Enjoy Unique Experiences in 6 Popular Places in Aichi Prefecture!
Located in the middle of the Japanese archipelago, Aichi Prefecture offers year-round sightseeing, thanks to its mild climate in all seasons. Starting with the LEGOLAND Japan theme park, and ending up with one of the gourmet dishes called, "Nagoya-Meshi", I'll tell you about all the popular spots to visit in Aichi Prefecture!
1. LEGOLAND® Japan
The 8th LEGO® theme park in the world, LEGOLAND® Japan, just opened in 2017. As the only one in Japan, it features over 40 attractions spread out over 7 areas!
Must-do①: Enjoy the Attractions
While there are many unique attractions in this theme park, I'd especially like to recommend the roller coaster with cars shaped like LEGO® blocks!
Must-do②: Eat LEGO® French Fries
LEGOLAND® Japan boasts a wide variety of gourmet restaurants to enjoy, but for a snack, there are LEGO® French fries shaped like LEGO® blocks at Oasis Snacks!
Must-do③: Visit Miniland
In "Miniland", you can see reproductions of structures representing Japan, such as Nagoya Castle.
After playing in the park, check out the souvenirs you can buy!
Recommended Merchandise:
- Ninjago Keychains: ¥700 each
- Ninjago Plush toys: ¥3,000 each
- Notebooks: ¥800 each
2. Aiya Nishio Matcha Museum "Waku Waku"
This is a museum attached to a tea production line where visitors can observe how matcha is made as well as learn how to perform the tea ceremony themselves.
In business for over 120 years, Aiya is a well-established retailer dedicated to tea ceremony utensils and tea-related merchandise. If you are looking for authentic tea ceremony materials, this is the place to get them!
Basic information on Aiya Nishio Matcha Museum "Waku Waku"
- Address
- 15 Yokomachi Yashiki, Kamimachi, Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture
- Tel
- 0563-77-6572 (from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- Access
- About 10 minutes by cab from Nishio Station on the Meitetsu Owari Line
- Business Hours
-
9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
*Tours are conducted at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. - Closed
- December 28, 2017 and January 1-3, 2018
- Admission
-
¥500 per person for a 75-minute experience
*For 1-6 or 7-20 people, reservations are taken up to 2 months in advance. - Accepted credit cards
- American Express/JCB/MasterCard/Visa
- URL(Japanese)
- https://www.matcha.co.jp/factory/
3. SCMAGLEV and Railway Park
At this railway museum, visitors can learn all about Japan's progress in developing high-speed rail technology. From steam locomotives to superconducting magnetically levitated vehicle (SCMAGLEV) models, all kinds of railroad cars are exhibited here. It also boasts the largest diorama in Japan, which is very popular!
Successive generations of the world record-holding rolling stock are exhibited here. Experience their powerful impact up close!
Basic information on SCMAGLEV and Railway Park
- Address
- 3-2-2 Kinjo-Futo, Minato-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi
- Tel
- 052-389-6100
- Access
- 2 minutes on foot from Kinjo Futo station on the Nagoya Aonami Line
- Business Hours
- 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ( Last admission 5:00 p.m.)
- Closed
- Tuesdays (Wednesdays when Tuesdays fall on a national holiday); 12/28-1/1
- Admission
- Adult ¥1000 (discounts are available for children)
- Accepted credit cards
- NONE accepted
- URL(English)
- http://museum.jr-central.co.jp/en/
4. Toyokawa Inari
The proper name of Toyokawa Inari is actually "Toyokawa Kaku Myogonji" temple, but it is known throughout Japan as one of the three greatest Inari shrines in Japan. It's famous for a mound of over 800 stone foxes, representing the souls of foxes, that are enshrined here. It's also known as a "power spot" for luck in making money!
When you visit Toyokawa Inari, be sure to write your wish on a wooden tablet and dedicate it to the gods!
Basic information on Toyokawa Inari
- Address
- 1 Toyokawacho, Toyokawa City, Aichi
- Tel
- 0533-85-2030
- Access
- 3 minutes on foot from Toyokawa Station on the Meitetsu Toyokawa Line and JR Iida Line
- Hours/Admission
- Free to visit
- URL(Japanese)
- https://www.toyokawainari.jp/
5. The Maneki-Neko Museum
This is the largest museum in Japan displaying talismans of the unique Japanese "Maneki Neko", or cats that "beckon" good luck to come your way.
From antiques to miscellaneous items, there are several thousand cats in this collection to check out!
What's more, you can design and paint an original lucky cat charm (from ¥300).
After firing your cat, it will be mailed to you. (About one month later, postage extra)
Basic information on The Maneki-Neko Museum
- Address
- 2 Yakushi-machi, Seto City, Aichi Prefecture
- Tel
- 0561-21-0345
- Access
- 8 minutes on foot from Owari-Seto Station on the Meitetsu Seto Line
- Business Hours
- 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Final admission at 4:30 p.m.)
- Closed
- Tuesdays (open if it is a national holiday); at the end and beginning of the year (12/29-1/3)
- Admission
- Adults ¥300, Students (High School and University) ¥200, Children 15 and under are free
- Accepted credit cards
- American Express/Diners Club/JCB/MasterCard/Visa/UnionPay
- URL（English）
- http://www.luckycat.ne.jp/eng/index.html
6. Atsuta Houraiken
Founded in 1873, Atsuta Houraiken restaurant is the home of one of Nagoya's signature dishes, "Hitsumabushi". Here, you can savor eel so fresh it almost seems alive, grilled over "binchotan" charcoal, served with just-steamed rice and their secret sauce!
Hitsumabushi is one of the dishes representing "Nagoya-Meshi", the rice dishes that the area is known for. It's a Japanese dish using "kabayaki" grilled eel. Starting from ¥3600 at Atsuta Houraiken, you can benefit from the chefs' skills in bringing out the flavor of the eel when it's grilled to perfection!
How to eat Hitsumabushi:
1) Divide the eel in the round wooden dish (the "Hitsu" of Hitsumabushi) into four and place one quarter of it in a rice bowl.
2) Savor the flavor of the eel "as is" in the first bowl.
3) In the second bowl, sprinkle the condiments over it.
4）Pour tea over the third bowl, and enjoy the fourth bowl as you like.
There are many restaurants in Nagoya where you can try Hitsumabushi, so why not try them out? It's fun to eat and compare the taste of various versions of this dish!
Although this article introduced some fresh, popular places to visit, there are many others that are highly recommended! For more useful information about sightseeing in Aichi, just click on the link below. It's just a hop, skip and a jump from Kansai!