There’s something about Nagoya I really connect with. Comparing it to other cities doesn’t quite do it justice; it has its own distinct character. It’s not frantic like Tokyo or trying too hard to be trendy like Osaka. Nagoya offers a really appealing blend of city life – beautiful parks, the impressive Castle, a lively baseball scene, great food, and just a generally pleasant atmosphere. It feels like a solid, real city with its own cool rhythm.
My arrival this time was via Shinkansen from Osaka, pulling into the vast Nagoya Station. Getting from the station to the Hilton was straightforward. You can hop on the Higashiyama subway line one stop to Fushimi (a ~3-5 minute ride costing approx. ¥210 / $1.40 USD) and then it’s just a short walk, or a quick taxi ride which usually takes 5-10 minutes and costs around ¥1000 – ¥1500 JPY / $6.50 – $10 USD. This ease of access after the train journey was part of an unexpected detour, having cut short a trip in Seoul due to unfolding events there. Nagoya became the logical first stop, meeting up with friends. On a previous visit, I’d stayed at the Courtyard Marriott, which was excellent, but I’d often walked past the Hilton Nagoya in the downtown area, and it always projected a certain quality. Coupled with generally positive experiences at other Hiltons in Japan, it felt like the right choice for this visit.
It really is the little things that make a difference when you’re travelling, isn’t it? Japan seems to get that better than most places these days. The concierge at the Hilton Nagoya, for instance – remembered names pretty much straight off, helped sort out bikes, dinner spots, ideas for getting around. Felt genuinely helpful. Walking into the hotel, it’s got that high-end feel. Restaurant off to the left, reception clear on the right, plenty of space to sit if you needed to wait, though check-in was quick and smooth for me. No complaints there.
The room itself felt familiar if you’ve stayed in other Japanese Hiltons, like the one in Shinjuku. A solid mix of modern comforts with some Japanese styling touches. From what I gather, the room layouts are generally quite similar across the standard types. Mine was impeccably clean, well-maintained, thoughtfully laid out, and equipped with all necessary amenities. It provided a genuinely comfortable and reliable personal space.
The Hilton Nagoya’s location is one of its strong points. Situated squarely in the Sakae/Fushimi downtown district, it’s right in the heart of Nagoya’s main bustle. This makes exploring the city center incredibly easy. Many key attractions are comfortably within walking distance. For instance, the landmark Nagoya TV Tower and the unique Oasis 21 complex are about a 15-20 minute walk (roughly 1-1.5 km) away. Nagoya Castle, while a bit further, is still a reasonable walk of about 25-35 minutes (around 2-2.5 km), or easily reachable by a short taxi ride (likely costing approx. ¥1000 – ¥1500 JPY / $6.50 – $10 USD). The city feels very manageable from this base. As mentioned, Fushimi Subway Station is conveniently just a few minutes’ walk (approx. 3-5 mins) from the hotel entrance, putting you one stop from Nagoya Station and offering great connectivity across the city via the Higashiyama and Tsurumai lines.
Beyond the immediate city, the hotel also served surprisingly well as a base for some more ambitious day trips by car. We ventured out towards Nara Prefecture, specifically the historic Asuka region, which turned out to be quite feasible. The drive down took roughly 2 to 2.5 hours each way (around 160-180 km), mostly smooth sailing on expressways. Our targets were some of Japan’s truly baffling ancient megaliths. We stood inside the Ishibutai Kofun, essentially the massive stone skeleton of a 7th-century tomb, its enormous roof stones making you wonder how on earth they moved them. Nearby, we found the utterly enigmatic Masuda-no-iwafune, the “Rock Ship of Masuda” – a colossal carved granite block, maybe 800 tons, sitting on a hillside with strange lattice patterns carved into its top. Nobody really knows what it was for – a failed tomb? An astronomical marker? It just sits there, radiating mystery. Seeing things like that, so ancient and puzzling, then driving back to the modern comfort of the Hilton made for quite the contrast and really rewarding day trips.
This particular stay didn’t involve any major upheavals or dramatic moments. It was a more straightforward experience focused on enjoying Nagoya, connecting with friends, and having a truly comfortable and well-serviced hotel to return to each evening. The Hilton Nagoya delivered precisely on its promise of quality and reliability. The service was consistently good, the room provided genuine comfort, and the location proved ideal for exploring the city center. Sometimes, dependable quality and convenience are exactly what you need from a hotel, and the Hilton Nagoya provided that without fault. It felt like a solid, recommendable choice for a stay in the city.
Hilton Nagoya: Key Facts at a Glance
- Location: Prime spot in the Sakae/Fushimi downtown area, Nagoya’s central business, shopping, and entertainment district.
- Transport Access: Short walk (approx. 3-5 mins) to Fushimi Subway Station (Higashiyama & Tsurumai Lines), offering direct access
- Airport Access (Centrair – NGO): Options include the Centrair Limousine Bus (often stops nearby, ~50-80 mins, ~¥1300-¥1500 /
8.50−8.50−10 USD) or Meitetsu train to Nagoya Stn (~30-40 mins, ~¥1250+) then short transfer to hotel. Taxi is expensive (~¥15,000+ / $100+ USD). - Nearby Attractions: Walking distance to Nagoya TV Tower, Oasis 21, Nagoya City Science Museum. Nagoya Castle accessible (~25-35 min walk or short taxi ride ~¥1000-¥1500 /
6.50−6.50−10 USD). - Hotel Amenities: Features multiple dining options (Genji, Inplace 3-3), an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, sauna, tennis courts, and often an Executive Lounge.