Aichi travel guide: Choosing Nagoya, Inuyama and Tokoname

Compare Nagoya's cultural sites, Inuyama's national-treasure castle, Tokoname's pottery walking routes and port attractions, including official admission, walking distances and transport links.

Last checked:

  • Aichi
  • Independent travel

Aichi Prefecture offers more than central Nagoya. This page covers four types of visit: urban culture, an old castle town, pottery streets and port-area facilities. It compares who each might suit, how much walking is involved and what can be combined, with links to the transport guide. Return to the Chubu travel guide.

Key points

  • Nagoya: official information introduces Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Shrine, Tokugawa Art Museum, industry and local Nagoya food
  • Inuyama: Inuyama Castle admission 1,000 yen for adults, opening hours 9:00 to 17:00; officially described as having Japan’s oldest surviving castle keep
  • Tokoname: Pottery Footpath has two routes, A and B, both starting at the Ceramics Hall
  • Aichi does not have one official pass covering the whole prefecture. See Aichi transport

Four types of visit

Type Where Official information Walking involved
Urban culture Nagoya () Nagoya Castle completed in 1612; Atsuta Shrine about 1,900 years old; Tokugawa Art Museum has 9 National Treasures Mostly subway and bus within the city; see Aichi transport
National Treasure castle Inuyama () Inuyama Castle has a watchtower-style keep with many original wooden materials; the top floor overlooks the Kiso River Approximately 15 minutes’ walk from Inuyama-Yuen Station or 20 minutes from the west exit of Inuyama Station
Pottery walk Tokoname () Pottery Footpath Route A: 1.6 kilometres and about 60 minutes; Route B: 4 kilometres and about 2 hours 30 minutes About 5 minutes’ walk from Meitetsu Tokoname Station to the Ceramics Hall starting point
Port and large facilities Port of Nagoya Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium and LEGOLAND Japan (officially listed in the port district) Walking times are not stated on the official page

Inuyama Castle ()

Official information from the Inuyama Tourism Association:

Item Details
Admission General 1,000 yen; elementary and junior high school students 200 yen
Hours 9:00 to 17:00; last admission 16:30; entry may be restricted during busy periods
Closing days 29 to 31 December
Access About 15 minutes on foot from Meitetsu Inuyama-Yuen Station; about 20 minutes from the west exit of Meitetsu Inuyama Station

Tokoname Pottery Footpath ()

Official information from the Tokoname Tourism Association:

Route Distance Time
Route A 1.6 kilometres About 60 minutes
Route B 4 kilometres About 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Both routes start at the Ceramics Hall ()
  • The footpath is also a residential and working area; the official site asks visitors not to look into private homes or enter private land without permission

Feature articles

Notes

  • Prices and opening hours vary by date; check official websites before travelling. Information on this page was checked on 2026-10-28
  • Nationwide information is in Japan travel essentials

Sources

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