Those of us “of a certain age” remember the good old days of travel when one could go to the airport, walk right up to the gate, and meet our friends and family as they arrived or departed. Wasn’t it fantastic? In those heady days pre-9/11/2021, we were still required to pass through x-ray machines, of course, but pretty much anyone was allowed in, no tickets or ID required. As a visitor, you could eat at the many gate-side eateries, enjoy the airport’s art and historical exhibits, people watch… It was fun! It was an excursion!
Not so much anymore, alas. These days, most airports are pretty drab affairs – at least on the public side of TSA. A few boring restaurants. A bookstore or two. A convenience store if you’re lucky. Only ticket holders get access to the fun stuff on the other side.
At least, that’s true for airports NOT located in Sapporo, Japan.
Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport does it all backwards, in a good way. Families of all generations make a visit to this airport their weekend outing, knowing that top-quality entertainment and refreshments are on OUR side of the x-ray machine.
At what other airport would you find a movie theater and a high-end food court as you enter the building? Looking for museums? New Chitose offers a great (free) flight museum with old-timey uniforms, aviation artifacts, jets, propellers, etc. And just across the hallway? The Royce Chocolate Museum, with interesting choco-related exhibits and a peek onto the automated factory floor.
Further along is the Gundam Base Annex, where you can buy all sorts of Transformer-type toys and models. And what’s that over there? The Hello Kitty Happy Flight attraction, where Miss Kitty is incarnated as a cabin attendant! Sanrio characters abound, with numerous photo spots, a café and a souvenir shop (of course) to enjoy.
I’ve been saving the best for last.
At Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport, you can also bathe in a full-fledged, traditional, Japanese-style onsen! I have no idea how they get the hot mineral water up to the 4th floor, or why you’d want to build an airport on top of geo-thermically active land. But there it is – a chance to soak in a hot bath, relax Japanese style, then fly off to your final destination. Now that’s civilized.
And ALL of this is for the guests to enjoy, not the passengers who have foolishly rushed through security thinking paradise was on the other side. In this case, the locals are having all the fun!
Myself, I came to New Chitose to meet a friend flying in from the States. As it turns out, my mistake was cutting my time short at the airport! The next time I find myself in Sapporo, I’m giving myself all day to play at the airport!
(One of my best friend always times his airport arrivals down to the second, fearing if he arrives to early he’ll – gawd forbid – be sitting around idly, with nothing to do! How inefficient! I wonder if this is the best way to approach travel – or life for that matter. It seems to me that, to paraphrase John Lennon, life is what happens when you’re not busy making other plans. The next time you’re flying out somewhere, why not arrive at your airport 3+ hours early? Take your time looking at the art and exhibits. Stretch your legs. Do some stretching and calisthenics. Find the devotional room and do some meditation. Grab a coffee and read one of those artifacts called “a book.” In short – take advantage of the rare opportunity to slow down and enjoy some ME time.)