Introduction
Nagoya Grampus is a professional football club based in Nagoya. They play in J1 League — the top division of Japanese football (similar to the Premier League or Bundesliga). The club uses two home stadiums. Which stadium they use depends on the match.
- Toyota Stadium — located in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture
- Paloma Mizuho Stadium — located in Mizuho Ward, Nagoya City
Always check the official Nagoya Grampus website before your visit to confirm which stadium is being used.
This guide explains how to travel from Chubu Centrair International Airport (Centrair) to both stadiums. It covers trains, buses, and walking routes. Even if this is your first time in Japan, you will be able to travel with confidence.
■ Getting to Toyota Stadium
Toyota Stadium is the main home ground of Nagoya Grampus. It holds approximately 45,000 spectators. The stadium stands beside the Yahagi River in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. Most large matches are held here.
▶ By Train
Centrair → Meitetsu Toyota-shi Station
- From inside the terminal, enter Meitetsu Chubu Centrair Station. There is only one ticket gate. You will not get lost.
- Board a train on the Meitetsu Airport Line. Choose a train heading toward Kanayama. It is a direct service. The journey takes about 28 minutes.
- At Kanayama Station, transfer to the Nagoya Municipal Subway Meijo Line. Board a train heading toward Sakae.
- At Kami-Maetsu Station (4 stops later), transfer to the Subway Tsuruma Line. This line connects directly to the Meitetsu Toyota Line — you do not need to change trains again. Stay in your seat.
- Get off at Toyota-shi Station.
Journey time: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes – 1 hour 50 minutes Fare: approximately ¥1,000 (around $6.30 USD) when using an IC card (prepaid contactless card)
Tip: The Meitetsu “μ-SKY” (Mu-Sky) is a limited express service connecting the airport to central Nagoya. All seats are reserved and require an extra fee of ¥360 (about $2.30 USD). If you want to avoid the extra charge, choose a regular express (“Junkyuu”) or express (“Kyuukou”) train instead.
▶ How to Buy and Use an IC Card
An IC card is a prepaid contactless card for trains and buses in Japan. Just tap the card at the ticket gate when you enter and exit. You do not need to buy a paper ticket each time.
How to buy one:
- Use the ticket machine near the ticket gate at Meitetsu Chubu Centrair Station.
- Switch the screen to English — press the “English” button on the screen.
- You can buy a “manaca” card (the IC card for the Nagoya area). The minimum purchase is ¥1,500 (about $9.50 USD), which includes a ¥500 (about $3.20 USD) refundable deposit.
- You can pay by cash or credit card.
- If you already have a Suica or PASMO card (the IC cards used in Tokyo), you can use them directly. You do not need to buy a new card.
Good to know: The manaca card works on most trains and buses across Japan, including the Suica network. It is a national standard contactless card.
▶ By Bus (Direct Service: Airport → Toyota City)
Meitetsu Bus operates a direct highway bus from Centrair to Toyota City. This is a good option if you are not comfortable with train transfers.
- Departure point: Bus stop at the ground floor (1F) of Centrair Terminal 1
- Arrival stop: “Meitetsu Toyota Hotel Mae” bus stop — about 2 minutes’ walk from Toyota-shi Station, and about 15 minutes’ walk from the stadium
- Journey time: approximately 1 hour 20 minutes
- Fare: ¥1,750 (about $11.10 USD) — payable on board, or you can buy in advance at the airport travel centre or via a booking app
- Departures per day: 3 buses (10:50 / 13:55 / 17:35)
⚠️ Important: There are only 3 buses per day. For evening or night matches, the return bus may not be available. Please use the train to return to the airport.
▶ Walking from the Station to the Stadium
Toyota Stadium has two nearby stations: Meitetsu Toyota-shi Station and Aichi Loop Railway Shin-Toyota Station. These two stations are next to each other — about a 2-minute walk apart. You can walk to the stadium from either one.
[Route 1] Main Boulevard Route — easiest to follow (approx. 15–17 minutes)
Exit through the East Exit of Meitetsu Toyota-shi Station. You will see a wide main street directly in front of you — the Station Boulevard. Walk straight along it. At the end of the road, you will see the Toyota Bridge (Toyota Ohashi). Cross the bridge. The stadium will be right in front of you. You are very unlikely to get lost.
[Route 2] Yahagi Riverside Route — scenic walk (approx. 20 minutes)
From the east exit of Shin-Toyota Station, head toward the Yahagi River. Follow the riverside path in the direction of the stadium. On match days, many supporters use this route. You can enjoy the atmosphere along the river before kick-off.
