Best architecture in Nagoya city and Aichi prefecture

10/12/2024

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Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER

Although the official name is ‘Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER,’ locals refer to it as the ‘TV Tower.’ It’s a symbol of Sakae, Nagoya’s downtown area. In 2020, the surrounding area was renovated, transforming it into a trendy spot filled with fashion shops, cafes, and bars.

At night, the TV Tower is illuminated, and its colors change depending on the season or events, allowing visitors to enjoy a different atmosphere each time.

HAL Nagoya

As soon as you step out of Nagoya Station, the first building that catches your eye is this one. It’s a vocational school, but the design is incredibly innovative. I’ve lived in Nagoya for over 10 years, and while I’ve taken photos of the exterior, I’ve never been inside. Since it’s a vocational school, there are a lot of young people around.

Nadya Park

This building, called Nadya Park, was constructed in the late 1990s with private sector funding and has a bold, unconventional design. Despite being privately funded, the upper floors are occupied by many offices related to the Nagoya city government.

The interior of the building, as described above, features a large atrium and a complex structure, which likely leads to high maintenance and air conditioning costs. It’s reasonable to assume that tenant fees for private businesses setting up there would be quite high as well.

Before the pandemic, there was a massive bookstore in the basement, and from the 1st to the 3rd floors, a large lifestyle goods store called Loft, but both have since closed. For nearly a year, there were no tenants, and locals were concerned. However, Alpen, a well-known Nagoya-based sports shop, moved in. You can now purchase a wide variety of sports items, so I encourage people to make good use of it.

Nagoya City Science Museum

The Nagoya City Science Museum is also famous for its unique design, with the spherical planetarium being particularly eye-catching.

Second Nagoya Sanko Building

The Second Nagoya Sanko Building is a new office building that opened in 2024. The first floor is a free space open to the public, and its design is quite interesting, featuring an innovative use of wood. It’s located about a 10-minute walk from Nagoya Station. If you’re heading towards the Shikemichi or Endoji shopping streets, it’s worth stopping by for a visit.

Our map

I’ve compiled a list of Nagoya’s places that I’ve personally visited. Is Nagoya boring? Not at all! While it has developed as an industrial city, it also hides interesting places full of history and culture. Use this guide to explore Nagoya and discover its hidden gems.