Tours/Nagoya/Nagoya Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
Viator · Private tour

Nagoya Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide

4.9(46)Nagoya1 hour
VIATOR4.9(17)TRIPADVISOR4.8(29)

Description

With a National Licensed and Experienced English speaking guide, this tour will allow you to explore Nagoya more efficiently in one day. Enjoy a full-day walking tour in Nagoya accompanied by an experienced guide. Begin your day with a morning pickup from your hotel in Nagoya or anywhere else, then visit Nagoya's famous sites including Nagoya Castle, The Atsuta Shrine and Nagoya gourmet and anywhere else as you like. Go in depth with a private guide who customizes your 4 hour tour to your interests. Please let us know what would you like to experience and what time would you like to join the tour and where you stay. We would customize the tour based on your requests! This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot. You cannot combine several groups nor reservations.

Tour Options

Nagoya Half-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
  • Pickup included

Itinerary

Admission not included15 min

Nagoya Castle is right in the heart of Nagoya, and is very famous for its golden shachihoko (a mythical creature with a tiger's head and carp's body) figures on the roof. Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first shogun who established the Edo shougunate, built it in 1521. The main part of the castle was rebuilt after the war, and now you can climb to the top to feel like being a shogun to govern the country.

15 min

Atsuta Jingu Shrine is the second highest rank shrine of Japan, founded in the 8th century. It occupies a big area with huge woods in the metropolitan atomosphere of Nagoya, and there are always many people coming for all kinds of prayers. The woods are full of sacred and reverent feelings, and makes you feel something divine inside yourself, too.

Admission not included15 min

The Chubu Electric MIRAI TOWER (formerly but still referred to as the Nagoya TV Tower (名古屋テレビ塔, Nagoya Terebi-tō)) is a TV tower in Nagoya, central Japan. It is a landmark of Nagoya.

Admission not included15 min

Nagoya City Science Museum has the largest planetarium in the world, and you can enjoy being an astronaut cruising the real universe.

Admission not included10 min

Nagoya City Art Museum (Nagoya-shi Bijutsukan), opened in 1987 and home to a permanent collection that includes the work of Surrealist artists from around the globe, including Sean Scully, Kansuke Yamamoto, and Alexander Calder, as well as temporary exhibits. Finally, the Nagoya Museum of Fine Arts (Nagoya Bosuton Bijutsukan), sister museum to Boston's Museum of Fine Arts and notable for bringing items from the latter's collection of Impressionist and other artworks to Japan, is also worth a visit.

Admission not included10 min

Tokugawa Garden is a Japanese garden, with numerous highlights around a pond in it's center. It was the mainstream style of major daimyo gardens during the Edo period.

Admission not included20 min

The Tokugawa Art Museum (徳川美術館, Tokugawa Bijutsukan) is a private art museum, located on the former Ōzone Shimoyashiki compound in Nagoya, central Japan. Its collection contains more than 12,000 items, including swords, armor, Noh costumes and masks, lacquer furniture, Chinese and Japanese ceramics, calligraphy, and paintings from the Chinese Song and Yuan dynasties (960-1368).

Admission not included20 min

Established in June 1994, 100 years after the birth of Toyota Motor’s founder, Toyoda Kiichiro, the museum will celebrate its 30th anniversary in June 2024. We hope to take on new missions especially now in this world facing an uncertain future brought upon by matters such as the COVID pandemic. At the same time, we will not forget to respect the origins of our museum. This includes the entire museum releasing the message that “technological innovations and development of industries will build our future, with the museum serving as a place of learning about the history of making things(“monozukuri”) and then aiming for our future goal of playing our part in developing a sustainable society. Even though this is a grand mission, we believe it is one that we must fulfil, as a museum in the birthplace of the Toyota Group.

Admission not included10 min

Among the top brands of prestigious tableware, Noritake is one of the more famous and treasured names in the ceramics industry. Started in 1904, the traditional Japanese craftsmanship of Noritake combined with western aesthetics created a range of high quality, elegant formal and casual dinnerware aimed at the European market.

