I will be spending a weekend in Nagoya in a couple of weeks and would like to know if anyone has suggestions for ‘non touristy’ things to do. I have already been there a couple of times before and have pretty much visited all of the main attractions; so this time I would like to spend more time getting away from the crowds and visiting the lesser known areas. Any guidance or tips would be greatly appreciated.

what sorts of things do you enjoy doing?

If you do a search on past posts, there was someone who posted about an interesting neighborhood near the main train station. I can't recall the details, though.

I like wandering through Ōsu, which is an interesting mix of an ordinary Japanese shopping arcade, Akihabara, and Harajuku.

There are other recommendations I could make, but it would help to know where you have already been.

I thought Nagoya was already "non-touristy."

Perhaps you'd want to check out some Brazilian restaurants? IIRC, even though the Brazilian populations are greater in Hamamatsu and Toyota, you can get a sampling of the influence in Nagoya.

The castle in Nagoya is totally non-special. It seems to me to be representative of the tourist attractions of Nagoya in that regard.

Have you done a day excursion from Magome to Tsumago? You take the train to Nakatsugawa and at that station get a bus to Magome. I found Magome to be quite touristy, but if you don't get off at town center, the bus continues to the "upper parking lot." There at the end of the line, you disembark and hike to Tsumago on the old Nakasendo trail. Tsumago feels way more authentic and interesting. Doing it in that direction, the hike is mostly gently downhill after the first uphill trek to the summit. From Tsumago, you can easily taxi it back to the nearby mainline station and train it back to Nagoya.

Meiji Mura in Inuyama is one of Japan's most underrated attractions.

Probably won't appeal to OP since he's looking to get away from crowd. But I'll mention it anyways. Nakajima Onsen complex is a pretty fun place with onsen, amusement rides, shopping outlet, anpanman museum (if you have little kids), etc. Great place to go with family. Probably not so much if you're by yourself.

+1. Osu area/arcade might be Nagoya's top attraction.

Went there over 30+ years ago. I was probably only 6 or 7. Glad it still exists.

I believe that castle is a recreation, but it is actually very impressive nonetheless. Castle-view room at Nagoya Castle Hotel is very memorable.

Thank you everybody, lots of good ideas coming.

I really enjoyed having a cup of coffee in the FLLW Imperial Hotel lobby in Meiji Mura a few years back. That building alone was worth the trip!

I just stooped by there. Amazing place!