Five days in Nagoya: Tokoname lanes or INAX exhibitions?
Stay in Nagoya for four nights and split the two castles, aquarium, and Noritake across separate days. On the last day, choose Tokoname lanes or INAX tile exhibitions. Lane walks and indoor exhibitions have different routes and admission; making activities are separate. Leave time to return to Nagoya before your onward departure. For a morning departure, move or skip the last visit.
Choose an itinerary for 5 days, 4 nights
Two castles, aquarium, ceramics, and Tokoname lanes on the last day
Stay in Nagoya for four nights for the two castles' architecture, aquarium and ceramics exhibits, and a lane walk. Walk Tokoname Course A on the last day. Match castle-bus operating days and exhibition closures with last-day round-trip trains and your onward departure.
Two castles, aquarium, ceramics, and Tokoname lanes on the last day →5 days, 4 nights BTwo castles, aquarium, Noritake, and INAX on the last day
Stay in Nagoya for four nights to add tiles and ceramic architectural decoration after the two castles, aquarium, and Noritake. Visit INAX exhibitions on the last day. Allow about 25 minutes on foot each way from Tokoname Station, plus viewing time, lunch, and time to board the return train. Making activities are separate.
Two castles, aquarium, Noritake, and INAX on the last day →Two castles, aquarium, ceramics, and Tokoname lanes on the last day
Stay in Nagoya for four nights for the two castles' architecture, aquarium and ceramics exhibits, and a lane walk. Walk Tokoname Course A on the last day. Match castle-bus operating days and exhibition closures with last-day round-trip trains and your onward departure.
Day 1 · Inuyama Castle's keep and castle-town streets, then back to Nagoya
- Meitetsu Nagoya Station → Inuyama Station
Choose both your Inuyama-bound and return services in Meitetsu's route search for your travel date. Use a service that stops at Inuyama and has ordinary cars. Special cars require a μticket in addition to the basic ticket. Before leaving, check the platform, destination, and Inuyama stop.
Meitetsu — date-specific route and fare searchMeitetsu special cars and μSKY guide
- Inuyama Station west exit → Inuyama Castle ticket counter
Leave through the west exit, turn right at Honmachi intersection, and follow Honmachi-dori toward the castle. The official walking estimate is about 20 minutes from the station. Climb Otemichi beside the National Treasure Inuyama Castle monument to the ticket counter.
Inuyama Castle — accessOtemichi, ticket counter, and keep entrance
- Inuyama Castle ticket counter → Keep and castle-town streets
Use the ticket machine for a castle-only ticket and the staffed counter for vouchers and combined tickets. If stairs are difficult or rain is heavy, focus on the streets instead. To visit the keep, remove your shoes at the entrance and climb the interior stairs, then have lunch in the streets below the castle. The castle opens 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. It closes December 29–31.
Otemichi, ticket counter, and keep entranceInuyama Castle — visitor information
- Castle-town streets and Inuyama Station → Meitetsu Nagoya Station
Retrace your route to Inuyama Station and board an ordinary car on a service stopping at Meitetsu Nagoya. Allow time to walk back from the streets and board. Have dinner and take a break after returning to Nagoya.
Inuyama Castle — accessMeitetsu — date-specific route and fare search
Day 2 · Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, then back to Nagoya
- Subway Nagoya Station → Sakae and Nagoyako stations
Take the Higashiyama Line toward Fujigaoka to Sakae, then change to a Nagoyako-bound train on the Meijo Line toward Kanayama. The Nagoyako service continues onto the Meiko Line at Kanayama. Its destination differs from loop services, so check the platform destination display and transfer time in the route search for your travel date.
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium — accessTransportation Bureau date-specific route searchTransportation Bureau — Nagoya to Nagoyako subway fare
- Nagoyako Station exit 3 → Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
The official walk from exit 3 to the aquarium is about 5 minutes. Choose your preferred shows first, then fit North and South Building exhibits and lunch around their times. Dolphin shows are in the North Building's third-floor stadium; allow time to get there from other exhibits. Weather and animal conditions may change programs, so check venues and times for your visit date.
