Whether you love or loathe the hustle and bustle of a big city, Nagoya is undeniably a fantastic place. There’s so much happening and so much to experience. It’s a fascinating mix of traditional and futuristic styles that creates a unique and intriguing atmosphere. One of the best ways to take it all in is to get a bird’s eye view. Throughout the city, there are tall buildings that you can access, and from their observation decks, you can see everything.
Chubu Centrair Flight Deck
The Chubu Centrair Flight Deck differs from the other observation decks mentioned here. It is not as high as the city decks, but it is a 300-meter-long observation deck at Chubu Centrair International Airport. Instead of looking down on the streets below, you can enjoy watching planes take off from a close distance of just 300 meters. On clear days, you can see the shoreline of Mie Prefecture and ships sailing to and from Nagoya Port, and during dusk, you can witness the beautiful sunset beyond Ise Bay.
Where: Tokoname-shi, Centrair, 1 Chome−１ (map)
Website: centrair.jp
Higashiyama Sky Tower
The Higashiyama Sky Tower is a prominent feature of the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens complex in the western part of Nagoya. The tower stands tall at 134m and is situated on a hill at the park’s center. Visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view of the park, the western part of Nagoya, Mt. Ontake, Mt. Ibuki, and the Central Alps mountain range from the tower’s observation deck and restaurant at 100m.
Where: 1-8 Kameiri, Tashiro-cho, Chikusa-Ku, (map)
Website: skytoweren.sblo.jp
Midland Square
Midland Square is the tallest building in Aichi prefecture and the fifth tallest in Japan, measuring 247 meters (810 feet) in height. The Sky Promenade, an open-air observation deck, is located between the 42nd and 46th floors and offers a nearly 360-degree view of the city from a height of 220 meters above the ground. On clear days, feel the wind whistle around you as you take in the stunning sights of the JR Central Towers, Nagoya Castle, and Nagoya Port. The observation deck is open in the evenings until 21:00 in January and February, until 22:00 from March to June and October to December, and until 23:00 from July to September. From 7 pm onwards, a fine mist is sprayed every half an hour, which refracts the cityscape’s lights, providing a mesmerizing display.
Where: 4 Chome-7-1 Meieki, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 450-0002 (map)
Website: midland-square.com/english
Nagoya Port Building Observatory
The Nagoya Port Building Observatory is truly a unique and fascinating structure that has to be seen in person to be fully appreciated. Despite its unconventional design and relatively low observation deck height of 53 meters, its view is worth the trip to the southern part of the city. The entire port area has been revamped and provides many stunning views of the city, especially when it’s illuminated at night and extends to the sea. Once you’ve taken in the panoramic vista, head to the third floor to visit the Nagoya Marine Museum (Nagoya Kaiyo Hakubutsukan).
Where: Minato Ward, Minatomachi, 1−9 (map)
Website: pier.nagoyaaqua.jp
Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER (Nagoya TV Tower)
Nagoya TV Tower is the oldest of its kind in Japan. Standing tall at 180 meters, it is one of Nagoya’s most recognizable structures. The tower features two main observation decks: the indoor Sky Deck at 90 meters and the outdoor Sky Balcony at 100 meters. Both decks offer a breathtaking 360-degree view of Sakae, including popular attractions such as Oasis 21, Sunshine Sakae, and the Nagoya cityscape. Although the tower stopped transmitting TV signals in 2011, it continues attracting many tourists thanks to its stunning nightly illuminations.
Where: Naka Ward, Nishiki, 3 Chome−6−15 (map)
Website: nagoya-tv-tower.co.jp
Photo: Tomio344456, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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