wendy's Reviews Page 7/19

This is where the Toyota Group began, and you can learn about Toyota's history from its early development to the present, as well as the evolution of industrial technology. We happened to visit on a day when admission was free. We were so lucky!

The first half mainly introduces Toyota's origins and development, and you can also see lots of early machinery. In the second half, it's packed with cars. Seeing all the different models and exhibits just gets more and more exciting!

If you like cars or are interested in Japanese manufacturing or Toyota's history, this place is definitely worth visiting.

It's also very easy to get to. It's close to the station and within walking distance, making it a convenient stop when planning a Nagoya itinerary.

At first, I thought Nagoya's SCMaglev and Railway Park would mainly be about maglev trains, but after visiting, I discovered that it actually has quite a collection of trains and Shinkansen from different eras. You can even see the extremely popular Dr. Yellow.

You can get an up-close look at all kinds of trains, and you can even step inside some of the cars. Anyone who likes trains will probably have a great time here!

Besides displaying trains, the museum also covers the history of Japanese railway technology, from early trains to the Shinkansen and superconducting maglev trains, all in one place.

However, compared with the Kyoto Railway Museum, which I visited before, I felt that this museum was slightly smaller and its explanations were a little more basic. Still, it has plenty of character and is worth a visit.

It's also very easy to get to. Take the Aonami Line to Kinjofuto Station, and it's just a short walk from there. You can also visit other nearby attractions while you're in the area.

On our second night in Nagoya, we made a special trip to Shimasho, a long-established restaurant near our hotel, to try authentic Nagoya flavors!

We were prepared to wait in line, but luckily, we were seated right away this time. We were so happy.

Of course, you can’t come here without trying their signature **beef tendon stew (doteni)**🍢

It looks heavily seasoned, but it wasn’t as salty as expected. The miso flavor was rich and full-bodied, and it became more addictive with every bite.

Wakeoe Shrine in Nagoya is photogenic everywhere you look!

The colorful and cute goshuin, unique charms, and wind chimes swaying in the breeze give the entire shrine such a soothing atmosphere. No wonder so many people call it the “Instagram Shrine.”

My favorite part was the wind chimes.

When a gentle breeze blew, the clear sound of the chimes filled the air. Standing in the shrine listening to them made me feel completely relaxed and at peace.

The goshuin are also very distinctive.

I visited on a Sunday, but surprisingly, it wasn’t very crowded.

You can pay for the goshuin in advance, including by credit card. After paying, you receive a number and return to pick it up when your number is announced. The whole process is very convenient.

The route may seem a little complicated on your first visit, but you can just follow the signs step by step〜

Last time I came, it was closed, so this time I specifically chose a weekday and lined up early in the morning. I finally got to try it!

You can get a numbered ticket first, so you don't have to stand around waiting in front of the restaurant. You can visit nearby Atsuta Jingu Shrine and return to the restaurant at your designated time, which makes planning your itinerary very convenient.

This time I ordered their signature hitsumabushi, and I highly recommend it! The eel was crispy outside and tender inside, the sauce had just the right balance of sweet and salty, and it wasn't too greasy. It went perfectly with the well-separated grains of rice. The portion was also larger than expected, so for women, I'd recommend ordering the small size, which should be plenty filling.

Three ways to enjoy it, each with a different flavor

First way | Plain

Start by enjoying the aroma and texture of the eel itself. The crispy-outside, tender-inside eel with the sauce lets you best appreciate its original flavor.

Second way | With toppings

Add chopped green onions, nori, and wasabi for richer layers of aroma and texture. The wasabi also makes the overall flavor more refreshing.

Third way | Ochazuke

Finally, pour in the broth to make a light eel ochazuke. It doesn't feel heavy even down to the last bite, and all three ways of eating it really have their own distinct character!

Overall, I finally didn't miss out this time. With hitsumabushi, you can enjoy three different flavors in one bowl—plain, with toppings, and as ochazuke. It's delicious enough to be worth trying.

Visiting Atsuta Jingu is super convenient when you get off at Jingumae Station! Once you leave the platform, you can get there in no time, making transportation very easy.

After exploring Atsuta Jingu, there’s no need to rush off before catching the train to your next stop〜 You can use the time before your train to browse, shop, and eat around the station, recharge a little, and then head out. If you come early on a weekday, there are fewer people and no lines at the shops.

When visiting Atsuta Jingu, besides taking in the shrine’s solemn atmosphere, you can also stop by for a steaming bowl of Jingu kishimen. The broth has just the right soy sauce aroma without being overly salty or heavy, and the bonito flakes sprinkled on top add a subtle ocean-fresh flavor. Paired with the soft, pleasantly chewy, smooth noodles, it’s simple yet full of traditional Japanese flavor, and every bite is comforting.

This time I ordered the set meal, which came with fried chicken and white rice in addition to the noodles. After eating it, I felt the rice could actually be skipped—the noodles and fried chicken alone were already very filling.

With over 1,900 years of history, Atsuta Jingu is one of Japan's most important shrines. It is said to house the Kusanagi Sword, one of the Three Sacred Treasures of the Japanese imperial family, and is also mentioned in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki.

What I liked most when entering the shrine grounds was the atmosphere, which felt completely different from the city. Towering old trees and lush greenery make the entire grounds quiet and solemn. Walking around naturally makes you slow down and clear your mind.

This is also one of Nagoya's most iconic spiritual spots. Besides praying for blessings, it's also a great place to take a walk and experience history and Japanese shrine culture.

If you like tableware, ceramics, or lifestyle design, you really shouldn't miss Noritake Garden! This is the birthplace of the globally renowned tableware brand Noritake, and the entire grounds feel like an open urban park, peaceful and beautiful.

There are large green lawns and tall trees, making it very pleasant to walk around. There are also restaurants, cafes, a small museum, a ceramic painting workshop, and shops selling all kinds of beautiful ceramics.

What surprised me most was that besides Noritake's classic tableware, the shop also had some cute ceramics related to Hayao Miyazaki movies. Collectors will have a hard time leaving.

Shrimp lovers really shouldn't miss this!

When this extra-large 35 cm fried shrimp arrives at the table, it makes quite an impression. Just looking at it makes you want to take a photo.

They use extra-large tiger prawns from the deep waters of the Pacific. The meat is fresh, sweet, and firm, and the coating is fried until golden and crispy. What surprised me most was that even though we ate it in the evening, the shrimp didn't taste oily or stale at all!

It comes with tartar sauce and chopped egg, which are rich but not too heavy. You can also squeeze some lemon over it for a refreshing change of flavor. The larger size even comes with scissors, so you can cut the shrimp into sections and enjoy it with the sauce and pickles.