Planning a Family Outing? 15 Hands-On Spots to Explore in Aichi on a 2-Day, 1-Night Trip

Major attractions such as LEGOLAND® Japan, Nagoya Port Aquarium, and Nagoya City Science Museum are concentrated in Nagoya City and nearby areas.
Meanwhile, Laguna Ten Bosch Lagunasia, Takeshima Aquarium, and Aichi Kodomo no Kuni are scattered across the Mikawa area.
Start with Nagoya as your base, then combine areas based on the kind of experience you want for an easy and comfortable trip.

Nagoya City is easy to get around by public transportation, but if you want to include the Mikawa area or large suburban attractions, traveling by car is recommended.
Take the shinkansen to Nagoya and add a rental car, and you'll have far more flexibility to visit theme parks and nature spots as well.

One of Aichi's strengths is that, beyond theme parks and amusement parks, it also offers plenty of educational spots such as SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, the Toyota Automobile Museum, and Nagoya City Science Museum.
Because the range of experiences is so broad, combining play and learning makes it easier to create a day that stays engaging from start to finish.

A theme park where you can immerse yourself in the world of LEGO® bricks. With attractions, shows, and hands-on exhibits, there are plenty of ways to have fun as you explore the park.
It is divided into eight areas, including "LEGO® NINJAGO® World," where LEGO® NINJAGO® takes center stage, and "Adventure," themed around a journey of exploration.
Spending time walking around with your family and taking in the cityscapes and spaces created with LEGO® also leaves a lasting impression. This is a great spot for a day when you want to start early and play all day.

A large aquarium where you can meet popular marine animals such as orcas and dolphins. With its large-scale pools and tanks, new highlights appear one after another just by walking through the facility.
The live coral tank displaying living coral is picture-perfect in its beauty. With both dynamic and delicate exhibits, you can experience the many different sides of marine life up close. As parents and children peer into the same tank, conversation comes naturally.

An amusement park by Nagoya Port. It has classic attractions such as a Ferris wheel and roller coasters, and the atmosphere makes it easy even for small children to enjoy.
The 85-meter-tall Ferris wheel is one of the largest in the Tokai region and serves as the park's symbol. Because the park is compact and easy to get around, you can still have a satisfying visit even in a short amount of time. It's a spot where you can enjoy amusement park fun alongside views of the port. Since it is next to Nagoya Port Aquarium, why not enjoy them together?

An interactive museum lined with shinkansen and railway cars from different eras. The huge exhibition space filled with real train cars is so impressive it will stop you in your tracks.
The museum displays 39 actual train cars, centered on the Tokaido Shinkansen, along with conventional rail lines and the superconducting maglev. Some exhibits let you look inside the cars as well as admire the exterior, helping you understand how railways work and how they have evolved through hands-on experience. It's a space that captivates not only train-loving kids, but adults too.

A science museum in the heart of the city with an impressive lineup of large-scale exhibits. You can learn about a wide range of themes, including natural phenomena, space, and energy.
One highlight is the "Deep Freeze Lab," where you can watch aurora footage in a room kept at minus 30 degrees Celsius, along with many other hands-on exhibits. What makes it special is that you can deepen your understanding by moving your body and observing phenomena happening right in front of you. It's a main learning spot where parents and children can share surprise and discovery together.

This vast facility combines a zoo and botanical garden, making it one of the main attractions in the Nagoya city area where you can easily spend at least half a day. The grounds make use of the natural terrain and are filled with a variety of exhibits that you can enjoy at a relaxed pace.
The zoo, in particular, displays about 450 animal species, including koalas, one of the park's signature attractions, along with many other popular animals. The more you walk around and observe the animals up close, the more discoveries you'll make. Together with the botanical garden and greenhouse, it offers many different sides of nature to experience.

A vast park in Nagoya City where you can still enjoy a strong sense of nature. Ponds, walking paths, and play areas are scattered throughout the grounds, making it easy to relax and spend time freely.
A standout is Dinosaur Plaza, where two giant dinosaur slides and multi-play equipment are especially popular with children. One of the park's charms is being able to balance playtime on the equipment with time spent in nature. It's perfect for a day when you want to play outside to the fullest.

