Featuring popular areas in Nagoya
Nagoya is one of Japan's three biggest cities along with Tokyo and Osaka. It has a reputation for being an easy place to live in, with an urban atmosphere and a good sense of locality. Just a short distance away from the center of the city, you can also experience the lush green surroundings.
In this article, we will introduce five areas in Nagoya City that are particularly well-reputed as easy to live in, along with recommended station information.
Whether you are planning to look for a room in Nagoya in the near future, or you have not decided but are interested in Nagoya as a place to live, this article will be helpful.
1. Nakamura Ward: Redevelopment area where the city and downtown intersect
The area around Nagoya Station, located in Nakamura Ward, has an urban atmosphere with skyscrapers. However, if you look at the west side of Nakamura Ward, you will find a calm residential area with a downtown atmosphere.
Recommended Station 1: Nagoya Station
This area is filled with both offices and commercial facilities. Transportation is also convenient, with many train lines as well as a large number of local buses. Shinkansen bullet trains and express buses also arrive and depart from the area, making it a good choice for frequent business travelers and tourists.
The area around the station has everything you need, from department stores and specialty stores to medical facilities, banks, supermarkets, and restaurants.
Redevelopment of the surrounding area is underway in preparation for the opening of the Linear Central Shinkansen Line in 2027, and the area is expected to become even more convenient in the future.
Train lines
- Aonami Line
- JR Kansai Main Line
- JR Tokaido Main Line
- JR Tokaido Shinkansen
- Nagoya City Subway Higashiyama Line
- JR Chuo Main Line
- Nagoya City Subway Sakuradori Line
- Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line
- Kintetsu-Nagoya Line
Recommended Station 2: Nakamura Koen Station
The station has easy access to Nagoya Station by subway and also has a bus terminal, making transportation very convenient.
There are still many traditional residential areas and stores around the station. A supermarket and a 100-yen store are located right next to the station, and there are also restaurants, mostly chain restaurants. This area is especially recommended for those who want to live in an area with a safe and quiet atmosphere while still ensuring convenience.
Train lines
- Nagoya City Subway Higashiyama Line
2. Naka Ward: A busy tourist attraction area
Naka Ward is home to Nagoya Castle, one of Nagoya's most famous tourist attractions. With tourist facilities, museums, and commercial facilities, the area is busy with people day and night. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and other eateries, as well as many places to stop by for shopping and other needs.
Perhaps because of the convenience and high demand, rent prices tend to be higher than the average in Nagoya.
Recommended Station 1: Sakae Station
The area around the station is very well-developed and is said to be one of the busiest areas in Nagoya.
There is a department store and a fashion building right in front of the station, which offers not only shopping and dining, but also facilities such as movie theaters, beauty salons, and hospitals. “Osu shopping district”, one of Nagoya's most popular places to eat and walk, is also within walking distance, making this station the perfect place to enjoy all that Nagoya can offer.
Train lines
- Nagoya City Subway Higashiyama Line/Meijo Line
Recommended Station 2: Kanayama Station
The station has a wide variety of places to shop and restaurants, including a shopping mall directly connected to the station. There are a lot of Japanese-style pubs, especially around the station.
However, some people say that late at night they are often harassed by drunken people and that the noise bothers them, so it is recommended to avoid walking alone at night and to live in an area slightly away from the station.
Train lines
- Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line
- Nagoya City Subway Meijo Line
- Nagoya City Subway Meiko Line
- JR Tokaido Main Line
- JR Chuo Main Line
3. Chikusa Ward: Popular "Area to Live" in Nagoya City
The area offers easy access to Nagoya Station for both shopping and leisure activities. The rent is high due to the area's popularity within Nagoya City. The four recommended stations introduced here are all served by Nagoya City Subway Higashiyama Line, which provides access to major stations such as Sakae Station and Nagoya Station without transfers.
Recommended Station 1: Hoshigaoka Station
The entire town has a fashionable atmosphere in this area. There are shopping malls and department stores in front of the station. A short walk from the station is the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden, where you can enjoy nature in all four seasons.
Train lines
- Nagoya City Subway Higashiyama Line
Recommended Station 2: Kakuozan Station
The area is still popular today with its long-established residential neighborhoods. There are many buildings with distinctive exteriors and fashionable stores that look like hideouts, making it fun just to stroll around the town. There are many cafes around the station, and it is fun to find your own favorites.
Kakuozan Nittaiji Temple, a 10-minute walk from the station, holds " Kobo-Daishi's feast day" on the 21st of every month. The area will be crowded with cafes, bakeries, and other stalls of various genres.
Train lines
- Nagoya City Subway Higashiyama Line
Recommended Station 3: Motoyama Station
Around the station, there are supermarkets, pharmacies, hospitals, convenience stores, and entertainment facilities such as karaoke and bowling alleys, all of which are necessary for daily life, as well as a variety of reasonably priced restaurants. A short distance away from the station, the area is a quiet residential area and safe.
Train lines
- Nagoya City Subway Higashiyama Line/Meijo Line
Recommended Station 4: Imaike Station
The area around Imaike Station used to be a busy downtown area, but various efforts in recent years have made it safer. There are large shopping centers, supermarkets, and drugstores near the station, so there will be little difficulty in shopping for daily necessities.
A 10-minute walk from the station is Chikusa Park, where you can also enjoy beautifully maintained seasonal flowers.
Train lines
- Nagoya City Subway Higashiyama Line/Sakuradori Line
4. Showa Ward
Known as one of the city's most educational districts, Showa Ward is a quiet area with a central library and a university campus.
Recommended Station 1: Gokisho Station
There is a ward office in front of the station and a 24-hour supermarket. The area is safe and secure, and there is a calm residential area.
Although there are no major commercial facilities, this station is recommended for those who want to live in a town with a relaxed atmosphere.
Train lines
- Nagoya City Subway Tsurumai Line/Sakuradori Line
Recommended Station 2: Irinaka Station
It is a residential area with a calm atmosphere and the city is greening up. There are several supermarkets and other stores, so there will be no inconvenience for daily shopping. The station is recommended for those who want to spend their time quietly, with little noise and other concerns at night. However, streetlights are scarce, so be careful when walking alone at night.
Train lines
- Nagoya City Subway Tsurumai Line
5. Meito Ward: Residential area with little inconvenience for shopping
Rent in Meito Ward is average for Nagoya City. You can reach Sakae Station, Nagoya Station, and other city centers in 20 to 30 minutes on the Higashiyama Subway Line.
The Tomei Expressway and other expressways pass through the area, making it convenient for people who often travel far from the city by car. There are a lot of cafes, general stores, etc. as well as plenty of drugstores and supermarkets in the area around the station.
You can easily access Nagakute City adjacent to Meito Ward, so it is a good idea to visit there on weekends and holidays. In Nagakute City's Expo 2005 Aichi Expo Memorial Park (Moricoro Park), there is also Ghibli Park which is getting a lot of attention.
Recommended Station 1: Fujigaoka
The station is the starting station on Higashiyama Line and Linimo (Aichi Rapid Transit Eastern Hillside Line), making it easy to commute to work or school both toward Nagoya Station and toward Nagakute. It takes a little longer to get to Nagoya Station, about 30 minutes on Higashiyama Line, but since it is the starting station, it is often possible to travel sitting down.
The community is highly aware of crime prevention, and streetlights and security cameras have been installed. The area around the station is full of commercial facilities, where shopping and dining can be enjoyed.
Train lines
- Nagoya City Subway Higashiyama Line/Eastern Hills Line (Linimo)
Recommended Station 2: Hongo Station
It is safe and there are supermarkets and discount stores that are open until late night. A 15-minute walk from the station is “Inodaka Ryokuchi”, a walking spot recommended for those who want to relax and forget the hustle and bustle of the city. Some properties have highways running very close by, so those who are concerned about noise should check carefully when choosing a property.
Train lines
- Nagoya City Subway Higashiyama Line
Summary: Nagoya area is a city where you can enjoy both urban convenience and nature. The easy access to Nagoya City, as well as Tokyo and Osaka, is also attractive.
In addition, rent prices are lower in many areas than in Tokyo and Osaka. This is true not only for properties for single people, but also for shared housing. There are many sophisticated and fashionable shared houses in Nagoya, making it fun just to look for one.
There are various conditions that determine where to live, such as convenience to commute to work and school, the atmosphere of the city, and the comfort of the property itself. If you find a shared house that interests you, please inquire about a viewing. By actually visiting and experiencing not only the property but also the atmosphere of the city, you will be able to clearly define your priorities.