15 Things To Do in Nagoya with Kids! Sightseeing Spots for the Whole Family to Enjoy

Top 10 Nagoya Sightseeing Spots for Kids

1. LEGOLAND Japan Resort

2. Nagoya Port Sea Train Land

The rides at Nagoya Port Sea Train Land have lower age and height restrictions compared to some other theme parks, so this is a great place to bring smaller children. The park has nine attraction and game areas, and even a petting zoo where visitors can play with around 20 different breeds of dogs!

Nagoya Port Sea Train Land is also a popular spot for dates among locals, particularly thanks to the fact that the Ferris wheel in the center of the park is the largest in the area. At 85 meters high, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view from the wheel. Gazing over the beautiful view of Nagoya at night makes for a very romantic setting.

3. Dino Adventure Nagoya

The space is designed to be stroller-friendly, so families with small children can enjoy a visit here. There are many types of dinosaurs to see, including the Tyrannosaurus, Spinosaurus, Triceratops, and Allosaurus. It is an unmissable day out for dinosaur lovers!

4. Odaka Ryokuchi Park

Odaka Ryokuchi Park is the same park that Dino Adventure Nagoya is located in, but there is so much more to do here! Designed around a large grassy expanse, there is a sports facility as well as a baseball field, tennis courts, and mini golf courses for children to enjoy.

Odaka Ryokuchi Park features activities like go-kart rides, and there is a range of things to do outside while enjoying the seasonal view. This is also a popular spot for sporty couples, so why not come by for a date on a nice sunny day?

5. Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Boasting around 60 hectares of grounds that include a zoo, botanical gardens, and a theme park, the lush Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a historic Nagoya spot. The zoo houses over 550 types of animals, including giraffes, elephants, adorable koalas, and tiny medaka ricefish. The Higashiyama Zoo is also known as the home of Shabani, the famous "handsome gorilla".  An animal-feeding event is held on the first and fourth Sundays of each month, where you can have a go at feeding some animals yourself!

Around 7,000 varieties of plants are displayed in the Higashiyama Botanical Gardens. Highlights include a greenhouse that has been designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and a traditional gassho-zukuri thatched roof house brought from the famous Shirakawago village.

The entry price to the zoo is relatively inexpensive, and entry to the amusement park (from 300 yen) is also very affordable, making this a popular date spot for young animal lovers. You can easily spend a whole day enjoying all there is to do in this park.

6. Meijo Park

Meijo Park, located on the north side of Nagoya Castle, is surrounded by a lush forest and features a lawn field with a running brook, a wisteria corridor, the Meijo Park Flower Plaza, and a four-season garden. A range of events and exhibitions are held here every season.

Meijo Park is located in the heart of the Nagoya Castle complex. The gardens also host regular ikebana flower arrangement and gardening classes. Meijo Park also has tennis courts and baseball fields, making this a popular sports ground in Nagoya.

7. Nagoya City Science Museum

Nagoya City Science Museum is a hands-on museum designed to help children learn by seeing, experiencing, and experimenting. The museum has a range of exhibits divided into three themed areas: the Astronomy Building, Life Sciences Building, and Science and Technology Building. The most popular among children is the Astronomy Building, centered around the museum's planetarium, which has monthly-changing themes.

Each floor of the Nagoya City Science Museum is lined with exhibits that correspond to the floor's theme. Performance and experiment areas allow visitors to witness live scientific phenomena. These shows draw gasps, not just from kids but the adults in the audience too!

8. Mr. JUMP Trampoline Park

Mr. JUMP Trampoline Park has enjoyed plenty of media coverage since it opened in May 2016, and its explosive popularity has made it a famous spot in Nagoya. Some highlights include the Big Slider, which, as the first of its kind in Japan, is very popular with international tourists, the Private Jumping Zone, which can be reserved for private use, and the Free Jumping Zone. Make sure to visit Mr. JUMP Trampoline Park while you're in Nagoya to experience all the cutting-edge equipment offered here!

