The sun went down and the lights turned on.
It’s time to experience the nightlife.
Often, when you travel to Japan, you pack most of your activities during daytime, but when the lights go out, the other side of Japan awakes. This side transforms everything and you can experience a completely different atmosphere.
You will be wondering what “regular nightlife” is like for a local? Depending on the day of the week and the kind of person you ask there are different ways of spending a regular night.
For example, for a company worker, the nightlife during weekdays starts when work finishes, around 18:00, 19:00 or maybe 20:00 (21:00 or even 22:00). Most of them go in groups with their coworkers and spend the night dining and drinking until the last train (around 23:00 or midnight). After this, some decide to take the shuden (last train) to go home. Only a few choose to continue enjoying the night and go to another Izakaya or Karaoke, or maybe a club.
| NOTE: Most public transportation in Japan does not run all night. Buses tend to finish in most areas around 23:00, and the majority of trains will have reached their last stop by 24:00. |
Nagoya’s bars and clubs can tell us a lot about its nightlife. Compared to other Japanese cities, Nagoya has its own culture and has many unique night spots. Going out at night in Nagoya is more convenient than other big cities such Tokyo or Osaka, where you have to look at a map and try hard finding clubs, bars, and other locations that are all over the place. In Nagoya everything is concentrated in one or two areas.
Easy Peasy!
The wide variety of options when going out at night puts forth a whole range of experiences for both tourists and Nagoyenses. Sightseeing, dining, partying or just chilling out. Make your choice.
First, Fill Your Belly With the Best Local Food at an Izakaya.
Most Japanese nights out, start with drinks and a meal at an Izakaya.
Prices typically fall within affordable ranges. Izakaya could be your best option when thinking about mixing with Japanese local people.
Find out about Nagoya local food in this article.
| NOTE: Most Izakaya have a cover charge called “Otoshi” that is actually a small dish you are served upon seating. |
Kanayama Komachi
Opened December 2019, this new Japanese-old-town-themed commercial facility has over 16 restaurants. You will enjoy the atmosphere while tasting delicious foods and drinks.
Kanayama Komachi (金山小町)
Entry Fee: free
Cover charge: Varies depending on the place
Average price: Varies depending on the place
Opening Hours: Varies depending on the place
Address: 4-6-9 Kanayama, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0022
Foreigner friendly: ★★★★☆
Website | Google Maps
Hopping Over to a Bar.
Nagoya has all kinds of bars, from major chains to tiny bars. Many of them are themed. You can find british-style, american-style, etc. Actually, most bars tend to be foreigner-friendly.
BJ American Dining Bar
This is one of the best American-style bars in Nagoya with pole dance shows every night. BJ American Dining Bar has a classy and friendly atmosphere spiced with a sexy touch given by professional pole dancers and an exciting bartender fire show.
BJ American Dining Bar (アメリカンダイニングバー ビージェイ)
Entry Fee: free
Cover charge: none
Average price: 700 yen
Opening Hours: Mondays to Thursdays and Sundays 17:00 – 2:00; Fridays and Saturdays until 3:00
Address: 3-14-22 Miyagi Building 1F, Nishiki, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0003
Foreigner friendly: ★★★★☆
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Bar Mexigan Sakae
The Mexigan is a fast food mexican restaurant and sports bar. Enjoy a Corona and tacos in a relaxed atmosphere. During Amigo Hour (17:00 – 19:00) enjoy your favourite drink for only half the price.
Bar Mexigan Sakae (バー メキシガン栄)
Entry Fee: free
Cover charge: none
Average price: 500 yen
Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Thursdays 17:00 to 3:00 ; Fridays and Saturdays until 4:00 ; Sundays, Mondays and holidays until 1:00
Address: 3-19-27 Sunstained Building 1F, Nishiki, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0003
Foreigner friendly: ★★★★☆
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
HUB Nagoya Sakae
This British-style pub is a perfect choice for casual drinks, meet-up parties and also for spending an evening watching football. It has a good selection of food and drinks for a reasonable price.
HUB Nagoya Sakae (HUB 名古屋栄錦通り店)
Entry Fee: free
Cover charge: none
Average price: 500 yen
Opening Hours: Mondays to Thursdays 16:00 to 1:00; Fridays and Saturdays until 5:00; Sunday until midnight; Happy hour 16:00 – 19:00 daily
Address: 3-22-7 ARK Building 1F, Nishiki, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0003
Foreigner friendly: ★★★★★
Website | Google Maps
Shooters Sports Bar & Grill
Nagoya’s largest American sports bar is very popular among expats and draws a very international crowd in the evenings. It has many big screens so you won’t miss anything about your favourite game, and also pool and darts. The bar menu includes mouth-watering burgers, hearty pasta and spicy Tex-Mex.
