Chubu Centrair International Airport

Chubu Centrair International Airport (中部国際空港 Chūbu Kokusai Kūkō, NGO  IATA) occupies 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.

The layout is easy to navigate and understand, with one side of the terminal (the left as one enters from the street) for international flights and the other side for domestic flights.

Flights

Ground transportation

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, and to 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 at Jingū-mae Station (near Atsuta Shrine) will bring you east to Toyohashi.

The μSKY (μ pronounced myuu) rapid limited express (快速特急 kaisoku-tokkyu) runs twice per hour and makes the trip to Nagoya in as little as 28 minutes (with stops at Jingū-mae and Kanayama) at a cost of ¥1230 (¥870 basic fare + ¥360 reserved seat fare). The regular limited express (特急 tokkyu) operates with both reserved and un-reserved seating, and is just slightly slower than the μSKY. Regular commuter trains also operate, making more stops and taking much longer; these cost ¥870 to reach Nagoya.

μSKY trains only have reserved seats, and have compartments at the end of each car to store heavy luggage. 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 can exchange your rail pass voucher at the Central Japan Travel Center just outside of the International Arrivals Hall (open daily 09:00-20:30). The Rail Pass, however, does not cover travel from the airport to Nagoya - you will have to pay to use the Meitetsu Railway. Alternatively, the exchange can be made in Nagoya Station at the Japan Rail Pass Exchange Corner from 10:00 to 19:00, or at the regular ticket counter at other times. If you wish to purchase a Japan Rail Pass once you arrive in Japan, you must travel out of the airport and purchase the pass at Nagoya Station.

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.

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 a central hub called the Access Plaza making it easy walking to all areas. A ramp from the plaza leads up to Departures, while another ramp connects with Arrivals. The rail station is at one end of the plaza, while the high-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. It is split into unique areas on either side: One side features stores with a western and European theme, while the other side has a traditional Japanese look. They are on the respective sides of the terminal as the international and domestic flights. The Skytown is landside before security/immigration, and the facilities on the airside are rather limited.

  • Fu no Yu (風の湯) (4F Skytown). Daily 08:00-22:00. 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. (updated May 2022)
  • 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 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 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 (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 versus ¥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 07:30 to 21:00 daily.

Cope

If minor medical attention is needed, a clinic open during airport hours is available on the second floor of the airport.

Sleep

There are three 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 ¥6,000/10,000. 
  • 🌍 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 ¥8,500-10,000, twin room ¥10,000-16,000. 
  • 🌍 Toyoko Inn, 4 Chome-２−５ Centrair (next to the Comfort Hotel, with a little uncovered walking), ☏ +81 569-38-2045. 

Go next
  • Tokoname - Known for pottery of Tokoname-Yaki.
Routes through Chubu Centrair International Airport
Nagoya ← into ← Tokoname ←  N  S  → END
Nagoya ← into ← Tokoname ←  N  S  → END


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