Travelers to Japan often look to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka for the best tourism, and for good reason! But if you’re looking to take a step off the beaten path, the city of Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture is the perfect place to try unique regional variations on traditional Japanese cuisine.
Get a scrumptious taste of the famous Nagoya miso, tebasaki chicken wings, fancy grilled eel, and more on your next trip to the industrial heartland of Japan. No need to wonder what to eat in Nagoya — simply follow a local guide’s expertise and enjoy a Nagoya food tour, where you’ll make delicious memories to last a lifetime!
6 Best Nagoya Food Tours
1. Specialties of Nagoya food tour
Have you ever heard of hitsumabushi, Nagoya’s famous grilled eel dish that locals save up to splurge on? You’ll get to try this hearty bowl of eel and other specialty dishes while exploring the streets of downtown Sakae on this Specialties of Nagoya Food Tour! Once you’ve seen the sights, delve into the basement of a Nagoya department store, known for housing the yummiest secret treats in the city.
Whether you’re new to Japan or a seasoned tourist, anyone eager to explore the underground hidden gems of Japan’s oldest department store and try some luxurious hitsumabushi, tempura rice balls, and other classic Nagoya snacks should check this tour out!
2. Osu Kannon Shopping Street food tour in Nagoya
No Japanese food tour would be complete without a stroll through an eclectic shopping street with food stalls galore! On this Osu Street Food Tour in Nagoya, you’ll gain profound insight into all Osu has to offer, including the 400-year-old Osu Kannon Temple, over 1000 shops and stalls in Osu Shopping Street, and omikuji fortunes at a Japanese shrine. Try specialty Chubu dishes like goheimochi rice cakes, miso kushi katsu fried meat skewers, and uiro, a traditional Japanese steamed rice treat!
Tourists with a sweet spot for Japanese yatai food stalls and colorful shopping experiences will feel full to their heart’s content after enjoying this tour of Osu.
3. Culture and food tour in central Nagoya
Explore the Osu Kannon district and temple, where you’ll participate in omairi (worshipping at shrines and temples). Then, move on to the historical part of the district, where you’ll try five different regional street foods: miso oden, takoyaki, taiyaki, dim sum, and Japanese sweet potatoes with (or without) ice cream.
4. Atsuta Shrine and kishimen noodles food tour
Tour the Atsuta Shrine grounds while learning about its history and culture from your knowledgeable guide. Here, you’ll participate in a Shinto purification ritual and venture into the tranquil forest to soak up the natural scenery. After this, visit a local restaurant to try kishimen noodles–a Nagoya specialty! These flat, wide noodles are often served in a savory soy-based broth, accompanied by an assortment of toppings like green onions, tempura, and fish cakes. Top off the experience with high-quality Japanese tea and kiyome mochi (adzuki bean sweets).
5. All-you-can-drink sake Nagoya nightlife tour
A tour guide will lead you and your party to two Japanese gastropubs, aka izakaya, to show you the highlights of Nagoya’s nightlife. You can drink unlimited sake and will have between four and six snack options provided to match. Nagoya is a key city in Japan with its own unique culture, and this tour is your casual means to mingle with Japanese locals and perhaps even test your Japanese!
6. Bonus: Nishio matcha tea tour in Aichi
Do you prefer the more traditional side of Japanese culture and tourism? While not in Nagoya, just a short one-hour train ride from Nagoya Station will bring you to Nishio City, the producer of 60% of the green tea sold in Japan! This unforgettable Nishio Matcha Tea Tour in Aichi: From Farm to Teahouse includes a visit to a tea farm, a hands-on tea-making tutorial, a simple tea ceremony, and delicious traditional Japanese sweets as you explore the beautiful parks and teahouses of Nishio.
If you want to deepen your knowledge of Japanese green tea, you’ve got to make this once-in-a-lifetime day trip to Nishio City on this unique tour!
While Nagoya is often overlooked as a tourist destination, the scrumptious regional dishes alone make it well worth a visit. Whether you’re strolling through Osu Shopping Street, bar-hopping in downtown Sakae, or sipping green tea in Nishio, you’re bound to take away incredible insight into Aichi’s rich culture! Book a food tour in Nagoya now to ensure your trip to Japan includes some of the city’s famous delicacies, and explore the city with a local guide.
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