In a year when Japan has stormed past 10 million international visitors by May—a feat faster than a sumo wrestler devours lunch—there’s one railway quietly redefining how travellers explore the Land of the Rising Sun. Its name? Meitetsu. Its mission? To take you beyond Tokyo’s neon and Kyoto’s temples, straight into the scenic soul of Central Japan.
Welcome to the road less travelled—except here, it’s gleaming steel rails, a punctual timetable, and a panoramic window seat to everything Japan does best: food, history, craftsmanship, hot springs, and, yes, castles that once housed samurai but now entertain Instagrammers.
All Aboard the Meitetsu Marvel
Founded in 1894—just a whisker before the age of telephones reached Aussie shores—Meitetsu is more than a railway. It’s a legacy line connecting Aichi and Gifu Prefectures with 440+ kilometres of cultural gold.
From its high-speed “μ-SKY” train that whisks you from Chubu Centrair Airport to Nagoya in 30 breezy minutes, to its scenic jaunts through flower fields and seaside escapes, Meitetsu is the unsung hero of inland exploration. Unlike Shinkansen routes, which favour megacities, Meitetsu lovingly hugs the hamlets, honouring towns that wear their Edo-era past like a kimono.
Gifu: Where Samurai Legacy Meets Soy-Glazed Street Food
First stop, Gifu. Once home to Japan’s original power-broker, Oda Nobunaga, Gifu Castle still perches gallantly atop Mount Kinka like a stern grandparent watching over modernity’s chaos.
But it’s not all stiff history here. In April 2025, the city proudly unveiled “GIFU-JO RAKUICHI”, a brand-new attraction at the mountain’s foot, built in traditional wood to honour old-world charm. Inside, 11 shops serve local delicacies, crafts, and culture on tap—think yakitori skewers, Mino ware ceramics, and hand-pulled soba that’ll make your eyes water joyfully.
Getting there? A quick Meitetsu ride from Nagoya to Gifu, followed by a local bus. Add in nearby gems like the Gifu City Museum of History and the Kawaramachi canal area, and you’ve got a day’s worth of delight wrapped in rice paper.
Nagoya: Underrated, Overdelicious
Often overlooked like the middle child of Japanese cities, Nagoya deserves more than a passing glance. With Meitetsu as your gateway, it becomes the launchpad to your inland adventure.
This bustling, business-savvy hub is home to Nagoya Castle, the Tokugawa Art Museum, Atsuta Shrine, and a cuisine culture all its own. Local legends like miso katsu (deep-fried pork drenched in fermented soybean heaven) and hitsumabushi (eel three ways) are less about food and more about life-changing epiphanies.
From Meitetsu’s central station, direct rail and bus links fan out to Gifu, Takayama, Ise, and more. Think of it as the Tokyo where you can relax.
Inuyama: Ancient Castles & Instagrammable Sweets
If you’ve ever dreamed of wandering through a castle town with a wagashi (traditional sweet) in hand and a kimono on your back, Inuyama is your fairytale come true. A 30-minute Meitetsu ride from Nagoya lands you at Japan’s oldest existing castle keep—Inuyama Castle—a national treasure perched romantically above the Kiso River.
But the magic doesn’t stop at the castle gates. Stroll the Edo-style streets, snap a selfie with matcha ice cream, visit the Japan Monkey Centre, or pop into Meiji-Mura, an open-air museum of restored Meiji-era architecture that’ll have you Googling “how to move here permanently.”
Himakajima: Seafood, Sand, and Sea Breezes
Craving an island escape without ditching your rail pass? Enter Himakajima, a tranquil island on the Chita Peninsula reachable via Meitetsu to Kōwa Station and then a 20-minute ferry.
Known for its succulent octopus and pufferfish, this gem offers more than just good eating. Cycle the coastal path, hunt down the island’s cutest photo spots, or kick off your thongs and embrace the barefoot rhythm of Japanese island life. Each season brings new delights—swimming in summer, winter seafood, and year-round serenity.
Tahara: Where Flowers Bloom and Cameras Click
If you’ve got a soft spot for sunflowers, tulips, and beachside bliss, Tahara City is your new best friend. Located on the Atsumi Peninsula, this floral wonderland is Japan’s top flower producer—and it shows. In spring, rapeseed and tulips carpet the fields in colour. Summer rolls in with endless sunflowers, and greenhouse blooms keep the place vibrant even in the cooler months.
Ride Meitetsu to Toyohashi Station, then hop on the Atsumi Line. Add in Cape Irago for a sunrise that’ll leave your phone’s storage weeping and throw in some fruit-picking or beach camping for good measure.
Gamagori: The Spa-Lover’s Dream by the Sea
Gamagori is where your most significant decision is to soak in an open-air onsen before or after your seafood feast. A short 40-minute hop from Nagoya, it’s a hot spring haven with ocean views, gourmet ryokan inns, and soothing sea breezes.
Highlights include Takeshima Aquarium, the European-inspired Laguna Ten Bosch resort, and a romantic bridge to Takeshima Island that lights up at night like a postcard from a Japanese romance film.
Handa & Okazaki: Fermentation Never Smelled So Good
Culture comes in many forms, and in Handa and Okazaki, it often comes in a barrel. These two towns are steeped in the fine art of brewing miso, soy sauce, and vinegar.
The black-lacquered canal warehouses in Handa still whisper stories of the shipping days. The Mizkan Museum gives you an aromatic dive into vinegar-making, while Okazaki’s Hatcho Miso Village showcases 400 years of unbroken fermentation tradition. You can taste it too—rich, deep, umami-laden miso that feels like a culinary pilgrimage.
Both destinations are reachable within an hour from Nagoya via Meitetsu, proving that authentic flavour sometimes lies off the express line.
Why Meitetsu Matters
Japan’s train culture is rightly legendary, but Meitetsu stands apart because it brings you not just to places but into stories—small-town stories, local legends. A bowl of unagi don served by a fourth-generation chef. A castle staircase creaking under centuries of footsteps. A seaside breeze whispers tales of simpler days.
In a world obsessed with speed, Meitetsu offers depth. And in a Japan bursting at the seams with megacities and tourist trails, Central Japan—Aichi, Gifu, Inuyama, Tahara—offers breathing space.
So next time you’re Tokyo-bound, don’t just turn left or right. Head for the heartland. Board a Meitetsu train. And rediscover Japan the way it’s meant to be seen—up close, unhurried, and utterly unforgettable.
🌐 For more information, timetables, and routes, visit Meitetsu’s official site “Co-machi”:
https://www.meitetsu.co.jp/pr/co-machi/.
By Charmaine Lu
