Ghibli Park, the SCMaglev and Railway Park and the Toyota Commemorative Museum are the three attractions that put Nagoya on the map for families, anime fans and anyone curious about how Japan builds things. Aichi Prefecture is the heartland of Japanese manufacturing, home to Toyota and the engineers behind the Shinkansen, and its museums are hands-on, well designed and easy to reach. This guide explains how each one works, how to get tickets, and how to fit them into a stay based around Nagoya Station.
1. Ghibli Park
Ghibli Park opened in 2022 inside Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park in Nagakute, east of Nagoya, and it brings the worlds of Studio Ghibli films to life at full scale. Unlike a typical theme park, it has no rides or parades; you explore on foot, stepping into detailed buildings, gardens and exhibits spread across five areas: Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, Mononoke Village and Valley of Witches. Tickets must be bought in advance and are not sold at the gate. The O-Sanpo Day Pass Premium covers all five areas, while the cheaper Standard pass covers three of them. Overseas visitors can buy online through the official ticket sellers, and sales open about two months ahead on the 10th of each month at 14:00 Japan time, often selling out quickly for weekends. Bring your passport, as ID may be checked. To get there, take the Higashiyama subway line from Nagoya Station to Fujigaoka, then the Linimo line to Ai-Chikyuhaku-Kinen-Koen Station. Check the official calendar for closed days before you plan.
2. SCMaglev and Railway Park
The SCMaglev and Railway Park is JR Central’s railway museum, and it is a must for train fans and kids. Inside a huge hall, you can walk among real Shinkansen cars from several generations, including the original 0 Series bullet train and a Doctor Yellow inspection train, as well as conventional trains from the past century. The star exhibit is the superconducting maglev test vehicle MLX01, which set a world speed record of 581 km/h in 2003, alongside displays explaining the maglev line now under construction between Tokyo and Nagoya. There are also detailed railway dioramas and driving simulators, some of which require an extra fee or a lottery on busy days. The museum is open from 10:00 to 17:30, with last entry at 17:00, and is closed on Tuesdays (Wednesday if Tuesday is a holiday) and over the New Year period. Take the Aonami Line from Nagoya Station to its last stop, Kinjo-futo; the museum is about two minutes on foot. LEGOLAND Japan is next door if you are traveling with children.
3. Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
The Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology stands on the site where Sakichi Toyoda, the inventor who founded the Toyota group, established his automatic loom works in 1911, and it is housed in the original red-brick factory building. The museum tells the story of how a weaving business grew into one of the world’s largest carmakers. In the Textile Machinery Pavilion, staff demonstrate historic looms and spinning machines that still clatter to life, and in the Automobile Pavilion you can follow the development of car manufacturing, from early hand-built engines to modern robots on an assembly line. It is a surprisingly engaging stop even if you are not a car enthusiast, and English explanations are available. The museum is open from 9:30 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:30, and is closed on Mondays (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday) and over the New Year period. It is about three minutes on foot from Sako Station on the Meitetsu line, one stop from Meitetsu Nagoya, or a short taxi ride from Nagoya Station.
Where to Stay Near Nagoya Station
Where to stay: Nagoya StationHotel links in this section go to Booking.com. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Staying near Nagoya Station puts you right on top of the Shinkansen, the subway, the Meitetsu line and the Aonami Line to the SCMaglev and Railway Park, so every attraction in this guide is a single ride away. The station area also has huge department stores and food halls for easy dinners after a long day.
Luxury
Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel occupies the upper floors of the JR Central Towers directly above Nagoya Station, with sweeping city views from the rooms and restaurants and unbeatable access to the Shinkansen.
Upscale hotel directly above Nagoya Station with city views.
Mid-Range
Mitsui Garden Hotel Nagoya Premier sits on the high floors of a tower about five minutes on foot from Nagoya Station, with stylish rooms and a large public bath with views over the city.
Mitsui Garden Hotel Nagoya Premier
High-floor hotel near the station with a view bath.
Budget-Friendly
Glocal Nagoya Backpackers Hostel is a friendly, well-reviewed hostel about ten minutes on foot from Nagoya Station, offering dorm beds and private rooms at budget prices and a relaxed atmosphere for meeting other travelers.
Glocal Nagoya Backpackers Hostel
Well-reviewed hostel with dorms and private rooms near the station.
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Hotels near Nagoya Station on Booking.com
Stay steps from the Shinkansen and reach Ghibli Park, the SCMaglev and Railway Park and the Toyota museum in a single ride.
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Quick Tips for Visiting
- Book Ghibli Park tickets the moment sales open, especially for weekends and Japanese holidays.
- Check closed days: the SCMaglev and Railway Park closes on Tuesdays, and the Toyota museum closes on Mondays.
- Pair the SCMaglev and Railway Park with LEGOLAND Japan, which is next door at Kinjo-futo.
- Allow at least half a day for Ghibli Park and two to three hours for each museum.
- The Linimo and Aonami lines are not covered by the JR Pass, so use an IC card.
Getting there by train: Nagoya is about 1 hour 40 minutes from Tokyo and about 35 minutes from Kyoto by Nozomi on the Tokaido Shinkansen. JR Pass holders can ride Hikari trains at no extra cost or pay a supplement for the Nozomi. The Higashiyama subway line and Linimo to Ghibli Park, the Aonami Line and the Meitetsu line are separate companies, so pay with an IC card. Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, learn how to ride the Shinkansen, and check whether the JR Pass is worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you buy Ghibli Park tickets at the gate?
No. Ghibli Park tickets must be bought in advance online. Sales open about two months ahead on the 10th of each month at 14:00 Japan time, and popular dates sell out quickly.
Does Ghibli Park have rides?
No. Ghibli Park has no rides or parades. You explore full-scale buildings, gardens and exhibits from Studio Ghibli films on foot across five areas.
What day is the SCMaglev and Railway Park closed?
It is closed on Tuesdays (Wednesday if Tuesday is a national holiday) and over the New Year period. It is open from 10:00 to 17:30, with last entry at 17:00.
How do you get to the Toyota Commemorative Museum from Nagoya Station?
Take the Meitetsu line one stop to Sako Station and walk about three minutes, or take a short taxi ride from Nagoya Station.
