Summary of Leisure Spots at Chubu Centrair International Airport (Centrair): Killing Time at the Gateway to Tokai

Introducing recommended spots to kill time at Centrair (Chubu Centrair International Airport), the largest international airport in the Tokai region, located in Aichi Prefecture!
Chubu Centrair International Airport, known as Centrair, is a massive airport overflowing with passengers year after year, serving as the aerial gateway of the Tokai region. With numerous domestic and international flights constantly taking off and landing, you might sometimes find yourself wondering how to best spend any idle time.

The airport offers an abundance of shops and restaurants, ensuring you’re never at a loss for souvenirs or meals; however, this can sometimes make it difficult to decide on the best option.

This article lists the leisure spots within Centrair Airport that are especially recommended for passing the time. Be sure to check them out.

Centrair Leisure Spot ①: Sky Deck

At Centrair, one of the leisure spots we first introduce is the "Sky Deck." This airport features a facility not found in others—a viewing deck that lets you get as close as approximately 300 meters to the runway.

Just before departure, you can watch specialized vehicles and maintenance staff in action as they move around the runway preparing for takeoff, creating an atmosphere of rising anticipation. Open from early morning until around 9 PM, the Sky Deck offers varying views depending on the time of day—from the sunrise in the morning to the sunset over Ise Bay. Its ever-changing beauty is one of its highlights.

This spot is ideal for filling those pockets of free time within the airport.

Centrair Leisure Spot ②: Maruya Honten

Next on our list is "Maruya Honten," a restaurant located on the 4th floor of the airport, highly recommended for killing time at Centrair. Since Centrair is located in the southwestern part of Aichi Prefecture, it makes sense to enjoy the local gourmet cuisine while dining. And that’s where Maruya Honten comes in.

At Maruya Honten, the signature dish is “Hitsumabushi,” which is said to have originated in Aichi Prefecture. The eel, carefully selected for its quality, is served with a traditional sauce that has been replenished for 160 years. Enjoy this ultimate culinary experience crafted with the best eel and the best sauce by skilled artisans before your flight.

Centrair Leisure Spot ③: The Pike Brewing

Next, we introduce another leisure spot, also a restaurant, called "The Pike Brewing." This venue is not only a great lunch stop to kill time but also a place where you can leisurely soak in the atmosphere when you have more time.

With an American ambiance, it is no surprise that this spot is one of the most popular on the West Coast of the United States! The Centrair branch marks its debut in Japan. Popular menu items include Seattle-style hamburgers and Seattle’s number one craft beer. Whether you order the 100% beef burger with its thick patty, the club chowder, or the Cajun shrimp, every dish is simply exquisite!

For reserved seating, you can enjoy your meal and beer while watching planes—an experience unique to the airport. Visiting casually might inspire you to return for a more leisurely experience next time.

Centrair Leisure Spot ④: Charcoal-Grilled Beef Tongue “Higashiyama”

While Centrair is well-equipped with domestic flights, there are also restaurants offering local delicacies from various regions. Next, we introduce a spot where you can savor an exquisite set meal featuring beef tongue—a specialty of Sendai—at Centrair Airport: "Charcoal-Grilled Beef Tongue Higashiyama."

It’s a point of pride that a popular restaurant from Sendai is available at Centrair in the Tokai region. What starts as a casual visit to kill time may turn into a delightful experience as you indulge in authentic flavors, including lean red beef tongue from premium black-haired Japanese cattle.

Centrair Leisure Spot ⑤: Xi'an Dao Xiao Mian

Another recommended spot when you have spare time is a restaurant located on the 2nd floor of Terminal 1, in the arrival lobby, called "Xi'an Dao Xiao Mian," which serves traditional Chinese cuisine from Xi'an.

Dao Xiao Mian is neither ramen nor udon—it is a dish where dough made from wheat flour is shaved using a special knife directly into boiling water. The combination of a spicy, well-seasoned broth and firm noodles is irresistible. Savoring authentic Chinese flavors here might just be an unexpectedly delightful experience.

Centrair Leisure Spot ⑥: Tempura Shimo no Isshiki

Next is "Tempura Shimo no Isshiki." This restaurant focuses on local Mikawa freshwater fish, offering seasonal and rare varieties of fish tempura.

Featuring tempura made with locally sourced fish and freshly produced domestic vegetables, accompanied by locally produced dipping sauces, this restaurant serves up delights like the “Grilled Conger Eel Rice” (flame-seared eel) and its most popular “Shrimp Tempura Bowl.” Their special Aichi-prefecture dipping sauce is another highlight! Suitable for both lunch and dinner, it’s a great spot to drop by during any free moment.

Centrair Leisure Spot ⑦: Airport Souvenir Shops

Centrair offers an extensive range of restaurants covering Japanese, Chinese, Western, and global cuisines, but if you’re in the mood for a little shopping while killing time, you might want to explore the airport’s souvenir shops.

Below, we introduce some of the best spots for finding souvenirs at Centrair Airport—places you might consider for a brief shopping spree.

Meihin-kan

The first shop we introduce is “Meihin-kan,” located on the 1st floor of the terminal building. It is a large souvenir shop with products divided into separate sections by category.

The Japanese sweets section features famous sweets such as “Akafuku,” “Yukari,” and “Chin-nari,” which are well-known souvenirs of the Tokai region. Whether you’re buying locally or nationwide, this section is ideal for choosing Japanese confections.

The western sweets section offers a wide range of products from famous brands, with some sweets made using local ingredients, showing a commitment to regional pride.

For those who enjoy local sake or plum wine, this alcohol section is recommended. With over 100 types of alcoholic beverages on offer, you might discover a new favorite.

Centrair Omiyage-kan

Next, we introduce another spot where you can stop by just before departure, located near the domestic security checkpoint. Even if your flight is imminent, you can still quickly visit this store.

True to its name, Centrair Omiyage-kan offers a selection of souvenirs ideal for regional gift-giving. In addition to souvenirs, you can also find boxed meals (akin to train station bento) and magazines, making it a convenient mini-department store before your flight. It’s a shop where you can casually browse while preparing for departure.

How to Access Centrair Airport

Centrair Airport is not only frequented by residents of Aichi Prefecture but by people from all over the Tokai region. Located on an artificial island, it is accessible by car, train, or bus. With a parking lot capacity of 7,800 vehicles, it’s very convenient for those driving. There are highway on-ramps directly on the island as well.

By Train, accessible via the Tokoname Line and the Airport Line to Chubu Centrair Airport Station, which also connects to the Nagoya area.

By Bus, services are available from Nagoya Station, as well as from Toyoda, Hamamatsu, Kuwana, and Mie.
By Ferry, for instance, in Mie Prefecture, there is the “Tsu Airport Line” ferry service connecting to Ise Shrine and other destinations.
As outlined above, there are many transportation options available at this bustling airport. You can select the best one to match your travel itinerary.

◎Summary of Centrair Leisure Spots

We’ve introduced a variety of leisure spots at Centrair Airport. In addition to the restaurants and shops listed above, the airport is overflowing with ideal places to pick up souvenirs.

The charm of a large airport like Centrair is not only in the local specialties of Aichi and the Tokai region but also in the diverse gourmet offerings representing your flight destination. So, whenever you find yourself with some free time while waiting or aligning meeting times, take a stroll around Centrair Airport and explore its many offerings.

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Summary of Leisure Spots at Chubu Centrair International Airport (Centrair): Killing Time at the Gateway to Tokai