Cliff(y) Goes Travelling

NGO-NRT (1h 20m) Boeing 737-800 ETD:  2.15pm  (GMT + 9) ETA: 3.35pm (GMT + 9) It's really been a while since I last flew with ANA domestically. The previous time was way back in 2013 from New Chitose Airport in Sapporo to Osaka Itami Airport. This time, I flew from Chubu Centrair International Airport to Narita International Airport aboard a Boeing 737-800, part of a fleet with an average age of 12.9 years at the point of writing.

1-1 Centrair, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan Chubu Centrair International Airport, also known as Central Japan International Airport, is ocated on an artificial island off the coast of Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture. Opened in 2005, it was constructed to replace the former Nagoya Airport. It's since earned the reputation as one of the most efficient and passenger-friendly airports in the country.

1-1 Centrair, Chubu Centrair International Airport, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan Daily: 10.00am - 5.00pm Flight of Dreams is an aviation-themed complex at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya, Japan. Whether you're an aviation enthusiast or simply passing time before your next flight, this immersive space offers a delightful blend of education and entertainment centred around the world's very first Boeing 787 aircraft, ZA001.

11-15 Tsubakicho, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan I'd actually wanted to book a room at  Smile Hotel Nagoya Shinkansenguchi  again for the last two nights after returning from Gifu City, but couldn't find any available rooms. As such, I decided on Nagoyaeki Access Hotel (3*). As the name suggests, the latter is also within easy walking distance from Nagoya station.

Nagoya, Aichi, Japan Time flies, doesn't it? It's hard to believe that a quarter of 2025 has already passed. My backlog is piling up, but anyway, let's continue with our exploration of Nagoya. In this second part, do expect more night shots as I wandered through the city's illuminated streets after sundown. Let's start with Sakae, a vibrant downtown district located approximately 2 km east of Nagoya Station.

Nagoya, Aichi, Japan Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture, is the fourth largest city in Japan. Both before and after World War II, the city has been known as one of the leading industrial and manufacturing hubs in the country. Earning the nickname "Houston and Montreal of the Orient", the city is home to global giants like Toyota.

1-1 Honmaru, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan Daily: 9.00am - 4.30pm Standing as a symbol of Japan's rich history and cultural heritage, Nagoya Castle holds the distinction of being the first castle in the country to be designated a National Treasure. Originally built in 1612 under the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the castle played a crucial role during the feudal era.

21-20 Tsubaki-cho, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan Bringing me a smile indeed, Smile Hotel Nagoya Shinkansenguchi (3*) lives up to its name with its prime location not far from the entrance to the bullet train platform of Nagoya station. For the price point, I'm not sure if there are any other hotels around offering free-flowing freshly grilled unagi (Japanese freshwater eel) for breakfast.

NRT-NGO (1h 20m) Boeing 737-800 ETD:  6.30pm  (GMT + 9) ETA: 7.50pm (GMT + 9) I've been to Japan a few times, but actually I rarely fly with Japanese carriers. After enduring the long queue at immigration, I finally got my passport stamped. With that done, it was time to locate the transfer counter for the next flight, which marked my virgin experience of touching down at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya.