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5 Nagoya Sightseeing Spots For Fun And Learning With Kids
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This article introduces five exciting sightseeing spots in Nagoya ideal for families. Kids and adults can learn and play at theme parks, the Toyota car museum, and a state-of-the-art aquarium. Learn about family-friendly spots for an unforgettable vacation!
A Family-Friendly Nagoya Trip: Fun and Education with Children
Nagoya, a city in the Aichi Prefecture, is located in the Chubu Region in central Japan. Nagoya can be reached easily from Tokyo and Osaka using the Shinkansen, and for visitors using Centrair (Chubu International Airport), the urban center is only thirty minutes away by train.
Nagoya is filled with a variety of sightseeing spots, like historic sites such as the Nagoya Castle and Atsuta Shrine, and Osu Shotengai, a shopping street home to endless stores and restaurants.
There are also theme parks, aquariums, and museums, that are both educational and entertaining. This makes Nagoya ideal for visitors traveling with families. Read on to learn about the sightseeing spots where all the family members can enjoy.
Table of Contents
- 1. FLIGHT OF DREAMS: An Innovative Airplane-Themed Park
- 2. Nagoya City Science Museum: Enjoy a World-Class Planetarium
- 3. Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium: Watch Marine Animals
- 4. Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology: The Origin of Toyota
- 5. Toyota Automobile Museum: A Museum for Car Enthusiasts
1. FLIGHT OF DREAMS: An Innovative Airplane-Themed Park
FLIGHT OF DREAMS, located inside Centrair Airport, is a novel airplane-themed park. Guests can see the ZA001, also known as the prototype of Boeing 787, displayed at this facility.
(Lower left-hand picture) You can download a smartphone app for seeing the airplane parts in detail. (Lower right-hand picture) A mock-up of the ZA001 cockpit.
This facility was made in cooperation with Boeing Company, as more than 35% of the Boeing 787 parts are manufactured in the Chubu Region, and sent to the American Boeing factory for assembly.
The ZA001, after being used for testing, was donated to Centrair to be viewed by the next generation aspiring to work in the aviation industry.
FLIGHT PARK, where the ZA001 is displayed, is filled with attractions for visitors of all ages. The main feature is Fly with 787 Dreamliner, a projection mapping show full of images and sound. It was created by teamLab, a leading company in digital interactive media.
From the fourth-floor observation area, guests can take in the whole view and feel like they are flying along Boeing 787.
The small airplanes which can be seen in the lower right-hand picture were drawn by children, then scanned and used in the projection mapping. The young artists who drew them should be thrilled to see their flight.
Boeing Factory is an exhibit of the actual assembly line.
Walk from the starting point, and the various parts assemble into an airplane at the end. This presentation is simple and should be enthralling to children.
The next area is titled Paper Plane Music Field, a very popular spot with young visitors. Here you can fly a paper plane through the illuminated tunnel, and a sound will play when the plane blocks the light.
The sounds play long as the plane keeps flying, so try and design a plane that will go far.
At Sketch Airplane, scanned images of planes colored by children are projected on the wall and ceiling. The planes can be controlled by tablets.
If you get hungry, visit SEATTLE TERRACE, where restaurants and cafes are lined up. This is an ideal spot to spend some time while waiting for your flight.
Go to the Boeing Store if you are looking for souvenirs. This is the first official store outside the United States, and there are even items made with airplane parts.
Visitors can enjoy FLIGHT OF DREAMS right after arriving at Centrair. You can also enjoy it on your way home, but be sure to stop by with time to spare.
Hotels near FLIGHT OF DREAMS
2. Nagoya City Science Museum: Enjoy a World-Class Planetarium
Picture courtesy of Nagoya City Science Museum
Nagoya City Science Museum, located at the center of the city, is a striking facility with a sphere and huge rocket at its entrance.
The museum is divided into three buildings, namely the Life Science Building, Science and Technology Building, and Astronomy Building, with more than 230 types of exhibits.
Picture courtesy of Nagoya City Science Museum
A planetarium is inside the sphere. This is a world-class facility 35 meters in diameter, allowing guests to feel as if they are seeing the actual starry heavens.
Fifty-minute shows with topics on the constellations, the color of the stars, and the exploration into a supercluster of galaxies, are conducted with lectures in Japanese by the curators. The contents of the show change every month.
The planetarium is furnished with high-quality projectors that closely reproduce the location and the brightness of the stars.
