Local Dining Districts Special Feature

Ekimae Alleyway (Nakamura Ward, Nagoya City)

Within walking distance of Nagoya station stands the Ekimae Alleyway, just south of Yanagibashi Central Market. Seventeen small taverns with a historic aura occupy a building in a throwback to decades gone by. Enjoy seafood; yakitori skewered, grilled chicken; stand-and-drink-style spots; as well as gastropub settings—each tavern different from the next.
Barhop from each to the next as you enjoy mixing with local patrons and barkeeps. While redevelopment is occurring at leaps and bounds, this area remains true to its past as well as its laid-back culture just as you'd have found it in the 50s to 80s. Neon lights and classic Japanese-style curtains hang from the entries to nostalgic drinking holes.

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Yanagibashi Bridge / Yanagibashi Central Market area (Nakamura Ward, Nagoya City)

Again, within walking distance of Nagoya Station, you'll come across another gathering of gastropubs at Yanagibashi Central Market and the Yanagibashi Bridge area which remain true to their past. The market is known for supporting the culinary culture of the greater Tokai region with a bustling market atmosphere in the afternoon whose staff and locals convene at during night, when drinks and seafood come out to share in the good times.
Fresh seafood is a major draw as is Nagoya Meshi—or Nagoya Cuisine—which go well with local sakes. This is a great spot to hit up after the Games. Chance encounters await you just a short walk from the bustling station area and at this location you won't find in guidebooks. Get some insight into Nagoya nights and culinary culture with a cool drink in hand and tasty treats in a marketplace setting.

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Omon Yokocho Alleyway (Nakamura Ward, Nagoya City)

Omon Yokocho Alleyway is just a ways from Nagoya Station and home to hideaway bars retaining a somewhat nostalgic aura. A retro air blows through the area with gastropubs and bars beloved by patrons through the decades as well as those recently run by a younger generation for a new breath of life into older buildings.
Old signs and structures with years of different diners coming and going sit along the alleyway with warm lighting, making for a unique atmosphere. Expect adventure—different than what you would expect from a normal shopping street—in a trip off the beaten path and experience the age-old congeniality of Nagoya nights.

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Ekinishi area (Nakamura Ward, Nagoya City)

The "Ekinishi"—literally "West of the Station"—area is on the west side of Nagoya Station's bullet train tracks and offers a different take on the downtown station area without high-rise buildings for a more low-key environment with local dishes. Walk along narrow roads lined with saloons; yakitori skewered, grilled chicken vendors; Japanese-style BBQ joints; neighborhood Chinese food restaurants; and gastropubs as customers come out together with the sunset.
A popular way to enjoy the area is barhopping without spending too much time at one spot. After a couple drinks, explore the ramen culture as you fill up for more fun into the night. The laid-back tone of the area will let you relax as you engage with establishment owners and regulars in banter.
And the location is obviously convenient being just outside the bullet train part of Nagoya Station and easy to get to after watching the Games or wrapping up a trip. Come join the atmosphere of this long-loved night spot as well as its lively culinary culture.

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Noren Street Right by Exit 1 of Sakae Station (Naka Ward, Nagoya City)

Step outside Exit 1 of Sakae Station on the subway and walk along a 70-or-so-meter street lined by eight establishments adorning noren curtains and sporting the colorful name "Noren Street Right by Exit 1 of Sakae Station". Easy access to entertaining Nagoya nights await you in a new way.
Enjoy grilled seafood; yakitori grilled, skewered chicken; beef tongue; tebasaki chicken wings; and other Nagoya Meshi—Nagoya Cuisine—convening in one spot as you hop from bar to bar. Neon signs give a new take on this retro place which is a welcome oasis even to first-timers.
Don't miss this perfect spot to kick back and wet your whistle after the Games.

