JPN: Nagoya Downtown (Part 2)

Nagoya, Aichi, Japan

Time flies, doesn't it? It's hard to believe that a quarter of 2025 has already passed. My backlog is piling up, but anyway, let's continue with our exploration of Nagoya. In this second part, do expect more night shots as I wandered through the city's illuminated streets after sundown. Let's start with Sakae, a vibrant downtown district located approximately 2 km east of Nagoya Station.

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JPN: Japan Airlines JL712 (Economy)

JPN: Japan Airlines JL3087 (Economy)

JPN: Smile Hotel Nagoya Shinkansenguchi

JPN: Nagoya Castle

JPN: Nagoya Downtown (Part 1)

JPN: Nagoya Downtown (Part 2) <YOU ARE HERE!>

JPN: Hotel Park

JPN: Gifu Castle

JPN: Gifu Downtown

JPN: Ise Shrine

JPN: Nagoyaeki Access Hotel

JPN: Flight of Dreams

JPN: Chubu Centrair International Airport

JPN: All Nippon Airways NH494 (Economy)

JPN: All Nippon Airways NH833 (Business)

VIE: Le Saigon Hotel

VIE: Tan Son Nhat International Airport

VIE: Le Saigonnais Business Lounge

SIN: Singapore Airlines SQ177 (Business)

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Hisaya-odori Park is a prominent green space in Sakae, stretching 2 km from north to south.

The park was established after World War II under the direction of the mayor of the city.

Completed in 1954, Chubu Electric MIRAI TOWER is the oldest TV tower in Japan.

Not far from the TV tower stands Oasis 21, a strikingly futuristic structure called Oasis 21 that houses a shopping centre, a bus terminal and a tourist information centre.

The shopping centre is located below ground level.

Nagoya Hawaii Festival was first held at Oasis 21 in 2010, and it's since become an annual celebration of Hawaiian culture in Nagoya.

Let's go up to the observation deck.

The oval-shaped glass rooftop structure is called Spaceship Aqua.

Covering an area of 2,700 square metres, Spaceship Aqua carries 150 tonnes of water.

Opened in 2002, the shopping centre has got around 30 shops and restaurants at the point of writing.

Donguri Kyowakoku is the official merchandise store of Studio Ghibli.

I was in no rush, letting the cool evening air and the lights of the city guide me as I wandered aimlessly through the streets.

Shop till you drop at Don Quijote!

Sky Boat is the name of the Ferris wheel located at Sunshine Sakae.

I chanced upon Noren Machi, a narrow two-storey complex full of eateries, near Exit 1 of Sakae station.

For the uninitiated, noren is a curtain typically hung at a Japanese shop entrance.

Before taking a train back to Nagoya station, I came across a visually engaging map of the city's train network made using toy blocks at Sakae station.

I made my way to Shirakawa Park the following day, encountering a sculpture titled 'To the Space'.

As I entered the park, its calm atmosphere enveloped me, with lush greenery and the chirping of the birds adding to the peaceful vibe.

'Hare on Ball and Claw' by Barry Flanagan

I stopped for a while to watch a group of people doing a performance, or perhaps practising for it. It was a pleasant little surprise during my stroll through the park.

Located in the northern part of the park is Nagoya City Science Museum, which boasts one of the largest planetariums in the world.

I don't normally do such a pose for a photo, but well, for once!

To the east stands Nagoya City Art Museum, which showcases a diverse collection of modern and contemporary art.

I eventually made my way out of the park towards the south, ready to continue my exploration of the city as the sun began to set.

Quack, quack~

In that part of the city, stillness settled like a whispered prayer.

Osu Kannon Temple is a renowned Buddhist temple in central Nagoya.

It took me a while to read the entire board.

Wash and purify your hands there.

Osu Kannon was originally built in neighboring Gifu Prefecture, but it was relocated to its current site in 1612 by Tokugawa Ieyasu after repeated flooding damaged the original structure.