Which Aichi attractions: two castles, aquarium, or ceramics?
Climb the old wooden keep at Inuyama Castle, or see ornate paintings and room decoration in Nagoya Castle's Honmaru Palace. Spend time at Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium for underwater belugas and dolphins or shows. Walk lanes with pottery workshops in Tokoname.
Near Nagoya Station, Noritake exhibits show tableware manufacturing and older designs. At INAX in Tokoname, see decorative tiles from around the world and architectural ceramics. Choose separately between Noritake's outdoor grounds and paid exhibits, or Tokoname's lane walks and individual house or activity admission. INAX making activities are also separate from exhibition admission.
Attraction fees and access
Nagoya Castle
名古屋城
Explore Honmaru Palace at Nagoya Castle if ornate palace interiors interest you. Follow the restored rooms and compare their paintings, ceilings, and woodwork. The keep's interior is closed. Allow time for palace admission lines and removing your shoes.
- AdmissionFrom October 1, 2026, standard individual adult admission is ¥1,000. Junior high school age and younger enter free.
- HoursThe castle opens 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Honmaru Palace and the Nishinomaru Okura Museum each have last admission at 4:00 p.m. The palace entrance is about a 10-minute walk from the main gate. The castle closes December 29–January 1.
- Getting thereThe castle is about a 5-minute walk from exit 7 of Nagoyajo Station on the Meijo Line. Sengencho Station on the Tsurumai Line is about a 12-minute walk from exit 1; distinguish the station names and exits.
Nagoya Castle — admissionNagoya Castle — visitor informationMain gate to Honmaru Palace entranceOfficial Nagoya Castle access guide
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
名古屋港水族館
Watch belugas and dolphins move underwater at Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium. Observe them through the North Building's underwater viewing windows, then fit a dolphin show into your visit using that day's schedule. Choose your preferred show times first and explore North and South Building exhibits between them. Check visit-date notices for changed or canceled shows.
- AdmissionStandard individual admission costs ¥2,030 for adults and high school students, ¥1,010 for elementary and junior high school students, and ¥500 for preschool children ages 4 and older. These prices differ from combined tickets for nearby facilities and evening tickets.
- HoursOpening hours follow the seasonal and date-specific calendar. Last admission is 1 hour before closing. Check the official calendar for your visit date's opening and closing times.
- Getting thereThe aquarium is about a 5-minute walk from exit 3 of Nagoyako Station on the Meiko Line. From JR or Meitetsu, transfer at Kanayama to a Nagoyako-bound Meiko Line train. From the Higashiyama Line, check the Nagoyako-bound connection at Sakae.
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium — admissionPort of Nagoya Public Aquarium — opening calendarPort of Nagoya Public Aquarium — access
Inuyama Castle
犬山城
Enter Inuyama Castle's old wooden keep and climb its interior stairs. Remove your shoes before sightseeing inside. If climbing stairs is difficult, leave out the keep and spend time walking or eating in the streets below the castle.
- AdmissionStandard individual admission costs ¥1,000 for adults and ¥200 for elementary and junior high school students.
- HoursThe castle opens 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. It closes December 29–31. Entry may be restricted when crowded. Scheduled repairs from January 4 through February 28, 2027, restrict some fourth-floor viewing areas and prevent a full circuit of the outside gallery. Recheck accessible areas if visiting during that period.
- Getting thereTake an Inuyama Line express or semi-express toward Shin-Unuma from Meitetsu Nagoya to Inuyama; the official guide lists rides from about 25 minutes. From the west exit, turn right at Honmachi intersection and follow Honmachi-dori for about a 20-minute walk to the castle.
Inuyama Castle — visitor informationInuyama Castle — January–February 2027 fourth-floor repairs and partial restrictionsInuyama Castle — access
Tokoname Pottery Footpath
やきもの散歩道
Walk hilly lanes with ceramic pipes and pottery workshops along Tokoname Pottery Footpath. Official Course A covers about 1.6 kilometers with about 1 hour of walking; Course B covers about 4 kilometers with about 2 hours 30 minutes. Meals, sightseeing, and breaks add time. Public-lane walks are separate from individual house and activity admission. Ask permission before entering private property or active workshops.
