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Nagoya's Safe, Satiating, and Thirst-quenching Tap Water

Special Features

Nagoya's Safe, Satiating,
and Thirst-quenching Tap Water

Nagoya's tap water is pulled from the pristine waters of the Kiso River.
The water is purified based on standards stipulated by law as well as Nagoya City's own standards, making for safe tap water you can drink any time. Nagoya's tap water is deemed delicious by 80% of the city's citizens.

The Kiso region of Nagano Prefecture where the Kiso River starts (view from the Misogawa Dam)

An easy time out with Kinkosui: Where to find Kinkosui water refill stations

The Nagoya City Waterworks & Sewerage Bureau has set up Kinkosui water refill stations around the city to offer delicious water directly to your own water bottle or other container. Even the name of the tap water available at these servers carries a little Nagoya pride as the "Kinko" in "Kinkosui" is an alternative reading of "Kinshachi", the golden tiger-fish roof ornaments adorning the top of Nagoya Castle, with "sui" meaning "water".
The servers are available at Nagoya Castle's Kinshachi Yokocho culinary complex, Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, Oasis21 in the bustling Sakae area, and Nagoya City Science Museum. Wet your whistle at these servers offering delicious, one-of-a-kind tap water.

Nagoya City Waterworks & Sewerage Bureau website (Japanese)

Meijo Kinkosui water refill stations

Two Meijio Kinkosui water refill stations are located in Kinshachi Yokocho at—you guessed it—Nagoya Castle. Water comes from the mouths of Nagoya Castle's star Kinshachi replicas and are a frequent stop by visitors to the castle.

Locations
Yoshinao Zone, Kinshachi Yokocho, Nagoya Castle
Address: 1-2-3 to 1-2-5 Sannomaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi

Muneharu Zone, Kinshachi Yokocho, Nagoya Castle
Address: 1-2 and 1-3 Ninomaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi

Yoshinao Zone of Kinshachi Yokocho

: This is one of the commercial establishments to open in two areas of the Nagoya Castle premises on March 29, 2018.

The Yoshinao Zone, situated in the main gate area of Nagoya Castle owes its name to the first provincial ruler of the Owari Tokugawa clan, Lord Yoshinao Tokugawa, and is created with the concepts of tradition and accuracy. The buildings are constructed in a wooden, purely Japanese style of architecture conjuring thoughts of merchant houses from the Edo period.
Well-known restaurants offering the unique food culture of Nagoya cuisine, known as "Nagoya meshi", and long-standing, traditional local restaurants are lined up. You can also purchase Kinshachi Yokocho merchandise and famous items from Nagoya the commercial store so you never forget your great time.

Enjoy both dining and shopping in Kinshachi Yokocho during your visit to Nagoya Castle.

Muneharu Zone of Kinshachi Yokocho

: This is one of the commercial establishments to open in two areas of the Nagoya Castle premises on March 29, 2018.

The Muneharu Zone, situated in the east gate area of Nagoya Castle owes its name to the seventh provincial ruler, Lord Muneharu Tokugawa, and is created with the concepts of modernity and change. The buildings are constructed with large panes of glass in a bright, and modern Japanese style of architecture.
The zone is lined with restaurants where you can eat highly creative cuisine from owners active not only in Nagoya, but all of Japan and abroad.

Enjoy yourself in Kinshachi Yokocho during your visit to Nagoya Castle.

Zoobo's Kinkosui water refill station

Zoobo's Kinkosui water refill station is available in Tanuki Village's rest area in the Japan Zone of Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The establishment's Zoobo character makes an appearance on the water refill station as part of its design for a little fun as your procure some water.

Location
Inside the Tanuki Village rest area; Japan Zone; Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Address: Japan Zone, Uedayama, Ueda, Tempaku-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens

: A "forest where you can meet the animals of the world" surrounded by nature in the middle of a city　

There are tons of popular animals at this zoo! From tiny medaka fish to huge elephants, it is home to the largest number of animals in Japan. Come and see the wide variety of animals.
There are many facilities, including the gorilla and chimpanzee house—home to famously handsome gorilla Shabani—the Asian elephant house, and the koala house. Here, you can not only watch the animals, but also learn about their ecologies and habitats through educational displays, so you can learn while having fun.
Including the greenhouse and the natural woods on the hillsides, the botanical garden is home to around 7,000 species of plants. The cherry blossom pathway has around 1,000 cherry trees of about 100 different species, which all bloom in the spring. In the fall, around 500 trees—mainly surrounding the back pond and Japanese-style garden—burst into color and become one of the city's best fall foliage spots. Besides that, there is a camellia garden, rose garden, field of flowers, and more landscapes that can be enjoyed in different seasons.

Shiokaze Kinkosui water refill station

Find the Shiokaze Kinkosui water refill station in the Shiokaze Plaza at the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium. A Kinshachi sits upon a server portraying the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium and the ocean. A section letting visitors wash their hands is even available on the side providing cold water.

Location
Shiokaze Plaza, Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
Address: 1 Minato-machi, Minato-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi

Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium

: This amazing aquarium's got it all! The South Building is centered around the theme of A Tour Through Antarctica, introducing the creatures and habitats of five areas along Antarctic icebreaker Fuji's expedition to the Antarctic from Japan. In the North Building, the theme is 3.5 Billion Years Back in Time: Creatures who Came Back to the Sea. Encounter bottlenose dolphins, belugas whales, and other animals who actually once lived on land!
The nearby Main Pool—the largest in Japan—offers performances for extra insight into the lives and behaviors of our sea friend from stands seating approximately 3,000 people.

Oasis Kinkosui water refill station

If you find yourself at Oasis21, check out the Oasis Kinkosui water refill station in the shopping complex's Galaxy Platform area. A large illustration of the Kinshachi sets the water refill station apart from its surroundings, making it easy to spot.
Check this link for instructions on how to use it.

Location
Next to the tourist information center in the Galaxy Platform area, Oasis21
Address: 1-11-1 Higashi-Zakura, Higashi-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi

Oasis21

: A comfortable oasis in the city

A three-dimensional park with various facilities, including the glass roof Spaceship-Aqua, where you can take a walk through the sky 14 meters above the ground, a large lawn called the Field of Green, a half-underground Bus Terminal, an underground event facility called the Galaxy Platform, and around 30 different shops. Spaceship-Aqua is lit up at night, so it's very popular as a photo spot.

The "Field of Green" is on the ground level where flowers and trees are planted. The "Galaxy Platform" is basement level where many events are held. Also on the ground level, there are various shops and restaurants, and a connecting to bus terminal on the second level.

Asala's Kinkosui water refill station

Asala's Kinkosui water refill station is available in the Life Science Building's first-floor rest area at the Nagoya City Science Museum. This Kinkosui server teaches you about the energy required to create tap water.

Location
First-floor rest area, Life Science Building, Nagoya City Science Museum
Address: 2-17-1 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi (Arts and Sciences Forest, inside Shirakawa Park)

Nagoya City Science Museum

: A science museum equipped with NTP Planet, one of the world's largest planetarium domes, with an inside diameter of 35 meters. Along with an exterior design that features the dome's spherical shape, the museum has four large-scale exhibits, including an aurora film viewed in a -30° room and a nine-meter tall man-made tornado.
In addition, the building itself acts as an exhibit through its use of solar power and green walls, visible earthquake-resistant structures and elevator mechanisms, and more.