Nagoya Station is the city's main railway hub and one of the most important transport centers in central Japan. Surrounding the vast complex of JR, Meitetsu and Kintetsu stations is Meieki, one of Nagoya's main business and shopping districts, characterized by skyscrapers, department stores, restaurants and offices.
What is commonly referred to as Nagoya Station is actually a large transport hub made up of several adjacent stations operated by different companies. The main one is JR Nagoya Station, also served by the Tokaido Shinkansen; immediately to the south are Meitetsu Nagoya Station, particularly useful for connections to Chubu Centrair Airport, and Kintetsu Nagoya Station, with trains to Mie, Ise-Shima and Osaka. The complex also includes subway stations served by the Higashiyama and Sakura-dori lines, as well as the Aonami Line station. The historic department stores next to the Meitetsu and Kintetsu stations closed in 2026, and the entire area south of JR Nagoya Station is involved in a major redevelopment project whose plans are currently being revised.
the JR Central Towers above JR Nagoya Station
Sky Street
night view from Sky Street (credits)
the Sky Promenade at Midland Square during the day
night view from the Sky Promenade at Midland Square
the red-brick buildings of Noritake Garden
inside the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
Meieki is one of the most convenient areas to stay in Nagoya, especially if you are arriving by Shinkansen, planning several day trips or want easy transport connections in the evening as well. Around the station you will find accommodation for every budget, from hostels and capsule hotels to upscale hotels with panoramic views in the towers directly above the station.
9h nine hours Nagoya station is one of the cheapest and most distinctive places to stay around the station. Part of the modern Japanese Nine Hours chain, it offers basic minimalist sleeping capsules, with separate areas for men and women and shared bathrooms and showers. It is located on the northeast side of the station, just a few minutes' walk away, and also has common areas and a rooftop terrace. It is a particularly good choice for solo travelers who want to try the Japanese capsule hotel experience at least once and are simply looking for a clean, central place to sleep.
Price range: capsules generally around 4,000-8,000¥ per person.
Hostel Wasabi Nagoya Ekimae is one of the cheapest places to stay near the station, just a few minutes' walk from the Taiko-dori Exit. It offers capsule-style dormitories with an unusual Japanese atmosphere created by the use of tatami and wood, with each sleeping space equipped with a bed, reading light, power outlet and Wi-Fi. Mixed dormitories are available, along with a women-only floor; bathrooms and showers are shared. Do not expect the comfort of a conventional hotel, but for backpackers and travelers on a very tight budget, the location is hard to beat.
Price range: dorm beds from around 2,500¥ per person.
The Nagoyaeki Access Hotel is a good alternative for travelers who want to keep costs relatively low but prefer a proper private room instead of a capsule or dormitory. It is about a three-to-five-minute walk from the Taiko-dori side of JR Nagoya Station. Rooms are simple, modern and fairly compact, as is typical of Japanese business hotels, but come with a private bathroom and all the essentials. Its location makes it particularly convenient if you need to catch an early Shinkansen or arrive in Nagoya late at night.
Price range: double rooms generally around 8,000-16,000¥.
The Sanco Inn Grande Nagoya is probably one of the most interesting options in the area in terms of value for money, comfort and services. It is located between Nagoya Station and Kokusai Center and is directly connected to the Unimall underground shopping arcade, which is particularly convenient when it rains. Its main attraction is the SPA with a large public bath reserved for hotel guests, open both in the evening and in the morning, along with an amenity bar offering bath and personal-care products. The rooms are modern and the overall atmosphere is noticeably more refined than at a typical budget business hotel. Rooms on the higher floors also offer pleasant views. An excellent choice if you want to relax in a large Japanese-style bath after a day exploring Nagoya without paying the rates of the luxury hotels directly above the station.
Price range: double rooms generally around 12,000-22,000¥.
The Nagoya JR Gate Tower Hotel is one of the places we would most recommend if you want to spend a little more for extra comfort. It is located directly above JR Nagoya Station inside the JR Gate Tower, so reaching the Shinkansen, local trains and subway is practically just a matter of taking the elevator downstairs. Guest rooms occupy the 18th to 24th floors and feature large windows with excellent views over the city and the station tracks. Rooms start at around 20 m² and go up to 37 m² Deluxe Corner Twin rooms, some of which feature a panoramic bathtub beside the window. It is especially recommended for railway enthusiasts: by choosing a room facing the tracks, you can watch Shinkansen and other trains continuously coming and going from above.
Price range: double rooms generally around 20,000-35,000¥.
The Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel is one of Nagoya's most prestigious and iconic hotels. It occupies the upper floors of the JR Central Towers, directly above the station, combining an unbeatable location with panoramic rooms more than 200 meters above ground. Large windows provide spectacular views over the skyline and, depending on the room orientation, over the station and railway tracks as well. The hotel also has several panoramic restaurants and bars, including venues on the 52nd floor, as well as the Towers Fitness Club with a swimming pool, large bath and sauna, available to hotel guests for an additional fee. It is an ideal choice if you are looking for upscale accommodation without giving up the absolute convenience of having the station directly below you.
Price range: double rooms generally around 30,000-60,000¥ and up.
Nagoya Station is the city's main gateway and one of the most important railway hubs in central Japan. The Tokaido Shinkansen connects it directly with Tokyo, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka; as a reference, the fastest services take around 1 hour and 40 minutes from Tokyo, 35 minutes from Kyoto and 50 minutes from Shin-Osaka. From Chubu Centrair International Airport, the most convenient option is the Meitetsu Line: μSKY trains reach Meitetsu Nagoya in just 28 minutes, with a μticket supplement required in addition to the regular fare. Nagoya Station is also served by the Higashiyama and Sakura-dori subway lines, local JR lines, Kintetsu, the Aonami Line and numerous bus services.
Central Meieki is easy to explore on foot: JR Nagoya Station, JR Central Towers, JR Gate Tower, Midland Square and Yanagibashi Central Market are all within a short walk of one another. Many buildings are also connected through an extensive network of underground passages and shopping arcades, very convenient on rainy days or during the hottest months, although the network can initially feel somewhat confusing.
The JR, Meitetsu, Kintetsu and subway stations are close together but are not the same station, and some transfers require several minutes: for example, Kintetsu estimates around 8 minutes to the Higashiyama Line and 10 minutes to the Sakura-dori Line.
To reach Noritake Garden and the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, you can continue on foot from the northwestern side of the station or use public transport. For exploring the rest of Nagoya, the Higashiyama Line is particularly convenient for quickly reaching Fushimi, Sakae and Higashiyama, while the Sakura-dori Line provides connections to other parts of the city center.
