Nagoya Station
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The Guinness Book of Records has proclaimed it the "largest station in the world"... But what goes on in the 400,000 m2 and the two cylindrical towers of the huge Nagoya Station?
Station Overview
Nagoya is the capital city of Aichi Prefecture, and while this major city doesn't get as much publicity compared to destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, true savants of Japanese travel and culture are very familiar with the treasures that Nagoya has to offer, be it history, cuisine, or entertainment!
To explore the city of over 2 million people, the central Nagoya Station will be the primary means of access. Nagoya Station is a major depot operated by a few different organizations, primarily that of JR Central. Tracks 14 to 17 at this station are Shinkansen bullet train platforms for the Tokaido Line. Tracks 14 and 15 go towards Shizuoka and Tokyo, while tracks 16 and 17 come from Tokyo and go towards Shin-Osaka in Kansai, Kyoto, and then Hakata Station, all the way down in Fukuoka.
Also part of the JR train network out of Nagoya are the Tokaido Main Line out to Gifu and also with express trains going to Tsuruga, The Chuo Main Line that actually goes Nagano Prefecture, and the Kansai Main Line that goes towards the namesake region that actually isn't too far. The Hida Express goes from Nagoya Station, stops at Takayama in Gifu, and then goes all the way out to Toyama in Hokuriku.
Accompanying JR, the Nagoya Municipal Subway services local transit within Nagoya City. The Higashiyama Line (marked with a gold coloring) and the Sakura-dori Line (marked with a red coloring) go throughout the area, with four total tracks going to and from destinations like Fujigaoka and Tokushige.
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Around Nagoya Station
Like any stations in Japan, Nagoya Station functions as a commercial center as much as it does a transit hub. Locally, the station is called "Mei-Eki" and Nagoya residents will head to the station for department stores like KITTE and Takashimaya. Architecturally, the JR Gate Tower is the most standout structure within the station's vicinity. There is a hotel, shopping facilities, and restaurants located inside.
For a bit of a more traditional taste of Japan, the Shikemichi Historic Townscape is a charming site, filled with old shrines and temples as well as storied structures of olden-day merchants.
Exploring Nagoya, the city, is made easy with the train lines branching from the center, but the southern area of Gifu is also an easy yet unique getaway to see quiet yet charming mountain villages and dense forests.
