Japanese top skaters Ryuichi Kihara, Yuma Kagiyama and Rino Matsuike are sharing their inside tips for Nagoya where the ISU Grand Prix Final takes place this week. Nagoya is the home town of Ryuichi Kihara, the two-time ISU World Pair Skating Champion with Riku Miura. Multiple ISU World medalist Yuma Kagiyama has moved to Nagoya for studying. Both compete in the ISU Grand Prix Final this week. Rino Matsuike was an ISU Grand Prix Finalist a year ago. She also comes from Nagoya.

WHAT TO EAT 

Japan is famous for its rich cuisine and delicious food. Each city and each region is proud of their local dishes. Nagoya has a lot to offer as well.

Kishimen (Kishimen are a type of udon, known for their wide, flat shape, which is thinner than typical udon noodles)

Tebasaki (Nagoya's iconic tebasaki wings feature shatteringly crisp skin and a pepper-infused soy glaze)

Miso Katsu (Miso Katsu is a version of tonkatsu, juicy breaded and deep-fried pork cutlets served with a thick, sweet and tangy sauce and served with shredded cabbage)

WHERE TO EAT

Kishimen at Miya Kishimen, Jingu store (inside Atsuta Shrine) 

Hitsumabushi (grilled eel and rice dish, a Nagoya specialty) at Atsuta Houraiken  

Miso Katsu at Misokatsu Yabaton  

Okagean (Japanese sweets restaurant)

Rino Matsuike: “When I was little, I often went there for morning breakfast with my friends. You can grill your own dango and manju, which is so fun and delicious. I still like eating there and I highly recommend it!”

WHERE TO HAVE COFFEE

The Komeda Coffee chain comes from Nagoya and tops the list for Ryuichi, his partner Riku Miura and also Yuma. 

Ryuichi loves iced cocoa from Komeda Coffee.

Delicious desserts at Komeda Coffee © Yuma Kagiyama

Yuma’s favorite at Komeda Coffee is Ogura Toast: Ogura toast is in the center of the picture- red bean paste with toasted fluffy milk bread. The dessert on the left is called "Shiro Noir”. The name translates to white (Shiro in Japanese) and black (Noir in French) and describes a Danish pastry (supposed to represent the "black" in the name) topped with soft-serve ice cream (it represents the "white" in the name)

WHAT TO SEE & TO DO

Ryuichi likes visiting castles, so Nagoya Castle is a must for him. 

Yuma: “I have only been in Nagoya since I started university so I haven’t explored much yet. But my favorite spot is Atsuta Shrine which was founded about 1900 years ago.”

Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya is a landmark © Yuma Kagiyama

Yuma shares his picture of the shrine.

Osu Shopping Street

Rino: “I used to practice at the rink in Osu when I was little so I often stopped by after practice. I’d eat taiyaki, shop around and just wander the area. My family also goes to Osu Kannon (Buddhist temple) every year for our first temple visit of the new year.”

Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium

Rino: “The Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium has been one of my favorite places since I was little and I’ve visited there so many times. I used to draw pictures of fish and watch the dolphin shows. It’s always been a place that fills me with excitement.”

Mirai Tower

Ryuichi also recommends to visit the Mirai Tower, the the first consolidated radio tower built in Japan.

Nagoya hosts the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final this week. Watch the first show down of the season featuring the top six Skaters of the ISU Grand Prix and ISU Junior Grand Prix Series.