Nagoya area is famous in Japan as an industrious area. It famous for its Shinkansen of JR Tokai and also for semi-hometown of Toyota. It was also previously famous for aircraft industry. So actually, there are many aircraft related places you can visit and enjoy in this area, and Aichi Museum of Flight is one of them.
What you will learn
Great sightseeing spot with family in Nagoya area, where you can see and enjoy Japanese airplanes.
Access may be a bit tricky
Like all airports, Aichi museum of Flight is on the outskirts of Nagoya city, in Toyoyama town, and the access is a bit tricky.
It is located right next to Nagoya Airport, which was former international airport before Chubu Centrair International Airport opened. It means that is is not Centrair airport. f you were to be flying in from other parts of Japan, you may want to stop by to have a look, since it is conveniently located right next to the airport. Aichi museum of flight opened right next to Airport Walk Shopping Mall which had remodeled the former international terminal.
If you choose to go by train, it is probably easy to take the bus from Nagoya, Sakae, or Kachigawa stations on Aoi Kotsu. You may want to note that Aoi Kotsu bus would not take an IC card money so you might want to take extra coins for payment.
Once you are on the bus, you would not have any problem getting to the Aichi Museum of Flight.
The entrance is on the 2nd floor!!
Its only entrance is located on the 2nd floor, The most easy way to go to the 2nd floor entrance hall is from the access bridge of the Airport Walk Shopping Mall. So enter the mall, go up to the second floor via escalator or elevator, and walk across the crossing bridge to reach the ticket counter.
As all newly constructed tour spots in Japan, this facility is totally barrier free with no stress at all. It should not be a problem on a wheelchair or stroller. There are also toilets on every floor including universal toilet which is a relief fir people with strollers or on wheelchair.
Enjoyable place to go with family
Events for kids
There are workshops relating to aircrafts which kids of any age can participate. The type of workshops available, time schedule, and age group that can participate is announced on the official webpage, so it may be wise to check before going.
There are two types of workshops, the first is the hands on type with flight simulators and being an airline mechanic. Flight simulator must be elementary school and up, but mechanic experience everyone can participate.
The other type is a lab type, where you go to the science lab and can take a lecture on aero dynamics or participate in crafting workshop. This type is strict on age group and time schedule, because of the curriculum, so you may want to check this one beforehand, if you are rally interested.
The craft workshop for January 2019 was paper aircraft workshop, which my pre-school child really enjoyed very much. The paper aircraft flew like a rocket and my child was jumping around with delight, which made me think that this workshop is really worth coming for.
View aircraft liftoffs and landings
From the sky deck on the 3rd floor, you can see aircraft liftoffs and landings to the Prefectural Nagoya Airport. There are also helicopters and private airplanes that use this airport you can enjoy those planes, and moreover, there is an air-force base adjacent to the airport, so if you are lucky, you may be able to see those as well. There are also hammocks on the roof floor so that you can lay down to view the sky comfortably.
You can actually go inside the aircraft
On the aircrafts on the ground floor, you will be able to step inside and view the interior from cockpit to passenger seats. Which plane is available on which day rotates every month, and the time schedule changes every month. So you may want to check on the official website event information for the announcement.
When the YS-11 was available to view the interior, a guide will kindly explain how the plane was used, and how it is unique, and it made the moment special. On top of that, he would take a photo of the family on the stairway so that we would nit need to take turns to take photos.
Summary
Aichi Museum of Flight is a great place to visit on a family trip to Nagoya area.
