Chubu Centrair International Airport isn’t just a place to catch a flight. It’s also a fun place to spend a few hours.
You can see a real Boeing 787 up close, relax in a Japanese bath while watching airplanes, walk out toward the runway on the Sky Deck, and try some of Nagoya’s most popular local food.
There’s easily enough to keep you entertained for half a day without even leaving the airport.
As a local who often visits Centrair just for fun, here are four spots I recommend!
See a Real Boeing 787 Up Close at FLIGHT OF DREAMS
If you’re visiting Centrair, FLIGHT OF DREAMS is definitely worth a stop.
The first thing you’ll notice when you walk inside is a real Boeing 787. Seeing such a huge aircraft from just a few meters away is impressive, especially if it’s your first time getting this close to one.
There is also a large play area for children, and most of it is free to use.
It’s especially fun for toddlers and elementary school-age children, making it a great stop if you’re visiting Centrair as a family.
One of the paid attractions is Moku Moku Cloud, a large net playground where children can climb, walk and bounce around. It costs around ¥500 per person.
For a different view of the 787, take the escalator up to Seattle Terrace.
Inspired by Seattle, the birthplace of Boeing, this area has several restaurants and cafés overlooking the huge 787 below. It’s a great place to grab something to eat or simply take a break while enjoying the view.
chita local guideMy daughter is four, and we sometimes bring her here even when we’re not flying anywhere. We pay for Moku Moku Cloud almost every time because she loves it!
I’d allow around an hour for FLIGHT OF DREAMS. It can get fairly busy on weekends, but we’ve usually been able to enjoy it without too much trouble.
Relax in a Japanese Bath While Watching Airplanes at SOLA SPA Fu no Yu
After walking around the airport, how about taking a bath?
Centrair has its own public bath called SOLA SPA Fu no Yu.
What makes it special is the view: you can relax in the bath while watching airplanes outside.
Taking a Japanese-style bath while watching aircraft come and go is certainly not something you can do at every airport!
It’s also an interesting way for international visitors to experience Japanese bathing culture during their trip.
After your bath, you can have a meal at Ebisu, a restaurant located in the same facility. Its wood-filled Japanese-style interior creates a relaxing atmosphere and offers another small taste of Japan without leaving the airport.
It’s a great place to slow down and almost forget that you’re inside an international airport.
chita local guideFu no Yu is open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., so it’s easy to fit into your day. Personally, I recommend visiting after your flight. You won’t have to worry about watching the clock before departure.
You can also leave large luggage such as suitcases at reception, which is really convenient. There may be restrictions during busy periods, such as a limit of one large item per person.
If seeing the airplanes is important to you, I recommend going in the morning or during the daytime when they’re easier to see.
Get Close to the Runway on the Sky Deck
Another spot you shouldn’t miss at Centrair is the Sky Deck at Terminal 1.
The outdoor observation deck stretches out from the terminal toward the runway. As you walk farther along the deck, you’ll feel surprisingly close to the aircraft.
You can watch planes preparing for takeoff, aircraft that have just landed, and others taxiing around the airport.
You don’t need to be an aviation enthusiast to enjoy it.
The Sky Deck is especially nice on a clear day.
With the open sky, sea, runway and airplanes all in front of you, it feels spacious and refreshing. Rather than spending your entire visit inside the terminal, head outside and enjoy the view for a while.
chita local guideThe Sky Deck is quite large, and it’s a longer walk to the end than you might expect.
There’s nothing special waiting at the very end, though, so you don’t necessarily need to walk all the way there! You can also enjoy watching the planes from closer to the entrance.
Despite being so close to the aircraft, I don’t find it uncomfortably noisy. On a clear day, it’s a great place to see the planes.
One warning: July and August can be extremely hot in Aichi, so I wouldn’t personally recommend spending much time out here in midsummer.
Finish with Nagoya Food! 5 Local Favorites at Centrair
Centrair is also a great place to try food from Nagoya and the surrounding Aichi area.
If you’re not sure what to eat, here are five places to consider.
Wakashachiya
Wakashachiya is known for curry udon, a popular dish in Nagoya.
It combines thick udon noodles with a rich, slightly thick curry soup. If you’ve never tried the combination of Japanese curry and udon noodles, this is an easy place to start.
Yaba Misen
If you like spicy food, try Yaba Misen.
It’s particularly famous for Taiwan ramen, a spicy noodle dish that has become one of Nagoya’s best-known local specialties.
Despite its name, Nagoya-style Taiwan ramen actually originated here in Nagoya!
Sora no Onigiriya
For something simple and very Japanese, try Sora no Onigiriya.
Onigiri are Japanese rice balls and one of the country’s most familiar everyday foods.
They’re a good option if you don’t want a full meal but would still like to try something typically Japanese.
Sekai no Yamachan
If you want to try Nagoya-style chicken wings, head to Sekai no Yamachan.
Its famous tebasaki chicken wings have a sweet and savory flavor with plenty of pepper and spices.
They’re one of Nagoya’s classic foods and pair especially well with a cold drink.
Komeda’s Coffee
Komeda’s Coffee is a popular café chain that originated in Nagoya and is closely associated with the area’s coffee-shop culture.
As well as coffee, you’ll find substantial sandwiches and other meals, plus desserts.
One of its signature items is Shiro-Noir, a warm Danish pastry topped with soft-serve ice cream. If it’s your first visit to Komeda, this is the one I’d recommend trying.
Even if you don’t have enough time to leave the airport, Centrair gives you plenty of opportunities to try local Nagoya food.
chita local guideThese aren’t just foods marketed to tourists. They’re all familiar to people who live around Nagoya.
Locals regularly visit places like Misen, Yamachan and Komeda. Onigiri is, of course, something we eat in everyday life, and curry udon is something we sometimes make at home too.
If you’re traveling with small children, though, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.
Yamachan’s chicken wings can leave little hands quite sticky, and curry udon can easily splash onto clothes!
For families with young children, Komeda or the onigiri shop may be the easiest options.
At Komeda, I’d recommend enjoying the café atmosphere and trying their famous Shiro-Noir.
Centrair Is Fun Even If You’re Not Flying!
There are plenty of things to enjoy at Centrair without ever boarding an airplane.
If you have half a day, here’s one possible route:
FLIGHT OF DREAMS
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SOLA SPA Fu no Yu
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Enjoy some Nagoya food
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Sky Deck
FLIGHT OF DREAMS is a little farther away from Terminal 1, while Fu no Yu, the restaurants and the Sky Deck are all located around Terminal 1.
This makes Centrair a great place to spend some extra time before or after a flight — or even to visit as a destination in itself.
And if you have a little more time, head outside the airport.
Centrair is located in Tokoname, a city famous for Tokoname ware, one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns.
Just a short trip from the airport, you can explore streets shaped by centuries of pottery culture and discover another side of the Chita Peninsula.
So don’t just pass through Centrair.
Use it as the starting point for exploring Chita!
