The Chita Peninsula stretches south of Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture.
Each area has something different to offer, from Chubu Centrair International Airport to Tokoname, a historic pottery town; Handa, known for its brewing culture; and Minamichita and Mihama, where you can enjoy the sea and fresh seafood.
If it’s your first time visiting the Chita Peninsula, however, you may be wondering:
- “Where should I go?”
- “What places are easy to reach from Centrair?”
- “I only have half a day. Is that enough time?”
In this guide, we’ll introduce some of the best places and experiences in the Chita Peninsula for international travelers, organized by area.
Whether you have a few hours around the airport, want to take a half-day or one-day trip from Nagoya, or simply want to experience Japanese culture and local life, this guide will help you decide where to go.
Centrair & Tokoname｜Easy to Reach and Great for First-Time Visitors
Centrair and Tokoname are especially convenient for first-time visitors to the Chita Peninsula.
Centrair is an airport, but it also has restaurants, shopping, observation areas, and places where children can play, making it easy to spend several hours or even half a day there.
Tokoname is also very close to the airport and easy to reach by train. You can enjoy airplanes, traditional pottery, historic streets, shopping, and Japanese bath culture, even if you only have a limited amount of time.
▶︎A Mini Resort Escape at Japan’s Gateway: How to Enjoy Centrair & Rinku Beach
1. FLIGHT OF DREAMS｜See a Real Boeing 787 Up Close
At FLIGHT OF DREAMS in Centrair, you can see a real Boeing 787 up close.
The enormous aircraft is impressive even if you’re not particularly interested in airplanes.
There are also play areas for children, and admission to the main area is generally free.
Because it’s indoors, it’s also a good option on rainy days.
If you have a few hours to spend at Centrair, this is one of the first places to consider.
2. Sky Deck｜Watch Airplanes Near the Runway
The Sky Deck at Centrair Terminal 1 is a great place to watch airplanes taking off and landing.
The observation deck extends toward the runway, giving you a great view of the airport.
On clear days, you can enjoy views of the airplanes, blue sky, and sea.
It’s easy to visit even if you only have a short amount of time and is one of the best places to experience the atmosphere of Centrair.
3. Pottery Footpath｜Walk Through Tokoname’s Historic Pottery Town
The Pottery Footpath is one of Tokoname’s best-known sightseeing areas and can be reached on foot from Tokoname Station.
You’ll see old kilns, brick chimneys, and slopes built with ceramic pipes, all reminders of Tokoname’s long history as a pottery town.
Pottery shops, galleries, and cafés are also scattered along the route.
It’s a great choice if you want to enjoy both shopping and the atmosphere of the historic town.
4. Shop for Tokoname Ware｜Find Teapots and Maneki-Neko
When visiting Tokoname, be sure to look for Tokoname ware, the city’s traditional pottery.
Two of its most famous products are reddish-brown shudei teapots and maneki-neko lucky cats.
You can shop for Tokoname ware along the Pottery Footpath, at the Tokoname Ceramic Hall, or at Tokoname.com inside AEON MALL Tokoname.
It’s also a good choice if you’re looking for a distinctly Japanese souvenir.
▶︎Tokoname Ware Guide: History, Teapots, Lucky Cats & Where to Buy
5. Try a Pottery Experience｜Make Your Own Ceramic Piece
Tokoname offers a variety of pottery experiences, including pottery wheel workshops, hand-building, and maneki-neko painting.
Making something yourself is a great way to experience Japanese pottery culture more directly.
However, pottery pieces often cannot be taken home immediately because they need time to dry and be fired in a kiln.
If you’re visiting from overseas, check in advance how you’ll receive your finished piece.
6. AEON MALL Tokoname｜Shopping, Food, and Japanese Bath Culture
AEON MALL Tokoname is a large shopping mall just a short train ride from Centrair.
You’ll find a Japanese supermarket, DAISO, Standard Products, Tokoname ware, restaurants, and a large food court.
The mall also has Margo no Yu, a Japanese public bath facility.
Because most of the mall is indoors, it’s especially convenient on rainy days or during Japan’s hot summer months.
▶︎Just Minutes from Centrair! AEON MALL Tokoname Guide: Shopping, Food & Things to Do
Handa｜Explore Canals and Japan’s Brewing Heritage
Handa developed a strong brewing culture based on vinegar, sake, beer, and other fermented products.
Around the Handa Canal, you can still see black-walled storehouses, while places such as the MIZKAN MUSEUM and Handa Red Brick Building tell the story of the city’s industrial past.
Handa is a good choice for travelers interested in history and Japanese food culture.
▶︎Handa City Travel Guide: Top Attractions and Local Food in Chita Peninsula’s Main City
7. Handa Canal｜Walk Along the Waterfront and Historic Storehouses
Handa Canal is one of the city’s most characteristic landscapes.
Today it’s a quiet waterfront area, but in the past it was an important transportation route used to ship sake and vinegar to Edo, the city that later became Tokyo.