20 min

Osu once flourished as Nagoya's No. 1 entertainment quarter, and is a place where you will find extensive shopping arcades. The area developed after the war as a place of electrical and second-hand clothing stores, and now the district is a proud center for nerd, idol and other sub-cultures, securing its enduring popularity. Besides anime merchandise, shoppers can also pick up all manner of other interesting items that individual storekeepers have in stock. It's a fun place to go even if you just stroll around. Located directly east of Osu Kannon Temple, the covered arcades run parallel and perpendicular to one another, featuring over 1,200 stores selling anything from the kitsch to computers, cameras to trendy (even tacky) fashions, antiques, new and used kimono and clothing, restaurants and cafes, variety and souvenir stores, and pretty much everything in-between. Many of the shops offer Duty Free services for tourists too.

Admission not included20 min

The White Bird Gardens, Shirotori Garden is a tranquil, traditional Japanese style garden covering some 3.7 hectares, and gives the visitor a taste of old Japan. Changes in scenery according to the tidal flows, sunlight on the waters and seasons mean that the gardens and their delightful architecture provide different views every visit.

Admission not included20 min

Midland Square owes part of its name to the region in which it resides: the Chubu, or central/middle, region. And it acts as a symbol for the region, rising 47 floors and 247 meters and 47 floors from the ground with six basement floors. It is conveniently located just outside of JR Nagoya Station and its height allows it the title of the tallest building in the Chubu region and even the seventh tallest in Japan (as of 2015).

20 min

Shikemichi is a town of merchants located on the west bank of Horikawa River that goes through the castle town of Nagoya. This town was built in 1610, when the whole town of Kiyosu moved to the site with the construction of Nagoya Castle. "Shikemichi" means an about 7 meter-wide street, and the name is derived from the fact that the street's width was expanded for fire protection and for the commercial activities after an inferno occurred in 1700. Storehouses are built on the stone walls and traditional townhouses stand in a row. The landscape as we know it today was completed in the Genbun era (around 1740). It was designated as a townscape preservation area of Nagoya in 1986.

20 min

The enshrined deities of Wakamiya Hachimansha Shrine are Emperor Nintoku, Emperor Ojin and Takeuchinosukune, a legendary person who served in Japan's first imperial government. Tokugawa Ieyasu designated the shrine to be the main tutelary deity of Nagoya in 1610. In addition to its regular festivals, the Wakamiya Festival held on May 15-16 every year; the harikuyo festival, a memorial service for dull and broken needles; and other festivals and events are held.

Admission not included10 min

Located in the heart of Nagoya’s Sakae district, this museum offers a captivating journey into the world of Japanese swords. Up to 200 swords, including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, are on display, allowing visitors to admire their craftsmanship and beauty up close. The museum also features around 50 sets of impressive samurai armor and 150 ukiyo-e prints on permanent display. With cutting-edge interactive exhibits, it’s an engaging destination for both adults and children. A visit here is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of the samurai and experience the rich history and artistry unique to Nagoya.

Highlights

Licensed Local English-speaking Guide
Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Nagoya
Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from 'What to expect' list

What's included

Included
Licensed Local English-speaking Guide
Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Nagoya
Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from 'What to expect' list
Not included
Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
Private Vehicle
You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

Pickup Locations & Times

This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Pick up is on foot. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please contact us directly. All Private vehicles must be booked 5 days in advance. Maximum number of passengers: 7.

Traveller Ratings

4.9
46 reviews
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43
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Important Information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.

Reviews(46)

M
mayo773
June 17, 2026
Highly recommended!

Hiroshi was personable and knowledgeable. His anecdotes added a personal touch to the tour. We really enjoyed our time with him. We highly recommend requesting him!

Operator response

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I had a great time exploring Nagoya with you and am very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour. It’s especially nice to know that my stories and personal experiences added something extra to your visit. Thank you for your kind recommendation. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope our paths cross again someday in Japan. Hiroshi

D
Donald_G
April 23, 2026
Well worth the visit. A...

Well worth the visit. A little tougher if you are tall. It can be quite a climb if warm like it was when we visited.

