Sakae is the heart of Nagoya. One of two major downtown areas, alongside Meieki, it is a hub of activity in Nagoya city centre. Home to shopping complexes, movie theatres, restaurants, and attractions like the former Nagoya TV Tower, Oasis 21, and more. Sakae is a must when visiting Nagoya.
Table of Contents
- All You Need to Know
- Top 5 Attractions and Things to do in Sakae, Nagoya
- Other Things to do in Nagoya
- Takeaway
All You Need to Know
Sakae, the downtown area in Nagoya, is one of two cultural and shopping hubs in the city. The area is an excellent example of a successful business as it has turned what was originally a tiny district into a thriving community. It is located in the fourth largest city of Japan, Nagoya, and is just 2KM from Nagoya station. Sake has also successfully established itself as a commercial and shopping area within Nagoya because its location invites many visitors throughout the day and night.
Sakae is an energetic mix of modern and traditional Japanese culture. It includes sushi restaurants with fine chefs, traditional Japanese sweets shops, large department stores with imported luxury goods worldwide, and bustling markets. There are hundreds of stores to be explored here for people who love to shop or want to see what life in a larger Japanese city entails.
Nagoya's Sakae is an incredible choice if you want to explore beyond Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Sakae offers a great list of things to do, whether day or night.
Writer's Pick
Top 5 Attractions and Things to do in Sakae, Nagoya
Without further ado, let's get started with the top 5 things to do in Sakae, Nagoya:
1. Get a bird's eye view from Nagoya TV Tower
Located in the heart of Nagoya, Chubu Electricity Mirai Tower (formerly Nagoya TV Tower) is the perfect landmark to immerse yourself in local history. With a height of 180 meters, you'll be able to enjoy sweeping views of Nagoya from any angle. Head on up for a sophisticated time with a variety of café, restaurant, and bar options while you take in the city.
The tower's design is reminiscent of Paris's iconic Eiffel Tower and designed to be a broadcast signal tower. However, the structure is not just limited to that purpose. It includes an observatory at its peak, the Sky Deck MIRAI 360, which offers a 360-degree view of Nagoya for visitors who have made it to the top. From this vantage point, the cityscape at night is spectacular, with spotlights illuminating buildings and neon signs, making them sparkle like never before.
It also includes a garden at its base, a grand restaurant overlooking the garden, a multipurpose floor that also has a souvenir shop selling original goods, and a hotel.
Entrance Fee: 900 yen (Adult)
※ Chubu Electricity Mirai Tower
2. Visit Oasis 21
The futuristic-looking Oasis 21 complex is a popular area for various reasons. To start with, there is Spaceship Aqua, resembling a Star Trek spaceship. It is a 14m high glass and pipe construction holding 15 tons of water in a shallow pool over Oasis 21. This architectural marvel entails Japanese engineering and is a famous tourist destination housing numerous shopping outlets and restaurants.
Oasis 21 is especially beautiful at night when illuminated in bright colourful lights. The building draws in couples and photographers from all over the city. They come to marvel at the dazzling building from afar, take a walk on the lighted path, or admire the glittering reflection of lights on the water surface.
In summers, Oasis 21 becomes a paradise for cosplayers and anime enthusiasts, drawing thousands of fans around the globe as the World Cosplay Summit is held every August here. If you happen to be around this time, why not drop by for a look or join in with your own costume of your favorite character.
※ Oasis 21 ※ World Cosplay Summit
3. Experience Retail Therapy at Sakae Shopping Street
Shopping is a great pastime. So if you're itching for some retail therapy in Japan, Sakae with plenty of shopping malls and stores, is a wonderful choice.
First, there are megastores like Meitetsu, Matsuzakaya, Maruei, and Mitsukoshi. The PARCO Department Store here is apparently one of the largest department stores in Japan. Some of the most visited malls include:
Sunshine Sakae
Sunshine Sakae isn’t just a complex for shopping, it is also an entertainment centre. Whether you want to be a Pachinko winner, cheer for your favourite idols, or enjoy a ferris wheel ride, Sunshine Sakae has it all!
Sunshine Sakae has a total of seven floors including a basement floor. The B1 section consists of a performance space called Grand Canyon, and a Pachinko Parlor called Sunshine Kyoraku. If you are a fan of Japanese idols, the Grand Canyon open space is where you can enjoy live performances. The 2nd Floor is also home to Japanese idol group SKE48’s exclusive theatre, and the group performs here at least once a week.
Aside from that, experience a once-in-a-lifetime, family-friendly ride at the Sky Boat Ferris Wheel. Ever since the Sky Boat opened in Nagoya, it has been one of the top attractions for locals and foreigners alike. The ferris wheel’s design is ever-changing. Depending on your luck, you may get the chance to ride a Gudetama or Hello Kitty themed capsule. The sky ferry takes you up to 60 meters in the air for 15 minutes of incredible views of Nagoya.
※ Sunshine Sakae
Nadya Park
Whether you're looking to chat about the latest fashion trends with a fashionista or need a break from traveling, the Nadya Park complex is your go-to place - featuring everything from international design to books and culture.
It also has a performance space that provides a plethora of events throughout the year. There are also plenty of designer boutiques on the property. In addition, the 114-m tall skyscraper houses business offices and bookstores, and LOFT, a lifestyle department store on the ground floor. In sum, Nadya Park is perfect for all kinds of visitors, whether business or shopping in mind.
※ Nadya Park
4. Explore Nagoya Science Museum
Visit Nagoya City Science Museum, which houses one of the world's largest planetariums, for a fun and informative experience. The museum, which is spread over three buildings, underwent major renovations in 2012 when the new planetarium was erected. View an assortment of interactive exhibits - watch the formation of a tornado, a man-made aurora by a deep-freeze lab, the sparkling purple of flashing electricity by Tesla coils, and more.
Entrance Fee: 400 yen (Adult) + 400 yen for Planetarium
※ Nagoya City Science Museum
5. Visit Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art
A museum entailing the lessons in humanity from ancient and modern art to Picasso and Yuichi Takahashi, the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art is unlike any other art gallery you have ever seen. It hosts numerous exhibitions, including ancient, modern, Eastern, and Western art. However, the gallery focuses more on contemporary artists starting from the 20th century. Dive into the artistic history of the world.
Entrance Fee: 500 yen (Adult), 300 yen (University Student)
※ Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art ※ Aichi Now, “Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art”
Other Things to do in Nagoya
Apart from Sakae, there are many other things to do and places to see in the happening city of Nagoya. To be whisked away in a cyclical journey that begins from the top of Nagoya Castle descends to the bustling Tenjinbashisuji shopping district and back to the Atsuta Shrine and Nagoya Tower. In sum, traveling to the Sakae area and Nagoya is an enthralling experience, a must for everyone visiting Japan.
For more articles about Nagoya, check these out:
Exploring the National Treasure Nagoya Castle Comprehensive at its core: Nagoya University
Takeaway
Sakae is a district like no other, and there's never a dull moment in Nagoya. It's a shopping and entertainment haven that caters to all types of people. And if you find yourself getting a bit hungry from all that walking, you can indulge in the local specialties like hitsumabushi and miso katsu.
