As the prefectural capital of Aichi, Nagoya is the most popular destination for people visiting the Chubu region’s seaside prefecture. For those daring enough to venture outside the main city, however, there lies countless experiences for people of all interests.
From hiking lovers to Studio Ghibli fans, there is something for everyone to do in Aichi Prefecture. Here are 10 things to add to your Aichi itinerary!
10 best things to do in Aichi Prefecture:
- Spend a day at Ghibli Park
- Brush up on history at Tokugawa Art Museum
- Hike the Inuyama trail
- Harvest and make traditional matcha
- See Nagoya Castle
- Join the Osu Kannon District Culture Tour
- Shop and eat on an Osu Shopping Street tour
- Visit the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
- Make traditional dishes with a Japanese grandma
- Sip on bottomless sake in Nagoya
1. Step into the Ghibli universe at Ghibli Park
Not to be confused with the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, the Ghibli Park is a fantastical portal into the Ghibli cinematic universe. Look for Totoro in Dondoko Forest, listen for music on the Hill of Youth and see if you can spot any black cats in the Valley of Witches!
Be sure to book your Ghibli Park tickets ahead of time and reserve the whole day for this immersive park visit — complete with so many Ghibli snacks!
2. Get your history on at Tokugawa Art Museum
Given that Aichi is the birthplace of notable figures such as Nobunaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, it’s no surprise that there’s plenty of history to learn. One of the best places to do so is the Tokugawa Art Museum, which boasts an impressive number of exhibits for art and history buffs alike.
3. Hike through history at Inuyama
Located just a 25-minute train ride from Nagoya, Inuyama Castle Town is a day trip that’s likely to win over any crowd. Foodies can enjoy nostalgic treats served on skewers, kids can enjoy two different open-air museum theme parks at Museum Meiji-Mura and Little World Museum of Man, animal lovers can interact with monkeys at the Inuyama Monkey Park, and history enthusiasts can tour the Inuyama Castle.
Located nearby are two highly rated hiking areas: Hasso and Owarifuji. There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy in this quaint castle town!
4. Make matcha from harvest in Nishio
You may have made matcha at home before, but have you ever drank a cup made from leaves picked by yours truly? Now you can live a day in the life of a Japanese tea farmer in Nishio, an area of Aichi responsible for 60% of the matcha tea sold in Japan.
Wearing the traditional attire of tea leaf pickers in Japan, you’ll pick the leaves, use a stone mill to grind them into powder and make your own matcha blend. After a day of hard work, you’ll enjoy a relaxing tea ceremony where you can enjoy the fruits of your labor along with some seasonal Japanese sweets.
Finish off with a visit to the nearby Nishio City Historic Park and Miso Park to fully experience the Nishio area.
5. Visit Nagoya Castle and enjoy miso tofu
First built in 1612, Nagoya Castle retains its historical charm despite multiple reconstructions after the air raids in 1945 and damage from several earthquakes.
Enjoy a stroll through the castle grounds, including the central Hommaru area, the tea ceremony halls and ancient Kaya trees. Once you’ve explored the area, refuel with hearty red miso tofu and senbei rice crackers at the local shops!
Where to eat near Nagoya Castle: Kawabun
Continue your exploration of Nagoya's historical sights with lunch or dinner at Kawabun, the city's oldest restaurant. Founded by a fishmonger over four centuries ago, the establishment is approximately the same age as Nagoya Castle itself! Indulge in a luxurious omakase meal featuring the very best seasonal ingredients. Visiting for a special occasion? Book one of the restaurant's private rooms, with select tea rooms having views of the on-side Japanese garden.
6. Go on a walking food tour in the Osu Kannon District
For those looking to get in touch with their spiritual side, we recommend this cultural tour of the historic Osu Kannon Temple and its surrounding streets. Enjoy up to five different street foods — including miso oden and takoyaki (battered octopus balls) — and learn proper temple and shrine etiquette for your next visit.
7. Shop and eat the day away in Osu
In the mood to eat and shop? Join this street food tour of Osu shopping street and indulge in the tastes and sights of the area. Snack on local specialties like gohei mochi rice cakes, karaage fried chicken, miso kushikatsu skewers, ebi prawn fry and uiro steamed cakes as you pick up souvenirs to take home.
8. Get technical at the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
If you’re a car lover, the Toyota Museum is not one to miss. Learn about the history of the Toyota corporation, get a tour of models throughout the years and participate in the manufacturing process of both the exterior and interior of Toyota automobiles.
Complete with interactive activities for kids, including worksheets and various tasks, this museum is friendly for people of all ages as long as they have a passion for Japanese cars.
9. Make the specialties of Nagoya in this cooking class
Want another way to relive your trip to Aichi? How about taking a cooking class with an adorable Japanese grandma who can teach you how to recreate all the delicious food you’ve had?
In this Nagoya specialty cooking class, Grandma Junko will gently guide you along as you make tebasaki chicken wings, kishimen udon noodles, tenmusu onigiri, and a cup of matcha to go along with complimentary Japanese sweets.
Enjoy the warmth of Nagoya and take the recipes home with you when you’re done!
10. Drink with the locals on this Nagoya nightlife tour
For the sake enthusiasts out there, this casual all-you-can-drink tour is the perfect introduction to Japanese nightlife in Nagoya. Pair your unlimited sake with delicious appetizers as you experience izakaya (Japanese bar) culture alongside the locals.
Planning to concentrate your travels in Aichi to the Nagoya area? Check out the best things to do in Nagoya, what to eat, or learn a new skill in Nagoya’s cooking classes.
Aichi Prefecture FAQs
1. How far is Aichi from Tokyo?
If you’re coming from the Tokyo area to Aichi Prefecture, the fastest way to get there is by the Tokaido Shinkansen connecting Tokyo to Nagoya. The ride takes around 1.5 hours and spans 342 kilometers or 212.5 miles, costing around ¥11,100 one way.
2. Where is Aichi Prefecture?
Aichi Prefecture is in the Chubu region, sandwiched between Shizuoka Prefecture and Gifu Prefecture. Its capital city, Nagoya, faces the Ise Bay, making it a great place to get fresh seafood!
3. What is the capital of Aichi Prefecture?
Nagoya is the capital of Aichi Prefecture. It is a modest-sized city compared to its neighbors, Kyoto and Osaka, but it’s accessible and affordable, making it a good budget destination for those nearby. Known as the birthplace of several influential historical figures, including Nobunaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, Aichi is perfect for history buffs, too!
