Photo credit: Centrair official website

Centrair (Chubu Centrair International Airport) is known as an airport where “you can spend a whole day having fun without even boarding a flight.” From the “FLIGHT OF DREAMS” complex, which displays an actual Boeing 787, to a special aircraft found nowhere else in Japan and even a scenic bath, the airport itself is like a theme park.

To cut to the chase, the top highlight of a Centrair visit is “FLIGHT OF DREAMS.” You can spend a full day just within the airport, and if you head across to the “Rinku area” on the opposite shore, you can also enjoy the beach and shopping malls.

The information in this article is current as of September 2026. Business hours and prices are subject to change, so please check each facility’s or the airport’s official website for the latest information.

Inside the Airport｜The Sky Deck and the Dreamlifter

Sky Deck

Located on the rooftop of the Terminal 1 Center Pier, this roughly 300-meter, all-wood observation deck is known as “the observation deck in Japan where you can feel airplanes closest to you.” At about 300m from the runway and just around 50m from the taxiway, you can watch takeoffs and landings at extremely close range.

• Open hours: 7:00 AM–9:30 PM
• Admission: Free

If you’re lucky, you might spot the “Dreamlifter” (Boeing 747 LCF), one of only four special transport aircraft in the world. Designed to carry large Boeing 787 components, Centrair is the only place in Japan where you can see this unique aircraft up close.

The Complete FLIGHT OF DREAMS Guide｜See an Actual Boeing 787 Up Close

About a 7-minute walk from Terminal 1 via the Access Plaza, “FLIGHT OF DREAMS” is an interactive airplane theme park. Its centerpiece is the actual first Boeing 787 (ZA001) on display, alongside the commercial area “Seattle Terrace,” forming a combined complex.

FLIGHT PARK (Boeing 787 Aircraft + teamLab)

• Location: FLIGHT OF DREAMS, 1st floor
• Hours: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (last admission 4:30 PM, open year-round)
• Admission: Adults (junior high school age and up) ¥1,200, children (age 3 to 6th grade) ¥800, free under age 3

You can experience the scale of the first Boeing 787 up close and even tour the inside of the cockpit. In the area produced by teamLab, celebrated worldwide for its digital art, you can experience aviation-related jobs at “Airline Studio,” and don’t miss the “Fly with 787 Dreamliner” show, in which video is projected onto the aircraft and the surrounding space. The net play structure “Mokumo Cloud,” set 6 meters above the ground (ages 3–12, ¥300 per play or ¥500 for a full day, one accompanying guardian free), is also popular.

LUXURY FLIGHT (Full Flight Simulator Experience)

• Location: FLIGHT OF DREAMS, 1st floor, inside FLIGHT PARK
• Hours: 10:00 AM–8:00 PM (reservation-priority system, irregular closures)
• Price: Boeing 787 simulator — 5 minutes (photo only) ¥1,100, 15 minutes (flight experience plan) ¥3,300, 30 minutes ¥12,650, 45 minutes ¥16,500 / Boeing 747 “Dreamlifter” simulator priced the same

Choose from two full-scale simulators — the Boeing 787 or 747. This is the same equipment used by professionals, but advisors carefully support beginners, so you can safely enjoy the pilot experience.

SEATTLE TERRACE and BOEING STORE

• SEATTLE FISH MARKET (FLIGHT OF DREAMS, 2nd floor): A seafood specialty restaurant. “Seattle Fish & Chips” ¥980, “Double Salmon Avocado Burger” ¥1,350
• THE PIKE BREWING RESTAURANT & CRAFT BEER BAR (3rd floor): The first Japan location of a Seattle-born craft beer brewery restaurant. “Extra Meat Burger” ¥2,880, “Clam Chowder” ¥1,850
• BOEING STORE (1st floor): Boeing’s first official store outside the United States. It carries items available nowhere else in the world, such as a “Printed Cookie Tin” (¥972) and sofas made from recycled aircraft parts. Hours: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM

Relaxation, Dining, and Shopping

Relaxation Area (Chochin Yokocho)

A comprehensive relaxation facility featuring a scenic bath, restaurants, an Asian-style spa, and a coworking space.

