A Food Blogger guide to Japan: Nagoya, Takayama, Kanazawa

This post will be split into 3 parts.

Part 1: Nagoya

Part 2: Takayama

Part 3: Kanazawa

Part 1: Nagoya

The intention for my second trip to Japan is to explore cities beyond Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, which I had visited earlier. I initially planned to arrive and depart from Nagoya, but I found the flight schedule from Osaka more convenient for my return.

I spent half a day at Nagoya, 2 days each in Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Osaka.

Some guidelines 

I love amazing food experiences, but I’m also practical when traveling abroad. I organize my itinerary by areas, covering food spots, markets, iconic sights, hikes, and malls efficiently. I don’t rush—I finish exploring one area before moving on to the next.

⭐️I usually don’t make reservations because my priority is to explore as many places on foot as possible. The food spots I’ve saved are all great, so I don’t worry about missing out. If something catches my interest, I’ll make a note to check it out later in the trip.

⭐️My preferred way of traveling is by using public transport and walking

⭐️I begin my day around 7 a.m. Singapore time, waking up naturally, and typically wrap up around 9 to 10 p.m.

⭐️ I’m quite flexible with my dining choices and rely on my extensive list to ensure I make good selections. Even if my list includes five ramen shops, for example, I’ll skip the ramen if I’ve already had it recently, and opt for something else. Having a detailed list of ramen shops by area allows me to stay flexible and make the best choice for each meal.

Please feel free to let me know if you have any thoughts or recommendations etc!

Area: Nagoya 

• Nagoya castle (43 min walk, 15 mins bus)
• Noritake Garden (20 mins walk)
• Donguri Republic - Donguri Kyowakoku (Ghibli Store)
• Nagoya station [Yamamotoya (udon), Maruya (unagi), Nadai Kishimen Sumiyoshi (JR Nagoya Station Tracks 10-11), Maruya Honten - JR Nagoya Station store, 居酒屋 鶴八 名古屋駅前本店
• Izaka, Mitsuemon, 金鯱酒場 名駅西口店, 居酒屋 天海 名駅西口店, Shinjidai Meiekinishiguchiten, 立呑み 魚椿 本店, Shinjidai Tsubakicho, Shinjidai Tsubakicho]
• Yanagibashi Central Market (close wed) (15 mins walk)
• Nagoya Sogo Market (close sun)
• ほぼ栄駅一番出口のれん街 izakaya
• Yamamotoya udon
• Atsuta Houraiken Matsuzakaya Branch unagi, Misokatsu Yabaton Yaba-cho Honten unagi
• Osu Shōtengai Shopping District
• Osu Kannon temple (35 mins walk)
• Unafuji unagi
• Atsuta Jingu Shrine
• Shirotori Garden (31 min bus)
• Atsuta Horaiken Main Restaurant unagi
• Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens (30 mins bus ride)

Part 2: Takayama 

• Miyagawa Ryokuchi Park
• Sakurajaya (must go 11am izakaya)
• Luvit Town Takayama 10am mall
• Takayama Sky Park
• Miyagawa Morning Markets
• Takayama Old Town
• Hida Kotte Ushi sushi
• The old townscape of Hidatakayama Sanmachi Historic District
• Takayama Pudding Tei
• Sanmachi Suji street
• Funasaka Sake Brewery
• Takayama Jinya
• Suzuya Restaurant
• Hidagyu Maruaki (must go beef)
• Heianraku chinese restaurant
• Matsuki-Ushi (must go beef)
• Matsuki Sushi
• Takayama Castle Ruins

Part 3: Kanazawa 

• 廻る寿し ぽん太 sushi (10am-3pm on weekdays except wed)
• Mori Mori Sushi Fujie
• Morimori Sushi
• Kanazawa Forus shopping mall
• Hakuichi Kanazawa Hyakubangai Store
• Tsuzumi-mon Gate
• Takasakiya sushi
• Hotel: Hotel Pacific Kanazawa, Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa (10min bus, 19 mins walk from station), HOTEL MYSTAYS Kanazawa Castle (5 mins walk)
• Shogyotei nice meal
• Higashi Chaya District
• Hakuichi Higashiyama
• Kazuemachi Chaya District
• Omicho Market
• Mori Mori Sushi Omicho
• Omicho Ichiba Sushi
• Ichinokura 11am izakaya
• Omicho Shokudo seafood
• Nokabanzai Ichibaya Omicho Sohonten
• Takasakiya Sushi
• Kourin Sushi 香りん寿司
• Kanazawa castle (21 min bus, 25 mins walk)
• Hakuichi Kenrokuen Store
• Kenrokuen Garden Katsurazaka Gate
• 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
• Nishi Chaya District
• Myouryuji temple
• Yorozuya Honpo Kabura Zushi food souvernir (18 mins bus, 19 mins walk)
• Ramen Kagura