Suzuka Circuit
Another big reason for me to visit Nagoya is its proximity to Suzuka. Being a Formula One fan, one of my bucket list items is visiting all the tracks and Suzuka Circuit is one of them. After picking up some breakfast from a nearby convenience store, I head to the train station to head to Suzuka Circuit. Suzuka is about an hour train ride from Nagoya so with a late morning departure I get there around noon. From Suzuka, I hop on a local bus for a half hour ride to the circuit. At other F1 tracks I’ve visited in the past, it’s mainly just the track and the regular motorsport facilities associated with it. But the cool thing about Suzuka is they’ve built a whole Amusement Park around it! Not only will people have an incentive to visit for motorsport events, but when there isn’t an event people can still visit and enjoy the park!
The Suzuka F1 Track
While the amusement park is a surprise and neat to see. The main purpose of my visit is still the Formula One track. So I head over to that part of the park first and spend time exploring it. While walking along the grandstand and the starting grid a bunch of street cars line up and start to take laps around the track. Normally, it’s cool enough just to walk around the track, but to actually see cars race around adds something to it! There’s quite a bit of access available to the public too. You can walk through a series of tunnels to get to distant parts of the track and get to different viewpoints. This is a far cry from other tracks where you may only be limited to just the grandstand. So kudos Suzuka!
Honda Racing Gallery
Suzuka Circuit is also home to the Honda Racing Gallery. Honda has been involved with F1 racing for decades. The Honda Racing Gallery is an exhibit showcasing a lot of their past power units and cars from different generations. One of the highlights is sitting right in the lobby when you enter: The Red Bull RB16. This is Max Verstappen’s 2021 World Driver’s Championship Winning Car. I remember sitting at home watching this controversial race and seeing this championship unfold in Abu Dhabi! So it’s actually pretty neat to see the car in the flesh! Deeper within the gallery are other Honda powered cars. This includes iconic Maclaren cars driven by Prost and Senna and even more recent versions from Alpha Tauri. On the bottom floor is a temporary exhibit dedicated to Japanese driver Takuma Sato. He had driving stints in Formula One and is the first Asian driver to win the Indy 500. So it’s pretty neat to him celebrated.
Yuki Tsunoda
At present, there is another Japanese driver racing in Formula One named Yuki Tsunoda. As I am wandering the park, I see a fence line that is dedicated to him and his career. Along the fence there are posters of his early karting career. And as you walk along there is a poster for every race and result he’s had this year with the last one being in Abu Dhabi where he finished in twelfth. I think its really cool that at his “home” track in Japan they celebrate him so much and keep track of his progress for all to see.
After walking around a little bit more, I decide to start making my way back to Nagoya. I consider grabbing some lunch at the park but because of the bus schedule I decide to take the mid afternoon bus. I opt to pick up a vending machine corn soup to spell me in the meantime. I’ve never had this before and wanted to try and I’m glad I did. It’s actually pretty tasty. I don’t know why we don’t have something similar in North America!
Hongo Tei Ramen
With Suzuka Circuit in my rearview mirror, I hop on the train in Suzuka for the hour and a half long journey back to Nagoya. By the time I get back its about time for dinner and I head to a nearby ramen shop called Hongo Tei. I have a delicious ramen and some tasty Gyozas which really hit the spot. After a long day out, this is a really satisfying meal and I finish everything!
After dinner, I stroll through some Nagoya streets and check out a few stores before heading back to my hotel. Because Lamplight Books is also a cafe, I grab a nightcap along with a super cool branded cookie before heading up to my room for a very relaxed evening in. Soon the desire for sleep takes over and I drift off with another day in Nagoya ahead tomorrow.
Yabaton
With no concrete plans for the next day, my intention is to stroll around Nagoya and explore a little. With a more relaxed start I head near Nagoya station to a restaurant called Yabaton. One of the food items that Nagoya is popular for is Miso Katsu and Yabaton is a common recommendation for it. After a quick line up, I quickly get a seat and order. I really enjoy katsu so I’m really looking forward to this meal and it doesn’t disappoint. The Miso sauce on the Katsu is tasty and gives it a unique taste and I’m really glad to be able to check this off the list!
Osu Shopping District
After lunch, I make my way over to the Osu Shopping District. This is a cool area lined with different shops and eateries which is perfect to take an afternoon stroll through. I take my time popping into different stores and checking out the things on offer. At one end of the district is the Osu Kannon Buddhist temple. It’s a rebuilt temple and the area is quite pretty. I continue to stroll through the neighbourhood and slowly meander my way back to my hotel. Since I don’t really have much of a schedule its nice just to wander through different streets of Nagoya and seeing different sites!
On my way back to my hotel, I pick up a few snacks from a nearby Kombini. I chill out at my hotel in the afternoon and take it a bit easy!
Ekikama Kishimen
In the evening I head out for dinner. My aim this time is Ekikama Kishimen. Kishimen is another item that is unique to Nagoya and something I want to try! It’s a thicker noodle in soup and by now it’s safe to say that noodles in soup are a favourite of mine! This restaurant is at Nagoya station so its not very far from me and very convenient. As its a little chilly in the evening, the warm broth and noodles really hit the spot!
After dinner, I spend a bit of time walking around the department stores around the Nagoya station area. One of the great things about Japanese train stations is they are a hub of shopping and food. You can spend a lot of time exploring the train stations without ever hopping on a train! I spend some time checking out the different floors of the department store before starting my way back to my hotel.
Tebasaki
On my way back, I still wanted to get one more Nagoya food item: Tebasaki. It’s a peppery chicken wing that you can get at different eateries and I decide to get some take out wings from Yamachan. It’s a popular chain in Nagoya and I grab some on my way to the hotel. I get back to my hotel, and enjoy my late night snack while watching some TV. In all honesty it’s a bit more peppery than I expected but still enjoyed it! So would recommend giving it a try if you’re in Nagoya.
Soon enough it’s time for me to call it a day, and I hit the hay. I am leaving Nagoya tomorrow, but still have some morning plans to visit a train museum!