{
  "id": 8391804,
  "title": "Chubu Airport Renovated for Asian Games, Welcomes Visitors with Shachihoko, Track-Themed Design",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/chubu-airport-renovated-for-asian-games-welcomes-visitors-with",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-19T05:45:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun",
    "slug": "the-japan-news-by-the-yomiuri-shimbun",
    "url": "https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20260919-349606/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Renovations are underway at Chubu Airport, the air gateway to the upcoming Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026. The airport is set to receive a new golden shachihoko mythical fish, a symbol inspired by Nagoya Castle's golden fish. This 3D-crafted masterpiece, resembling those of Nagoya Castle, has been meticulously assembled using 1,800 sheets of gold leaf. Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa announced that the shachihoko will serve as a welcoming symbol for passengers heading towards the competition venues in Nagoya and the wider Chubu region.\n\nAlongside the shachihoko, the airport has expanded duty-free shops and lounges. In the departures area, a 490-square-meter Plaza Premium Lounge has been added, featuring 149 seats and serving beverages and light meals. This lounge, the first domestic flight lounge of its kind in Japan, offers a premium experience for elite members of All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, as well as access for other passengers for a fee of ¥1,650. The lounge can also accommodate small meetings.\n\nA track-themed design has been incorporated into the airport, with the floor in front of the shachihoko decorated to resemble three lanes of an athletic track. At the end of a 41-meter straightaway, visitors can climb a podium, with the path leading them towards the train station, bus stops, and parking lots as they progress along the track's curve.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [
    "Chubu Airport renovates for Asian Games 2026",
    "Golden shachihoko mythical fish welcomed passengers",
    "Track-themed design with podium at airport entrance"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}