I visited ‘Japan's most boring city' and found it was the opposite
Nothing, as it turns out.
All those articles, all that fear-mongering, everything I was told about Nagoya was so blatantly wrong. It made me wonder if this was all a strategic ploy by the locals to keep us tourists away but no, the locals were friendly, welcoming, and more than happy to share the joys of their city.
I knew Nagoya was a good time when I arrived at the train station next to my hotel. I left the gate, walked about 10 metres, and found myself in an underground passageway lined with about a dozen tachinomis, or standing bars.
One of these tachinomis was run by a gaggle of old women. They were hidden behind sinister jars of fruit liquor, working in a space no bigger than a bathtub as they cooked food that would make Japanophiles weep and poured beers into frosty glasses. I hadn't even made it to my hotel yet and I was already two beers deep, enjoying some of the best tamagoyaki (rolled omelettes), oden (hot pot), and sashimi of the trip.
This was not a boring experience. Quite the opposite, in fact, and was made even less so by the women behind the bar who kept cracking jokes at my expense. None of the eclectic regulars there spoke English, and my Japanese is mediocre at best, but we didn't let that get in the way of our good time.
If there is one thing that Nagoya is known for, other than being boring, making cars, and having a nice castle, it's probably the Nagoya breakfast. It's a breakfast meal whereby, after ordering a drink, you'll receive a slice of thick-cut toast, a piece of fruit and half a boiled egg or something for free.
There are other fancy add-ons like adzuki beans and yoghurt but sometimes, all you need to soak up a train station-related hangover is buttered toast that comes for free with a gigantic vat of coffee.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
Sampling whites in a wine cave at Chateau Gaudrelle in France's Loire Valley
Since my first-ever proper wine tasting - in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales in the mid-2000s - I've enjoyed trips to wineries and cellars across the globe. And most visits, from South Africa to Italy, Argentina to New Zealand, have followed a similar pattern: after being shown the wine-making process in varying detail, you enjoy, say, three or four tipples, usually with eyes gazing (increasingly blurringly) over the vineyards. Yet today's wine tasting experience in the Loire Valley of France is very different and ensures I won't forget it in a hurry (or jumble it together with hazy memories of other wine quaffing sessions). The venue is not some antique or shiny winery with merry vistas over fields of grapes, but an actual cave. It's dug into the cliffs that proliferate in the Loire Valley, formed from the local tuffeau limestone that has been mined for centuries and helped construct the region's famous chateaux. Many of the artificial caves created by the quarrying were turned into places of residence and storage. While some of these so-called troglodyte caves became dwellings, others were used for maturing and ageing wines. Stepping into the dimly-lit, barrel-studded wine cave at the Chateau Gaudrelle, an estate just outside the city of Tours, the first thing that strikes us is the drop in temperature. Inside it's a constant 13C, year round. There are also earthy, musty aromas. The humidity levels are high - moss clings to the craggy walls - and it's no surprise to learn that these are ideal growing conditions for mushroom farms. Leading this afternoon's wine tasting is Paul, a friendly Frenchman who speaks good English and explains that we'll be enjoying the fruits of the Vouvray AOC - one of the oldest appellations of the Loire Valley, where viticulture has thrived since at least the 4th century. Both white and red grapes are grown in this region, but the former is the more dominant and this family-owned organic vineyard exclusively plants the chenin blanc grape, also called pineau de Loire here. I had no idea it was so versatile. And nor, it seems, do my fellow travellers, all from Australia and more accustomed to chardonnay, semillon or sauvignon blanc. We're served seven different chenin blanc wines, from sparkling to sweet with several dry and semi-dry tipples in between. 'This grape has a diverse personality,' says Paul. 'If we had sauvignon blanc, we could make good dry wines at least, but it would be difficult to make others.' He explains how the terroir and the weather inspire contrasting vintages. Some grapes are planted in purely limestone soils near the Loire river, others in clay and flint stone soils, yielding varying levels of acidity. Also influencing the lightness and crispness of the vintage is the amount of sunshine and rainfall. Some years are warm and dry, others milder and damper. '2022 was the driest season we've had, 2024 was the wettest. So two extremes. The climate is going a bit crazy,' says Paul, who adds: 'We have to adapt to the conditions we get. Last year we picked the grapes in late September but because of the warmer start to this year, we may pick in late August.' Finishing the last of our drinks, we bid Paul 'merci' and 'au revoir', and step (OK, slightly stumble) out of the cave into the light and warmth of this early summer's day. We're heading back to our hotel now. Some of the group are planning to relax by the pool. Others will take a nap. And by the sounds of it, many of us are looking forward to more wine at dinner. After this afternoon's chenin blanc fiesta, a glass of red will be lovely. + Steve McKenna was a guest of Albatross Tours. They have not influenced this story, or read it before publication. + A visit to a Loire Valley wine cave is on the itinerary for Albatross' La Grande France Tour, which begins in Paris and ends in Nice. The 2025 tour lasts 16 days and is priced at $10,987 per person (based on two sharing) or $14,087 (solo). There are departures on August 17 and August 31, 2025. For the 2026 itinerary, which has three extra nights, and starts on May 17, June 7, August 23, September 13, the tour costs $15,887 per person (twin) and $20,887 (solo). See + If travelling the region independently, you can book wine tastings at Chateau Gaudrelle, Tuesday to Saturday. See + To help plan a trip to France, see
