Chubu Centrair International Airport
Chubu Centrair International Airport (中部国際空港 Chūbu Kokusai Kūkō) is located on an artificial island 30 minutes south from Nagoya.
Understand
Japan's third major international gateway after Narita and Kansai, Centrair prides itself on offering seamless interchange between international and domestic flights, making this a good option if you are heading elsewhere in Japan. Centrair opened in 2005, and this airport replaces the existing Nagoya airport, also taking over its IATA code NGO.
Flights
- Asia:
- A number of destinations including China, Korea, Singapore.
- Europe:
- Finnair: Helsinki
- Lufthansa:Frankfurt Airport
- USA:
- Delta: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
- Japan Airlines: Honolulu.
- Domestic:
- Nearly 30 destinations in Japan.
Ground transportation
| Jingū-mae (Atsuta Shrine) | 19 min | ¥1080 |
| Kanayama | 25 min | ¥1140 |
| Nagoya | 28 min | ¥1200 |
| Konomiya (Inazawa) | 40 min | ¥1390 |
| Ichinomiya | 45 min | ¥1450 |
| Gifu | 57 min | ¥1660 |
| Iwakura | 41 min | ¥1390 |
| Inuyama | 55 min | ¥1660 |
| Chiryu* | 46 min | ¥1390 |
| Higashi-Okazaki* | 57 min | ¥1560 |
| Toyohashi* | 80 min | ¥1940 |
*Change at Jingū-mae
For most visitors the train is the fastest, cheapest and most convenient method of access.
All transportation means are available from the Access Plaza next to the main terminal. You can take your luggage cart all the way from the arrival or departure lobby to the train and bus platforms.
By train
- See also: rail travel in Japan
The Meitetsu Airport Line (名鉄空港線) connects the airport via Jingumae and Kanayama to Nagoya station. From here, you can transfer to the Tokaido Shinkansen line, as well as a multitude of other train lines for connections throughout the Chubu region. Some trains continue directly onward to Gifu and Inuyama. A change of trains will bring you east to Toyohashi.
μSKY (μ pronounced myuu) rapid limited expresses (快速特急 kaisoku-tokkyu) run twice per hour and do the trip in just 28 minutes (with stops at Jingumae and Kanayama), while other services stop more and take longer. The price of all services is the same (¥850 to Nagoya), and services with reserved seats cost an extra ¥350.
μSKY trains only have reserved seats, and so BOTH the basic fare and the reserved seat fare are required. Spending a little more to use the μSKY is recommended, especially for passengers traveling with children, extra baggage, or anyone needing special assistance (such as a wheelchair). On other trains, there isn't much room for baggage and the inside of the train compartments tend to become very congested as you get closer to Nagoya (even more so during the rush hour).
If you are planning to use the Japan Rail Pass, you must note that Meitetsu, as a private railway, is not covered, nor can you exchange your rail pass voucher at the airport. You must wait until you reach Nagoya station to exchange your voucher for the pass. The exchange can be made at the Japan Rail Pass Exchange Corner from 10:00 to 19:00, or at the regular ticket counter at other times.
By bus
- See also: bus travel in Japan
The bus may also be an option, particularly if you have heavy luggage and don't want to deal with train transfers. Take the elevator from access plaza to level 1. Ticket machines are available in the bus terminal working in Japanese and English, do however only accept cash payment.
- Platform 3 - to Nagoya Station
- buses to JR Nagoya Station (Shinkansen side), Nagoya Marriott Hotel
- Platform 4 - to Sakae district and other in Nagoya
- buses to Nagoya Tokyu Hotel, Hilton Nagoya, Westin Nagoya Castle, Nagoya Kanko Hotel, Fujigaoka
- Platform 6 - for eastern Aichi (Mikawa/Chita)
- buses to Chita Handa, Chiryu, Kariya, Kowa, Mikawa-Anjo, Nishio
By boat
Tsu Airport Line ferries connect directly from the airport to Tsu, and at 40 minutes one-way (¥2400) are your fastest option for going towards Ise and Wakayama.
Ise-Bay Ferry shuttles between nearby Tokoname Port (transfer by bus) and the pearl town of Toba, further down the coast.
By taxi
The taxi stand is on the 1st floor of Access Plaza. A taxi to Nagoya station, over 40 km away, will cost around ¥15,000-16,000.
By car
Car rental is available on the 1st floor of the Access Plaza, past the bus stops.
A toll road links Centrair and the mainland, and the airport has 4000 parking spaces. Parking is free for 30 min but costs ¥300/hour for 5 hours, or ¥1500 per day (¥1000/day after the 5th day).