- CostPublic-lane walks are separate from paid activities, facilities, guides, and parking. Facilities with unverified admission fees are excluded from the total.
- HoursWorkshops and cafés have individual opening days and hours. Get a walking map at the tourist information center and explore during daylight. Check individual hours first if you have a particular workshop or café in mind.
- Getting thereStart at the tourist information center in the Ceramics Hall, 400 meters east of Tokoname Station, to get the official walking map. Use the tourism association's location guide for the station-to-hall route.
Tokoname Tourism Association — visitor informationTokoname Tourism Association — walking courses A and BTourist information center 400 meters east of the station
Craft Center and Noritake Museum
クラフトセンター・ノリタケミュージアム
Visit Noritake Garden to see bone-china manufacturing and historic tableware and design materials if you are interested in how dishes are made or in older designs. Outdoor walks are free; Craft Center and Museum exhibitions require admission.
- AdmissionThe combined ticket costs ¥500 for adults and ¥300 for ages 65 and older. Visitors of high school age and younger enter free. Painting activities cost extra.
- HoursThe exhibitions open 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. They close Mondays, or the next weekday if Monday is a public holiday, and December 26–January 3. Check the current operating calendar for temporary closures.
- Getting thereFrom JR Nagoya Station's Sakuradori side, walk about 600 meters north, take the diagonal road to the right at Ushijimacho intersection for about 150 meters, pass Wanouchicho intersection, and enter the East Gate on your left after about 50 meters. Allow about 15 minutes from the JR station or about 20 minutes from the Meitetsu and Kintetsu stations.
Noritake exhibitions and admissionNoritake facility hours and closuresNoritake East Gate walking route
INAX MUSEUMS
INAXライブミュージアム
See decorative tiles from around the world and architectural terracotta at INAX Museums. Look closely at tile colors and patterns and ceramic decoration used in buildings. To add a making activity, check its separate fee and reservation conditions.
- AdmissionStandard admission is ¥1,000 for general admission, ¥800 for students, ¥500 for junior high and high school students, ¥250 for elementary school students, and ¥900 for ages 70 and older. Activity fees and reservations are separate and vary by program.
- HoursThe museums open 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. They close Wednesdays except public holidays, and December 26, 2026–January 4, 2027. They open specially on Wednesdays January 6 and 13, 2027.
- Getting thereThe museums are about a 25-minute walk from Tokoname Station; the address is 1-130 Okueicho. Buy exhibition tickets at the general reception in the Kiln Plaza and Museum · 窯のある広場・資料館. Allow walking time from the station separately from ticket purchase and sightseeing.
INAX — exhibition admission, closures, and general receptionINAX — walking access map from Tokoname Station
Frequently asked questions
Which castle can I climb: Nagoya or Inuyama?
You can enter and climb Inuyama Castle's keep. Nagoya Castle's keep is closed to visitors; instead, visit Honmaru Palace and walk the castle grounds. Inuyama Castle has stairs, and entry may be restricted when crowded. Scheduled repairs from January 4 through February 28, 2027, restrict part of the fourth floor and the outside gallery. Checked October 8, 2026.
Nagoya Castle — visitor informationInuyama Castle — visitor informationInuyama Castle — January–February 2027 fourth-floor repairs and partial restrictions
Are Noritake Garden's exhibitions free?
You can walk the outdoor grounds free, but Craft Center and Museum exhibitions require admission. The combined exhibition ticket is ¥500 for adults, ¥300 for ages 65 and older, and free for high school age and younger. Painting activities cost extra. Exhibition hours are 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; the exhibitions close Mondays except for public-holiday exceptions. Checked October 8, 2026.
Noritake exhibitions and admissionNoritake facility hours and closures
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 — visitor information ·
- 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 ·
- Official Nagoya Castle access guide ·
- Main gate to Honmaru Palace entrance ·
- Tourist information center 400 meters east of the station ·
- Inuyama Castle — January–February 2027 fourth-floor repairs and partial restrictions ·