• SORA SPA Kaze no Yu: A scenic bath overlooking the sunset over Ise Bay and planes taking off and landing. Hours: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM (last entry 8:00 PM), ¥1,500 for adults (towel included); the coworking space starts from ¥800 per hour
• SANATIO SPA: A spa offering aroma treatments (from ¥3,900) in an Asian-inspired setting

Sky Town (Terminal 1, 4th floor)

Divided into two areas: “Brick Street,” styled after a European townscape, and “Chochin Yokocho,” with the atmosphere of an old-fashioned Japanese neighborhood. Famous shops serving Nagoya’s local specialty dishes (“Nagoya Meshi”) are gathered here, and you can compare favorites like Yabaton’s “miso katsu,” Maruha Shokudo’s “jumbo fried shrimp,” and Yondaime Kagisaburo Miya Kishimen’s “kishimen” noodles. At “SORA MONO” you can buy original Centrair merchandise, and at “Sample Kobo” you can pick up realistic food-sample souvenirs.

See our complete guide to Centrair cafes here

Segway Guided Tours

Reception is on the 1st floor of Terminal 1 at the “Welcome Garden.” Options include the “Passenger Terminal Course” around the Sky Deck (60 minutes, ¥3,500), as well as an outdoor “Centrair Garden Course” and an indoor “Harbor View Course” (reservation required).

Spots Around the Airport

Rinku Area (Across from the Airport)

• Rinku Beach: An artificial beach about 630 meters long. Enjoy swimming and barbecues in summer while watching planes take off and land.
• AEON MALL Tokoname: One of the largest shopping malls in the Tokai region. It also features the hands-on facility “Wonder Forest Qulio” and an AEON Cinema, with free shuttle buses running to and from Centrair.
• Costco Wholesale Chubu Airport Warehouse: A membership supermarket right in front of the Rinku Interchange.
• Mentai Park Tokoname: A theme park run by “Kanefuku,” a specialty mentaiko (spicy cod roe) maker, with a free factory tour and direct-sales shop.

Tokoname City (A Pottery Town)

• Tokoname Pottery Footpath: An area where kilns producing Tokoname ware — one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns — are clustered together. Retro touches remain, such as sloped paths lined with clay pipes and shochu bottles.
• INAX Live Museum: A museum where you can experience and explore the world of ceramics, with special exhibitions and workshops also held here.

Model Itineraries for Sightseeing at Centrair

A Half-Day Itinerary

• Tour the actual Boeing 787 and FLIGHT PARK at FLIGHT OF DREAMS
• Head to the Sky Deck and look for the Dreamlifter
• Have lunch featuring Nagoya Meshi at Sky Town
• Wrap up at SORA SPA Kaze no Yu in the relaxation area

A Full Day to Really Enjoy It

• Morning: Try the flight simulator at FLIGHT OF DREAMS and shop for souvenirs at BOEING STORE
• Midday: Compare different Nagoya Meshi dishes at Sky Town
• Afternoon: Head to the Rinku area for shopping at AEON MALL Tokoname and Mentai Park Tokoname
• Evening: Finish up watching the sunset and planes landing from the Sky Deck

Recommendations by Purpose

For Aviation Fans

Beyond viewing the actual Boeing 787 at FLIGHT OF DREAMS, don’t miss searching for the Dreamlifter from the Sky Deck.

For Couples and Families

The flight simulator experience and the scenic bath/spa in the relaxation area make for great memories. AEON MALL Tokoname in the Rinku area is also fun for a full day with kids.

For Foodies

We recommend comparing different “Nagoya Meshi” dishes at Sky Town. Famous shops like Yabaton, Maruha Shokudo, and Yondaime Kagisaburo Miya Kishimen are all gathered there.

