Useful information about Aichi Nagoya
Information about Nagoya City
Nagoya is the capital and most populous city of Aichi Prefecture. It is an ordinance-designated city, with an area of roughly 326 km². With a population of around 2.32 million people, it is the largest city in the Chubu region, and the third most populous city in Japan after Yokohama and Osaka (excluding the Special Wards of Tokyo). Nagoya serves as a major industrial center that connects eastern and western Japan.
The most important train station in Nagoya is Nagoya Station. It is the largest terminal station in the Chubu region, serving as a hub that connects the city to other regions. It is a major stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen, and is served by many other railway lines. It is also a terminal for the Chuo Shinkansen maglev train that is scheduled to operate from 2027. The area around Nagoya Station is a major commercial and business district, with many office buildings, department stores, restaurants, and banks. Other important districts in Nagoya include Sakae and Nishiki.
Another important transportation hub serving Nagoya is the Chubu Centrair International Airport. It is the aerial gateway to central Japan, operating many domestic and international flights.
Foreign Residents in Nagoya City
As of December 2021, there were 84,018 foreign residents living in Nagoya. In terms of nationality, Chinese nationals are by far the most in number, with a population of 23,469. Next comes Koreans with 14,852 residents, followed by Vietnamese, Filipinos, Nepalese, Brazilians, Americans, Indonesians, Taiwanese, Sri Lankans, and so on. The wards of Nagoya that have the highest number of foreign residents are Minato-ku and Naka-ku, with around 9,000 residents each.
Data source: Nagoya City Government, Nagoya City Foreign Resident Statistics 2020 (data as of 2 December 2021)
Popular Residential Areas in Nagoya City
The most popular residential area in Nagoya for foreigners is Naka-ku, the central ward and administrative center of the city. This area is served by many JR and subway lines, making transportation quite convenient. It is located near the commercial district of Nagoya Station, but there are also quiet areas with many parks, libraries, and other facilities.
Another popular residential area is Minato-ku, located on the coast to the Pacific Ocean. This area offers convenient access to the urban centers of Nagoya, but rents are relatively cheaper. Compared to the central areas, Minato-ku has fewer stations and railway lines, so transportation may be a bit inconvenient, but it still ranks high in terms of livability.
Transportation in Nagoya City
Being the largest transportation hub of the Chubu region of Japan, Nagoya has an extensive railway network. The main railway operators in the city are JR Central, Meitetsu, and Kintetsu. The largest and most important station is Nagoya Station, which is a major stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen. Nagoya Station is the busiest station in the Chubu region, with an average daily passenger traffic of 1.29 million people.
Nagoya is also a hub for air travel, as it is served by the Chubu Centrair International Airport that operates domestic and international flights 24 hours a day. Opened in 2005, Chubu Centrair is the second airport in Japan to be built on reclaimed land, after Kansai International Airport.
Nagoya also has an extensive network of buses that supports the transportation needs of its residents. The main bus operators are the Nagoya Municipal Bus, Meitetsu Bus, and Mie Kotsu. They operate many local bus routes as well as long distance buses to other regions.
Expressways and National Roads also play an important part in the transportation of Nagoya. These multi-lane roads crisscross the city like a net, forming one of the largest road networks in Japan. The most important expressway passing through the city is the Nagoya Expressway network, which includes the Ring Route going around downtown Nagoya.
Recommended Spots in Nagoya City
Nagoya is home to many amusement spots and historical landmarks, making it a popular tourist destination in Japan. One famous amusement spot is the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, which features dolphin and orca performances, as well as penguin feeding shows. There is also the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens which is home to over 500 different species of flora and fauna, and also has an amusement park. The most famous historical landmark in Nagoya is Nagoya Castle, designated as one of Japan'sThree Famous Castles. It is known for its large stone walls and the golden "shachihoko" mythical creatures that decorate its main tower.