a destination that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike.

Inuyama Castle
Location: Aichi, Inuyama, Kitakoken 65-2
Business Hours: 9:00-17:00
Official Homepage: Inuyama Castle

4. Laguna Ten Bosch and Lagunasia (One Hour From Nagoya Station)

Photo by Pixta

Lagunasia is a theme park located one hour from Nagoya. It's a popular spot with couples and also families with children, featuring highlights such as state-of-the-art mapping, a pool, as well as various attractions.

Visitors can come and go all day in their swimsuits while at Lagunasia. So this makes the perfect place to enjoy summer.

Laguna Ten Bosch, the large resort complex where Lagunasia is located, also has shopping and restaurants. You can spend all day here and not get tired of the place.

Laguna Ten Bosch, Lagunasia
Location: Aichi, Gamagori, Kaiyocho 2-3
Business Hours: Hours differ depending on the season
Official Homepage: Laguna Ten Bosch

5. Meiji Mura (50 Minutes From Nagoya Station)

Photo by Pixta

Meiji Mura is a museum that preserves and exhibits authentic architecture from the Meiji Period. When you enter the museum premises you'll be greeted by streetscapes, cuisine, and buildings that have remained intact—as is—from Japan's Meiji Era.

Of course, visitors can enjoy themselves by admiring the historic streets and buildings.

But the museum also offers experiences that allow you to get a better feel for the Meiji culture. These include hopping on board a steam locomotive train, putting on period costumes and having your photo taken, and also participating in a stamp rally (a course where you visit several different locations in order to collect stamps, real or digital).

Meiji Mura also has plenty of cafes, confectionery shops, and Western-style restaurants. So couples and groups of friends can enjoy themselves here for the whole day.

Meiji Mura
Location: Aichi, Inuyama, Uchiyama 1
Business Hours: 9:30-17:00 (March to October), 10:00-16:00 (November to February)
Official Homepage: Meiji Mura

6. Tokoname City (30 Minutes From Nagoya Station)

Photo by Pixta

Tokoname City is located in Aichi Prefecture's Owari region. This area is famous for being one of the sites of The Six Ancient Kilns of Japan (Nihon Rokkoyo), designated as a Japan Heritage Site.

Many come here to see a pottery footpath called Yakimono Sanpomichi. This trail leads from Tokoname Station to the Tokoname Tojiki Hall. There's a sloping path made with and surrounded by leftover pottery pieces such as clay pipes and tiles, and a chimney built with bricks. Here you can experience the area's unique atmosphere and history.

Tokoname also has plenty of sightseeing places including the INAX Museum which offers hands-on experiences making pottery and other objects, and Rinku Beach with its 630 meters of continuous white sand. We recommend these spots for people who'd like to get in touch with nature, history, and culture.

Tokoname City
Location: Aichi, Tokoname
Business Hours: Depends on the shop
Official Homepage: Tokoname

7. Nabana no Sato and Nagashima (30 Minutes From Nagoya Station)

Photo by Pixta

Nabana no Sato is one of Japan's largest botanical theme parks. It's accessible in just 30 minutes by direct bus from Nagoya Station. You can enjoy flowers from each season including tulips, roses, and hydrangeas, not to mention plum and cherry blossoms.

There are also several restaurants as well as a natural hot spring surrounded by seasonal flowers inside the park. The outdoor hot spring bath (rotemburo), which is surrounded by a Japanese garden, also offers a bath made from rocks and a jacuzzi.

Many events are also held throughout the year. These include a Firefly Festival in early summer, and an illumination event that runs from the winter until spring. This spot is ideal for spending a relaxing day with nature.

Nabana no Sato is located next to Nagashima Spa Resort (featured next in this article) and some other destinations.

Nabana no Sato
Location: Mie, Kuwana, Nagashima, Komae, Urushibata 270
Business Hours: 10:00-21:00
Official Homepage: Nabana no Sato (Japanese), English Guide Map

8. Nagashima Spa Land and Outlet (50 Minutes From Nagoya Station)

Photo by Pixta

Nagashima Spa Land is known for being one of Japan's largest amusement parks. The park has about 60 different rides including twelve types of rollercoasters.

Both adults and children alike can enjoy water leisure activities that open in the summer such as the Jumbo Seawater Pool, waterslides, and the fast flowing Super Extreme River.

After enjoying the water park, visitors can relax and do some shopping right next door at MITSUI OUTLET PARK Jazz Dream Nagashima.