G
gavinhawkes
April 9, 2026
Ok - Castle was worthwhile seeing, the rest was just ok

Was just ok. Ended up seeing the Castle and went to a samurai museum - could have done that ourselves (guide wasn’t particularly knowledgable about samurais). Compared to other tours the overall experience was just ok especially considering we paid for entrance to all exhibitions and could have joined a tour. You’re just paying for the guide. Could have done it ourselves in the end

Operator response

Thank you very much for your review. We will speak to the guide to improve their knowledge regarding Samurai. As for the price, we strive to pay a competitive rate for our guides so that we can secure the best guides available. Japan Guide Agency

D
Daydream57795261909
April 6, 2026
Half-day introduction of Nagoya

I recently did a half-day tour of Nagoya and it was a great experience! The itinerary was well-paced and covered key highlights like Nagoya Castle and the samurai museum. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and gave interesting insights into the city’s history and culture. The tour was perfect for getting a quick overview of Nagoya without feeling rushed. I especially enjoyed the mix of historical sites and local atmosphere. Highly recommend this for anyone with limited time who still wants to see the best of the city!

B
B9190RXcolleenm
February 16, 2026
The Nagoya walking tour was great!

Todd was the perfect tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and tailored the tour for us to make the most of our time in Nagoya. We easily made our way to the key sites of the city and Todd helped us plan the next day with excellent recommendations.

Operator response

Dear my guests, I had a great time with you in your tour in Nagoya. I really enjoyed the conversations with you during the tour about various subjects including about your home town. Thank you very much for your kind words in your review of the tour. I'm happy to know that you enjoyed the guided tour in Nagoya and it makes me motivated for further improvement of guiding. I wish you have a great time in your tour in Japan and I also wish you will come to visit Nagoya again in your near future. Todd

B
barbaralJ4
February 13, 2026
Memorable Nagoya first visit with Mr. Ito

We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Ito. From the moment we met, he was very welcoming, explained tour and the attractions will we visit. He has a vast knowledge of Nagoya and Nagoya history. He made our first visit to Nagoya memorable. We would recommend Mr. Ito as your tour guide for your upcoming Nagoya visit. He is also proficient in English. Thank you Mr. Ito!

Operator response

Thank you for your good review. I was happy to be your guide in Nagoya. Nagoya has many attractive sites I want to recommend. I hope more and more tourists come to Nagoya. Thank you for choosing Nagoya as a destination this time. Ito

S
sjm4oh1
October 31, 2025
Great tour/great city

We were fortunate to tour privately with Todd Miura, who met us at our cruise ship and took us on a thorough and informative, well-planned excursion. He was easy to understand, considerate of our questions and any concerns, and we highly recommend a day well spent. It's a wonderful city with multiple delights.

Operator response

Dear my guest, I had a great time with you and your husband in your tour of Nagoya. And I really appreciate your kind words in your review of the tour. Your comments motivate me a lot for the further improvement of performance as a guide. I wish that you had a nice time in Japan and you will come to visit Nagoya again in the near future. Best regards, - Todd

R
Rodrigo A
October 2, 2025
Great experience in Nagoya

It was a very complete tour Our guide, Naoko Kito has a lot of experience and knowledge of the history of the main places of the city

J
Jeffrey_B
October 2, 2025
Nagoya with Todd Miura

A great 4 hour tour around the city. We visited the Castle, a Japanese Garden and the city centre. Todd was very knowledgeable and ensured a great experience for us

Operator response

Dear my guests, I had a great time with you in your tour. And thank you very much for your kind words about the guided tour in Nagoya. Your very nice review makes me further motivated for an improvement in guiding. I wish you will continue to have a good time in Japan and visit Nagoya again in the near future.

C
Colleen_E
September 28, 2025
Totally worth the cost! Thanks Elvis!

Elvis was so great! He communicated with us prior to our trip to get our itinerary just how we wanted it. When we arrived in Nagoya, he met us right off of the cruise ship and he was easy to find. He helped us navigate the subway system with ease and chatted with us along the way. He was knowledgeable about all of the sites we visited and helped take pictures of us in front of the castle. He stood in line for us whenever possible, so we could take some extra time to look around. He made our day very enjoyable and made sure we were all set to get back when we parted. We definitely made the most of these 4 hours and I highly recommend using this group, especially if the other guides are like Elvis!

Operator response

Thank you for your warmful message. I am pleased that you enjoyed the tour. It was still hot, but I think it was better by your idea of starting earlier. And I felt relieved that you could continue the tour in Japan in spite of having pain in your legs. I also amazed that you finally found "blue lucky cat" in Japan. I hope that you like Japan and come again! Elvis

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