For Early-Morning or Late-Night Flights

Making use of SORA SPA Kaze no Yu and the coworking space in the relaxation area lets you make good use of your time before or after your flight.

We Also Recommend NearMe for Getting To and From Centrair!

When heading to Centrair, we highly recommend using “NearMe,” which takes you directly from wherever you are with no transfers.

Overview

NearMe is a flat-rate shuttle service that picks you up directly from wherever you are — your home, a hotel, or elsewhere — and takes you straight to the airport. It has served over 1.45 million total bookings, with a rider satisfaction rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 (based on results from October 2019 to May 2025). With the “shared ride” option, where you ride together with other passengers, you can save up to 80% compared to a regular taxi.

• Shared ride: from ¥3,980 per person
• Private ride (flat-rate hired car): from ¥12,280 per vehicle

How to Use It and Pricing

Between Nagoya Station and Centrair, here’s what you can expect in terms of price and travel time.

Mode of transport	Estimated price	Travel time	Notes
NearMe (shared ride)	About ¥4,480	From about 40 min	Includes expressway tolls, door-to-door
Limousine bus	About ¥1,500	From about 55 min	Requires travel to/from the bus stop and waiting time
Taxi	About ¥20,950	From about 40 min	Relatively expensive for 1–3 people; pickup fee and expressway tolls extra

How to Get an Even Better Deal

• Early bird discount: Book at least 14 days before your ride for a discounted price
• Share discount: Discounted pricing when you have a co-rider or conditions (date/time and route) make one easy to find
• One suitcase free; extra-large luggage is +¥1,000 per item
• Using the shared ride option earns miles with ANA, JAL, StarFlyer, UA, and EVA

Who We Recommend NearMe For

• Those who want to travel with time to spare while also sightseeing in areas like Rinku
• Those who are uneasy about driving or would rather not drive
• Those with a lot of luggage, such as suitcases, for whom changing trains is a hassle
• Those heading to the airport together with family or friends

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Can I enjoy sightseeing at Centrair using just the airport itself?

A. Yes. From viewing the actual Boeing 787 and the flight simulator at FLIGHT OF DREAMS to the scenic bath in the relaxation area, you can spend a full day enjoying yourself within the airport alone.

Q. Where can I see the Dreamlifter?

A. You may be able to see it from the Sky Deck. It’s one of only four special transport aircraft in the world, and Centrair is the only place in Japan where you can see it up close. Since it depends on the flight schedule, there’s no guarantee you’ll see it.

Q. How much is admission to FLIGHT OF DREAMS?

A. Admission to FLIGHT PARK is ¥1,200 for adults and ¥800 for children (age 3 to 6th grade). The Sky Deck and Seattle Terrace are free to use.

Q. Is it enjoyable with kids?

A. Yes. The kids’ area and “Mokumo Cloud” at FLIGHT PARK, as well as “Wonder Forest Qulio” inside AEON MALL Tokoname in the Rinku area, are popular with families.

Q. Which is ultimately the best deal for getting to Centrair — train, taxi, or NearMe?

A. Between Nagoya Station and Centrair, NearMe’s shared ride starts at about ¥4,480 — roughly one-fifth the cost of a taxi (about ¥20,950).

Summary

Centrair has the charm of a theme park in its own right, with attractions like “FLIGHT OF DREAMS,” which displays an actual Boeing 787, and the “Dreamlifter,” a special transport aircraft found nowhere else in Japan.

You can spend a full day just within the airport, and if you head further to the Rinku area or Tokoname City, you can also enjoy the beach, shopping, and pottery culture.

And when heading to Centrair, we also recommend using NearMe, which takes you door-to-door. It’s especially recommended for those traveling from Nagoya Station, or anyone who wants to build in extra time for sightseeing in areas like Rinku. Be sure to give it a try on your next trip to Centrair.