TOKYO: Renovations are underway at Chubu Airport, the air gateway to the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
Along with the addition of a new photo spot for passengers, duty-free shops and lounges have been expanded.
A golden shachihoko mythical fish with a tiger’s head, the same size as those at Nagoya Castle, has made its debut in the international arrivals lobby of the airport, located in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture.
It is attracting attention as a photo spot among foreign athletes and tourists who came to watch the games.
The shachihoko was created using 3D data provided by the City of Nagoya, and artisans applied 1,800 sheets of gold leaf one by one.
“It has been set up as a symbol leading to the competition venues at the gateway to Nagoya and the Chubu region,” Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa said.
For the duration of the Games, the floor in front of the shachihoko has been decorated to resemble three lanes of an athletic track.
At the end of a 41-meter straightaway stands a podium that visitors can climb. As visitors proceed along the curve of the track, the path leads them toward the train station, bus stops and parking lots.
At the duty-free shop on the departures level, 18 perfume, cosmetics and skincare brands have been added, bringing the total to 63.
For domestic flights, the Plaza Premium Lounge has opened along the route from security checkpoint to the boarding gates.
Spanning 490 square meters with 149 seats, it offers beverages and light meals. It can also accommodate small meetings.
This is the first domestic flight lounge in Japan opened by the Plaza Premium Group, which operates airport lounges.
A manager from the group explained, “We want to expand from Chubu into various regions across Japan.”
The lounge is available to elite members of All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, while other passengers can gain access for two hours for ¥1,650.
Additionally, the information center was relocated from the Terminal 1 departure lobby to the Access Plaza and consolidated.
Another lounge, which is accessible before security screening, will also be renovated in the future. - The Yomuri Shimbun