Shooters Sports Bar & Grill (シューターズ)
Entry Fee: free
Cover charge: none
Average price: 2,000 yen
Opening Hours: Mondays to Thursdays 17:00 – 1:00, Fridays 17:00 – 3:00, Saturdays 11:30 – 3:00, Sundays 11:30 – 1:00
Address: 2−9−26 Paula Nagoya Building, Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0008
Foreigner friendly: ★★★★★
Website | Google Maps
Banging Nagoya’s Nightclubs until late.
When the clock strikes 12:30 it is time to go straight to the clubs. Sakae and Shin-sakae are the areas where the clubs are practically concentrated, and the area is generally safe.
Before going, check the event line-up through the website of the club and see who the DJs are.
Many of Nagoya’s clubs also offer dance performances such as hip-hop, house dance or bebop. And it attracts a large number of dancers from the area as well.
| NOTE: Don’t go before midnight, or you will find an empty club. Japanese locals show up around 12:30 – 1:30. |
Club Mago
Club Mago is one of the night clubs in Nagoya with a high-quality sound system. Club Mago has two dance halls, Mago and Live & Lounge Vio.
Mago hall focuses mainly on techno and house music, while Live & Lounge Vio offers live dance and music.
Club Mago (クラブマーゴ)
Entry Fee: Varies depending on the event
Cover charge: none
Average price: 600 yen
Opening Hours: 19:00 till late depending the event
Address: 2-1-9 Unryu Flex West Building B2F, Shin Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi, 460-0007
Foreigner friendly: ★★★★☆
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Club JB’S
Club JB’S is one of the most popular places for Nagoya clubbers.
It has a wide range of club music, from Hip Hop, House, Dance, Eurobeat to J-pop, Rock, Jazz, even Animesong and Vocaloid. Club JB’S hosts live concerts, dance performances and the most famous international DJs.
Club JB’S (クラブ・ジェービーズ)
Entry Fee: 1,500 yen to 3,500 yen depending on the event
Cover charge: none
Average price: 600 yen
Opening Hours: Varies depending on the event
Address: 4-3-15 Marumi Tourist Building B1F, Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0008
Foreigner friendly: ★★★★☆
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Put on Your Dance Shoes. It’s Time to Shake Your Body.
Dancing the night away in a disco in Japan is a true experience.
Unlike clubs, Nagoya discos cater to an even younger crowd. Some discos go all night while others close by the last train. Music trends are clearly leaning towards commercial EDM. And they are more foreigner-friendly compared to the clubs.
Clubs and discos in Japan base their price on gender. Pricing is usually significantly more expensive for men than for women. There is often free entry for women during early hours.
| NOTE: Bars and izakayas here never ask for ID, but most clubs and discos do check ID at the door, so don’t forget your passport or resident card ID or you don’t be allowed to go inside. |
Orca Nagoya
Orca Nagoya is located in the 11th and 12th floor building next to the Don Quijote 24 hours store.
It has 3 main rooms, the top 20 DJ is the main room, the hip-hop room, and the EDM room. The 12th floor is the VIP area and has a sophisticated and relaxed atmosphere. Orca Nagoya is one of those places where foreign and Japanese people mingle. Their parties have the most popular national and international DJs of the club scene such as Steve Aoki or DJ Kaori. And if you are there until closing you will receive a discount for Club Sango, which is the Orca after party club.
Orca Nagoya (オルカ ナゴヤ)
Entry Fee: Varies from 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen depending on what time you arrive; free for ladies including one drink from 19:00 to 21:00
Cover charge: none
Average price: 500 yen
Opening Hours: Sundays to Thursdays 19:00 – 1:00; Fridays and Saturdays until 3:00
Address: 3-17-15 Nishiki, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0003
Foreigner friendly: ★★★★★
Website | Google Maps
The Emporium
The Emporium, a London-style nightclub, is one of the best clubs in Nagoya with great music and vibrant vibes. Enjoy the ambient, the food and drinks.
The Emporium (ジ・エンポリアム)
Entry Fee: 1,000 yen with two drink tickets for ladies; 1,500 with two drink tickets for men (2,000 yen on weekends)
Cover charge: none
Average price: 500 yen
Opening Hours: 20:00 – 3:00; closed Mondays and Thursdays.