9. NHK Broadcasting Experience Studio WakuWaku

There is a range of other displays to see at NHK Broadcasting Experience Studio WakuWaku, including exhibits of actual props used in TV shows and plenty of other TV-related information. Kids can even their hand at interviewing Japanese historical figures in the experience-learning zone. This just might make your children dream of becoming a TV presenter in the future!

*Please note that programs are conducted in Japanese, so if you would like to vist, make sure to take a Japanese speaker with you!

5 Hidden Gems in Nagoya Recommended for Kids

1. The Little World Museum of Man

The Little World Museum of Man is an open-air museum where visitors can experience the many ways people live around the world. You can sample regional cuisines and try on outfits from various countries here, making it an Instagram-friendly museum that attracts many social media lovers. This Nagoya sightseeing spot is also highly recommended for solo travelers!

You can reach Little World by car in around 30 minutes via the expressway from the JR Nagoya Station. If you don't have a car, a direct bus leaves from the Inuyama Station East Exit and arrives at Little World in around 20 minutes. You can also buy a ticket that comes with discount coupons at Meitetsu Nagoya Station.

During certain periods, visitors can also enjoy a circus at Little World! The thrilling performances have earned raving reviews, even from young children. This is a spot the whole family will love.

2. Fuji Antarctic Research Vessel

The Fuji Antarctic Research Vessel, moored at Nagoya Port as a historical display, is an icebreaker ship that was used for real Antarctic exploration missions. Characterized by its bright orange color, this ship was active in the Antarctic for a lengthy 18 years from 1965.

The interior of the ship is used today as an experience-style exhibition. Visitors can explore the ship, which has retained its original features, and even experience a simulation of an Antarctic journey. This is the perfect spot to bring children who love boats!

3. Noritake Garden

Noritake Garden was founded to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Noritake Co., Ltd., a tableware company known for ceramics. Within its grounds, which cover around 48,000 square meters, you may forget you're in the middle of the city! The lush and expansive gardens include a range of facilities including a museum, restaurants, and more.

A range of seasonal events are held throughout the year. From picnics in the spring to illuminations in the winter, these gardens are not just great to visit with children, they're also a popular Nagoya spot for dates or outings with friends.

4. Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology (Technoland)

As the location of Toyota's international headquarters, there are many Toyota-related facilities in Nagoya. The Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology is broadly divided into two sections: the Automobile Pavilion and the Textile Machinery Pavilion. Families can enjoy learning about the entire process of how Toyota cars are made, along with cutting-edge Toyota car manufacturing technology. Workshops and hands-on learning experiences for elementary and middle school children are available, and the ability to experience the latest technology up close makes this a popular date spot for car enthusiasts too.

Another place you shouldn't miss when visiting with kids is Technoland, located inside the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology. This experiential space allows children to learn by experiencing cutting-edge technology. Attractions include the Techno Circuit, which helps children study basic automobile movements, and a wind tunnel that provides a hands-on experience of air resistance principles. Maximum admissions apply on busy weekends, so be sure to check the webpage for the latest details.

5. Todagawa Children's Land

Todagawa Children's Land is the place to run wild and play in the fresh air. This expansive park has a range of playgrounds, including plazas and grassy areas with playground equipment.

Kids will definitely enjoy the many playground areas equipped with features like zip lines and roller slides, and there are also sand pits and water play areas that are perfect for smaller children.

Plan Your Trip to Nagoya With Your Kids!

We hope you enjoyed reading about Nagoya's most popular family-friendly spots! These destinations are not just great for families, they're also fun for dates or days out with friends. Your kids will hopefully go home excited to tell their friends all about the adventures they had at Nagoya's amazing sightseeing spots!

Nagoya is very popular with visitors from all over world thanks to its reputation as Aichi Prefecture's most modern city, so we hope you can use this article to guide you as you plan your trip here. Don't forget to pick up plenty of souvenirs before you leave!

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