Black-walled storehouses still stand along the canal, creating a distinctive Handa streetscape.
The MIZKAN MUSEUM is nearby, so it’s easy to visit both together.
8. MIZKAN MUSEUM｜Learn About Japanese Vinegar and Food Culture
Mizkan is a major Japanese food company that began with vinegar production in Handa.
At the MIZKAN MUSEUM, you can learn how vinegar was traditionally produced and how it was transported from Handa to Edo.
It’s also a good place to discover the connection between Handa’s brewing culture, vinegar, and sushi.
If you’re interested in Japanese food history, this is one of Handa’s most interesting places to visit.
9. Handa Red Brick Building｜Discover Beer Culture from the Meiji Era
The Handa Red Brick Building was originally built as a brewery for Kabuto Beer.
Handa was already known for sake and vinegar, but during the Meiji period (1868–1912), local producers also took on the challenge of brewing beer.
The large red-brick building reflects the industrial energy of that era.
It’s a good place to learn about Handa’s modernization and its lesser-known beer history.
Minamichita & Mihama｜Enjoy the Sea, Seafood, and a Slower Pace
The atmosphere changes as you travel farther south on the Chita Peninsula.
In Minamichita and Mihama, you can enjoy beaches, coastal scenery, and fresh seafood.
This area is a good choice if you prefer a slower trip by the sea rather than urban sightseeing.
▶︎Minamichita for First-Time Visitors: Beach, Local Seafood & Easy Train Access
10. Utsumi Beach｜One of the Chita Peninsula’s Best-Known Beaches
Utsumi Beach is one of the best-known beaches on the Chita Peninsula.
During summer, it becomes a popular swimming destination, with a wide sandy beach and open views of the sea.
It can also be reached by Meitetsu train, making it relatively accessible for travelers without a car.
Outside the swimming season, it’s still a pleasant place for a walk along the coast.
11. Enjoy Fresh Seafood in Minamichita
If you travel to Minamichita, seafood should be part of the experience.
Surrounded by the sea, the area is known for a variety of fresh seafood, including fish, shrimp, and octopus.
What’s available changes with the season.
Rather than rushing between sightseeing spots, Minamichita is a good place to slow down, enjoy the sea, eat something fresh, and take your time.
12. Tokai City & Otagawa｜Experience a Local City Close to Nagoya
Tokai City is not a major tourist destination like Tokoname or Handa.
That’s part of its appeal.
It’s close to Nagoya and offers a chance to see a less touristy side of everyday Japan.
Located between Nagoya and Centrair, it can also be a convenient place to stop along the way.
▶︎Not a Tourist Spot, but Worth a Stop! Hidden Gems in Tokai City
13. Around Otagawa Station｜See Everyday Life in a Japanese Local City
Otagawa Station is one of the main stations in Tokai City.
There are restaurants, shops, and commercial facilities around the station, making it easy to stop for a meal or a little shopping.
This isn’t the place to come for famous tourist attractions.
Instead, it suits travelers who are interested in seeing an ordinary Japanese regional city.
It’s also easy to reach from Nagoya, even if you only have a short amount of time.
14. Shurakuen Daibutsu｜See Tokai City’s Giant Buddha
Tokai City is home to Shurakuen Daibutsu, a giant Buddha statue.
It’s outside the usual international tourist routes, but it’s a distinctive place where you can experience a different side of Japanese culture.
Shiawase Mura and a park are also nearby, making the area a pleasant place for a relaxed walk on a nice day.
Where Should You Go Based on How Much Time You Have?
The Chita Peninsula is larger than it may first appear, so there’s no need to try to see everything in one trip.
It’s better to choose one area based on how much time you have.
If You Have 2–3 Hours
Centrair, the area around Tokoname Station, and AEON MALL Tokoname are convenient choices.
They’re especially useful if you have some extra time before a flight.
If You Have Half a Day
The Pottery Footpath in Tokoname is a good option.
Another easy half-day plan is Handa Canal together with the MIZKAN MUSEUM.
You can also make a short stop in Tokai City and around Otagawa Station if you’re traveling from Nagoya.
If You Have a Full Day
With a full day, you can explore Tokoname at a slower pace, spend time discovering Handa’s brewing heritage, or travel farther south to Minamichita and Mihama.
First Time in the Chita Peninsula? Choose Based on What You Want to Do
Each part of the Chita Peninsula offers a different experience.
Want to stay close to the airport and enjoy a short trip?
→ Centrair & Tokoname
Interested in traditional Japanese pottery?
→ Tokoname
Interested in history and brewing culture?
→ Handa
Want seafood, beaches, and relaxing coastal scenery?
→ Minamichita & Mihama
Want to see a local Japanese city close to Nagoya?
→ Tokai City & Otagawa
There’s no need to explore the entire Chita Peninsula in one visit.
Choose one area based on your interests and available time, and enjoy it at a relaxed pace.
If you’re traveling through Centrair or Nagoya, consider adding a short trip to the Chita Peninsula and discovering a side of Japan that many visitors miss.
