NAGOYA, Japan, Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- From September to October, top athletes from 45 countries will compete at the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 and Asian Para Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, held mainly around Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. Nagoya is a major city ranking just behind Tokyo and Osaka, offering visitors everything from history and anime pilgrimage sites to incredible food and cutting-edge shopping — making it hugely popular with travelers visiting Japan. And there's one especially efficient way to make the most of everything Nagoya has to offer — the "Aichi-Nagoya OPEN TOP BUS", running for a limited time only from Friday, September 18 through Saturday, October 24, during the Games. Ride in the open air on a roofless double-decker bus and take in Nagoya's major sightseeing spots in just about an hour. Here are the two unmissable routes you can only experience right now!
The open-top bus running through Nagoya by night. Available for a limited time only — with distinctive routes for both day and night.
The view from aboard the open-top bus. Enjoy Nagoya, one of Japan’s leading cities, from a whole new vantage point high above the streets.
Left: Nagoya, the stage for the Asian Games and Asian Para Games, is also packed with sightseeing spots of its own.
Top right: Tour around Nagoya without ever leaving your seat — an efficient way to take in all the highlights.
Bottom right: The night tour, with its atmosphere so different from daytime, is highly recommended too.
Left: Inuyama Castle — a National Treasure and one of Japan’s foremost castles — is within easy day-trip distance from Nagoya.
Top right: The KINKAZAN ROPEWAY offers a convenient way up to Mount Kinka, with sweeping views over Gifu City. At the foot of the mountain, you can also enjoy food-stall hopping.
Bottom right: Takayama, one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations, is also conveniently accessible from Nagoya.
Two Handpicked Routes — Day and Night — to Match Your Travel Plans
The biggest draw is the sweeping 360-degree panorama from your special seat about 3 meters above the ground. It lets you capture plenty of dramatic photos and videos only possible during the operating period — to cherish wonderful memories of your trip. Both routes depart from and return to the easily accessible area in front of Nagoya Station (Meieki Parklet).
[Day Course] Take In Nagoya's Classic Panoramic Views!
This popular, classic route takes you around must-see landmarks in the city center. Two departures run each day, with a total ride time of about 60 minutes. During the bus tour, you will also be able to get off at the final landmark "Nagoya Castle" and explore at your own pace.
[Night Course] A Thrilling Expressway Drive & Spectacular Night Views
Enjoy an exhilarating ride along the city expressway, plus close-up views of Nagoya's dazzling illuminated skyline. Two departures run each day, with a total ride time of about 85 minutes.
Route: Nagoya Expressway → Oasis 21 Park → Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER (TV Tower) → Nagoya Castle, the Aichi Prefectural Government Office, and Nagoya City Hall → the high-rise buildings around Nagoya Station, and more
The bus runs daily from Friday, September 18 through Saturday, October 24, 2026. Tickets can be purchased on the official "Aichi-Nagoya OPEN TOP BUS" website. Don't miss your chance for a photo opportunity from the very special seats available only this fall!
Combo Ticket Sets from Nagoya Station: Smooth,Seamless Access to Nearby Sightseeing Spots!
If you'd like to use Nagoya as your base and explore the surrounding area, we recommend the Inuyama and Gifu areas, both especially popular among visitors from across Asia.
[Inuyama Castle Town] Inuyama Castle, a National Treasure, boasts Japan's oldest wooden castle keep. In the surrounding castle town, which still retains its Edo-period charm, you can visit Sanko Inari Shrine — known for its blessings of matchmaking and money luck — and enjoy some food-stall hopping along the way.
[KINKAZAN ROPEWAY] This ropeway climbs to the summit of Mount Kinka, the symbol of Gifu City. It's popular for views that combine the natural beauty of the majestic Nagara River with the cityscape of Gifu spread out below.
[Takayama] Home to Hida Takayama's historic townscape and well-known hot spring resorts, this area is also a gateway to the World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go, making it explosively popular with international visitors.
Meitetsu (Nagoya Railroad) sells combo ticket sets that make access to these nearby sightseeing areas much more convenient. Through Meitetsu, you can purchase, all at once, the different transportation tickets (train and bus) you'll need to travel from Nagoya to each sightseeing area — saving you the time and hassle of lining up at separate ticket counters. Trains also accept QR-code tickets, so you can ride seamlessly with just your smartphone. There are also plans that bundle in admission fees for facilities like Inuyama Castle, perfect for anyone hoping to enjoy sightseeing across multiple areas. This year, why not make Nagoya the heart of your journey through Japan?
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