This full-day tour covers Nagoya's historic and industrial highlights with an English-speaking guide, available by public transport or private vehicle, meeting at JR Nagoya Station.
Begin at Nagoya Castle, one of Japan's most important Edo-period castles, where the golden Kinshachi and gold-leaf interiors of the restored Hommaru Palace are highlights. Then continue to the tranquil Tokugawa Garden, former residence of the Lords of Owari Tokugawa, with its waterfalls, bridges, and lake.
Visit the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, housed in an original red brick factory, to see live demonstrations tracing the company's evolution from textile machinery to cars.
With a private vehicle, the day also reaches the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, around 15km further out, to see record-breaking Shinkansen trains and the Maglev.
Given the distance, the public-transport version stays closer to the centre and moves directly on to the lively Osu Shotengai shopping arcade, home to Osu Kannon Temple and local specialities like miso katsu and hitsumabushi, finishing in the modern city centre district of Sakae near the Mirai Tower. The itinerary can be adjusted within the tour's allotted time to suit your interests.