West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
Going solo in Japan ... 7 reasons why it's a top spot
Ohitorisama. This Japanese word means 'party for one' – a celebration of being solo. And, with the rise and rise of the solo and single traveller, the Japan National Tourism Organisation sees the synergies. For it is perfectly acceptable – normal – to venture alone into standing sushi bars, stay in small single rooms in capsule hotels and even sing 'karaoke for one'. A JNTO spokesperson says: 'The concept of spending time alone has been somewhat of a cultural evolution in Japan, spurred by younger generations and a nation with one of the world's highest rates of single-dweller households. 'This is the ultimate destination for independent travellers keen to embrace the Japanese version of 'me time'. 'For solo travellers ready to combine cultural immersion and superb scenery with a journey of self-discovery, personal freedom and the chance to pursue their passions, Japan ticks all the boxes.' And the JNTO team has identified these seven reasons that Japan is ideal for solo travellers, in their own words … It's super safe Japan consistently ranks among the top 10 countries in the world for safety , and with a lively entertainment scene and fantastic public transport, you won't be alone exploring after dark or travelling by train. Cute capsule hotels Don't need much space? Just somewhere clean, compact and convenient to lay your head? Then check out one of Japan's many capsule hotels , which often also include communal spaces to connect with fellow solo travellers, speedy wi-fi, luggage storage spaces and tasty snacks. There are also female-only capsule hotels or female-only floors in both capsule and more conventional hotels for women travelling independently. Adventures after dark From tachinomi (standing bars) serving local beer, sake and affordable snacks, to the rise of single-person karaoke parlours such as 1Kara in response to growing demand from those who want to belt out a tune or two on their own terms in the privacy of their own booth, Japan's nightlife offers diverse options for individual travellers. independent travellers. Memorable meals There's no stigma attached to dining solo in Japan, in fact, there are style of dining specifically designed for it. From standing sushi bars, known as tachigui, where solo diners can enjoy authentic, affordable sushi to ramen restaurants where diners sit side-by-side between partitions watching the chefs in action, there's no need to miss out on a magnificent meal if you're travelling solo. Even yakiniku restaurants have evolved to welcome solo diners by adding personal grills at the counter to cook your own sizzling cuts, whilst conveyor belt venues make it easy to mingle with fellow diners. Slick public transport Japan's train network is second to none: clean, reliable and on time, literally down to the second. You can easily navigate to the right station entrance with Google Maps and pay using your phone by downloading the Welcome Suica Mobile app (iPhone only). Cultural experiences From art galleries and museums to temples and creative classes in everything from calligraphy and lacquerware to silk painting and sushi-making, there are endless cultural and historic activities to enjoy as a solo traveller, and many are free. Wellness for one Onsen bathing is delightful as a solo activity, providing an opportunity to enjoy the serenity and focus on self-care and wellness. Most onsen offer single-sex bathing options, and some ryokan and onsen towns also allow bathers to book a kashikiri buro (private bath) for the ultimate solo soak. If you have a tattoo, no worries, there are tattoo friendly onsens too.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Win a 21-day Inspiring South America tour*
Discover South America's essence on this adventure through Argentina, Brazil, and Peru. Highlights include Iguazu Falls and a two-night Amazon stay in an eco-friendly lodge. Visit Lake Titicaca's indigenous communities and experience the vibrant cultures of Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, and the Sacred Valley's ruins. The tour also features an iconic train ride from Ollantaytambo to the foothills of Machu Picchu. All sightseeing, including entry fees, is covered as per the itinerary, and you'll be fully escorted by English-speaking guides (excluding internal flights). Your culinary needs are also taken care of with daily breakfast, four lunches, and two dinners, including a traditional Brazilian lunch at a local churrascaria, an all-you-can-eat barbeque. Valued at up to $34,452, one subscriber and their companion will win a 21-day tour with Inspiring Vacations on either February 4, 2026 or June 17, 2026, including 18 nights of accommodation in 3 and 4 star hotels and return economy international flights. The prize includes: Return international airfares Small, intimate group experience – no more than 20 people Two days exploring Peru's Amazon Jungle 18 nights in 3 & 4-star hotels, including 2 nights at an eco-friendly Peruvian Amazon lodge Breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 2 dinners All internal flights, coach, rail and boat transportation Fully escorted by English-speaking guides in each region (excluding on internal flights) Incredible sightseeing including entry fees as per itinerary To enter this competition complete the form below and in 25 words or less, answer the question: 'Why would you love to tour South America with Inspiring Vacations?' Enter by Saturday, August 30 at 11:59pm AEDT to be in the running. Make sure you're in the running to win the South American adventure of a lifetime. Entrants must be able to travel on the tours commencing February 4, 2026 or June 17, 2026.
