Getting Around
While being the fourth largest city in Japan, Nagoya has just a couple of station areas that have shopping and nightlife. Unless you have business elsewhere, you will probably only need to ride the Higashiyama Subway line (yellow), and then just between a few stations - Nagoya, Fushimi, Sakae, and maybe Imaike. Using the maps with this site (or with the free booklet) you won't get lost. Go out, explore and enjoy yourself! Japan as a whole is safe and can be fun and interesting!
SUBWAYS - The Nagoya Subway system is clean and efficient, and takes you to most points in the city. The lowest fare is 200 yen, and depending on which station you are going to rise to 320 yen. If you have any trouble figuring out the fare, just buy the 200 yen ticket, and pay the extra amount to the wicket person at your destination.
BUSES - Its not recommended for anyone new to ride a regular city bus unless you are accompanied by a Japanese speaker. It can be confusing about what station you are at, and you might end up lost.
TAXIS - Nagoya Taxis are clean and slightly costly. The minimum fare varies from 600 yen for the first 2 kilometers and rises rapidly afterward. A meter box displays the amount, and you can ask for a receipt upon arrival. Drivers are always white-gloved, invariably courteous, and usually take the most direct route. Sometimes late night taxis tack on a small percentage.
TO & FROM NAGOYA AIRPORT - The most convenient way is to use the Meitetsu Airport train line, which goes directly to Shin-Nagoya Station in 28 minutes (850 yen). It also stops on the way at Kanayama Station (15 minutes, 790 yen) and Tokoname station (10 minutes, 300 yen). There are several trains every hour throughout the day.
There is also an Airport Bus option. Both JR and Meitetsu offer bus services from the airport to several stops in downtown Nagoya, finishing at Nagoya Station. This can be a good option if your hotel is near Sakae. The buses cost 1000 yen and take about 1 hour.
Taxi’s are available, but the cost is prohibitive – about 10,000 yen for the trip into Nagoya.
Traveling by Train from Nagoya Train travel to any other major city in Japan probably means using the Shinkansen, the bullet train. All Shinkansens depart from Nagoya Station every 10-15 minutes North toward Tokyo, and South toward Kyoto and Osaka throughout the day. If you do not already have a ticket, the most convenient way to buy a ticket is at the electronic windows near the center of Nagoya Station. There is an English display option. A screen shows whether reserved seats are open (a circle), or full (an X mark). If almost full, there is a triangle mark. The reserved seats are worth the small extra amount. On the ticket, your carriage number, row number, and seat letter are indicated. Be sure to hold on to your tickets, as a conductor will check during the ride, and you will need them upon exiting at your destination.
