Located in Aichi Prefecture in central Japan, Nagoya is the third largest city in Japan after Tokyo and Osaka.The city is well connected to Tokyo and the airport is only 30 minutes away.In fact, compared to other cities in Japan, Nagoya boasts a number of unique regional cuisines that are different from the usual Japanese cuisine, making it ideal for visitors who are looking for a change of flavor!
As a regular traveler in Japan, I started to use Nagoya as a base for sightseeing and enjoying various cuisines from my third trip to Japan!
I am going to introduce you to the city of Nagoya and the local food, "Nagoya Rice", which is very popular among the local people!
You can also use Nagoya as a base for traveling to Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo, so be sure to experience it for yourself.

Nagoya (Aichi Prefecture) is a huge city with easy access to all parts of Japan.Nagoya Station is only about 30 minutes from Central Japan International Airport (CENTRAIR), where domestic and international flights can be taken to various destinations. In addition, it is only about 30 minutes to Kyoto and about 1 hour and 30 minutes to Tokyo by Shinkansen from Nagoya Station.You can also take a train directly to the World Heritage Sites of Shirakawago (Gifu Prefecture) and Ise (Mie Prefecture, with sights such as the Ise Jingu Shrine and Mikimoto Pearl Island).Nagoya Castle is a famous attraction in Nagoya.There is also a “Nagoya Welcome Team” that takes photos in a rich Japanese style, dressed in gorgeous costumes and with handsome hands and feet.Nagoya's surrounding area is also home to many popular attractions, such as Inuyama Castle, a national treasure, Mitsui Outlet Park Jazz Dream Nagashima (a collection of famous domestic and international companies, brands and boutiques), and Nagashima Hot Springs, Japan's largest amusement park, to name just a few!

If you use Nagoya as a base for your trip, you can easily access many of Japan's domestic attractions.

・Komeda Coffee Shop
This is a coffee shop with over 55 years of history.Originating in Nagoya, the popular brand now has nearly 1,000 stores throughout Japan.If you choose to have breakfast at Komeda Coffee, just order a cup of coffee and receive a round or mountain shaped bread (toast).The complimentary bread can be served with egg salad, red bean filling or poached egg, or you can choose to spread it with cream and jam.We recommend the "Toast + Kokura Red Bean Stuffing + Cream" combination, which is a great way to enjoy breakfast and Nagoya's specialty Kokura toast at the same time!

・Lyon
"Lyon is located near Nagoya Station, just a few minutes' walk from the station.Delicious breakfasts can be enjoyed all day long, from morning until closing time, at this café, which has become famous for its...If you're feeling hungry, even if it's not breakfast time, you can experience the unique experience of Dim Sum + Breakfast.
In addition to toast, Lyon's breakfast menu offers a wide variety of other choices, such as Kokura red beans and hot sandwiches with potato salad, which has become one of its specialties.

Yamamamotoya
Based on my experience, I think the stewed udon noodles at Yamamotoya Honten are the best.Its miso flavor blends perfectly with the richness of the broth, and you'll fall in love with the taste after just one bite.In Nagoya, it is customary to take the udon out of the pot and place it on the lid of the casserole as needed, and then let it cool as you taste it.

Yaba Don
My top recommendation is a miso fried pork cutlet specialty store called Yaba Don, which has been around for more than 60 years.The preparation involves tender pork coated in crispy breadcrumbs and deep-fried at high temperatures before the waiter drizzles miso salsa over the steak in front of you.The flavor of the miso sauce will stimulate your appetite and make it easy for you to eat a large pork chop.
The dish I recommend to you is the very tempting looking extra-large portion of "Straw Shoe Pork Chop".

This dish consists of grilled eel covered with sauce and served over rice, so some people may mistakenly think that it is unagi on rice. In reality, eel rice three ways and eel rice are two completely different cuisines. Eel rice three ways allows you to taste three flavors at once. Unsteamed eel is grilled (kamaboko), and then the grilled eel is cut into small pieces and placed on top of rice and served in bowls.
In addition to eel and rice, the three eel rice dishes are served with condiments such as scallions and seaweed, as well as soup. Generally, you have to divide the eel rice into four equal portions with a spoon. The first portion is to taste the original flavor of the eel rice, the second portion is to be eaten with condiments, and the third portion is to be eaten as tea-soaked rice. Finally, the fourth portion can be eaten the way you like.

