This Japanese adventure actually started because we watched an episode of Journeys in Japan on NHK WORLD-JAPAN that left us wanting to see traditional kōgei artisan crafts in person. But as is so often the case with travel, our quest for one specific thing led us to discover a lots of other incredible spots nearby—and I love when that happens!

We started our rainy day out in Nagoya’s eastern district at Le Jardin, an airy rooftop restaurant where we could relax in a beautiful greenhouse-like setting. This charming eatery served up classic French-inspired lunch plates and delicious desserts (muscat cheesecake – yum) before we headed downstairs to explore the rest of the building. The restaurant sits atop the Antique Market in Fukiage, an enormous multi-floor treasure trove brimming with Japanese & European furniture, retro collectibles, and historic curiosities. We explored the winding aisles of vintage gems (and bought our almost-26-year-old daughter a gift) before hopping back on the subway to neighboring Chikusa Ward.

Our cultural afternoon continued at the Furukawa Art Museum, a beautiful gallery established by the wealthy local entrepreneur and philanthropist Furukawa Tamesaburo. Throughout his long life, Tamesaburo amassed an extraordinary collection of over 2,000 pieces of art, and we were lucky enough to catch a stunning exhibition dedicated to kogei—the intricate world of traditional Japanese artisan crafts. This special display of bowls, cabinets, wood-grain tables, and textiles gave us an appreciation for modern Japanese artistic heritage, the refined tastes of Nagoya’s high society, and incredible craftsmanship.

Just a short walk away, we found the Tamesaburo Memorial Museum, an annex that served as the perfect, tranquil finale to our day. Originally Tamesaburo’s private residence, this elegant sukiya-style mansion and its surrounding moss-covered Japanese garden are now recognized as government Registered Tangible Cultural Properties. Inside, we wandered through rooms that connect architecture with nature (like a Japanese Frank Lloyd Wright house), eventually finding a garden-side seat at the on-site Sukiya Café. There, we sipped traditional matcha—which, if I’m being completely honest, tasted like grass—paired with chick-shaped Japanese meringues that looked just like Peeps. Still, gazing out at the peaceful garden in the drizzle made it easy to experience the exact serene atmosphere that Tamesaburo credited for his long life of 103 years!

Looking back, I am so grateful that a simple TV show sparked this adventure. If we had only focused on the art museum, we would have completely missed out on the giant antique market and that gorgeous sukiya-style mansion & garden. It’s a wonderful reminder that the best travel days are the ones where a single plan unfolds into something unexpected.

Grassy matcha aside, this quiet neighborhood walk completely stole our hearts; if you ever find yourself in Nagoya on a drizzly afternoon, this itinerary is the perfect escape. What’s your favorite “happy accident” discovery from your own travels?