Nagoya was our first taste of domestic Japan, and there was real excitement as we landed. We used the observation deck on top of the newer domestic terminal, which gave excellent views of just about the whole airfield. Cost was Y150, and you were given a ticket which allowed you re- entry. Just inside the viewing deck is a well-stocked shop with airline models/key-rings and the like, and a small museum, with three aeroplanes inside (Mu-2/Zero ?/helicopter !). Photo opportunities were particularly good from the viewing deck.

The mix of traffic here is superb; some good international flights, a good number of what seemed to be based ANA 767-200/A320's, and of course some military. We got thirteen of the JASDF C-130 fleet, while the sunny and warm weather meant that most of the hangars were open, in which we saw some KV.107's and U-125's. Also in the Air Rescue hangar were two H-60's which we couldn't read. Military visitors included a quite stunning JASDF F-15 which went off to the Mitsubishi area, and a T-4 and C-1 which went to the military side of the airfield. There is also a lot of general aviation here, with particularly a large number, and diverse selection of helicopters. After the disappointment of not getting a Garuda A.330 at Hong Kong, it was great to finally see one here, and we waited around for the Korean MD.82 before leaving for Osaka.

There is a large number of small cafes in the terminal, and the cucumber and ham toasted sandwiches from one just opposite the ANA check-in desks were particularly good (Y400). Canned drinks from vending machines on the roof cost Y120.

The trip to Osaka was to be the most involved journey of the whole week, and we left Nagoya at 1700, in order to catch the last bus from Osaka station to Itami airport at 1935. Journey time from Nagoya airport to Nagoya station was about 35 minutes and cost Y870 (Nagoya seemed an absolutley vast city). We got to Nagoya station just in time for rush hour !, but we caught the train we were trying for to Osaka in enough time. We were able to pay for the tickets by credit cards at the Travel Agents booths, as opposed to the JR booths. The train fare was slightly less than I expected, Y5,670 for an un-reserved 'Hikari'. Journey time on the 'bullet' was an hour, with one stop at Kyoto. The train carriages were very roomy, if a little smoky (they do have non-smoking cars however), while the train itself is very smooth, and fast with very quick acceleration. We made it to Shin-Osaka in time to catch the last bus to Itami, which cost Y490 and took 30 minutes.

We were staying in the Itami Airport Hotel, and were planning to have 15 minutes on the roof before checking-in to get the night-stoppers (to allow a lie-in the following morning), but it had already closed when we arrived at 2015 (it is published to close at 2100). The terminal itself was closing, and we ate in the hotel restaurant, which cost Y900 for a bowl of macaroni cheese. The bar also closed at 2100 however !. Another early night, with nothing English to watch on tv !.