A spacious general park in central Nagoya. The grounds are dotted with historic structures such as a fountain tower and a bandstand, so there is plenty to see even on a simple stroll.
It has also been selected as one of Japan's "100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots," and in spring it becomes lively with large crowds of flower-viewing visitors. You can relax or play around the lawn area and pond, making it a perfect place to take a break between stops on your course.

One of Nagoya's signature historical landmarks, home to one of Japan's largest castle complexes built in the early Edo period. The spacious grounds are dotted with highlights such as the main keep and stone walls, letting you feel the atmosphere of history as you walk.
Honmaru Palace, built in 1615 as the residence of the domain lord and a place for politics, is also well worth seeing. As you walk and notice the details of the decorations and architecture, conversation naturally grows between parent and child. If you're in Nagoya, it's a stop you won't want to miss.

A seaside theme park along Mikawa Bay. The park features rides, theater-style attractions, shows, and events, all set in an open resort-like atmosphere.
There are plenty of attractions to enjoy year-round, but summer is especially unmissable. With pools and water attractions, it also offers experiences unique to a waterfront setting, and that's part of the charm, different ways to enjoy it in each season. Spend a full day exploring the spacious park with your family.

A local aquarium with a warm, homey atmosphere. It displays about 500 species and 4,500 creatures from both saltwater and freshwater at all times.
Though compact, the aquarium is full of things to see, and one of its key features is how close you feel to the animals. Handmade-style explanations and unique exhibits line the space, so the more you look around, the more discoveries you'll make. It's a place where conversation naturally grows as parents and children take time observing the creatures closely.

A comprehensive children's facility where you can play in expansive natural surroundings. Large playground equipment, grassy open spaces, and indoor facilities are scattered throughout the grounds, so you can spend your time however you like.
Paid rides are also popular, including the "Kodomo Kisha," a real steam locomotive powered by steam, as well as "go-karts" and battery-powered "mini cars." Another part of the appeal is that your play options expand as you move around the vast grounds. Get active in nature and enjoy a carefree time with your family.

A large complex that combines a service area and a park. Food, shopping, attractions, and rest areas are all gathered in one place, so you can spend an entire day here.
At the landmark Ferris wheel, you can enjoy a walk in the sky. The see-through gondolas offer 360-degree views, and at night you can also enjoy the magical atmosphere created by the illumination. It's a spot where you can take a break while having fun.

A museum introducing automobiles from around the world and the culture surrounding them. It was established in 1989 as one of the projects commemorating the 50th anniversary of Toyota Motor Corporation.
Cars from different eras are lined up so you can compare them and trace the flow of automotive evolution. Seeing the differences in design and technology up close is part of the appeal, and it gives you a chance to experience the history of transportation. The evolution of cars also makes a great conversation topic.

A facility where you can experience the worlds of Studio Ghibli films. It consists of five areas: "Ghibli's Grand Warehouse," "Hill of Youth," "Dondoko Forest," "Mononoke Village," and "Valley of Witches."
Spaces that bring the worlds of the films to life spread throughout the park, giving you the feeling of stepping into the stories as you walk. Every detail, from the buildings and exhibits to the scenery, is carefully crafted, making the time parents and children spend looking at the same views feel even more special. It's a destination-style spot you will want to enjoy over a full day.

A resort hotel located at the tip of the Atsumi Peninsula. Built on high ground overlooking the sea, it offers open views and a relaxing atmosphere.
From guest rooms on the Pacific Ocean side, where you can see the sunrise, you can take in panoramic views of scenic spots such as Katahama Jusansato and Hi no De no Sekimon. The large natural hot spring bath and restaurants are also well equipped, making it a great fit for family stays.

A high-rise hotel in a convenient location with easy access from Nagoya Station.
All guest rooms, designed around the concept of a "floating ship in the sky," are located on the high floors from the 32nd to 36th floors above ground, offering sweeping views of Nagoya at night. From the upper floors, you can also watch trains coming and going below, almost like looking down on a diorama.
Another appeal is that you can enjoy the stay itself, including the restaurants and lounge inside the hotel.

A hotel with facilities such as a large public bath and sauna, making it easy to relax after a day of sightseeing. The hotel also offers plenty of relaxing spaces and services.
Guest rooms range from singles convenient for business travelers to triples suited to family stays.
Another plus is how easy it is to choose a room that fits your family size, making it a convenient base for your trip.