Where to Stay in Nagoya? Comparing Nagoya Station, Fushimi, and Sakae for Travelers

Planning your first trip to Nagoya, Japan? One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is where to stay.

Many first-time visitors automatically start looking for hotels near Nagoya Station.

And that makes sense. If you’re traveling by Shinkansen (bullet train) or other trains, staying near Nagoya Station is extremely convenient.

However, Nagoya is a large city with several distinct neighborhoods.

Nagoya Station is the city’s major transportation and business hub, while Sakae is one of its main shopping, dining, and entertainment districts.

And Fushimi is conveniently located between Nagoya Station and Sakae.

When choosing a hotel in Nagoya, it’s worth thinking about more than just how close it is to the station. Choosing an area that matches your travel plans can make getting around the city much easier.

In this guide, we’ll compare three of the best areas to stay in Nagoya for visitors: Nagoya Station, Fushimi, and Sakae.

Understanding Nagoya’s Main Areas: Nagoya Station, Fushimi, and Sakae

If you’re visiting Nagoya for the first time, here’s a simple way to understand the city’s layout.

Nagoya Station ← Fushimi → Sakae

Depending on your travel style, here’s how to choose:

• Taking the Shinkansen to Tokyo, Kyoto, or another city the next morning? → Stay near Nagoya Station.
• Want to explore restaurants, shops, and Nagoya’s nightlife after checking into your hotel? → Stay in Sakae.
• Want convenient access to Nagoya Station while also enjoying shopping and sightseeing around Sakae? → Stay in Fushimi.

This is a useful starting point when deciding where to book your hotel.

Nagoya Station is the city’s main railway hub and an important business district.

Sakae is a lively commercial and sightseeing area known for shopping, restaurants, and exploring the city on foot.

Fushimi sits between the two, offering a convenient balance of transportation and city exploration.

Nagoya Station: Best for Shinkansen Travel and Transportation

The area around Nagoya Station is one of the city’s major business districts and its most important transportation hub.

Several railway networks connect here, including Meitetsu Railway, Kintetsu Railway, JR conventional lines, the Tokaido Shinkansen, and Nagoya’s subway system. This makes it an excellent base for traveling to other parts of Japan.

For example, if you’re planning to:
・Stay one night in Nagoya before taking the Shinkansen to Tokyo or Kyoto the next morning
・Use Nagoya as a base for day trips to other destinations by train

Staying near Nagoya Station can save you time and make traveling with luggage much easier.

Sakae: Best for Shopping, Restaurants, and Nightlife

Sakae is one of Nagoya’s main shopping, dining, and entertainment districts.

The area is packed with department stores, shopping complexes, restaurants, and places to explore, making it a great choice for visitors who want to experience Nagoya beyond its train stations.

One of the biggest advantages of staying in Sakae is that you can check into your hotel and then head out on foot for dinner, shopping, or an evening stroll.

Rather than treating your hotel simply as a place to sleep between train journeys, you can use it as a base for enjoying the city itself.

If you want to make the most of Nagoya’s restaurants, shopping, and lively city atmosphere, Sakae is well worth considering.

For travelers who enjoy exploring a city at their own pace, Sakae can be an excellent place to stay.

Fushimi: A Convenient Location Between Nagoya Station and Sakae

Fushimi is located between Nagoya Station and Sakae, making it a convenient area for visitors who want access to both.

Fushimi Station is on the Higashiyama Subway Line, providing direct connections to both Nagoya Station and Sakae.

This makes Fushimi a practical choice for travelers who want the transportation convenience of Nagoya Station without giving up easy access to Sakae’s shopping and dining areas.

Perhaps you want to take a train from Nagoya Station during the day but enjoy dinner and shopping in Sakae in the evening.

If that sounds like your travel style, consider including Fushimi in your hotel search.

Direct Airport Limousine Bus from Chubu Centrair International Airport to Sakae and Fushimi

If you’re planning to stay in Sakae or Fushimi, there’s another important factor to consider: how to get there from Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO).

Meitetsu Bus operates the Centrair Limousine airport bus, which departs from Chubu Centrair International Airport Terminal 1,
Bus Stop No. 6 at the Access Plaza.

The bus serves the following stops in central Nagoya:

Nagoya Tokyu Hotel
→ Sakae
→ Nishiki-dori Hommachi
→ Nagoya Kanko Hotel

These stops provide convenient access to hotels in the Sakae and Fushimi areas.

In other words, if you’re staying in Sakae or Fushimi, you can travel from the airport without having to transfer to the subway at Nagoya Station or another railway station.

For international visitors arriving with large suitcases, being able to reach your hotel area directly from the airport without changing trains or buses can make the journey much more comfortable.

→ [Read more: How to Get from Chubu Centrair International Airport to Sakae – Train, Bus, or Taxi?]

Centrair Limousine Bus: Route and Service Information

Where Should You Stay in Nagoya? Don’t Limit Your Search to Nagoya Station

When visiting Nagoya for the first time, it’s easy to assume that staying near Nagoya Station is always the best option.

But the most convenient area really depends on what you want to do during your trip.

Choose Nagoya Station if convenient train travel is your top priority.

Choose Sakae if you want to enjoy shopping, restaurants, and exploring Nagoya on foot.

Choose Fushimi if you want easy access to both Nagoya Station and Sakae.

If you’re flying into Chubu Centrair International Airport, don’t compare hotels based on room prices alone.

Think about your entire travel route:

Airport → Hotel → Sightseeing, Shopping & Dining → Hotel

Choosing a hotel that fits your overall itinerary can help you spend less time transferring between trains and more time enjoying Nagoya.

Staying in Sakae or Fushimi? The direct airport limousine bus from Centrair is a convenient, hassle-free option!

Centrair Limousine Bus: Route and Service Information

Online Booking & E-Tickets (WILLER)

Reviewed by Hidekazu Takahashi | Certified General Travel Itinerary Manager / Certified Domestic Travel Services Manager

With cooperation from Meitetsu Bus