A local guide that takes you on a lighthearted, 10-minute bike ride from “Nikko Style Nagoya” to experience the city’s depth. “10min Journey” guides you on short trips starting from the hotel to explore the charms of Nagoya that can be found right in your neighborhood. Right next to the bustling area in front of Nagoya Station, you’ll find traditional shopping streets, markets, and places where traditional crafts thrive. There, you’ll find both iconic Nagoya landmarks and scenes cherished by local residents. Rather than simply visiting, learning about the area’s history, culture, and the daily lives of its people will lead to new discoveries. You’ll feel a little closer to the city, and the scenery will look different than it did just a moment ago. Discover your favorite shops or pause to take in the seasonal views. Why not explore Nagoya at your own pace, enjoying the detours along the way? Have a wonderful day.
Bicycle Rental Information
01｜Craft & Coffee, Local Histories.
Experience Nagoya’s craftsmanship with delicious bread and coffee in hand.
Pottery, coffee shops, and the scenery of shopping districts. In Nagoya, a culture of craftsmanship that has been passed down through the generations still thrives in everyday life. Casual conversations at a bakery or the stories embedded in a piece of pottery will surely help you grow to love this city little by little. Your destination is “Noritake no Mori,” a park located on the site where Noritake—a Western tableware manufacturer with a history spanning over 120 years—was founded. It’s the season when light and greenery are at their most beautiful. Ride your bike, buy some delicious bread, and take a break in the shade with a cup of coffee in hand. After leisurely exploring the museum, savor the everyday life of Nagoya at a long-established coffee shop deeply rooted in the community. Take in the seasonal atmosphere and enjoy the peaceful pace of life that flows through this city.
【 Today’s Journey 】Duration: About 3 hours
Bousyu → Endoji Shopping Street → Noritake no Mori → Coffee House Kako Hanaguruma Main Store
Located just beyond the arcade of Entoji Shopping Street, “Bousyu” is a small bakery that blends seamlessly into the daily life of the shopping district. As you step inside, you’re greeted by the light, pleasant aroma of freshly baked bread. The display case is lined with simple, rustic breads baked with natural yeast, including white bread, baguettes, cream buns, red bean paste buns, and melon bread.
The shop’s name, “Bousyu,” is one of the twenty-four solar terms that mark the changing seasons in Japan. While the term refers to the period from early to late June when grain seeds are sown, the owner, Mr. Sugie, chose the name with the additional intention of “sowing the seeds of smiles.” Each loaf is carefully handmade using natural yeast, domestically grown wheat, and organic ingredients. The shop also offers a selection of breads made without eggs or dairy products, catering to those with allergies and vegans alike. Inside, the shop is enveloped in a calm and gentle atmosphere, where the cheerful and affable Ms. Sugie welcomes customers with a smile. In addition to local regulars, many travelers visit the shop, and Ms. Sugie often chats with international visitors using a little broken English. These small interactions are part of the shop’s charm.
Ms. Sugie has worked in this neighborhood since she was young and is very familiar with Endoji. “What I love about the shopping street is its traditional, soothing, and harmonious atmosphere,” she says. Reflecting this sentiment, the retro and charming sign from a former baby clothing store still adorns the shop’s exterior, quietly telling the story of the neighborhood’s history. One of the unique pleasures of the shopping street is buying freshly fried minced pork cutlets from the neighborhood butcher shop and making a sandwich with them. Pick up your favorite bread, and let’s head out.
The Endoji Shopping Street has a long history, dating back about 400 years to the time Nagoya Castle was built. In the arcade—which spans approximately 200 meters from east to west and connects multiple shopping streets—new shops are gradually emerging among the old townscape, fostering a scenery unique to this neighborhood. The “Endoji Tanabata Festival,” held every year from late July to early August, is another local highlight. Unique, handcrafted “haribote” decorations made by the shopping street’s residents adorn the arcade, drawing large crowds.