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Kanayama Komachi (Naka Ward, Nagoya City)

Kanayama Komachi is a modern Japanese-style dining street based on the concept of a bustling Japanese teahouse community conveniently located a short walk from grand Kanayama Station. Lantern-lit cobblestone-like paths lead you along retro Japanese establishments offering yakitori skewered, grilled chicken; sushi; tempura; stewed oden items; and local Nagoya cuisine, known as "Nagoya Meshi".
Experience one after the next at your own pace; sharing dishes with your mates. The alleyway establishments offer a step back in time while maintaining a clean and expansive environment.
Kanayama is a signature spot to enjoy the night with Japanese flavors and flare.

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Endoji Shopping Street / Endoji Hon-machi Shopping Street (Nishi Ward, Nagoya City)

Endoji Shopping Street
This is one of Nagoya's oldest shopping streets and home to numerous gastropubs, wine bars, cafes, and other distinctive diners mixed in with historic spots. The area naturally blends long-standing establishments with new businesses, drawing in many during no matter the time of day.
Browsing the retro atmosphere for the perfect spot is a sure-shot way to enjoy the street.

Endoji Hon-machi Shopping Street
This street continues on west from Endoji Shopping Street, adding to the vintage vistas, again with a tactful mix of old and new. The area boasts local gastropubs and eateries long beloved by locals for a chance to casually kick back and relax.
Don't miss Endoji Hon-machi Shopping Street for the chance to experience local Nagoya nights.

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Bonbon Center (Showa Ward, Nagoya City)

If you're not looking hard enough, you may miss this narrow street area known as "Bonbon Center"—really like a secret hideaway. The alley is but one meter or so with a unique mix of bistros and adventure awaiting behind every door.
Long-standing businesses beloved by local regulars and new, popular places lie right before you, all easily accessible as you walk down the alley. Each offers patrons a taste of Japan you won't find at chain restaurants for a local experience letting you commune with the community.
If you want to take a deep dive into Nagoya's nights, this is one spot to add to your list.

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Imaike Shopping Street area (Chikusa Ward, Nagoya City)

The Imaike area's nights spread before you just outside Exit 2 of Imaike Station on the subway and its eastern side. This shopping street area is energetic and a departure from more orderly shopping districts. It evolved from a black market after WWII while still retaining old-fashioned, cheaper bars; well-known, established eateries; ethnic restaurants; unique bars; and a diverse array of other establishments.
Live music clubs and a cafe culture take root here like nowhere else. Walk through an establishment's doors for interaction with owners and regulars leading to lasting memories.
Boisterous neon signs light the way to good times in nighttime Imaike.

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Jingu Koji Alley (Atsuta Ward, Nagoya City)

Jingu Koji Alley sits right at the entrance to Atsuta Jingu Shrine, enjoying an atmosphere at night differing from the daytime when pilgrims come to pray. This historic town area outside the shrine premises retains a vintage appearance with your choice of everything from veteran restaurants to characteristic gastropubs lining the streets. In recent years, care has been taken to preserve the area's antique ambience while at the same time welcoming new businesses sought after by local regulars and travelers with a passion for Nagoya's nightlife.
Let lit lanterns show you the way to exhilarating conversations and experiences which only come out in nighttime Nagoya.

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Wampaku-dori Street (Toyohashi City)

Wampaku-dori Street stretches from the right side of Toyohashi Station's west Shinkansen Exit, and is affectionately known by locals as "Nishi Eki", or "Station Westside". The street fills up with shoppers on the weekend seeking an exciting atmosphere and nighttime treats. The unique "Wampaku" name comes from the area it calls home—Hanadaichiban-cho 189—with "189" alternatively pronounced "wampaku". The spot is also makes for a great piece of local trivia as even some locals are unaware of it. While this is an oasis of sorts, it's just outside the bullet train tracks and welcomes patrons on their way back from work as well as weekend travelers even into the night.
Open the doors to a tavern full of excitement, lively conversations, friendly owners, and a sense of excitement only Wampaku-dori Street can deliver for wonderful nights in Toyohashi City.

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