One of the best ways to truly experience any city is on foot. Walking around a city allows you to observe daily life, interact with locals, and experience the city in a personal way. But, even better, walking with a local guide allows you to also hear the stories and learn about historical context and local traditions which can help you understand the deeper meaning behind what you see.
Half-way between Tokyo and Osaka, Nagoya is often overlooked, but those who take the time to explore it are rewarded with a mix of tradition, innovation, and irresistible local cuisine. At Snow Monkey Resorts, we are proud to offer exceptional walking tours lead by our professional local guides that showcase the city's unique flavors, fascinating history, and hidden gems.
Whether you're a foodie on the hunt for regional dishes, a history buff curious about Japan's industrial past, or are simply just seeking a day full of peaceful gardens and cultural landmarks, there is a walking tour to match your interests.
The Top 3 Walking Tours in Nagoya
Here are three of our favorite walking tours of Nagoya (in no particular order), each offering something unique and providing a memorable day in Japan's city of industry.
1) A Foodie Tour Featuring Nagoya's Most Famous Landmarks
Why it shines: A delicious blend of flavors, history, and local culture, all in one day.
Highlights:
- Walk through a working fish market: Yanagibashi Central Fish Market.
- Enjoy “morning service” at the cafe which invented ogura toast.
- Marvel at golden Honmaru Palace within Nagoya Castle.
1-Day Tour: Nagoya's Highlights and Small Bites / All Year Round
For those who prefer to eat their way through Japan, there probably aren’t many cities more “foodie-friendly” than Nagoya. With a large port and fertile plains, along with the wealth and resources of the powerful city of Samurai, Nagoya has long had access to a wide variety of foods distinctive from other regions of Japan.
As we eat our way through Nagoya, you will also be able to marvel at the gilded artwork and golden screens in Honmaru Palace, relax as you gaze upon the reflecting pond of Mirai Tower, and learn about the day’s fresh catch at a bustling fish market as you are led by an experienced, English-speaking guide through Nagoya on this full-day tour.
This tour will not only give you a taste of the wonderful flavors of the region and introduce you to some of the most notable landmarks in the city, but also provide you with the confidence to go out and try more Nagoya Meshi on your own.
2) A Tour Featuring the Taisho-era Inventors of Nagoya
Why it shines: An inspiring fusion of tradition and cutting-edge innovation perfect for history buffs and tech lovers.
Highlights:
- Meander through Edo-period Shikemichi streets.
- Witness porcelain craftsmanship and robotics in action.
- Cap the day with a sky-high vista overlooking the city at sunset.
1-Day Tour: Nagoya’s Industrial Legacy and Toyota's Innovation / All Year Round
Nagoya is known as the “Heart of Japan” for not only its central location and historical significance but also for its great contributions to the culture and industry of Japan. A city of innovation, the industrial prominence of the region had led it to become the home to manufacturing giants such as Toyota, Brother, Noritake, Ibanez, Buffalo, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
From automobiles to AI, and from Edo-era lodgings to glass skyscrapers, this journey through Japan’s center of commerce will provide you with a glimpse into Nagoya’s industrial past and its dreams for a technological future as you are led by an experienced, English-speaking guide on this full-day tour.
3) A Garden Walk Exploring Nagoya's Historic Estates
Why it shines: This tour provides a relaxing day exploring the history, aristocratic estates, and serene landscapes of Nagoya's wealthy merchant class.
Highlights:
- View Japan’s largest castle keep, Nagoya Castle, and tour the magnificent Honmaru Palace which was Japan's first castle to be designated a National Treasure.
- Glimpse into the lives of the Toyota family as we tour the Taisho-era home of Sasuke Toyoda and several other well-preserved estates.
- Stroll through traditional Japanese gardens and bask in the seasonal beauty of the flowers and foliage.
1-Day Guided Garden Walk through Nagoya's Castle, Gardens, and Historic Estates / All Year Round
Centrally located and surrounded by fertile plains, mountains, rivers, and the sea, it is easy to understand why Nagoya is known as “the Heart of Japan.” This castle city attracted samurai and craftsmen alike and, later, wealthy merchants and innovative leaders of industry. Today, Nagoya has cemented itself as Japan’s center of industry and is home to manufacturing giants such as Toyota, Brother, Noritake, Ibanez, Buffalo, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
This tour will take you into several historic estates and private gardens of these titans of industry. Marvel at the gilded artwork and golden screens in Honmaru Palace and sip tea while gazing at a garden designed for a daimyo as you are led by an experienced, English-speaking guide through Nagoya on this full-day tour.
Custom Private Tours and Charters
Of course, we also offer private tours and transport in and around the Nagoya area, and other regional destinations. We can also arrange for both custom tours with an English-speaking guide or a private charter.
Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations in combination with any activity that suits your schedule. All vehicles are well-maintained and in good condition, allowing you to relax and enjoy your ride to wherever you are going.
With door-to-door service, we can pick you up from where you are and take you to where you want to go anywhere in Central Japan and the neighboring regions.
For more information, please check our standard charter rates or contact us for a custom trip. We’d love to be part of your adventure in Central Japan and help you discover even more!
Multi-day Itineraries from Nagoya
One of the hardest aspects of planning an international trip is figuring out how to connect all the exciting locations you want to visit. While Japan has some of the best public transportation systems in the world, it can still be a pain to plan out your routes and the amount of time required to get to where you want to go.
That's where our connectable day tour system comes in!
Snow Monkey Resorts’ connectable tours let you build your own custom itinerary across Japan—one day at a time. Each tour is designed to link smoothly to the next, with convenient transport (including luggage handling), multiple drop-off locations, and flexible pacing. You can mix and match tours based on your interests—whether it's cultural sites, nature, adventure, or anime—and travel at your own speed. You can even build in rest or shopping days without a guide. No rigid schedules, no backtracking, and full English support from a trusted, award-winning local team.
With our connectable tours, you can begin a tour in Nagoya and finish in another city with no need to double back or navigate complex rail transfers with luggage in tow.
For example:
- Start your day hiking the Nakasendo Trail and end in Matsumoto or Nagano—your bags come with you in the tour vehicle.
- Then the next day, join our award winning Snow Monkey Tour or take the day to explore on your own!
We also offer custom private charters with certified drivers for more control over timing, routes, or stops.
Need some inspiration? Our team has put together some example itineraries to demonstrate the multiple ways you can travel around Japan using our connectable day tours. Check out the itineraries below or browse our itinerary page to get started planning your custom trip to Japan.