Surrounded by red-brick buildings and lush greenery, “Noritake Forest” has the theme “Encounter Culture, Relax in the Forest.”
Although located quite close to Nagoya Station, it is a welcoming space where visitors can forget the hustle and bustle of the city center and spend their time as they please. It attracts not only domestic and international travelers but also many locals who come for a stroll or a break. Amid the trees that change their appearance with the seasons—from lush greenery to autumn foliage—you’ll feel a sense of elegance simply by sitting on a bench.
The museum within the grounds traces the history of craftsmanship behind the Western tableware brand “Noritake,” spanning over 120 years. As you explore the vast archival collection with the multilingual audio guide, you’ll gain insight into the history and challenges of this brand that has spread its wings across the globe.
In 1904, with the goal of creating Japan’s first dinner set, Noritake began manufacturing Western-style tableware. However, it took nearly 10 years to achieve a level of quality suitable for export to the world. Nevertheless, their commitment to craftsmanship—never giving up on their ideals and persistently striving for excellence—is evident throughout the exhibition.
One exhibit that draws many visitors to stop and look is the display of “backstamps” engraved on the undersides of the pieces. Each tiny mark embodies the founders’ aspirations and sentiments; among them is a stamp featuring a stylized version of the character for “kon” (from the word “konnan,” meaning “difficulty”), expressing the wish that “difficulties will be overcome and matters will ultimately come to a satisfactory conclusion.”
Furthermore, the “Old Noritake” vases exported to Europe and the United States were each hand-painted by artisans; even after more than 100 years, their delicate beauty remains unfaded, and visitors can’t help but be captivated by them. Another highlight is the collection of hand-drawn design sketches and catalogs created by Japanese designers stationed at the New York Design Room. As you explore these collections, crafted to reflect the trends and needs of each era, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Noritake’s journey of continuous innovation on the global stage.
At the Craft Center, you can observe the artisans at work and even try your hand at painting. And be sure to stop by the lifestyle shop “Noritake Square Nagoya.” It offers a wide selection ranging from Noritake’s signature series to items exclusive to company-operated stores, and in the outlet corner, you can purchase discontinued items and special editions at reasonable prices. You’ll surely be able to take home not only your favorite tableware but also the aesthetic sensibility of craftsmanship passed down through generations, along with your memories of the trip.
Tucked away in an alley just one block off the main street stands “Coffee House Kako Hanaguruma Main Store.” With its wooden furniture, earthen walls, and rows of coffee tickets lining the interior, the shop exudes the unique charm of a long-established coffee shop. If you plan to visit, we recommend going in the afternoon to avoid the long lines during breakfast hours. You can spend a leisurely time in this space bathed in soft natural light.
Established in 1972, owner Mr. Tsuchiya was one of the first in Nagoya to take up in-house coffee roasting, and he has always cherished the belief that “a coffee shop is all about coffee.” He never skips the hand-picking process before and after roasting and remains committed to the freshness of the beans, resulting in coffee characterized by a deep richness and sweetness. Cups and saucers are selected from a collection displayed at the shelf behind the counter—including pieces from Noritake and Okura Pottery—to match each guest’s style that day. There’s a delightful thrill when a cup is brought to you that perfectly complements the color of your outfit or the season. And to enjoy alongside your coffee, don’t miss the signature toasts, such as the “Chantilly Rouge Special” and the “Nagoya Parfait.” These are popular for their gentle flavors that highlight the natural qualities of the ingredients, served with homemade Ogura red bean paste and seasonal fruit confiture.
Loved for over half a century, this place is the result of a daily commitment to thoughtful hospitality centered on the principle of “cherishing each and every guest.” It’s a common sight here to see people from all walks of life—including regulars spanning three generations of the same family—gathering from near and far to enjoy lively conversation. Experiencing this quintessentially Nagoya coffee shop culture adds even more depth and richness to your time in the city.
5-20-13 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City
Aichi Prefecture 450-0002
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