- Torikai: Nagoya Castle's Award-Winning Chicken & Egg Bowl Delight
- Experience Nagoya's finest at Torikai near Nagoya Castle. Savor the award-winning Nagoya Cochin oyakodon, perfect for families and solo diners. Easy access and local flavors await!
Introducing Kinshachi Yokocho: A Popular Food District Adjacent to Nagoya Castle
Right in front of Nagoya Castle lies a culinary destination where traditional Nagoya cuisine meets innovative modern creations.
Welcome to Kinshachi Yokocho. From classic Nagoya staples like miso-stewed udon, Nagoya Cochin chicken, and miso-katsu to trending newcomers serving Japanese-style lasagna and creative kushiage (deep-fried skewers), this food district is a must-visit alongside your Nagoya Castle exploration.
This guide covers all shops in both zones of Kinshachi Yokocho—the Yoshinao Zone and Muneharu Zone—along with tips for making the most of your visit.
Kinshachi Yokocho
Kinshachi Yokocho opened in 2018 as a gourmet town directly connected to Nagoya Castle. It consists of two areas: the Yoshinao Zone near the main gate and the Muneharu Zone near the east gate, with a total of 20 shops.
The name comes from the golden shachihoko (mythical dolphin-fish) that adorns Nagoya Castle tower. This district brings together the finest restaurants worthy of this iconic Nagoya symbol.
Muneharu Zone (East Gate Area)
The Muneharu Zone is located near the east gate. With themes of innovation and change, this area features modern restaurants and cafes serving creative kushiage and fusion sushi. Each shop showcases a contemporary Japanese aesthetic.
Stylish and Creative: High-Quality Modern Nagoya Cuisine All in One Place
Every restaurant in the Muneharu Zone delivers exceptional quality. Beyond taste, the presentation is Instagram-worthy and the interiors are equally impressive.
These 8 carefully selected establishments were chosen to represent Nagoya Castle. The Muneharu Zone is a culinary showcase of rising stars leading modern Nagoya cuisine—a parade of noteworthy restaurants pushing the boundaries of flavor.
| Shop Name | Genre | Hours | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y | Japanese - style Lasagna | 11:00 am–7:00 pm | Specialty lasagna by a chef ranked among the worlds top 100 |
| KINSHACHIYAKI | Sweets | Weekdays 11:00 am–6:00 pm Weekends & Holidays 10:00 am–5:00 pm | Golden fish - shaped cakes, mitarashi dango, strawberry soft serve, and golden shachihoko soft cream |
| Ankake Taro | Ankake Spaghetti | 11:00 am–10:00 pm | Popular spot for Nagoyas signature B - grade gourmet dish: thick spaghetti with savory sauce |
| Kinshachi Sushi | Creative Sushi | 11:00 am–3:00 pm 5:00 pm–11:00 pm | Seasonal creative sushi with unique dishes featuring Nagoya miso |
| Fujiyama 55 Kinshachi Yokocho | Ramen & Tsukemen | 11:00 am–3:00 pm 5:00 pm–10:00 pm | Rich seafood tonkotsu broth with house - made noodles |
| saien (vegetable cafe & seafood bar) | Vegetable & Seafood Cafe | 10:30 am–8:00 pm | High - quality dishes that go beyond typical cafe fare |
| Creative Kushiage Tsuda | Kushiage (Deep - fried Skewers) | 11:00 am–3:00 pm 5:00 pm–10:00 pm | Authentic creative kushiage from a Michelin - featured chef |
| cafe diner POP OVER | Cafe Diner | Weekdays 9:30 am–5:00 pm Weekends & Holidays 9:30 am–6:00 pm | Popular for ice - aged steak matured at -1°C to concentrate umami |
Yoshinao Zone (Main Gate Area)
The Yoshinao Zone is located near the main gate. With themes of tradition and authenticity, this area offers classic Nagoya cuisine alongside shops selling local sake and souvenirs. The lineup centers on long-established restaurants.
The Yoshinao Zone recreates the atmosphere of an Edo-period townscape, offering a sense of historical charm.
Legendary Nagoya Restaurants United: A Dream Collaboration
The Yoshinao Zone brings together all of Nagoyas famous local specialties: Nagoya Cochin chicken, hitsumabushi (grilled eel), miso-stewed udon, miso-katsu, and miso dengaku (grilled tofu with miso).
