Nagoya Neighborhoods, Locations and Districts

(Nagoya, Chubu, Central Honshu, Japan)

From an official perspective, Nagoya is split into a total of 16 separate districts. For the benefit of tourists however, there are three significant districts in Nagoya, where the majority of sights and amenities are located.

Visitors will want to stay in one of these three districts, which provide the best tourist facilities and easy access to the city's attractions. These neighbourhoods are shown below, together with information about the area surrounding the Port of Nagoya.

Downtown District (Sakae)

The downtown district, or Sakae as it is locally known, is where the city's major businesses are focused and also where you will find the majority of the best shopping areas. A popular place to lodge, there are dozens of hotels to choose from, providing quick access to Nagoya's famous department stores. For entertainment other than shopping, there is a choice of cinemas. Sakae has a subway line linking to Nagoya Station, making getting around both easy and inexpensive.

Nagoya Castle District

As the name suggests, the Nagoya Castle district is focused around the city's imposing castle structure and lies to the north of Sakae, the downtown district. This area is home to a large number of local and national government offices, amongst which are the Aichi Prefectural Government Office and the Nagoya City Hall. Attractions such as the Nagoya Nohgakudo (Noh Theatre) and Meijo Park can be found in this district and boasts plenty of tourist appeal.

Nishiki District

Reputed to be an upmarket area by Japanese who live elsewhere, thanks to dozens of financial institutions having made their home here, Nishiki is not thought to be particularly posh by the locals. However, its abundant businesses ensure it is a hub of activity and it makes for a great place to go for dinner or a drink. With everything from pubs and cocktail bars to choose from, Nishiki is a happening area of the city that is not to be missed.

Port of Nagoya District

The city's port area is a bustling district, handling an enormous amount of cargo each year, an industry that has long brought the city of Nagoya considerable wealth. While not strictly a tourist area as such, the busy environment may be of interest to visitors, especially as this is the district that has contributed most significantly to Nagoya's place on the map.