Asiana Airlines from Incheon to Nagoya

Asiana Airlines OZ122

I flew with Asiana Airlines on flight OZ122 from Incheon (ICN) to Nagoya(NGO); the aircraft used was an Airbus A330-300 with a 2-4-2 seating arrangement and flight duration was approximately 2 hours. The aircraft was slightly aged but we had a lot of empty seats so the flight experience was overall very pleasant.

Special In-Flight Meal

We had an in-flight meal service even for such a short flight, which is always a nice perk of flying a flag carrier. I pre-ordered a Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo Meal, which turned out to be a lasagna with cheesy cream sauce. It was served steaming hot and had a rich, creamy taste. If you have dietary restrictions, you can request a special meal on Asiana Airlines’ website at least 24 hours before departure.

How to Get from Nagoya Airport to Nagoya Station by train

Nagoya Airport ↔ Nagoya Station

There are three main train options for traveling from Nagoya Chubu Airport to Nagoya Station (as of March 2025):

1. μ-SKY Limited Express : Fastest and most premium option with First Class seats only (30 min, 980 yen for standard ticket + extra 450 yen for reserved seats)
2. Limited Express : More stops than μ-SKY and only some seats are First Class (40 min, 980 yen + extra fee 450 yen for reserved seats)
3. Rapid Express : Cheapest but takes the longest time (50 min, 980 yen, no reserved seating)

We chose to take the μ-SKY Limited Express train and because I pre-booked a regular ticket online, I had to buy a First Class μticket for extra 450 yen upon arrival at the airport.

Where to Buy Train Tickets at Nagoya Airport

To take the μ-SKY Limited Express from Nagoya Airport to Nagoya Station, first follow the “Train” signs that lead you to the Meitetsu Line gates. If you’re paying by credit card, you’ll need to purchase your tickets at the Meitetsu Tourist Information Center, as the ticket machines only accept cash or IC cards.

μ-SKY Limited Express from Nagoya Airport

Once you have your ticket, you can enter the gate by either scanning a pre-purchased QR code ticket or inserting the small paper ticket. FYI if you have a reserved seat, you will get a small ticket + larger ticket that has your seat number on it; you do not have to insert this larger ticket as it’s just for reference – a staff member may request to check your reserved seat ticket. Once you’ve entered the gate, head to Platform 1 for μ-SKY train and from there you can enjoy a smooth ride to Nagoya Station.

How to Get from Nagoya Station to the Airport

How to Buy a Limited Express Ticket at Nagoya Station

For the return trip to the airport, I purchased my reserved seat ticket at Nagoya Station. This time, I opted for the Meitetsu Limited Express, which makes more stops than the μ-SKY (adding about 10 extra minutes to the journey) but the spacious seating made the overall ride just as comfortable.

When purchasing tickets at Meitetsu Nagoya Station, you should look for the Meitetsu Ticket Counter. Ticket machines only accept cash or IC cards and only sell same-day tickets, whereas the counter allows for credit card payments and the option to buy tickets in advance.

The boarding process is the same as the trip from the airport, but this time instead of scanning a pre-purchased QR code, I inserted the small ticket I bought from the counter. Same as before, the larger ticket with my seat number didn’t need to be submitted. The Limited Express train departs from Platform 3, but be sure to check the electronic signboards to confirm your train before boarding as the same platform is also used for other trains.

Hotel Near Nagoya Station – Mitsui Garden Hotel Nagoya Premier

If you’re looking for a hotel near Nagoya Station, I highly recommend Mitsui Garden Hotel Nagoya Premier. The hotel lobby is located on the 18th floor of Symphony Toyota Building, where you are welcomed with a stunning view of the city.

Superior Twin Room

My mom and I stayed in a Superior Twin Room, which was spacious compared to typical Japanese hotel rooms (which tend to be quite claustrophobic). It had two twin beds and a cozy window-side table perfect for enjoying breakfast or snacks with a nice city view.

Public Bath

One of the best features of this hotel is its public bath on the 18th floor, which is free for all guests and opens from 3 PM to 9 AM. The bath area includes lockers, a powder room, and a shower area with a bath tub and shower booths. But the with only a few shower stations it got pretty crowded in the evening so if you want a more relaxed experience, I recommend visiting before 8PM.

From Nagoya Station to Mitsui Garden Hotel Nagoya (Underpass)

Another major perk of this hotel is its direct underground passage from/to Nagoya Station. To reach the hotel from Nagoya station via the underpass, start at the Sakura-dori Side entrance near Takashimaya Department Store’s 1st-floor. Instead of exiting, turn right toward JR Central Towers and continue walking towards Meitetsu Line and through Midland Square. Once you enter Midland Square, head towards Salon de Moncher where you’ll find a link to Chikamachi Lounge. At the very end of Chikamachi Lounge mall, you’ll find an elevator that goes up to the hotel.

It might seem like a maze at first but if you remember the sequence—Takashimaya 1st floor → Sakura Dori Side → JR Tower direction → Meitetsu Line direction → Midland Square → Chikamachi Lounge—it becomes much easier to navigate.
You can also reach the hotel by walking outside but this underground path was our lifesaver on rainy days and when we had large carriers. The malls in between also allowed for convenient shopping and dining options on our way to the hotel. FYI a famous kishimen restaurant in Midland Square will be featured in my next post.