NAGOYA JAPAN TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG: Things To Do, Tourist Spots, Sample Itinerary, Hotels, and More!

Planning a trip to Nagoya, Japan?

Nagoya, Japan is an underrated yet fascinating destination that blends rich samurai history, modern city life, and unique cultural experiences in the heart of central Japan. This Nagoya travel guide is designed to help you discover the best things to do in Nagoya, from exploring historic landmarks like Nagoya Castle to experiencing cutting-edge attractions, shopping districts, and local Nagoya cuisine such as hitsumabushi and miso katsu. Whether you’re planning a Japan itinerary, searching for top tourist spots in Nagoya, or looking for travel tips on where to stay and the best time to visit, this travel guide provides everything you need to make the most of your trip. Perfect for first-time visitors and seasoned travelers alike, Nagoya offers a less crowded yet equally rewarding alternative to Japan’s more popular cities.

SHIRAKAWA-GO TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG with Itinerary, Tours, Hotels, How To Get There, Travel Tips and More!

Planning a trip to Shirakawa-go for an amazing autumn or winter experience? This first timer's travel guide to Shirakawa-go will provide you with useful and easy-to-follow information on how to get there, itinerary, where to stay, and a lot of travel tips and reminders.

Nestled in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, this UNESCO-listed village is famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses and postcard-perfect landscapes. A visit to Ogimachi, the main village area, feels like stepping back in time—especially during winter when snow blankets the steep thatched roofs. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Shirakawa-go offers travelers a peaceful retreat filled with cultural heritage, seasonal beauty, and authentic rural experiences. This Shirakawa-go travel guide covers everything you need to know. From how to get there and the best time to visit to must-see viewpoints and sample itineraries for an unforgettable trip to one of Japan’s most charming destinations.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site declared in 1995, Shirakawa-go is a small traditional village famous for its clusters of traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Along with Gokayama, this amazing cultural property is consisted of scenic and secluded mountain villages that spans from Gifu to Toyama Prefectures over an area of 68 hectares in central Japan. "Gassho" means the act of prayer and the highlight of the village is seeing the farmhouses with gassho-zukuri roof, whose slanted thatched roofs resemble hands in prayer. They are architecturally designed to easily shed snow from their roofs during winter, some of which are more around 100 to 300 hundred years old and have stand the test of time.

5-DAYS JAPAN ITINERARY: Explore Central Japan Region with the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

Planning a trip to Nagoya and Central Japan Region? In this Japan travel guide with sample 5 days and 4 nights itinerary, I will help you plan your trip and give suggestions on the top things to do, tourist spots and attractions that you could visit in Nagoya, and nearby prefectures such as Gifu, Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui.

The Central Japan Region is a year-round destination that offers an abundance of nature and delicious food every season. Plan your next winter holiday in Central Japan by using the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass to enjoy five days of unlimited rides on designated JR local trains, limited express trains, the Hokuriku Shinkansen, and buses within the Central Region.

Updated! JAPAN VISA REQUIREMENTS AND APPLICATION PROCESS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR TOURISTS

Planning a trip to Japan? What are the Japan visa requirements in applying for a tourist visa? Want to know the steps how to get a Japan tourist visa in the Philippines? It's so easy, fast, and best of convenient! Just follow these simple steps below.

As a Filipino, it's hard to travel abroad in countries that require a Visa. Japan for example, you need a visa to enter their country. But the good news is, it's now so easy to get a visa to Japan. It is now opening its country to attract more tourists. And I am so lucky because on my first try to get a Japan Tourist Visa in 2015, I got approved for a single entry. And on my 2nd try the following year, I got 5 years multiple entry Japan Tourist Visa! Yey!

Now, let me share to you the Japan Visa Requirements and how to apply for a Japan Tourist Visa in the Philippines (with tips, reminders and steps in application). This Japan Visa Blog is intended for Japan Tourist Visa application for Filipinos or Philippine passport holders.

TOP PICKS: 10 Best Things to Do in Nagoya, Japan

Nagoya has many famous attractions and tourist spots to entice any keen traveler. During our Nagoya Familiarization Tour last year, we got to see and experience most of Nagoya's famous tourist spots and attractions as well as its local eats. With this, let me share to you my top 10 best things to do in Nagoya, Japan.

JAPAN: Experiencing Takayama Autumn Festival in Gifu Prefecture

Takayama is an old town located in Gifu Prefecture, about 2 hours away from Nagoya, Japan. Our trip to this old town was extra special be it coincided with the annual Takayama Autumn Festival. It is the annual festival of the Hachiman Shrine in the northern half of the old town; thus, the festival is also known as Hachiman Festival.

Japanese Food Sample Making at Sample Village Iwasaki in Gujo Hachiman, Gifu Japan

Ever wondered how the "Fake Food Samples" you see outside Japanese Restaurants are made? We got to experience how to do it.

One of the things I look forward to during our Japan trip is to experience how to do those fake food samples we always see outside Japanese restaurants. So, after we checked-out from Route Inn in Toyota City, we traveled for about 2 hours to Gujo Hachiman in Gifu Prefecture Japan.

Top 5 Best Things To Do at Laguna Ten Bosch in Gamagori, Aichi Japan

Laguna Ten Bosch is a marine resort and theme park in Gamagori, Aichi Japan. It features different attractions which include a giant Ferris wheel, a theme park with various rides and water sports, shopping mall, restaurants, hotel, spa and the Thousand Sunny Cruise.

THINGS TO DO IN JAPAN: Orange Picking at Gamagori Orange Park, Aichi Japan

I've been wanting to do the orange picking in Sagada, but never had a chance during my previous visits. That is why, I am so happy when we were told by Cebu Pacific Air that we will be doing the orange picking at Gamagori Orange Park as part of our 5-day Nagoya Japan Familiarization Tour. Yey!

THINGS TO DO IN JAPAN: Toyota Museum and Plant Tour in Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture

After a 4-hour flight from Manila, we arrived in Nagoya Japan at around 9:00 in the evening. We were then checked-in at Tokoyo Inn, which is located just across Chubu Centrair (Nagoya) International Airport. After a restful evening, we were fetched by our tourist bus and brought us to Motomachi Plant in Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture for a Museum and Plant Tour or Toyota's manufacturing facility.

HOTELS IN TOYOTA, JAPAN: Hotel Route Inn Toyota Asahigaoka

On our 2nd night in Japan during the Cebu Pacific Air Nagoya Familiarization Tour, our home for the night is Hotel Route Inn Toyota Asahigaoka. A part of a huge chain of hotels in Japan, it is a 201-room hotel located just a 5-minute drive from Uwagoromo Train Station. It is an awesome place to stay for everyone, from business to leisure travelers visiting Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture.