In the previous edition, we went through the Tohoku region, and how its beauty is brought out in the summer. With one-of-a-kind dining experiences and luscious seascapes, we don’t simply plan trips, we curate adventures for you and your family to fall in love with Japan again and again. In this month’s Japan Agenda: The Premium Travel Blueprint series, we’re taking you to and through the Tokai region, namely Nagoya, Mie, Shizuoka, and Gifu. From the urban wonders of Nagoya, to the streets preserved in time in Gifu, this five-day trip has it all laid out for you, including accommodations on each stop should you want to get comfortable in each area. 

For lovers of history, food, or just good travels, this trip through Nagoya and the surrounding areas has something for everyone. Get ready to plan your next vacation to Japan as we lay out this premium itinerary full of unparalleled experiences for you to enjoy. 

Day 1: Arrival in Nagoya 

Morning: 

Arrive at Chubu Centrair International Airport via direct flight from Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Check-in at a comfortable hotel near the excitement of the city at the Marriott Nagoya. 

Photo courtesy of Visit Nagoya

Afternoon: 

For history buffs, spend the afternoon exploring Nagoya Castle and the surrounding gardens. You can also take this time to decompress from the flight, enjoying the hotel’s many amenities. Nagoya has many delicacies to enjoy, like their Nagoya Meshi, Miso Katsu, and Hitsumabushi. There are restaurants around every corner, so take a look around and find your favorite!

Evening: 

Immerse yourself in Nagoya's nightlife, offering a diverse mix of bars, clubs, and entertainment venues. The popular Oasis 21 provides a stunning nighttime view from the observation deck. 

Day 2: Shizuoka 

Morning:

Take a private car to Shizuoka for the rest of the day’s activities. 

Afternoon:

Photo from Japan National Tourism Organization

Take the rest of the afternoon exploring Hamamatsu! The Hamamatsu Flower Park displays beautifully landscaped gardens of flowerbeds for a picturesque stroll, with art exhibitions and musical performances that paint the already lively atmosphere with more vibrance and wonder. 

Learn about the region’s famous green tea at the Shizuoka Tea Museum, where they offer tea-tasting sessions to soothe your body and enrich your tastebuds.

Evening:

Check-in and cool-off at a relaxing hotel! Both Hotel Green Plaza Hamanako and Hoshino Resorts KAI Enshu have delicious dinner options and amenities to clear the mind before the next set of exciting destinations.

Day 3: Gifu

Morning:

Our next stop is up north at Gifu. If you’re looking to stay and get comfortable, consider staying at Juhachiro, a traditional ryokan offering Japanese-style rooms and hot spring baths, driving distance from the Nagaragawa River. Take the morning to enjoy the sunrise while surrounded with a Japanese ambiance, or wander through Gifu Castle atop Mount Kinka to get a better view of the area at dawn. 

Afternoon:

Explore the historic Kawaramachi district, known for its well-preserved Edo-period buildings and streets that paint a historical atmosphere – a peek into Japan’s rich history. 

Evening:

Photo from Japan National Tourism Organization

Witness the unique and traditional ukai or cormorant fishing technique at Nagaragawa River at night, where they use bright lamps to draw out the fish, and expert fishing birds to catch them. After, go on a culinary adventure in Gifu City, trying local specialties such as Hida beef or river fish dishes, caught using the fishing ritual. 

Day 4: Mie

Morning:

Check-in at Nagashima Resort and explore their many leisure facilities. Use the serenity of the sunrise to relax at their onsen complex, or go on a shopping adventure at Mitsui Outlet Park Jazz Dream Nagashima.

Afternoon to Evening:

Have fun with the family or attune to your inner-child at Nagashima Spa Land, a water park with waterslides, swimming pools, and some of Japan’s most nail-biting rollercoasters. 

Photo from Japan National Tourism Organization

After that thrilling afternoon, relax and take in the lights at Nabana no Sato Flower Park, where they have set the evening scene with a tunnel of luminescent lights and arranged, creating a picturesque memory not to be forgotten. After, enjoy a hearty noodle dinner at one of the many restaurants around the flower park. 

Day 5: Nagoya

Photo courtesy of Visit Nagoya

Morning: 

Experience Nagoya’s iconic breakfast culture called “morning” or “morning service”. Customers receive breakfast free of charge when they order a drink! The complimentary food varies but one popular option is the Ogura toast, which is topped with butter and red bean paste. Be sure to fill-up for your final day of the trip! 

Afternoon:

Take the kids to Legoland! The park is sectioned into different Lego worlds, with pirates, knights, and a factory where kids can flex their creative muscle. There are many different rides to ride and sights to see, so you’ll never run out of activities! 

Photo from Japan National Tourism Organization

For fans of the esteemed Japanese Animation Studio, visit the Ghibli Park and immerse yourself in the worlds seen in the films, like Dondoko Forest from My Neighbor Totoro and Mononoke Village from Princess Mononoke.

Evening:

If you have more time before flying home, take the final evening to explore Nagoya Station and its delicious dining options. After, head back to Chubu Centrair International Airport and have a safe flight back home! 

Additional Recommendations:

Shizuoka is also famous for Shimoda beach, with translucent waters and bright sand. If you’re willing to be more distant from Nagoya, consider staying a night or two at the seaside resorts like Shimoda Yamatokan. 

Looking for more to do in Mie? Wander through Okage Yokocho, a traditional shopping street that offers local food and charming souvenirs, all nearby is the sacred Ise Grand Shrine. 

Gifu has no shortage of magical places that feel like living paintings. With the greener-than-life Shirakawa-go village, the historical streets of Takayama, and the stunning Gero Onsen that runs through the town, consider spending a few extra days at Gifu for a one-of-a-kind experience. 

As we conclude our itinerary through urban jungles and natural beauties, we hope you have found inspiration for your next adventure. This itinerary can only do so much to describe the wonders of Nagoya and the Tokai Region, so be sure to book those flights and see it for yourself. Luckily, AirAsia is launching 3x weekly flights from Manila to Nagoya starting October 29! For more details visit: airasia.com

Stay tuned for next month’s agenda for more extraordinary journeys that make you fall in love with Japan, one trip at a time.