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium — accessPort of Nagoya Public Aquarium — opening calendar
- Aquarium and Nagoyako Station → Sakae and subway Nagoya stations
After sightseeing, return to Nagoyako Station and choose a train via Sakae. At Sakae, change to the Higashiyama Line toward Takabata for Nagoya. Check the return route for through service at Kanayama and the Sakae transfer, then have dinner or take a break near the station.
Transportation Bureau date-specific route searchTransportation Bureau — Nagoyako to Nagoya subway fare
Day 3 · Noritake manufacturing and tableware exhibits, then back to Nagoya
- JR Nagoya Station Sakuradori side → Noritake East Gate
Walk about 600 meters north from the JR station and take the diagonal road to the right at Ushijimacho intersection. Continue about 150 meters through Wanouchicho intersection, then enter the East Gate on your left after about 50 meters. The walk takes about 15 minutes from the JR station or about 20 minutes from the Meitetsu and Kintetsu stations.
- East Gate → Craft Center and Museum
Use the facility map to find the exhibition entrance and see ceramics manufacturing, historic tableware, and design materials. Paid exhibitions open 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; painting activities cost extra. An outdoor walk and an exhibition visit are separate choices. The exhibitions close Mondays, except public holidays, when they open and close the next weekday instead. They also close December 26–January 3. For gallery visits, check each exhibition's calendar separately.
Facility mapNoritake exhibitions and admissionNoritake facility hours and closures
- Noritake East Gate → JR Nagoya Station Sakuradori side
After the exhibitions, have lunch nearby and retrace your route to JR Nagoya Station. Allow about 15 minutes on foot plus time for navigation.
Day 4 · Honmaru Palace at Nagoya Castle, then back to Nagoya
- Nagoya Station Taikodori-side SRT stop → Nagoya Castle stop
Take SRT's Nagoya Castle service. It runs Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays. Choose both your castle-bound and return services from the round-trip timetable for your travel date. This SRT route cannot be followed as written on ordinary Tuesday–Thursday weekdays.
Nagoya City — SRT operating days and faresRound-trip timetable effective September 11
- Nagoya Castle stop → Main gate and Honmaru Palace
Walk about 4 minutes from the stop to the main gate, then about 10 minutes to Honmaru Palace's entrance. Explore the palace and castle grounds and take a break. The keep's interior is closed. The castle closes at 4:30 p.m., and palace admission ends at 4:00 p.m. Allow time to walk to the palace entrance and wait in line.
Official Nagoya Castle access guideMain gate to Honmaru Palace entranceNagoya Castle — visitor information
- Nagoya Castle → Nagoya Station Taikodori side
After sightseeing, return to the SRT stop where you got off and board a service to Nagoya Station's Taikodori side. Reach the stop with time to wait before its castle departure. Have dinner or take a break near the station.
Round-trip timetable effective September 11Nagoya City — SRT operating days and fares
Day 5 · Tokoname pottery lanes, then back to Nagoya
- Meitetsu Nagoya Station → Tokoname Station
Choose a service stopping at Tokoname with ordinary cars in the route search for your travel date. Even a train toward Chubu Centrair International Airport needs a check of its stops and transfer requirements. The verified adult fare for this route's direct ordinary-car service is ¥750 one way; special cars cost extra.
Meitetsu — date-specific route and fare searchMeitetsu — Nagoya to Tokoname ordinary fareMeitetsu special cars and μSKY guide
- Tokoname Station and Ceramics Hall → Pottery Footpath Course A
Pick up a map at the Ceramics Hall information center 400 meters east of the station. Course A starts at the hall and covers 1.6 kilometers, with an official walking estimate of about 1 hour. Explore slopes with ceramic pipes and the areas around workshops, adding lunch and breaks. Distinguish it from Course B, at 4 kilometers and about 2 hours 30 minutes. House admission, workshop activities, and cafés cost extra. Shorten walks through sloping lanes in heavy rain.
Tourist information center 400 meters east of the stationTokoname Tourism Association — walking courses A and B
- Ceramics Hall and Tokoname Station → Meitetsu Nagoya Station
Return to Tokoname Station after your walk and board an ordinary car on a service stopping in Nagoya. In the Tokoname–Meitetsu Nagoya route search for your date, check the destination, stops, and transfers. The fare verified under the same conditions is ¥750 one way or ¥1,500 round trip.
