Hisaya Odori Park is the long, narrow park that runs down the middle of downtown Nagoya through the Sakae district, a green belt created in the postwar rebuilding of the city when a broad firebreak boulevard was turned into public space. It is a place for strolling, picnics, public art, fountains and benches, with trees shading wide paths and tall buildings on both sides. At the Sakae end stands Oasis 21, a striking complex whose elliptical glass roof is topped by a shallow pool of water, so that you can walk under or climb onto a rooftop walkway and look at the city through the rippling surface. Beneath the roof there are shops, restaurants, a bus terminal and an underground plaza. Nearby is the tower known in Japan as Mirai Tower, the former Nagoya TV Tower, a retro steel landmark that has been part of the skyline since the mid-twentieth century.
The park changes character with the hours. By day it is a pleasant way to move between the department stores, with office workers on lunch breaks and families on the lawns. By evening Oasis 21 is the real show: the glass roof glows and the water above it catches the colored light, and the open plaza below fills with people at cafes and food stalls.
The park is also the stage for the city's seasonal events, including spring flower displays, summer beer gardens and festivals, and a winter Christmas market that has become a favorite, so it is worth checking what is on when you plan a visit. Because it is free and always open, it is also the easiest way to spend a spare hour in Nagoya.
Practical planning
Sakae Station is directly below the area and is served by both the Higashiyama and Meijo subway lines, so from Nagoya Station it is a short ride of about five minutes. Hisaya-odori Station is also nearby. Allow an hour for a stroll and as long as you like for shopping and eating.
The park is open at all hours, and shops and restaurants in the surrounding complexes keep their own business hours, usually from late morning into the evening. The rooftop walkway and the tower observation deck are separate paid or timed experiences, so check current details if you want a view.
Pairing and timing
Go late in the afternoon so that you can walk the park in daylight, take in the sunset from a bench or the rooftop and then see Oasis 21 lit up after dark. It pairs well with a visit to the Osu shopping district on foot or one stop away by subway, and with dinner in Sakae, which is the center of the city's food and nightlife.
Miso katsu, hand-pulled chicken wings and many other Nagoya meals are within a few minutes' walk. If you are traveling with children, the open space is welcome after a day of museums, and the seasonal events often add a reason to go back after dark.
Visitors who like architecture should look up at the roof from the plaza below at least once, because the way the water bends the light is the reason the building is so photographed, and a few minutes of looking costs nothing. Thanks to its central position, the park is also a simple meeting point if your group splits up for the afternoon and wants to regroup before dinner.
What to expect
The experience
A free self-guided walk through a long downtown park, ending at the glass-roofed Oasis 21 complex and the tower nearby.
Best time
Late afternoon into evening, when the light is soft and Oasis 21 lights up after dark.
How long
About an hour for the park alone, longer with shopping, dinner or a seasonal event.
Tips
Check what events are on, bring a layer for the evening and pair it with dinner in Sakae.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-timers, couples and anyone who wants a free, easy and atmospheric hour in central Nagoya.
- Families
- Open lawns, fountains and seasonal events give children room to run after a day of sightseeing.
- Couples
- Sunset on the rooftop walkway and a lit-up evening stroll make an easy date.
- Pair with
- Osu Shopping District and dinner in Sakae.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
Is Hisaya Odori Park free?+
Yes. The park is open to everyone at all hours and costs nothing to walk through. Some features nearby, such as an observation deck, may have their own entry arrangements.
What is Oasis 21?+
It is a complex in Sakae with an oval glass roof topped by a shallow pool of water, a bus terminal, shops, restaurants and an underground plaza. It is especially popular in the evening, when it is lit up.
How do I get there from Nagoya Station?+
Take the Higashiyama subway line to Sakae Station, a ride of about five minutes. The park and Oasis 21 are right above the station.
When is the best time to go?+
Late afternoon through evening is the best time, because you get daylight for the park and the lights of Oasis 21 after dark. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking.
Are there seasonal events?+
Yes. The park hosts flower displays, summer beer gardens and festivals, and a popular winter Christmas market, so check the event calendar for your trip.
