From March 25 to April 1, I tried living a digital nomad lifestyle in Nagoya for a week!
I spent most of the time holed up working, but I’d love to share what that experience was like.
Where I Stayed: nine hours Nagoya Station
I stayed at nine hours Nagoya Station, a capsule hotel brand found all over Japan. What makes it special—aside from the sleek and tidy facilities—is the attached coworking space.
One unique feature: at 10 AM every day, all guests have to temporarily leave their capsules for cleaning. While that might sound inconvenient, it actually helped me avoid sleeping in too late—a nice little side effect!
Fueling Up with Nagoya’s Local Food
When hunger hit, I was in luck—Nagoya is packed with delicious local eats. Here’s what I tried during my stay:
1. Taiwan Mazesoba at Menya Hanabi
“Taiwan Mazesoba” originated in 2008 at a shop called Menya Hanabi. It's a dry noodle dish inspired by Taiwan-style ramen, but with a Japanese twist.
It was my first time trying it, and it looked just as good as it tasted—absolutely delicious. You can choose whether or not to add garlic, and of course I went for it. Sure, I probably reeked of garlic afterward, but hey, I’m a digital nomad—I don’t mind! It cost around ¥1,000.
2. Miso Katsu at Yabaton
Yabaton is a long-standing miso katsu restaurant that started in 1947 during the postwar era. Locals have loved it ever since.
Set meals start at around ¥2,000, but donburi bowls are available for around ¥1,500. I ordered the Waraji Tonkatsu Teishoku—a large miso pork cutlet with freshly steamed rice. It was a total win; my tastebuds were celebrating.
3. Ogura Toast at Kissaten Matsuba
Ogura Toast is a Nagoya-style breakfast that originated at Kissaten Matsuba, a traditional Japanese café.
I visited the original shop and ordered the set with their recommended coffee of the month: Thai coffee. The toast is served fluffy with a light layer of margarine, and you spread the sweet red bean paste (ogura-an) on top yourself. All this for just ¥550. Both my stomach and my wallet were happy.
Weekend Visit to Nagoya Castle
You can’t visit Nagoya without seeing Nagoya Castle. I went over the weekend, and luckily, the cherry blossoms had just started blooming.
The entrance fee is ¥500, and it's worth every yen for the gorgeous sakura views. There were even food stalls on-site, and I grabbed a craft beer to enjoy while relaxing under the cherry blossoms. Pure bliss.
Later, I stopped by the dining area within the castle grounds for a bowl of kishimen (flat udon noodles). I got a large portion and finished it easily—it was that good!
After a bit of wandering around town, I headed back. A super satisfying sightseeing day.
Day Trip to Okazaki
Another day, I visited Okazaki to meet a friend. While walking around, I noticed several locations that looked familiar from the popular Japanese YouTube group Tokai On Air—very cool!
First stop: R COFFEE STAND, a coffee shop run by Tokai On Air member Ryo. Even without a reservation, I could get in by lining up. However, the outdoor seating is only available to those with reservations, so I got my drink to go.
Festival Fun by the Riverside
That weekend, a local riverside festival was happening in Okazaki, so I enjoyed more craft beer and food stall snacks. I tried a cherry blossom-themed craft beer called “Sakuragar”, which perfectly matched the season.
Walking around Okazaki, I was surprised by how young the average crowd seemed. It felt like a livable, cozy city that still holds onto traditional Japanese vibes—totally get why younger people are moving here.
Final Recommendation: Abarenbo Chicken
Before leaving Okazaki, I stopped by a local favorite for fried chicken: Abarenbo Chicken. You can choose between chicken breast or thigh—I went for the thigh, getting 4 pieces for ¥600.
They have dozens of flavors, and I chose yuzu salt. Great taste, generous portions, and a very happy customer (me)!
Wrapping Up My Nagoya Week
And just like that, my one-week nomad life in Nagoya flew by.
Between the solid work environment, amazing food, and beautiful sights, I found Nagoya to be a fantastic city for remote work. Would definitely love to return sometime!
