On my first day, I was waiting for a train on the wrong platform.
So yes, there was a little figuring things out before I settled into the laid-back Japan trip I had in mind.
If you asked me whether Nagoya is worth visiting, I’d say yes. My experience felt different from the other destinations I’ve been to in Japan, partly because I chose to stay in Tsushima, Aichi, outside Nagoya itself.
We rented a house in a quiet neighborhood. Getting to the train station meant a 15-minute walk. There were local coffee shops to try, a wagyu restaurant nearby, and the sound of passing trains that I could hear from Airbnb.
It was the kind of stay where I started enjoying the everyday routine of being there.
Settling into a house in Tsushima
Our Airbnb was an entire two-story house with two bedrooms, a living room, and a dining area. There was enough space to work, too.
In a way, it reminded me of our stay in Niseko, Hokkaido. We rented an entire house there, too, and did plenty of walking. This time, there was no snow. The two places had their own distinct feel, but having a house to come back to and getting around on foot felt familiar.
I liked having that space. Somewhere we could settle in, spend time together, and come back to after going out. Since work is also part of how I travel, having room to open my laptop comfortably mattered.
The hosts were very friendly, welcoming, and helpful during our stay. I cannot stress that enough. I’ve had such good experiences with hosts in Japan, and this was another one.
It’s one of the reasons I never seem to get enough of going back every year. The accommodation becomes part of what I remember about a trip, especially when the people welcoming us make the stay feel that comfortable.
The walk to the station became part of my day
Every day, we walked about 15 minutes to the train station, passing through quiet streets with konbini along the way.
Those walks gave me time to think. There wasn’t much noise, and I enjoyed looking around the neighborhood as we went.
We also crossed the railway tracks every day. Our Airbnb was close enough that we could hear the trains passing from inside the house.
That didn’t bother me. It was a different experience, and I liked having it as part of our stay. Although if you’re sensitive to that sound, it’s something worth checking before booking accommodation near a railway.
Most days, we walked and took the train. After getting the platform wrong on my first day, I still had plenty of opportunities to get used to it.
You can look things up before a trip, but there’s always a little learning once you’re actually there.
Coffee first. Groceries could wait
Before the trip, I’d made a list of possible cafés near our Airbnb. One was a local coffee shop run by an older couple, with novelty items and souvenirs for sale as well.
We were supposed to go grocery shopping when we came across it. Instead, we decided to have coffee first.
A reasonable adjustment to the plan.
We arrived about an hour before closing. There was one other table occupied by four women who appeared to be locals, along with the two owners. It felt very different from a busy café, and the owners were so welcoming.
We ordered black coffee, an Americano, and it came with pie.
We loved that pie.
I’d found the café while looking for places nearby, but I couldn’t have known exactly how it would feel to sit there. The small shop, the owners, the coffee, and that unexpected pie all became part of the experience.
The groceries could wait a little longer.
Finding Komeda two days before flying home
Then there was Komeda, which I only discovered two days before my return flight to Manila.
Eight minutes from my Airbnb.
Of course.
I enjoyed the food and the strong coffee enough to go back the next day. So I managed to become a regular on a very tight schedule.
I just wished I’d found it earlier. When you discover somewhere you like that close to where you’re staying, you immediately start thinking about all the mornings you could have gone there.
These were two different coffee experiences I enjoyed for different reasons. The local shop had its owners, its quieter setting, and that pie. Komeda became the place I wanted to squeeze in again before leaving.
Apparently, I needed more days for my nearby cafés alone.
Wagyu, a five-minute walk away
We also tried a local restaurant where we grilled our own wagyu. It was only five minutes from the Airbnb.
I was very happy with that arrangement.
Having places like this nearby made me appreciate our location even more. We could go out for a meal and walk back to the house, without every outing requiring another train journey.
Between the cafés, the restaurant, and the walks through the neighborhood, staying there gave us more to enjoy than I could have gathered from looking at the accommodation alone.
The night we gave up waiting for a taxi
There were practical things to get used to, too.
One Friday night, we’d already arrived at the station near our Airbnb. It was late, and we wanted to get a taxi back.
There was a taxi stand, but actually getting one was another matter. We waited for about an hour before deciding to walk.
By then, it was around 10 p.m. We still had that 15-minute walk home.
The neighborhood was so quiet, with hardly anyone around. We felt safe walking back that night, and I remember noticing just how still everything was.
It’s a lovely memory now, although at the time, getting a taxi would also have been lovely.
That’s something I’d keep in mind when staying in the area again. We were comfortable walking, but having a taxi stand at the station didn’t mean we could count on finding a taxi late at night.
Where we decided to pay extra
For the airport journeys, we chose a private SUV transfer in both directions.
We had three large suitcases, one hand-carry, and a laptop bag. Taking trains was an option, but managing all of that while making connections wasn’t how we wanted to start or end the trip.
So we paid extra for the comfort.
The drive took about an hour or just over an hour, compared with the roughly hour-and-a-half train journey we’d considered. That was our little luxury for the trip: getting ourselves and all our luggage comfortably between the airport and the Airbnb.
During the stay itself, we were happy walking and taking trains.
You have your own preferences when you travel. For us, a comfortable airport transfer was worth paying for. I can enjoy a quiet walk through the neighborhood and still prefer someone else to handle the journey when I have three large suitcases.
Both can be true.
So, is Nagoya worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you’re open to a more laid-back stay and spending time beyond the usual sightseeing stops.
For me, staying in Tsushima shaped the experience. I enjoyed having a house to return to, walking to the station, trying nearby cafés, and getting a small glimpse of everyday life in the neighborhood.
There were things to figure out. The wrong platform on my first day. The taxi we couldn’t get that Friday night. Choosing how we wanted to handle the airport transfers.
Those details belong in the story, too. They’re useful to know if you’re considering a similar stay, and they’re part of what made this trip my own.
I came home remembering the friendly hosts, the pie with our coffee, and the café I found far too late.
Next time, I’m checking the coffee options earlier.
Making room for trips like this
Freelancing is part of how I make room for travel. There’s work behind that flexibility, but being able to spend time somewhere different is still what keeps me motivated.
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