Dolphins Arena
Officially the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Dolphins Arena is the home of the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins. The 10,000-seat arena sits right next to Nagoya Castle — you can literally see the castle from the entrance.
Getting there
Meijo subway line to Shiyakusho Station, 5-minute walk. From Nagoya Station, it's about 10 minutes by subway. Combine a Nagoya Castle visit in the morning with an evening basketball game.
Nagoya meshi food plan
Nagoya has one of Japan's most distinctive food cultures. Miso katsu (breaded pork with red miso sauce), hitsumabushi (grilled eel), tebasaki (fried chicken wings), and kishimen (flat noodles) are all must-tries. Most are available near the station.
Why Dolphins games are special
The Dolphins have corporate backing and high production values. Opening ceremonies feature impressive light shows, and the atmosphere builds throughout the game.
Summary
Dolphins Arena offers basketball next to a castle and some of Japan's best regional cuisine. It's an easy addition to any Nagoya stopover.