Address: 3-10-14 Pivot Lion Building 9F, Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0008
Foreigner friendly: ★★★★★
Website | Google Maps
Sing Like a Mermaid (Or at Least Try) All Night Long in a Karaoke Box.
If you aren’t that great a dancer at all, you can try to sing in a Karaoke box like Japanese locals do. And even if you don’t sing like a mermaid, inside a Karaoke box you don’t have to worry about the eyes of the people around you. Many people in Japan go to Karaoke boxes as a way to relieve stress, and it’s a lot of fun to get loud and make noise in a big group. You also don’t have to worry about the closing time since many places remain open until morning.
Karaoke centers come in different types, but in general, they have a private booth or room, with sofas and you can order drinks and light food.
The typical major karaoke chains are:
- Big Echo
- Joysound (Japanese only)
- Karaoke Kan (Japanese only)
- Joy Joy (Japanese only)
- Jankara
You can find most of them around Nagoya Station and around Sakae.
Every Karaoke box has its own unique characteristics, so pick the karaoke box that works best for you!
Check the Schedule and Grab Your Tickets, Prepare for Nagoya Live Music.
Nagoya’s live music side has a wide range of cultural performances at its concert halls, clubs and Ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurants).
Club Quattro
Club Quattro is a live music venue that offers all genre live music with Japanese singers and bands that are in their early career.
Club Quattro (クラブクアトロ)
Entry Fee: Varies depending on the event
Cover charge: none
Average price: Varies depending on the event
Opening Hours: Varies depending on the event
Address: 3−29−1 Nagoya PARCO East Building 8・9F, Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0008
Foreigner friendly: ★★★★★
Website | Google Maps
Zepp Nagoya
Zepp Nagoya is a famous live music venue in Nagoya that boasts the largest dance hall in Nagoya, hosting both Japanese and international artists live concerts. If you are looking for a good live concert take a look at their schedule.
Zepp Nagoya (Zeppホールネットワーク)
Entry Fee: Varies depending on the event
Cover charge: none
Average price: Varies depending on the event
Opening Hours: Varies depending on the event
Address: 4-60-7 Hiraikecho, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 453-0872
Foreigner friendly: ★★★★☆
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Ryōtei Kawabun
Commonly known as Kawabun, it is a traditional Japanese restaurant located in the heart of Nagoya that has more than 400 years of history.
Kawabun holds a cultural performance called “kawabun Cultural Night”, a special event aimed at anyone, whether Japanese or foreigner, who has the curiosity to know about the traditional world of Geisha.
Ryōtei Kawabun (料亭河文)
Entry Fee: 5,000 yen per person. Includes one drink and snacks.
Cover charge: none
Average price: Lunch 10,000 yen, Dinner 20,000 yen
Opening Hours: 21:30 – 23:00 (time of the event)
Address: 2-12-19 Marunouchi, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0002
Foreigner friendly: ★★★★★
Website | Google Maps
Wait, Wanna More Sophisticated Late-Night Experience?
If you are seeking upscale nightlife you should check out the skyscraper’s lounge bar in the center of the city.
Sky Lounge ZENITH
Located on the 52th floor of the Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel, hotel inside Nagoya Station. The Sky Lounge ZENITH offers a sophisticated atmosphere while enjoying a stunning view of Nagoya city.
Sky Lounge ZENITH (スカイラウンジ ジーニス)
Entry Fee: free
Cover charge: 17:00 to 20:00 500 yen/person; from 20:00 1,250 yen/person
Average price: Lunch 4,400 yen, Dinner 6,500 yen
Opening Hours: Mondays to Fridays 13:00 – 24:00, Saturdays and Sundays 11:30 – 24:00
Address: 1-1-4 Meieki, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 450-6002
Foreigner friendly: ★★★★★
Website | Google Maps
Blue’dge
Located on the 41st floor of the Midland Square building, this elegant bar is the perfect place for a relaxed evening while enjoying your drink with a panoramic view of Nagoya.
For lunch and dinner they serve delicious french style food cooked with the freshest seasonal ingredients. Pay attention to the original cocktails.
Blue’dge (ブルーエッジ)
Entry Fee: free
Cover charge: Lunch 200 yen/person, Dinner 1,000 yen/person
Average price: 6,000 yen
Opening Hours: 11:00 – 14:30, 17:30 – 23:00
Address: 4−7−1 Midland Square, Meieki, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 450-0002
Foreigner friendly: ★★★★☆
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
And, after spending the night away partying, if you want to spend it like a local, it’s not complete without a bowl of Ramen.
It may sound unhealthy, but Ramen is usually the first option for those who have been drinking all night, before catching the first train of the day.