Nagashima Spa Land
Location: Mie, Kuwana, Nagashima, Urayasu 333
Business Hours: Hours differ depending on the season
Official Homepage: Nagashima Spa Land English PDF

9. Ise Grand Shrine (110 Minutes From Nagoya Station)

Photo by Pixta

Ise Jingu, or Ise Grand Shrine, is considered to be a special shrine even among the many shrines in Japan. It's said to bring good luck, wards off evil spirits, and revive industries such as fishing.

The large complex consists of 125 shrines, with Kotaijingu (Naiku) and Toyo' uke-daijingu (Geku) being particularly famous.

Ise Jingu is surrounded by mountains, so just by visiting you'll be impressed by the minus ions and bountiful nature. Then in the spring you'll be able to enjoy Ise Jingu all at once with the cherry blossoms and the Isuzugawa River.

Ise Grand Shrine
Location: Mie, Ise, Ujitachi 1
Business Hours: 5:00-17:00
Official Homepage: Ise Grand Shrine

10. Mt. Kinka Ropeway (35 Minutes From Nagoya Station)

Photo by Pixta

Mt. Kinka sits at an elevation of 329 meters in central Gifu Prefecture.

Gifu Castle stands proudly at the summit which is easily accessible by ropeway. The summit offers an all-encompassing view of Gifu City's townscape, the Nagara River flowing at the base of the mountain, and even Nagoya City off in the distance.

The Nagara River has even been selected as one of the Top 100 Waters of Japan. In the summer, cormorant fishing (ukai) takes place. Visitors can watch a 1,300-year-old custom in which skilled fishermen use cormorants (aquatic birds) to catch ayu sweetfish.

The Nagara River area is also highlighted by Kawaramachi Town which features historic streets lined with traditional Japanese homes. Visitors here can admire the view of an old-fashioned townscape—not obstructed by utility poles or overhead power lines.

Kinkazan (Mt. Kinka)
Location: Gifu, Gigu, Omiyacho 1-43
Business Hours: Hours differ depending on the season
Official Homepage: Mt. Kinka Ropeway

11. Nakasendo Nakatsugawa-juku (90 Minutes From Nagoya Station)

Photo by Pixta

Nakasendo Nakatsugawa-juku is a post town with a nostalgic townscape, located about ten minutes from Nakatsugawa Station. Even today the atmosphere and appearance of the Edo Period remain just as they were, making this a popular photo spot.

On the first Sunday of every month (excluding January) the Rokusai-ichi Market is held. Highlights include the sale of local ingredients and products unique to Nakatsugawa, and events that allow visitors to enjoy interacting with other people.

About 20 minutes away by car from Nakatsugawa-juku is Magome-juku. Just like Nakatsugawa-juku, this post town also showcases historic streetscapes from the past.

Nakasendo Nakatsugawa-juku
Location: Gifu, Nakatsugawa
Business Hours: Depends on the shop
Official Homepage: Nakatsugawa Post Town

12. Enakyo Wonderland (90 Minutes From Nagoya Station)

Photo by Pixta

Enakyo Wonderland is located near Ena Gorge (Enakyo), an area with seasonal flowers and picturesque nature. It's 90 minutes from Nagoya Station by car.

This amusement park has twenty different rides including a two-story merry-go-round and a large Ferris wheel offering a stunning panorama of the Ena Gorge. There are also many relaxing and leisurely rides that are suitable even for young children.

At Ena Gorge you can also enjoy a leisurely boat ride along the Kiso River. The pleasure craft goes upstream from Sazanami Park and passes under the Enakyo Ohashi Bridge. Then, just before the Gensai Bridge, the boat starts its return trip back. Both legs of the journey cover a total distance of 14 kilometers.

So how about experiencing the area's majestic nature on this impressive cruise?

Enakyo Wonderland
Location: Gifu, Nakatsugawa, Hirukawa 5735-209
Business Hours: Hours differ depending on the season
Official Homepage: Enakyo Wonderland (Japanese)

13. Site of Reversible Destiny - Yoro Park (80 Minutes From Nagoya Station)

Photo by Pixta

Site of Reversible Destiny - Yoro Park is a sightseeing park facility based on the ideas of famous artist Shusaku Arakawa and his partner, poet Madeline Gins.

When visitors go inside the maze-like building there are features that can disorient and disrupt their sense of balance and perception. No matter which part of this gigantic and colorful building you pick out, it'll be the perfect photo spot. Groups of friends and couples will definitely have a great time here.

Nearby there are several sightseeing spots including Yoro no Taki Falls, chosen as one of the 100 Waterfalls of Japan; as well as Chiyoho Inari Shrine, affectionately known as Ochobo-san. We also recommend going for a drive in the Yoro-gun area.

