Due to me not paying enough attention when booking up my Japan trip next month, I've left myself with a fairly tight schedule for getting from Kyoto to Narita for my flight home. I'd need to be on the first Hikari Shinkansen out of Kyoto (JR Rail pass in use, so no Nozomi) to get to Narita Terminal 1 in time.

Therefore, I'm considering leaving Kyoto a day early and heading to Nagoya for an overnight stop as there are a few Hikari or Kodama Shinkansen that can have me arriving in Tokyo earlier (while also giving me a few extra minutes in bed!).

Is Nagoya worth visiting for just one day? Or should I stick with Kyoto until the end?

Due to me not paying enough attention when booking up my Japan trip next month, I've left myself with a fairly tight schedule for getting from Kyoto to Narita for my flight home. I'd need to be on the first Hikari Shinkansen out of Kyoto (JR Rail pass in use, so no Nozomi) to get to Narita Terminal 1 in time.

Therefore, I'm considering leaving Kyoto a day early and heading to Nagoya for an overnight stop as there are a few Hikari or Kodama Shinkansen that can have me arriving in Tokyo earlier (while also giving me a few extra minutes in bed!).

Is Nagoya worth visiting for just one day? Or should I stick with Kyoto until the end?

Hi ponder

I thought Nagoya might prove an interesting stopover and stayed there for an evening last October.

I was wrong.

This is the city where pachinko was invented. It makes perfect sense to me now.

Nearby Inuyama is certainly worth a visit (but I wouldn't actually recommend it on your itinerary). I'd advise you to stay well clear of Nagoya.

How about Yokohama instead?

How about Yokohama instead?

Or along that vein, Narita itself? Haven't personally stayed but there's enough information in this forum that makes it sound like it'd be worth spending a morning exploring. I think it's also got the advantage of cheapish hotels.

I'd advise you to stay well clear of Nagoya. How about Yokohama instead?
My current plan has me spending 6 nights in Tokyo followed by 6 nights in Kyoto, so I'll probably hit Yokohama before heading through to Kyoto in the first place. That said, it's handy for catching the Narita Express direct from Yokohama rather than transferring through Tokyo.

Many thanks for the warning about Nagoya!

Or along that vein, Narita itself?
Hmm, as obvious as that sounds I'd never considered it. Thanks for the idea!

I am spending 2 - count 'em - 2 nights in Nagoya later this month, but that is because I am arriving and departing at NGO - late arrival and mid-day departure. Otherwise, I'm with LapLap - I wouldn't bother. Having an award stay set up at the Nagoya Hilton sort of helped that decision. ;)

I agree with the others who recommend a night in Narita, coupled with a half day exploring Narita City. There are several threads here dealing with what to do and see there. I've attached two links. There are several others if you want to search the group.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=528114

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=532748

JR

This month's Hemispheres has "Three Perfect Days in Nagoya". It's online at the obvious url.

Personally, I'd recommend the Atsuta shrine. This has the same construction as the Ise Shrines (well, since you can't see those, I'm relying on hearsay and indirect observation here), and a similar atmosphere. One of the three bits of imperial regalia is supposed to be located there (the Kusanagi no Tsurugi).

As mentioned, Inuyama is within easy reach. Also the Cormorant fishing at Gifu and Meiju-mura (open air museum of Meiji-era buildings, including the lobby of Frank LLoyd Wright's Imperial Hotel). Nagoya is a good transport hub (e.g., for hiking the Nakasendo, or for visits to Takayama and Kamikochi, or the Ise Shrines themselves).