Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026: What Visitors Should Know After the Games

Japan's third Asian Games filled Nagoya and its neighbors with sport, color and a golden-fish mascot; here is what remains to enjoy.

Published October 26, 2026 at 8:25 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games ran from 19 September to 4 October 2026, with the Asian Para Games following from 18 to 24 October. Events centered on Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture, with some venues in Gifu, Osaka, Shizuoka and Tokyo. Travelers can still explore the host city's castle, shrines and food scene, and many of the venues remain in everyday use.

Many travelers ask about the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games because the region does not usually share the spotlight with Tokyo and Kyoto. The Games gave Nagoya, the heart of Japan's Chubu region, a month of international attention and a fresh set of facilities. This guide explains what the Games were, how the venues were spread across several prefectures, what made the 2026 edition distinctive, and how a visitor can enjoy Nagoya now that the competition has ended.

What the Games Were and When They Ran

The Asian Games are a multi-sport event organized by the Olympic Council of Asia every four years. The 2026 edition, officially the XX Asian Games, ran from 19 September to 4 October 2026 and was hosted by Aichi Prefecture together with the city of Nagoya. Both the opening and closing ceremonies took place at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, and the closing ceremony included the traditional handover to Doha, Qatar, host of the 2030 Games.

The Asian Para Games followed a couple of weeks later, from 18 to 24 October 2026, using many of the same facilities. Together the two events kept the region busy for most of the early autumn. Anyone planning a trip should know that the competition schedule is now finished, so the useful question is what the region offers today.

Japan's Third Time as Host

Japan has hosted the Asian Games before: Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994. Aichi-Nagoya became the third Japanese host, and Nagoya was described as the first Japanese city to host the Asian Para Games. According to the International Paralympic Committee, the Para Games were also the first major multi-sport event held in Japan since the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The choice suited the region well. Aichi is home to major industry, a large international airport at Chubu Centrair, and an efficient transport network that links Nagoya to Tokyo and Osaka by Shinkansen. Hosting gave local communities a chance to show the area as more than a transit stop between the two bigger cities.

A Region of Many Venues

One of the most distinctive features of the 2026 Games was geography. Instead of concentrating everything in one park, organizers spread events across Nagoya, other Aichi cities and neighboring prefectures. Reports listed Paloma Mizuho Stadium for ceremonies and athletics, the newly built Aichi International Arena for basketball, Toyota Stadium in Toyota for football, Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Shizuoka Stadium in Fukuroi, and Gifu Nagaragawa Stadium. The Tokyo Aquatics Centre, built for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, hosted diving and swimming.

Smaller halls in towns such as Komaki, Kasugai and Inazawa also held events such as volleyball and handball. For a visitor, this means that sports facilities across central Japan now carry the memory of the Games. Many are public gymnasiums, arenas and stadiums that continue to host local competitions, concerts and community events, so checking each venue's own website is the best way to see what is on.

Sports, Debuts and Numbers

The program included 43 sports, 71 disciplines and 469 medal events, according to the published event listing. Surfing, freestyle BMX, mixed martial arts, padel, teqball and virtual taekwondo made their Asian Games debut, which gave the Games a fresh, youthful feel. Cricket also featured, reflecting its popularity across Asia.

More than 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions were reported to take part, along with the first appearance of an Asian Refugee Team. The Games also served as qualification events for several sports ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. For fans, the variety meant that a single day could include both familiar sports and brand-new ones.

Mascots, Mottos and the Golden Fish

The Games' mascot, Honohon, is based on the shachihoko, the golden fish ornament that crowns the roof of Nagoya Castle. The motto was Imagine One Asia, and the emblem colors drew on a purple iris, the gold of the shachihoko and green for environmental awareness. The torch relay began at Nagoya Castle on 22 August and traveled through the 16 wards of Nagoya and 40 municipalities in Aichi.

The Para Games carried the slogan Imagine One Heart and a mascot named Uzumin. These details show how closely Nagoya's identity is tied to its castle. Visitors who like the mascot can spot the golden shachihoko motif on the castle roof itself and in many local souvenirs.

The Asian Para Games

The Asian Para Games brought about 3,000 athletes from 45 National Paralympic Committees in Asia to compete in 18 sports. Paloma Mizuho Stadium again served as the main venue, and most competition sites were in Aichi Prefecture, with track cycling held at the Izu Velodrome in Shizuoka Prefecture. The event added a spirit of inclusion to the autumn season and highlighted accessible design in public spaces.

Large events like this often bring attention to accessible design, which helps every traveler, including families with strollers and older visitors. Anyone with specific access needs should check each station, venue and attraction in advance, since facilities vary from place to place.

Enjoying Nagoya Now That the Games Are Over

Nagoya Castle is the natural first stop. Construction began in 1610 for the Owari branch of the Tokugawa clan, and the pair of golden shachihoko on the roof are among the most recognized symbols in Aichi. The Honmaru Palace, destroyed in 1945, was reconstructed from 2009 to 2018 using traditional methods, and visitors can see rooms with painted sliding doors. Because work on the main keep has been discussed for years, check the castle's official website before visiting to confirm which areas are open.

Atsuta Shrine is another highlight. Tradition holds that it enshrines the sacred sword Kusanagi, one of Japan's three Imperial Regalia, and the wooded grounds are a calm contrast to the city. Reports describe more than nine million visits a year. Add the regional cuisine known as Nagoya meshi, with dishes such as hitsumabushi eel rice and miso katsu, and a two-day visit feels complete. As of autumn 2026, it is wise to confirm opening hours and any special event schedules on official sites.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Visit

Nagoya Station is the hub for Shinkansen, JR lines, Meitetsu and Kintetsu trains and the city subway, so most sights are within a short ride. The Higashiyama and Meijo lines connect many key stops, and Chubu Centrair International Airport is reached by a direct Meitetsu train. Day trips to Inuyama Castle, Gifu or Toyota are easy to add.

Autumn is generally a comfortable season for walking between sights. Prices and hours change, so check official pages before traveling, especially for museums and shrines. A relaxed pace works best: pick two or three main sights per day and leave time for a long lunch.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When were the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held?

The Asian Games ran from 19 September to 4 October 2026, with the opening and closing ceremonies at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya. The Asian Para Games followed from 18 to 24 October 2026. Both events are finished, so the practical focus for travelers now is exploring Nagoya and the surrounding region.

Where were the events held?

Most events took place in Nagoya and other cities in Aichi Prefecture. Some sports were hosted in neighboring Gifu, Shizuoka and Osaka prefectures, and aquatic events used the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. This wide spread meant that many communities across central Japan shared the experience of hosting.

What can visitors see in Nagoya after the Games?

Nagoya Castle, with its golden shachihoko, and Atsuta Shrine are the classic sights. The city also offers museums, regional foods called Nagoya meshi, and easy day trips to Inuyama Castle and Gifu. Check official websites for current hours, fees and any special exhibitions before you go.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Nagoya City Guide: Castle, Industry and Local Flavors, Nagoya Meshi: The Bold and Fun Flavors of Aichi and Chubu Centrair Airport: Nagoya's Sea-Side Gateway.