Match day info: A match day shuttle bus may operate from Toyota-shi Station to the stadium on certain match days. Check the official Nagoya Grampus website for the latest information.
■ Getting to Paloma Mizuho Stadium
🎉 BRAND-NEW STADIUM! Paloma Mizuho Stadium was completed in March 2026. Its inaugural match (the very first official game at the new stadium) was played on 19 April 2026 — a J1 League match between Nagoya Grampus and Avispa Fukuoka. The stadium opened to the general public on 22 April 2026. It was built over approximately three years.
Paloma Mizuho Stadium is located in Mizuho Ward, Nagoya City. It holds approximately 30,000 spectators and has a natural grass pitch. The stadium serves as a home ground for Nagoya Grampus. It will also be used as a main venue for the 2026 Asian Games and Asian Para Games (a major multi-sport event for athletes across Asia), to be held in Nagoya in the autumn of 2026. The stadium is directly connected to Nagoya’s subway network, making it very easy to reach.
▶ By Train
Centrair → Mizuho Undojo Higashi Station (Recommended Route — East Entrance)
- Take the Meitetsu Airport Line to Kanayama Station. The journey takes about 28 minutes.
- At Kanayama Station, transfer to the Nagoya Municipal Subway Meijo Line. Board a train heading toward Yagoto or Motoyama.
- Get off at Mizuho Undojo Higashi Station (4 stops later). The stadium is about 7–10 minutes on foot.
Journey time: approximately 55 minutes – 1 hour 10 minutes Fare: approximately ¥750–¥900 (about $4.75–$5.70 USD) when using an IC card
Centrair → Mizuho Undojo Nishi Station (West Entrance)
- Travel to Kanayama Station in the same way.
- From Kanayama Station, board the Meijo Line and transfer at Yabacho Station to the Subway Sakuradori Line.
- Get off at Mizuho Undojo Nishi Station. The stadium is about 10 minutes on foot.
Hint: The route via Mizuho Undojo Higashi Station (Meijo Line) is the closest and easiest to follow. If this is your first visit, use the East Entrance route.
▶ By Bus (from Kanayama Station)
From Kanayama Station, you can take a Nagoya City Bus (Route Kanayama 15) to a stop very close to the stadium. This option involves fewer transfers and is convenient if you have luggage.
- Departure point: Kanayama Bus Terminal (at Kanayama Station)
- Stop to get off: “Mizuho Grand” bus stop — about 1 minute’s walk to the stadium
- Fare: ¥210 (about $1.35 USD) — IC cards accepted
Note: Kanayama Station is a large transport hub where Meitetsu Railway, JR, and the subway all meet. After arriving from the airport, transferring to the bus at Kanayama reduces the number of train changes you need to make.
▶ Walking from the Station to the Stadium
[Route 1] East Route: from Mizuho Undojo Higashi Station (Meijo Line) — approx. 7–10 minutes
Exit the station and walk west. Continue straight through the residential streets. You will arrive at the east entrance of the stadium. There are signs along the way. On match days, just follow the supporters — you will reach the stadium easily. This is the shortest route and the one we recommend.
[Route 2] West Route: from Mizuho Undojo Nishi Station (Sakuradori Line) — approx. 10 minutes
Exit the station and walk east. This route passes through the greenery of Mizuho Park. The park includes an athletics track, a gymnasium, and a baseball stadium. You can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the park before the match.
Match day tip: Subway trains run frequently. Getting home after the match is usually straightforward. If you want to avoid the crowds, consider staying near the stadium for a short while after the final whistle before heading to the station.
■ Ticket and Payment Options: Quick Summary for International Fans
| Method | Rating | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| IC card (manaca / Suica / etc.) | ★★★ Best option | Just tap and go. No need to buy a ticket each time. |
| Buy a paper ticket with cash | ★★ Possible | Select “English” at the ticket machine. Check the fare to your destination first. |
| Highway bus (Airport → Toyota City / Toyota Stadium only) | ★★ Simple and direct | Only 3 buses per day. The last return bus is early — be careful. |
| City bus (Kanayama → Mizuho / Paloma Mizuho Stadium only) | ★★ Fewer transfers | Direct from Kanayama Station to a stop right next to the stadium. |
Summary: To reach both stadiums from Centrair, you will combine the Meitetsu Railway with the Nagoya Municipal Subway. One IC card covers all these journeys. There are several transfers, but station signs are displayed in English, Chinese, and Korean — so first-time visitors can navigate with confidence.
Exchange rate used: approx. ¥158 per USD (as of April 2026)
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