Picture courtesy of Nagoya City Science Museum
The Science and Technology Building displays exhibitions about natural phenomena, such as the Tornado Lab, which artificially creates a nine-meter-high tornado. At the Electric Discharge Lab, you can observe a 1.2 million volt lightning racing through the building.
An extremely cold climate of minus thirty degrees Celsius welcomes the visitors at the Deep Freezing Lab, along with images of aurora projected on the ceiling, and samples of icebergs from the south pole region.
Exploring Water is an exhibit of water evaporating into clouds, turning into rain, and falling to the sea, with images and sound.
Picture courtesy of Nagoya City Science Museum
At Science Stage, guests can watch experiments and tricks, such as pulling a tablecloth from under a table setting using the law of inertia.
Picture courtesy of Nagoya City Science Museum
A skeletal reconstruction of Mapusaurus, which roamed the earth a million years ago, is displayed at this museum. Children will be sure to be thrilled by the exhibits filled with the wonder of science.
Hotels near Nagoya City Science Museum
3. Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium: Watch Marine Animals
Picture courtesy of Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium is a place where you can meet all types of sea creatures.
Picture courtesy of Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
The aquarium boasts the largest outdoor pool in Japan, where you can watch dolphins perform and see adorable beluga whales and large orcas.
Picture courtesy of Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
Don't miss the tornado of 35 thousand sardines. The glitter of the swarming fish will be one of the highlights of your visit!
Picture courtesy of Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
Visitors can learn about the evolution of marine animals from the replicas of fossils and skeletal specimens.
Picture courtesy of Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
Kurage Nagorium is a jellyfish (kurage) exhibition. At the Touch Tank, children can carefully touch feel the starfish and sea urchins with their hands.
Picture courtesy of Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
Along with the various marine animals, there is also a coral reef tank where the visitors can enjoy the brilliant view.
This is a facility where you can have fun and also learn about the underwater world. Be sure to check the event information before you go.
Hotels near Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
4. Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology: The Origin of Toyota
Picture courtesy of Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
The massive, brick-clad Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology used to be a weaving factory, established by Toyoda Sakichi in 1911. This is the birthplace of the Toyota Group.
Picture courtesy of Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
Toyota is known today as a world-famous automobile company. Most people, however, do not know was originally a textile business.
The circular loom in the lobby was invented by Toyoda Sakichi to quietly weave extremely large pieces of cloth. The machine ended up revolutionizing the textile industry. Toyoda's oldest son, Kiichiro established an automobile company, which became the Toyota Motor Cooperation.
Picture courtesy of Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
The museum consists of two pavilions. The Textile Machinery Pavilion displays textile materials such as cotton and hemp, along with old-fashioned weaving machines and modern looms.
Picture courtesy of Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
The Automobile Pavilion is divided into four zones, each displaying materials about the early automobile industry, car components, technological development, and production technology. It is a factory full of history.
Picture courtesy of Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
Toyota enthusiasts should head to the the museum shop. It is filled with eye-catching goods and items that will make you want to start a collection. The souvenirs here show the creativity and innovation of Toyota.
Hotels near Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
5. Toyota Automobile Museum: For Car Enthusiasts
Picture courtesy of Toyota Automobile Museum
Toyota Automobile Museum is a facility where guests can learn about the history and evolution of the automobile.
Picture courtesy of Toyota Automobile Museum
Automobile Gallery displays about 140 cars collected from all over the world. The exhibits range from the late 19th century to the modern era, highlighting the history of the automobile.
Picture courtesy of Toyota Automobile Museum
The renovated Automobile Culture Showroom, located inside the Cultural Gallery, re-opened on April 17, 2019. The new showroom displays more than 4,000 materials about automobiles, such as nishiki-e (colored woodblock print), posters, and over 800 miniature cars.
Picture courtesy of Toyota Automobile Museum
There is also a Vehicle Picture Book Room for children. Visitors are allowed to ride in some of the vehicles on display, which make great photographs.
Picture courtesy of Toyota Automobile Museum
Don't forget to stop by the museum shop. You can also take a break at the Museum Cafe Cars & Books or visit the restaurant for lunch.
Nagoya: A Place to Play and Learn with Children
As the saying goes, seeing is believing--the places in Nagoya mentioned above are best-enjoyed firsthand, and offer entertainment and education to people of all ages. Make your vacation a family trip and have a memorable time in Nagoya.
Chubu Centrair International Airport Official Site: http://www.centrair.jp/en/
There are other attractive sightseeing spots near Centrair. Please check the Travel in Chubu Special Feature page.
Written by TeiChayangkul
Sponsored by Chubu Centrair International Airport
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