Do You Know Nags? Nagoya’s Hidden Gems – Part 5

Oct 28, 2021

Do You Know Nags? Nagoya’s Hidden Gems – Part 5

Whether you’re fresh in town or are a piece of the local furniture, Nagoya is a city that continuously throws up surprises. New restaurants, shops, and bars spring up all the time, and you can be wandering down an oft-trodden street and come across something that you’ve never come across before.

We all have our favorites, our haunts, our places that we like to call our own. In this JIS series, Nagoya residents share their recommendations so you can get to know this ever-changing city as well as they do.

Who: Maki Sumida
Recommendation: Tori Mitsu Yakitori-ya

A native of Sendai in northern Japan, Maki moved to Nagoya about five years ago, and not knowing the city, she moved into the Meieki area out of convenience. Upon her first night in town, she ventured out into her neighborhood to find a place to eat, and almost immediately, she stumbled upon Tori Mitsu.

“The master seemed a bit strange, and the kitchen was a bit on the dirty side,” said Maki, “but there was a lively and warm atmosphere, so I thought I would give it a go.” What she discovered was not only fantastic yakitori, including kushi katsu infused with shiso and “the best tsukune I’ve ever had,” but also a wide array of fantastic fried dishes, including deep-fried liver and tempura chicken. “If you try it,” Maki adds, “don’t let the dirtiness put you off because this is the best yakitori shop in town!”

Where: 2 Chome-19-4 Meieki, Nishi Ward, Nagoya (map)
Website: torimitsu.owst.jp

Who: Richard Gregg
Recommendation: Yunohana Onsen Spa Resort

Coming from Britain, where communal bathing extends only as far as a dip at the seaside, Richard isn’t the greatest of champions of the Japanese onsen culture. However, for Yunohana Island in Kani, he makes an exception. “While it may not be of the therapeutic efficacy of somewhere like Gerro,” explains Richard, who has been in Japan for about 16 years, “Yunohana is a fantastic place to visit with friends, family, or even just by yourself.”

Very much in the vein of a super sento (only with proper onsen water), there is a wide array of baths and treatments that you can enjoy, including carbonated springs, negative ion baths, saunas, yoga classes, and the like. There is also a restaurant, at which Richard recommends the hayashi rice, though it is not for the food that he goes. “Overlooking the Kiso river 40 meters below, the outdoor bath – including unusual stone pot baths – is one of the most relaxing and beautiful ways to spend an afternoon, and when the sun sets, it is just stunning.”

Where: 4800-1 Dota, Kani, Gifu (map)
Website: spa-yunohana.com

Who: Frid Joanis
Recommendation: Kendra Land International Bar and Cafe

Frid came to Japan from New Jersey about two years ago now. Though he has mainly lived in Nishio and Gifu City, it is in Nagoya that he comes to let down his hair, which makes him the ideal guy to recommend bars, and first on his list (of many) is Kendra Land International Bar and Cafe.

“Kendra Land is a great place to meet people, but the first thing I want, amongst their many great sweets, is the homemade macaroons,” gushes Frid. With that said, he reckons all of the food is pretty good, including the tacos, spicy pizza, and pasta, while drinks are reasonably priced. “Furthermore, Frid continues, “the owner, Kengo, is a nice and friendly guy, and he puts on regular events such as salsa, Zumba, and belly dancing. You should give it a shot!”

Where: First Building 4F3-chōme-11 SakaeNaka Ward, Nagoya (map)
Website: facebook.com

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Image: by MIKI Yoshihito via flickr.com [CC BY 2.0] – modified
Image: via http://www.spa-yunohana.com/
Image: via https://www.facebook.com/kengokendrayam/photos/1242484052629122
Image: via https://torimitsu.owst.jp/courses/57706427