Meitetsu — date-specific route and fare searchMeitetsu — Tokoname to Nagoya ordinary fare
Included: Inuyama Castle standard admission ¥1,000 + Meitetsu Nagoya–Inuyama ordinary-car fare ¥630 × 2 = ¥2,260; Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium standard aquarium-only admission ¥2,030 + Nagoya–Nagoyako individual subway fare ¥270 × 2 = ¥2,570; Noritake Craft Center and Museum combined standard admission ¥500; Nagoya Castle standard admission ¥1,000 + standard SRT fare ¥210 × 2 = ¥1,420; Meitetsu Nagoya–Tokoname ordinary-car fare ¥750 × 2 = ¥1,500 (walk through public Course A lanes).
Additional costs and conditions: Lodging, meals, bag storage, airport or out-of-prefecture travel, additional travel between stations and your hotel, shopping, separately charged activities, special-car surcharges, and paid facilities outside the itinerary.
This partial total uses standard individual tickets for one adult under 65, checked October 8, 2026. Transportation covers only the segments and ticket types listed in each itinerary; it is not a claim of the lowest cost using discount combinations. If your travel-date round-trip route, ticket type, or admission differs, replace the relevant item and recalculate. The fare-search conditions do not establish an actual travel booking or secured seat.
Inuyama Castle — visitor informationMeitetsu — Nagoya to Inuyama ordinary fareMeitetsu — Inuyama to Nagoya ordinary farePort of Nagoya Public Aquarium — admissionTransportation Bureau — Nagoya to Nagoyako subway fareTransportation Bureau — Nagoyako to Nagoya subway fareNoritake exhibitions and admissionNagoya Castle — admissionNagoya City — SRT operating days and faresMeitetsu — Nagoya to Tokoname ordinary fareMeitetsu — Tokoname to Nagoya ordinary fareTokoname Tourism Association — walking courses A and B
Two castles, aquarium, Noritake, and INAX on the last day
Stay in Nagoya for four nights to add tiles and ceramic architectural decoration after the two castles, aquarium, and Noritake. Visit INAX exhibitions on the last day. Allow about 25 minutes on foot each way from Tokoname Station, plus viewing time, lunch, and time to board the return train. Making activities are separate.
Day 1 · Inuyama Castle's keep and castle-town streets, then back to Nagoya
- Meitetsu Nagoya Station → Inuyama Station
Choose both your Inuyama-bound and return services in Meitetsu's route search for your travel date. Use a service that stops at Inuyama and has ordinary cars. Special cars require a μticket in addition to the basic ticket. Before leaving, check the platform, destination, and Inuyama stop.
Meitetsu — date-specific route and fare searchMeitetsu special cars and μSKY guide
- Inuyama Station west exit → Inuyama Castle ticket counter
Leave through the west exit, turn right at Honmachi intersection, and follow Honmachi-dori toward the castle. The official walking estimate is about 20 minutes from the station. Climb Otemichi beside the National Treasure Inuyama Castle monument to the ticket counter.
Inuyama Castle — accessOtemichi, ticket counter, and keep entrance
- Inuyama Castle ticket counter → Keep and castle-town streets
Use the ticket machine for a castle-only ticket and the staffed counter for vouchers and combined tickets. If stairs are difficult or rain is heavy, focus on the streets instead. To visit the keep, remove your shoes at the entrance and climb the interior stairs, then have lunch in the streets below the castle. The castle opens 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. It closes December 29–31.
Otemichi, ticket counter, and keep entranceInuyama Castle — visitor information
- Castle-town streets and Inuyama Station → Meitetsu Nagoya Station
Retrace your route to Inuyama Station and board an ordinary car on a service stopping at Meitetsu Nagoya. Allow time to walk back from the streets and board. Have dinner and take a break after returning to Nagoya.
Inuyama Castle — accessMeitetsu — date-specific route and fare search
Day 2 · Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, then back to Nagoya
- Subway Nagoya Station → Sakae and Nagoyako stations
Take the Higashiyama Line toward Fujigaoka to Sakae, then change to a Nagoyako-bound train on the Meijo Line toward Kanayama. The Nagoyako service continues onto the Meiko Line at Kanayama. Its destination differs from loop services, so check the platform destination display and transfer time in the route search for your travel date.