ATSUTA HONG LAI HIN
ATSUTA Houraiken is a long-established restaurant specializing in three dishes of Nagoya eel rice. The secret sauce that has been used for more than 140 years is filled with an indescribably rich history, and the crispy eel grilled over charcoal gives off a tantalizing aroma, with the rich fat seeping out of the skin. I've become so addicted to this delicacy that it's no exaggeration to say that I've even traveled to Nagoya in search of this flavor!

Deep Fried Chicken Wings

If you're looking for the best Nagoya food that goes well with beer, I think it has to be the fried chicken wings. Deep fried until crispy and served with the restaurant's homemade sauce and spices, these wings have become a perfect accompaniment to a drink.

Any izakaya in Nagoya will have fried chicken wings as a main dish on their menu, and the two most famous ones are the following. You can discuss which one you like better. Both restaurants offer take-out service, so you can bring your dish to the hotel and compare them as you enjoy it.

Windy Place

This pub is known as the originator of Nagoya's fried chicken wings. The chicken wings are thick and tender, with a sweet chili sauce and fragrant sesame seeds sprinkled on top. The flavor is appealing to both men and women, young and old, and even to those who hate peppers.

The mountain of the world.
A large chain of fried chicken wings. It is based in Nagoya and has stores all over Japan. Their wings are crispy and flavorful, with a peppery, spicy taste that will keep you coming back for more. There are 5 wings in a serving, and I ate 3 of them by myself.

"Nagoya Yakitori" is a breed of chicken that is famous throughout Japan for its delicious eggs and meat, and is a favorite among the public. The meat of the chicken is very firm and elastic, and has a tender and rich flavor. The eggs produced by Yakitori have dark yolks and a smooth texture. "Nagoya Yakitori Parent and Child Bowl" is a popular local dish made from Nagoya Yakitori and its eggs. For dinner, we recommend the grilled chicken kebabs made from the meat of the Nagoya Yakitori.

Nitori Gin Honten
If you want to try more Nagoya yakitori dishes, then I recommend this Nagoya yakitori specialty restaurant called "Toranin Honten". It's a 50 year old restaurant. You can enjoy a wide variety of Nagoya chicken dishes, including their signature dish "Nagoya Yakitori Nabe". Only the finest Nagoya fried chickens are used here, and they are always slaughtered in the morning. Both the freshness and quality of the meat are top-notch. As a famous restaurant, it has received many reports and introductions from overseas media.

Spaghetti with sauce is one of the most classic Nagoya specialties. While traditional spaghetti is cooked and tossed with sauce, pasta with sauce is prepared in a unique way by first sautéing the thick noodles in lard and then pouring over the sauce, which is as thick as a filling. The name alone may not give you a sense of the true charm of this dish, but countless facts prove that once you've tasted it, you won't be able to forget it! The sauce is so rich and spicy that you can't get enough of it. It's a must-try.

Spaghetti House Yokoi
This spaghetti store has become synonymous with pouring spaghetti. The peppery, rich sauce is complemented by the original, ultra-bold pasta! We recommend the popular “Mirakan” and “Miranezu,” which has been on the menu since the restaurant opened.

Tempura Rice Balls

Tempura rice balls are bite-sized rice balls stuffed with shrimp tempura. The full-bodied texture of the shrimp is perfectly combined with the fluffy tempura coating and rice, making it perfect for souvenirs and snacks on the go.

They are easily available at kiosks in stations, food outlets in department stores or the deli section of supermarkets.

Enjoy "Nagoya Rice" that you will fall in love with just once!

Compared to other cities in Japan, Nagoya has a rich variety of local specialties. As one of the largest cities in Japan, Nagoya is unique in that it still retains a strong traditional food culture.

With easy access to Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo, as well as to the famous sightseeing spots in Gifu and Mie, Nagoya is an ideal base for a trip to Japan! We welcome you to start your trip to Nagoya and enjoy a variety of “Nagoya rice” dishes and the pleasures of sightseeing and eating.