Happy New Year! And Happy New Decade!
2020 the year of the Tokyo Olympics. What an amazing year it will be.
But this is a post about January 2020, for awesome things to do in the time of the Olympics in summer you still have to wait a little bit more.
So, are you looking for things to do in Nagoya in January?
Below you will find a curated list of Nagoya events and Nagoya festivals that are going on in January 2020. I have included only events that are of interest to foreigners, events that are in English or do not require any understanding of the Japanese language.
If you are looking for things to do in Nagoya in general check out this post. For ideas on what to do in Nagoya with kids, click here.
*Note: If there is an event you would like me to add to this list please let me know in the comments!*
Nagoya Meshi Food Tour
What? 3 hour group food tour about the local Nagoya cuisine with lots of interesting information on food and Nagoya.
When? daily 2:30 p.m.
Where? Sakae
How Much? 12.000 yen
-> More Info Here
Osu Street Food Walking Tour
What? 3 hour group food tour in the Osu district. Try delicious street food and learn about the history and culture of Nagoya.
When? daily 11:00 a.m.
Where? Osu
How Much? 5.000 yen
-> More Info Here
Nagoya Castle Yakai Meets New History
What? Beautiful art projection mapping on Nagoya Castle’s Honmaru Palace showing the past, present, and future of Nagoya created by creative group 1→10.
When? Dec 14. 2019 – Jan 13. 2020, 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Where? Nagoya Castle
How Much? 1200 yen
-> More Event Info Here (Japanese only)
Cultural Night with Geisha at Kawabun Restaurant
What? A unique experience to interact with real Geisha in Nagoya during a night of performance and games.
When? May 5. 2019 – Mar 31. 2020, 9:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Where? Kawabun
How Much? 4500 yen incl. 1 drink and snack
-> More Event Info Here
teamLab★Future Park and Animals of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives
What? A phantastic exhibition of digital art with flower animals and mezmerizing colors.
When? Nov 30. 2019 – Feb 16. 2020, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. closed Mondays and Dec 29. – Jan 3.
Where? Nagoya City Science Museum
How Much? 1500 yen
-> More Event Info Here
Non-ice Skate Rink at Oasis 21
What? Ice skating fun for the whole family at this non-ice skate rink in Sakae.
When? Nov 23. 2019 – Mar 1. 2020, weekdays 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., weekends 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where? Oasis 21
How Much? weekdays 900 yen, weekends 1200 yen, children 500 yen
-> More Event Info Here (Japanese only)
Meieki Avenue Illumination
What? Illumination of Meieki Avenue on the east side of Nagoya Station.
When? Nov 6. 2019 – Jan 13. 2020, 5:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Where? Meieki Avenue from Sakura-dori exit rotary to Sasashima intersection (where the Hirokoji Avenue Illumination starts)
How Much? free
Hirokoji Avenue Illumination
What? Illumination of the 4 kilometer long Hirokoji Avenue. Along the way you will find illuminated artwork.
When? Oct 26. 2019 – Jan 15. 2020, 5:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Where? Hirokoji Avenue from Nagoya Station (crossing of Hirokoji-dori and Meieki-dori) to Shin-Sakae (crossing of Hirokoji-dori and Aoi-cho)
How Much? free
Symphony Toyota Building Illumination
What? Illumination of the trees leading to the entrance of the Symphony Toyotoa Building at Nagoya Station.
When? Nov 6. 2019 – Feb 14. 2020, 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Where? Symphony Toyota Building
How Much? free
->Website (Japanese only)
Nagoya Central Garden Illumination
What? Champagne-golden illumination with animals at the entrance, on the grass and at the many store fronts of Central Garden.
When? Nov 1. 2019 – Mar 14. 2020, illumination 4:30 p.m. – 11:15 p.m.
Where? Nagoya Central Garden
How Much? free
-> Website (Japanese only)
Nagoya Lucent Tower Winter Illumination
What? The plaza and the entrance of Lucent Tower near Nagoya Station will be decorated with about 45,000 lights, creating a fantastic world.
When? Nov 6. 2019 – Jan 31. 2020, 5:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where? Nagoya Lucent Tower
How Much? free
-> Website (Japanese only)
Nadya Park Christmas
What? Winter illumination at the entrances as well as live music at the 2nd floor atrium of the Nadya Park shopping center.