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium — accessTransportation Bureau date-specific route searchTransportation Bureau — Nagoya to Nagoyako subway fare
- Nagoyako Station exit 3 → Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
The official walk from exit 3 to the aquarium is about 5 minutes. Choose your preferred shows first, then fit North and South Building exhibits and lunch around their times. Dolphin shows are in the North Building's third-floor stadium; allow time to get there from other exhibits. Weather and animal conditions may change programs, so check venues and times for your visit date.
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium — accessPort of Nagoya Public Aquarium — opening calendar
- Aquarium and Nagoyako Station → Sakae and subway Nagoya stations
After sightseeing, return to Nagoyako Station and choose a train via Sakae. At Sakae, change to the Higashiyama Line toward Takabata for Nagoya. Check the return route for through service at Kanayama and the Sakae transfer, then have dinner or take a break near the station.
Transportation Bureau date-specific route searchTransportation Bureau — Nagoyako to Nagoya subway fare
Day 3 · Honmaru Palace at Nagoya Castle, then back to Nagoya
- Nagoya Station Taikodori-side SRT stop → Nagoya Castle stop
Take SRT's Nagoya Castle service. It runs Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays. Choose both your castle-bound and return services from the round-trip timetable for your travel date. This SRT route cannot be followed as written on ordinary Tuesday–Thursday weekdays.
Nagoya City — SRT operating days and faresRound-trip timetable effective September 11
- Nagoya Castle stop → Main gate and Honmaru Palace
Walk about 4 minutes from the stop to the main gate, then about 10 minutes to Honmaru Palace's entrance. Explore the palace and castle grounds and take a break. The keep's interior is closed. The castle closes at 4:30 p.m., and palace admission ends at 4:00 p.m. Allow time to walk to the palace entrance and wait in line.
Official Nagoya Castle access guideMain gate to Honmaru Palace entranceNagoya Castle — visitor information
- Nagoya Castle → Nagoya Station Taikodori side
After sightseeing, return to the SRT stop where you got off and board a service to Nagoya Station's Taikodori side. Reach the stop with time to wait before its castle departure. Have dinner or take a break near the station.
Round-trip timetable effective September 11Nagoya City — SRT operating days and fares
Day 4 · Noritake manufacturing and tableware exhibits, then back to Nagoya
- JR Nagoya Station Sakuradori side → Noritake East Gate
Walk about 600 meters north from the JR station and take the diagonal road to the right at Ushijimacho intersection. Continue about 150 meters through Wanouchicho intersection, then enter the East Gate on your left after about 50 meters. The walk takes about 15 minutes from the JR station or about 20 minutes from the Meitetsu and Kintetsu stations.
- East Gate → Craft Center and Museum
Use the facility map to find the exhibition entrance and see ceramics manufacturing, historic tableware, and design materials. Paid exhibitions open 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; painting activities cost extra. An outdoor walk and an exhibition visit are separate choices. The exhibitions close Mondays, except public holidays, when they open and close the next weekday instead. They also close December 26–January 3. For gallery visits, check each exhibition's calendar separately.
Facility mapNoritake exhibitions and admissionNoritake facility hours and closures
- Noritake East Gate → JR Nagoya Station Sakuradori side
After the exhibitions, have lunch nearby and retrace your route to JR Nagoya Station. Allow about 15 minutes on foot plus time for navigation.
Day 5 · INAX tile exhibitions, then back to Nagoya
- Meitetsu Nagoya Station → Tokoname Station
Choose a service stopping at Tokoname with ordinary cars in the route search for your travel date. Special cars require a separate μticket. Search the return service too before setting exhibition and lunch times.
Meitetsu — date-specific route and fare searchMeitetsu special cars and μSKY guide
- Tokoname Station → INAX Museums
The official walk from the station is about 25 minutes. Buy exhibition tickets at the general reception in the Kiln Plaza and Museum at 1-130 Okueicho. See tiles and ceramic architectural materials indoors, then allow time for lunch and a break nearby.
INAX — exhibition admission, closures, and general receptionINAX — walking access map from Tokoname Station
- INAX exhibitions → Tokoname Station
Exhibitions open 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., last admission 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays that are public holidays are open, with special openings also on January 6 and 13, 2027. Check the official notice for your visit year for year-end closures. Making activities are separate from exhibition admission; check each program's fees and reservation conditions. After viewing, retrace your route for the approximately 25-minute walk to Tokoname Station.
