Chubu Centrair International Airport

Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) serves the Nagoya metropolitan area and the Chubu (central Japan) region. Built on an artificial island in Ise Bay, the airport opened in 2005 and is known for its excellent facilities and distinctive wave-like roof design.

The airport has two terminals:

• Terminal 1 (T1): Full-service and low-cost carriers, main terminal
• Terminal 2 (T2): Dedicated LCC terminal (Jetstar, Spring Japan)

Both terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus (5 minutes).

Key airlines: ANA, JAL, Jetstar Japan, Peach, China Airlines, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Finnair, and various Asian carriers.

Centrair is connected to Nagoya and the region by the Meitetsu Railway:

• To Nagoya Station: 35 km, 28-40 minutes by train
• To Sakae (city center): 40 km, 35-45 minutes
• To Kanazawa: 200 km, 3.5 hours by train
• To Takayama: 150 km, 2.5-3 hours by bus

The train connection is excellent—no need for buses or taxis for most destinations.

Uber does not operate at NGO. Use taxis or public transport.

Taxis available from the rank at T1 ground level:

• To Nagoya Station: ¥15,000-18,000 (~$100-120 USD)
• Taxis are expensive—train is strongly recommended

Tip: Japanese taxis are metered, clean, and honest. Doors open automatically—don't slam them.

Meitetsu Railway (Recommended)

The Meitetsu Airport Line (μ-Sky) provides excellent service to Nagoya:

μ-Sky Limited Express (fastest):

• To Nagoya Station: 28 minutes
• Cost: ¥1,290 + ¥450 reserved seat = ¥1,740 (~$12 USD)
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes

Rapid/Express trains:

• To Nagoya Station: 35-40 minutes
• Cost: ¥920 (~$6 USD)
• Frequency: Every 10-15 minutes
• No reservation needed

1. Follow signs to Meitetsu Centrair Station (connected to T1)
2. Purchase ticket from machines (English available)
3. Take train toward Nagoya

Ferry

A ferry service operates to Tsu Port (Mie Prefecture)—useful for accessing Ise-Shima.

Highway Bus

Long-distance buses available to various destinations including Takayama and Matsumoto.

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
P1 (closest)	¥1,600/day	Covered, near T1
P2	¥1,300/day	Short walk
P3	¥1,000/day	Economy

Book online for discounts. Multi-day caps available.

Centrair is famous for having excellent airport dining—some of Japan's best:

Terminal 1 (4F "Sky Town"):

• Misen: Famous Nagoya-style Taiwan ramen
• Yamamotoya Honten: Miso nikomi udon—Nagoya specialty
• Kitsunean: Kishimen (flat noodles)
• Maruya: Hitsumabushi (grilled eel on rice)
• Sekai no Yamachan: Nagoya's famous tebasaki (chicken wings)

Flight of Dreams (adjacent entertainment complex):

• Restaurants with Boeing 787 Dreamliner display
• Seattle-themed dining

Try before you fly: Miso katsu (miso-sauced pork cutlet), hitsumabushi, or tebasaki—all Nagoya specialties.

Network: Centrair Free WiFi

• Cost: Free
• Speed: Excellent
• Duration: Unlimited

Japan's airport WiFi is reliably good.

SIM cards and pocket WiFi available from:

• Telecom Square counter (arrivals)
• WiFi rental counters
• Vending machines in arrivals

Options:

• Tourist SIM: ¥3,000-5,000 for 7-14 days with data
• Pocket WiFi rental: ¥500-1,000/day

Pick up on arrival, return before departure—convenient and well-organized.

ATMs available throughout:

• 7-Eleven ATM (accepts international cards, English)
• Japan Post Bank ATM
• Various bank ATMs

Currency: Japanese Yen (¥). Approximately ¥150 = 1 USD.

Tips:

• Japan is still cash-heavy; carry yen
• 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs work best with foreign cards
• Convenience store ATMs have English options

Terminal 1 (Centrair Sky Street):

• Japanese brand shops
• Electronics (though Nagoya has better selection)
• Cosmetics
• Omiyage (souvenir snacks): Nagoya specialty uiro, shrimp crackers
• Anime/manga goods
• Duty-free

Best souvenirs: Nagoya's famous shrimp crackers (ebi senbei), uiro (steamed cake), and Aichi prefecture crafts.

ANA Lounge

• Location: T1 International departures
• Access: ANA Business/First, Star Alliance Gold
• Amenities: Japanese food, drinks, WiFi, showers

JAL Sakura Lounge

• Location: T1 International departures
• Access: JAL Business/First, oneworld Emerald/Sapphire
• Amenities: Japanese hospitality, food, drinks

Centrair Global Lounge

• Location: T1 International
• Access: Priority Pass, various cards, or ¥3,000 (~$20) walk-in
• Amenities: Food, drinks, WiFi

KAL Lounge

• Location: T1
• Access: Korean Air Business, SkyTeam Elite Plus

Centrair has an on-airport hotel—convenient for early flights or late arrivals:

Centrair Hotel is directly connected to Terminal 1 by walkway.

Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city and the gateway to central Japan's attractions:

Top attractions in Nagoya (with travel time from airport):

• Nagoya Castle: 50 min—iconic castle with golden shachihoko (tiger-fish ornaments)
• Atsuta Shrine: 50 min—one of Japan's most important Shinto shrines
• Toyota Commemorative Museum: 55 min—automotive history and technology
• Osu Shopping District: 45 min—covered arcades, vintage shops, electronics
• Sakae: 45 min—main entertainment and shopping district

Day trips from Nagoya:

• Takayama: 2.5 hours—beautifully preserved Edo-period town
• Shirakawa-go: 3 hours—UNESCO World Heritage thatched-roof village
• Kanazawa: 3 hours—gardens, geisha districts, samurai houses
• Ise Grand Shrine: 1.5 hours—Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine
• Inuyama Castle: 40 min—one of Japan's 12 original castles

Nagoya food specialties (must-try):

• Miso katsu: Pork cutlet with red miso sauce
• Hitsumabushi: Grilled eel served three ways
• Tebasaki: Crispy fried chicken wings (Yamachan is famous)
• Miso nikomi udon: Udon in red miso broth
• Kishimen: Flat white noodles in broth
• Taiwan ramen: Spicy ground pork noodles (despite the name, it's from Nagoya)
• Ankake spaghetti: Thick spaghetti in savory sauce (local invention)

Local tips:

• Nagoya is often skipped by tourists—use this to your advantage, fewer crowds
• The city is a major transportation hub—ideal base for exploring central Japan
• Toyota City is nearby for car enthusiasts
• Legoland Japan is adjacent to the airport area
• Purchase a JR Pass if traveling to multiple cities
• Nagoya is known for being practical rather than flashy—embrace it