When? Nov 15. 2019 – Feb 23. 2020, illumination 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Where? Nadia Park
How Much? free
-> Website (Japanese only)
Blossa Winter Illumination 2019
What? An elegant illumination to attract adults with pink golden lights.
When? Nov 20. 2019 – Feb 14. 2020, illumination 4:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Where? Blossa
How Much? free
-> Website (Japanese only)
Sakae Minami Osu Winter Illumination
What? The central street of Nagoya leading from Sakae to Osu will be decorated with blue lights on all trees.
When? Nov 15. 2019 – Feb 23. 2020 5:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Where? Otsu-dori Street
How Much? free
Hoshigaoka Terrace Winter Illumination
What? Expansive Christmas illumination at the Hoshigaoka Terrace shopping center with Christmas trees and other objects as well as lights twinkling all around.
When? Nov 16. 2019 – Feb 29. 2020, 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Where? Hoshigaoka Terrace
How Much? free
-> More Event Info Here (Japanese only)
Tokugawaen New Years Event
What? Various events held at Tokugawaen for Christmas and New Years. There will be pine decorations as well as a Christmas concert.
When? Dec 13. 2019 – Jan 13. 2020, 9:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. closed Mondays
Christmas concert Dec 22. 2019 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
Where? Tokugawaen Garden
How Much? 300 yen
-> Website (Japanese only)
First Sunrise at Midland Square Sky Promenade
What? An unforgettable place to enjoy the first sunrise of the year is the Sky Promenade on top of Midland Square. The highest building in Tokai.
When? Jan 1. 2020, 5:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Where? Midland Square
How Much? 750 yen
-> Website (Japanese only)
Hatsumoude in Nagoya
What? The first shrine or temple visit of the year. People pray for a prosperous new year at their local shrine or temple. Especially popular in Nagoya are Atsuta Shrine and Osu Kannon.
When? Jan 1. – Jan 3. 2020
Where? Temples and shrines across Nagoya
How Much? free
Nagoya Noh Theater New Year Special Performance
What? A special Noh Theater performance to welcome the new year. Including an English audio-guide to help understand the performance.
When? Jan 3. 2020 from 1:00 p.m.
Where? Nagoya Noh Theater
How Much? Reserved 5200 yen, non-reserved 4100 yen (+500 yen at the door)
-> Website (Japanese only)
New Year Orchid Exhibition
What? The best time to see orchids with 500 plants to view as well as orchid growing workshops.
When? Jan 4. – Jan 8. 2020, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where? Hisayaodori Garden Flarie
How Much? free
-> Website (Japanese only)
Tokashinji at Atsuta Shrine
What? A ritual said to have originated in the Heian Period where dancers pray for good fortune and the coming of spring.
When? Jan 11. 2020, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where? Atsuta Shrine
How Much? free
-> Website
Chinese New Year Festival
What? A festival held to celebrate the new year on the lunar calendar. Highlights include performances of dance, music, and acrobatics.
When? Jan 11. – Jan 13. 2020, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where? Hisaya Hiroba Square
How Much? free
-> Website (Japanese only)
89th Meifu Bonsai Exhibition
What? An exhibition of over one hundred of the most beautiful variations of bonsai trees, the second oldest such event in Japan.
When? Jan 10. – 12. 2020, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where? Fukiage Hall
How Much? 500 yen
-> Website (Japanese only)
Snow Festival
What? Play in the snow at this Snow Festival in Nagoya. Because it doesn’t really snow in Nagoya the snow is importet from neighboring Gifu Prefecture.
When? Jan 28. – Feb 19. 2020, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where? Moricoro Park
How Much? 1500 yen
-> Website (Japanese only)
Whiskey Lovers Nagoya 2020
What? An event for whiskey lovers in Nagoya gathering interested people, pub and bar owners, dealers, importers, and makers of whiskey. Highlights are tastings, workshops, and bagpipe performances.
When? Jan 19. 2020, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where? Nagoya Trade and Industry Center
How Much? 4000 yen (5000 yen at the door)
-> Website (Japanese only)
Osu Antique Flea Market (Regular)
What? A bustling flea market selling antiques and trinkets. Popular with locals and tourists looking for a bargain or souvenir to take home. (More regular markets in Nagoya here)
When? 18th and 28th each month
Where? Osu Kannon
How Much? free
-> More Event Info Here
In love with Japan and its amazing food, Lena wants to share her passion with the world. That’s why she started Nagoya Foodie. To teach about Nagoya, her adoptive home online through blog posts and offline through unique food tours.