Site of Reversible Destiny - Yoro Park
Location: Gifu, Yoro, Yoro, Takabayashi 1298-2
Business Hours: 9:00-17:00
Official Homepage: Site of Reversible Destiny-Yoro Park

14. Hikone Castle (30 Minutes From Nagoya Castle)

Photo by Pixta

Hikone Castle stands proudly with one of Japan's largest freshwater lakes, Lake Biwa, sitting in the background.

The castle was built in 1622. It's famous for its beautiful appearance that symbolizes the power and influence of the Edo Shogunate, as well as the stone walls and moat that boasted outstanding defensive capabilities.

Hikone Castle is worth seeing not only for its national treasure-designated castle tower (tenshu), but also as a valuable castle whose walls—surrounded by two moats—remain in their original form even today.

The castle tower offers magnificent views of Hikone City's townscape, Lake Biwa, and the Sawayama Castle Ruins, which formerly served as the residence for lord Ishida Mitsunari.

Hikonyan, the castle's mascot, also appears at the castle every day. Please check Hikone City's official homepage (Japanese) to find out when Hikonyan's next visit is.

Hikone Castle
Location: Shiga, Hikone, Konki 1-1
Business Hours: 8:30-17:00
Official Homepage: Hikone Castle

15. Nagahama (75 Minutes From Nagoya Station)

Photo by Pixta

Shiga Prefecture's Nagahama City is 75 minutes from Nagoya Station. This famous sightseeing destination sits at the northern edge of Lake Biwa and features a retro streetscape that has been faithfully preserved.

You can feel the history of Nagahama in places such as Kurokabe and Keiunkan.

Kurobe is an area with traditional buildings centered around Kurokabe Square, a former bank building. Keiunkan is a long-established hot spring resort that is known for hosting the Nagahama Plum Bonsai Exhibition, a spring tradition in Japan.

Nagahama is also famous as the first castle town opened by Hashiba Hideyoshi after he became a feudal lord. We recommend visiting the area if you'd like to spend your day relaxing while thinking about the life and scenery of the Edo Period.

Nagahama
Location: Shiga, Nagahama
Business Hours: Depends on the shop
Official Homepage: Nagahama

16. Hamamatsu City (100 Minutes From Nagoya Station)

Photo by Pixta

Shizuoka Prefecture's Hamamatsu City is one hour and 40 minutes from Nagoya Station by conventional train and about 50 minutes by shinkansen.

Hamamatsu City—Shizuoka's leading sightseeing destination—has so many spots that you won't be able to see them all. These include gourmet and sightseeing places as well as outstanding nature.

Hamanako Palpal is a resort-type amusement park on Lake Hamana's eastern shore, and Hamamatsu Flower Park was created by taking advantage of the lake's topography. Even after an entire day you won't be able to see and do everything. Both places have cafes and restaurants, so families can enjoy some leisure time together.

Kanzanji Ropeway passes over Lake Hamana and is the perfect way to bring your adventure-packed trip to a close. The dynamic views of the lake from above will become an unforgettable sight!

Hamanako Palpal
Location: Shizuoka, Hamamatasu, Chuo, Kanzanji 1891
Business Hours: Hours differ depending on the season
Official Homepage: Hamanako Palpal (Japanese)

Fruit-Picking Spots Near Nagoya

Photo by Pixta

Nagoya City and the surrounding area are home to many places where you can try your hand at fruit picking, including Togokusan Fruits Park and the Atsumi Peninsula.

Taste some of the delicious fruit grown with tender loving care, such as strawberries, grapes (including Shine Muscat), and blueberries, and you'll be sure to have a most enjoyable holiday.

Day Trip to Kyoto and Osaka From Nagoya

Photo by Pixta

In this article, we introduced day trip destinations accessible by conventional train lines from Nagoya City. However, by using the shinkansen, you can make some enjoyable day trips to Kyoto and Osaka as well.

It takes 30 minutes to go from Nagoya to Kyoto by Shinkansen and the one-way fare is only 5,000 yen. By conventional train it takes two hours and 30 minutes and the one-way fare peaks at 2,500 yen.

Then to get to Osaka from Nagoya by Shinkansen it takes one hour and the one-way fare is 6,000 yen. To travel in a more cost-efficient manner you can take the highway bus. It takes about three hours and the one-way fare is a very reasonable 3,000 yen.

Nagoya City and its suburbs are also easy to reach when departing from the direction of Osaka and Kyoto. So please fully enjoy the Tokai Region with its large theme parks and historic towns that give you a glimpse into Japan's glorious past.