Aichi: Garden Pier — Guide Tommie
June, 2025
This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 8:50am Meet at Nagoya Port Garden Pier
- 9:30-12:00pm Nagoya Castle, Honmaru Palace, souvenir shopping
- 12:30-2:15pm Osu Kannon, shopping street, Akamon-dori
- 2:50pm Garden Pier
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in pm Nagoya Castle, Honmaru Palace, souvenir shopping at 9:30, pm Osu Kannon, shopping street, Akamon-dori at 12:30 and Garden Pier at 14:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Nagoya Port to Nagoya Castle, Osu Kannon by train (760JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 760JPY per person.
What Is a Private Nagoya Family Sightseeing and Shopping Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
There had been no contact from the guests up until the day of the tour, so I began with some concern about whether the tour would actually go ahead, but the guests arrived about ten minutes before the 9:00 meeting time. The guests were a group visiting from North America. Some of the guests were very fond of shopping, especially for anime and subculture-related items, so I guided them to Akamon-dori in Osu, a street I do not usually visit. Since some of the guests appeared tired along the way, I had them relax over tea at a café in Osu, and during that time I looked for and guided others to shops selling vintage video game software and the like. Ideally I would have liked to finish by going to Oasis 21 and then heading from Sakae toward Garden Pier, but there was not enough time, so we skipped Oasis 21. At the guests' request, much of the time was spent on shopping, and I am not sure whether that was the right choice, but along with coping with the intense heat, it became a point for me to consider going forward.
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Nagoya Port～Nagoya Castle, Osu Kannon | 760JPY |
| Total | 760JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited pm Nagoya Castle, Honmaru Palace, souvenir shopping, pm Osu Kannon, shopping street, Akamon-dori and Garden Pier.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 760JPY per person across 1 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Tommie is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Aichi itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hi, I’m Tommie, a local guide based in Nagoya.
After obtaining my national guide license in 2023, I have dedicated myself full-time to guiding. What I enjoy most is introducing visitors to Japan’s unique traditions, rich culture, and everyday life through meaningful local experiences.
Nagoya may not be as famous as Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka, but that’s exactly what makes it special. As one of Japan’s largest cities, it offers a chance to experience authentic Japanese life without the crowds and tourist traps.
I fell in love with Nagoya and its unique blend of history, culture, local food, and everyday life. Having lived abroad for many years, I understand what international travelers are looking for and enjoy helping them discover a side of Japan that many visitors miss.
I look forward to sharing my favorite places and experiences with you!
Jun 17, 2025
Gina_M
Gorgeous Castle, shopping and local food.
Viator review: Nagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
Tommy was a fantastic…
Jun 17, 2025
Gina_M
Gorgeous Castle, shopping and local food.
Viator review: Nagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
Tommy was a fantastic guide! She was very patient and flexible with what we wanted to do
and see. I highly recommend!
Oct 28, 2024
avigayelk
Best of Nagoya and Best Guide!
Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
Tommy was the greatest…
Oct 28, 2024
avigayelk
Best of Nagoya and Best Guide!
Tripadvisor review: Nagoya Full-day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide
Tommy was the greatest guide! She showed me and my son all the best sites in Nagoya, accommodated our lunch preferences, took a bunch of pictures for us and was extremely informative. Thank you Tommy for the most amazing Nagoya experience. We appreciate you!!
Jun 23, 2024
25aditib
Nakasendo trail with a guide
Tripadvisor review: Magome & Tsumago Nakasendo Trail Day Hike with Government-Licensed Guide
We are so glad…
Jun 23, 2024
25aditib
Nakasendo trail with a guide
Tripadvisor review: Magome & Tsumago Nakasendo Trail Day Hike with Government-Licensed Guide
We are so glad we signed up for this experience and grateful to our tour guide for the fabulous organization. We couldn’t have done this by ourselves! We were travelling with 2 kids and mom (who is 68) and our guide for the day did a wonderful job of finding us the transfers when our group couldn’t walk. We did everything we wanted and reached our hotel at a great time too. Amazing day! Would highly recommend Japan Guide Agency’s services. A big thank you to our guide Ms Tomoko Tabata! We had a great time with her.