INAX — exhibition admission, closures, and general receptionINAX — walking access map from Tokoname Station
- Tokoname Station → Meitetsu Nagoya Station
Board an ordinary car on a return service stopping in Nagoya. The fare verified under the same conditions is ¥750 one way or ¥1,500 round trip. If you have an onward departure after returning to Nagoya, leave time to move through the station and get ready to board.
Meitetsu — date-specific route and fare searchMeitetsu — Nagoya to Tokoname ordinary fareMeitetsu — Tokoname to Nagoya ordinary fare
Included: Inuyama Castle standard admission ¥1,000 + Meitetsu Nagoya–Inuyama ordinary-car fare ¥630 × 2 = ¥2,260; Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium standard aquarium-only admission ¥2,030 + Nagoya–Nagoyako individual subway fare ¥270 × 2 = ¥2,570; Nagoya Castle standard admission ¥1,000 + standard SRT fare ¥210 × 2 = ¥1,420; Noritake Craft Center and Museum combined standard admission ¥500; INAX standard exhibition admission ¥1,000 + Meitetsu Nagoya–Tokoname ordinary-car fare ¥750 × 2 = ¥2,500.
Additional costs and conditions: Lodging, meals, bag storage, airport or out-of-prefecture travel, additional travel between stations and your hotel, shopping, separately charged activities, special-car surcharges, and paid facilities outside the itinerary.
This partial total uses standard individual tickets for one adult under 65, checked October 8, 2026. Transportation covers only the segments and ticket types listed in each itinerary; it is not a claim of the lowest cost using discount combinations. If your travel-date round-trip route, ticket type, or admission differs, replace the relevant item and recalculate. The fare-search conditions do not establish an actual travel booking or secured seat.
Inuyama Castle — visitor informationMeitetsu — Nagoya to Inuyama ordinary fareMeitetsu — Inuyama to Nagoya ordinary farePort of Nagoya Public Aquarium — admissionTransportation Bureau — Nagoya to Nagoyako subway fareTransportation Bureau — Nagoyako to Nagoya subway fareNagoya Castle — admissionNagoya City — SRT operating days and faresNoritake exhibitions and admissionINAX — exhibition admission, closures, and general receptionMeitetsu — Nagoya to Tokoname ordinary fareMeitetsu — Tokoname to Nagoya ordinary fare
Frequently asked questions
Does an INAX exhibition ticket include hands-on activities?
Exhibitions and making activities are separate. Standard adult exhibition admission is ¥1,000; buy tickets at the general reception in the Kiln Plaza and Museum. Check reservations and participation fees for your chosen activity separately. The museums open 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. They open on Wednesdays that are public holidays, and also have special openings on January 6 and 13, 2027. Checked October 9, 2026.
INAX — exhibition admission, closures, and general reception
Official sources and checked dates
- Nagoya Castle — visitor information ·
- Nagoya Castle — admission ·
- Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium — admission ·
- Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium — opening calendar ·
- Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium — access ·
- Inuyama Castle — visitor information ·
- Inuyama Castle — access ·
- Tokoname Tourism Association — walking courses A and B ·
- Noritake exhibitions and admission ·
- Noritake facility hours and closures ·
- Noritake East Gate walking route ·
- INAX — exhibition admission, closures, and general reception ·
- INAX — walking access map from Tokoname Station ·
- Nagoya City — SRT operating days and fares ·
- Round-trip timetable effective September 11 ·
- Official Nagoya Castle access guide ·
- Main gate to Honmaru Palace entrance ·
- Facility map ·
- Meitetsu — date-specific route and fare search ·
- Otemichi, ticket counter, and keep entrance ·
- Transportation Bureau date-specific route search ·
- Tourist information center 400 meters east of the station ·
- Meitetsu special cars and μSKY guide ·
- Meitetsu — Nagoya to Inuyama ordinary fare ·
- Meitetsu — Inuyama to Nagoya ordinary fare ·
- Meitetsu — Nagoya to Tokoname ordinary fare ·
- Meitetsu — Tokoname to Nagoya ordinary fare ·
- Transportation Bureau — Nagoya to Nagoyako subway fare ·
- Transportation Bureau — Nagoyako to Nagoya subway fare ·