The sun went down and the lights turned on. It’s time to experience the nightlife. When traveling to Japan, you often fill your days with daytime activities. However, when night falls, a whole new side of Japan comes to life. Everything transforms, creating a completely different atmosphere that you can experience and enjoy.
You might find yourself curious about what a local’s “regular nightlife” entails. Depending on the day of the week and the person you are asking, there are various ways people spend their typical evenings. For example, for a company worker, the nightlife during weekdays starts when work finishes, around 18:00, 19:00, or maybe even later than 20:00. 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 shūden (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 in other big cities such as Tokyo or Osaka, where you have to look at a map and try hard to find 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 Nagoyans. Sightseeing, dining, partying or just chilling out. Make your choice.
Article Contents
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’s 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 in 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
Hop 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.
Bar Mexigan Sakae
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 favorite 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: Mondays to Thursdays 17:00 to 1:00; Fridays and Saturdays until 2:00; Sundays and holidays until 24:00
Address: 3-19-27 Sunstend 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 17:00 to 11:30; Fridays and Saturdays until 3:00; Sundays until 11:00; 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 offers a pool, darts, and numerous big screens, ensuring you won’t miss a moment of your favorite game. The bar menu includes mouth-watering burgers, hearty pasta, some hard-to-find Mediterranean dishes, and spicy Tex-Mex. The staff is very friendly and they are also quite accommodating if you have any dietary restrictions.
Shooters Sports Bar & Grill (シューターズ)
Entry Fee: free
Cover charge: none
Average price: 2,000 yen
Opening Hours: Sundays to Thursdays 17:00 – 24:00, Fridays and Saturdays 17:00 – 2:00
Address: 2−9−26 Paula Nagoya Building, Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0008
Foreigner friendly: ★★★★★
Website | Google Maps
Enjoy 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 nightclubs 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 on 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, and Eurobeat to J-pop, Rock, Jazz, and 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: ★★★★☆
Instagram | 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 on 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 on the 11th and 12th floor of the building next to the Don Quijote 24-hour 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 in 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: [Part 1] Weekdays 20:00 – 1:30 / Weekends 20:00 – 2:30 [Part 2] Weekdays 6:00 – 8:00 / Weekends 6:00 – 9:00
Address: 3-17-15 Nishiki, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0003
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 the 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 one 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 genres of live music with Japanese singers and bands that are in their early careers.
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
Wait, Want a 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 52nd floor of the Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel, a 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. The original cocktails are worth taking a look at.
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 – 14:00, 17:30 – 23:00
Address: 4−7−1 Midland Square, Meieki, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 450-0002
Foreigner friendly: ★★★★☆
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
After a night of partying, experiencing the local way of life is incomplete without savoring a bowl of ramen. While it may not sound like the healthiest choice, Ramen tends to be the go-to option for those who’ve been out drinking all night before catching the first train of the day.
Hi Elisabeth.
There’s a cool natural wine bar with a superb audiophile sound system call Paradise. Check it out. Will be there on Nov. 25 with my wines from my vineyards in Nagano.
Do you mean the “Paradise Nature wine&vinyl” shop?