Get around
The airport is simply and efficiently laid out, most areas flowing into and out of Access Plaza making it easy walking to all areas. From arrivals there is a ramp up into the access plaza; check-in and departure is a ram up out of the plaza. The rail station is just off the plaza while the hi-speed ferry and hotels area accessed via a walkway on the same level. The bus station is underneath accessed via an elevator.
Wait
If you've got time to kill, head up to the 4th floor Skytown (elevators beyond the check-in area), designed specifically for this purpose. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants, boutiques and even a spa. Note that the Skytown is landside before security/immigration, and the facilities on the airside are rather limited.
- Hu no Yu (風の湯 Fu no Yu) . 4F Skytown. If naked planespotting sounds like your idea of a good time, check out this Japanese-style spa with views of a strip of the tarmac. Jacuzzi, jet bath, sauna and washing facilities are provided, the only lack is that there's no place to cool off (except a cold shower). Entrance ¥900 plus optional purchase of a towel for ¥250, open 8 AM to 10 PM daily.
- Skydeck is an outdoor observation deck providing a good exterior view of the boarding gates, the landing strip and beyond to the sea. At nighttime you can sometimes enjoy a special light show up here.
Eat and Drink
Food and drink prices at the airport are expensive - even by Japanese standards. Expect single meals (such as curry and rice with a side order of thinly sliced cabbage) to cost you around ¥1300. It's worth it to drop into a convenience store before arrival and pick up a few sandwiches, bento box lunches, drinks, and beer.
The best places to eat are on the 4th floor Skytown, head into the streets for Japanese restaurants. For cheaper options there is a Subway on the 2nd floor arrival lobby (land side) and convenience stores in the Access Plaza (FamilyMart) and 1st l floor Welcome Garden (Lawson).
Buy
ATMs for cash withdrawals are located at various locations throughout the airport. Machines that accept international ATM cards are Japan Post (Welcome Garden, First Floor) and AEON Bank (Departure Lobby outside security, Third Floor). Note that most travelers with a Maestro-issued EMV chip card (i.e. IC, chip-and-pin) can only use the AEON Bank ATM, as the Japan Post ATM will not accept these kinds of cards.
Currency Exchange locations are available in the Access Plaza, and in the arrival and departure lobbies.
Most of the shops, for buying those gifts you failed to get while in Japan, are on the 4th floor Skytown, but there are also some on the 3rd floor departure lobby including classic tourist trinkets and speciality food items. Best to do your last minute shopping before security as air side are only a few duty free and luxury good stores.
Connect
- Free wi-fi is available in the departure area, although you are expected to give an email address to register.
- Wi-fi access to the Internet is available on the first three floors of the airport; however, it is not complimentary. Wi-fi access which is offered is contracted by the following Internet providers: Flet's Spot, Hotspot, Mobile Point, and Mzone. Rates can vary from ¥10.5 per minute (Mobile Point) to ¥525 a day (Mzone) or more. There are only a few locations within the airport to plug-in your laptop device to recharge your batteries, the main exception being a few "business corners" and "computer desks" after international security check in.
- NTT DOCOMO is located on the third floor of the airport (international departures) for those needing to rent a cell phone on a short term basis. There's two service counters: one for customers who made reservations from overseas via the Internet [1](located near the escalator at the DOCOMO World counter), and the other counter (located nearby the luggage delivery service) is for renters applying upon their arrival in Japan. Daily rental rates generally are better if reservations are made in advance ¥525 verses ¥735. This price does not include the cost of calls or text messages, which is approximately ¥100 per minute for calls made domestically. Hours of operation are from 0730 to 2100 hours daily.
Cope
If minor medical attention is needed, a clinic open during airport hours is available on the second floor of the airport.
Sleep
The Yumeya "sleep shop" regrettably went out of business in 2008, but there are two full-service hotels on the airport grounds.
- Centrair Hotel (Located directly outside arrivals/departures.), ☏ +81 569-38-1111. Rack rate for singles from ¥9700, including breakfast, but the "Duo Plan" offers a 6-hour/overnight stay for a couple for only ¥6000/10000..
- Comfort Hotel Centrair International Airport, 4-2-3 Centrair, Tokoname (Connected to the airport by walkway.), ☏ +81 569-38-7211, fax: +81 569-38-7161. Adequate sized rooms, practical for an overnight stay. Free wireless internet and basic continental breakfast. Book early. One bed ¥8500-10000, Twin Room ¥10000-16000..
- Toyoko Inn, 4 Chome-２−５ Centrair (Next to the Comfort Hotel, is small amount of uncovered walking.), ☏ +81 569-38-2045.