Choosing Accommodation Near Nagoya Station

Nagoya Station is located at the heart of the city, and perhaps due to its role as a major transit hub, it’s harder to find Airbnb or traditional tatami-style accommodations here compared to other cities. Most available options are business hotels, which typically have very compact room layouts—something that came as quite a shock to my husband, who was experiencing it for the first time.

We chose a hotel that offered relatively large beds among the more affordable, conveniently located options near the station. The room was extremely small, barely fitting the bed and a tiny nightstand, but it was exceptionally clean and efficiently organized, making our stay comfortable.
The hotel also had a large public bath and provided a generous selection of amenities, which helped us relax after a day of traveling. Plus, since it was a high-rise hotel, the night view of the city from our room was stunning.

▶ Sanco Inn Grande Nagoya

Morning in Nagoya – Starting the Day with Komeda’s Coffee

As soon as morning arrived, my husband, who loves all kinds of alcohol, kicked off the day with a beer. But when traveling with a baby, at least one parent needs to stay sharp. Instead of joining him for a morning drink, I decided to visit Komeda’s Coffee, one of the highlights of our Nagoya trip.

Komeda’s Coffee, a beloved chain that started in Nagoya in 1968, is famous across Japan and even has overseas locations. They serve a special morning set from 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM, featuring their signature red bean paste toast.
At that early hour, local seniors were enjoying coffee and reading newspapers. Although smoking is usually allowed indoors, thankfully, no one was smoking when we visited, so we could comfortably enjoy our breakfast.
The red bean paste toast was so delicious that it alone made me want to come back to Japan someday. (There are many Komeda branches in Fukuoka too, but I haven’t visited them yet!)

▶ Komeda’s Coffee

Attractions for Babies in Nagoya – Electricity Museum and Children’s Science Museum

I had read that Nagoya is a city where science and technology thrive, so we headed toward the Electricity Museum and the Children’s Science Museum.
Since we arrived early, we decided to spend some time at a nearby playground. However, our little one got so absorbed in playing that we ended up canceling the science museum visit altogether.

The Nagoya City Science Museum is famous for its interactive exhibits, science shows, and planetarium. Right next to it is the Nagoya City Art Museum, making it a great spot to visit if you are traveling with elementary-aged children. Even on a weekend, many school groups were there on educational field trips.

▶ Nagoya City Science Museum

Lunch in Nagoya – Miso Katsu

One of Nagoya’s local specialties is miso katsu (deep-fried pork cutlet with miso sauce).
We made a reservation at Yabaton Yabacho Main Store, known as the birthplace of miso katsu, aiming to enter right when it opened at 11:00 AM.
Even though we arrived about 15 minutes early, there was already a line of over a dozen people.

▶ Yabaton Yabacho Main Store

The miso katsu was a bit saltier than expected, but the crispiness of the cutlet was perfect. The pork was thick and juicy, making the meal satisfying (though it took a while to digest!).

A Small Break at the Park

After an energetic morning and a hearty meal, our baby fell asleep in the stroller.
Finally, with some free time on our hands, we went shopping around Nagoya.
Despite being a large city, Nagoya doesn’t have an overwhelming number of tourists, making it somewhat of a hidden gem for shopping.

When we looked for a café to rest, we found that most local cafés (except for chains like Starbucks) allowed indoor smoking, making them unsuitable for families with babies. So instead, we bought canned coffee and relaxed in a park.
One thing I appreciate about Japan is that even in urban areas, there are plenty of small and large parks where you can rest.
Under the pleasant May weather, we enjoyed quietly observing local life until our baby woke up.

Afternoon Snack – Nagoya’s Famous Tebasaki

Later, responding to my husband’s wish for a draft beer, we found an izakaya-style pub.
Tebasaki (chicken wings), which we had first enjoyed in Fukuoka, actually originates from Nagoya!
Compared to Fukuoka’s version, Nagoya-style tebasaki had a stronger pepper flavor and was oven-roasted rather than deep-fried.
Honestly, the taste could probably be replicated at home by seasoning chicken wings with pepper and salt and roasting them.

Tebasaki in Nagoya

Another Playground Adventure

After some snacking and shopping, we stumbled upon another playground.
Our baby, half-asleep in the stroller, immediately tried to jump out.

As we explored different playgrounds in Nagoya, I found myself paying close attention to their design, safety features, and creativity.
While modern apartment complexes often have very standardized playgrounds, Nagoya’s parks offered unique and interesting elements that made me think—if someone designs playgrounds professionally, traveling the world for inspiration would be a great idea.

Another Playground Moment

Dinner in Nagoya – Grilled Eel

Nagoya has a long tradition of eel cuisine (unagi) dating back to the Edo period, and it’s known as the birthplace of Hitsumabushi (grilled eel over rice).
“Hitsu” refers to the wooden container used to serve the rice, and “mabushi” means to scatter toppings evenly over the rice.

We couldn’t leave Nagoya without trying hitsumabushi!
Many of the most famous restaurants don’t accept reservations, so traveling with a baby, we chose a slightly less famous spot that allowed booking in advance—and it turned out to be an excellent decision.
The restaurant had a charming garden, and the food was delicious enough to make me want to bring my parents here in the future.

▶ Unafuji Shirakabe Bettei

• Seasoned Grilled Eel Bowl
• Salt-Grilled Eel Bowl

The restaurant was a bit away from downtown Nagoya, but it was near a UNIQLO store, so it could be a good idea to combine shopping and dining in one trip.

Final Thoughts

While Nagoya may not have as many tourist attractions as other Japanese cities, it offers a unique charm with its laid-back atmosphere and a glimpse into everyday Japanese life.
It’s also a hidden shopping paradise—highly recommended for those who love shopping without the typical crowds!

Tips:

• Business hotels are more common than Airbnb accommodations.
• Must-try local specialties include Komeda’s Coffee’s red bean paste toast, miso katsu, tebasaki (chicken wings), and hitsumabushi (grilled eel).