What makes this area truly special is the caliber of restaurants. These are not just any shops serving Nagoya classics—they are the most prestigious long-established restaurants in the city. This dream lineup was only possible because of Nagoya Castle.
The Yoshinao Zone is a miraculous food destination where you can taste the finest Nagoya cuisine, shaped by tradition and history.
| Shop Name | Genre | Hours | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jūdaime Gisuke | Aichi Sake Specialty Shop | 9:30 am–5:30 pm | Local sake, plum wine, craft beer and more from Aichi Prefecture |
| Yamamotoya Sohonke Kinshachi Yokocho | Miso - stewed Udon | 10:30 am–5:30 pm | Historic miso - stewed udon restaurant established in 1925 |
| Torikai Sohonke Kinshachi Yokocho | Nagoya Cochin Chicken | 10:30 am–5:30 pm | Exceptional oyakodon made with Nagoya Cochin, one of Japans top three chicken breeds |
| Hitsumabushi Nagoya Bincho Kinshachi Yokocho | Hitsumabushi (Grilled Eel) | Weekdays 10:30 am–5:30 pm Weekends & Holidays 10:30 am–3:30 pm, 4:30 pm–7:00 pm | Nationally famous eel restaurant serving the highest quality hitsumabushi |
| Yabaton Nagoya Castle Kinshachi Yokocho | Miso - katsu | 10:30 am–5:30 pm | Legendary miso - katsu restaurant with over 70 years of history |
| Owariya | Pickles (Moriguchi - zuke, Fish Kasuzuke) | 10:30 am–5:30 pm | Pickle shop with over 150 years of history since 1869. Dine - in available. |
| Kawaguchi | Nagoya Tofu (Miso Dengaku) | 10:30 am–5:30 pm | Historic tofu shop since 1934 serving the finest miso dengaku in Nagoya |
| Shachi Jojo | Souvenir Shop | 10:00 am–5:30 pm | Features a life - sized golden shachihoko replica created in 1957 |
| Nagoya Chaya | Japanese Sweets | 10:30 am–5:30 pm | Traditional Japanese cafe with warabi mochi, anmitsu and excellent ambiance |
| Ebisen Maru | Rice Crackers | 10:00 am–5:30 pm | Seafood crackers made with shrimp, bonito and squid. Premium snacks that pair perfectly with sake |
| Tokugawa Chubei | Owari Soba & Tendon | 10:30 am–5:30 pm | Owari soba from the Tokai region and miso tendon made with authentic Hatcho miso, featuring local Aichi ingredients |
| Essahoisa | Traditional Crafts & Light Meals | 10:00 am–5:30 pm | Traditional crafts, ceramics, tenmusu rice balls, and Kinshachi Dog hot dogs |
I highly recommend the Tokusen Nagoya Cochin Oyakodon at Torikai Sohonke. From the chicken and eggs to the egg yolk and rice, every element showcases the exceptional flavor of Nagoya Cochin.
Read more about Torikai Sohonke
Yoshinao Zone for Lunch, Muneharu Zone for Dinner and Drinks
Looking at operating hours, most traditional restaurants in the Yoshinao Zone close around 6:00 pm.
If you want to dine in the Yoshinao Zone, plan to visit for lunch.
The Muneharu Zone has many restaurants open from noon until around 10:00 pm, making it suitable for both lunch and dinner. With cafes available, it is also a great spot for a break.
All restaurants here are popular, so expect crowds especially on weekends and holidays. For lunch in the Yoshinao Zone, making a reservation in advance is recommended.
Savor Nagoyas Signature Cuisine at Nagoya Castle
Kinshachi Yokocho is a culinary destination that encapsulates Nagoyas food heritage. The traditional flavors in the Yoshinao Zone represent the pride of Nagoya, preserved by generations. Meanwhile, the creative cuisine in the Muneharu Zone showcases the innovative talents shaping Nagoyas future.
This coexistence of time-honored classics and contemporary creations is one reason why Kinshachi Yokocho has become so popular.
Access to Kinshachi Yokocho is by bus or train. Since it is adjacent to Nagoya Castle, directions are the same as for the castle.
Read more about Access to Kinshachi Yokocho (Nagoya Castle)
Traditional Nagoya classics or innovative new creations—which would you choose? Visit Kinshachi Yokocho and discover your favorite.
