Chubu Centrair International Airport is launching its annual "Original Aviation Safety Charm" for 2026. This unique charm has become an annual tradition at the airport's "Airline Expo in Japan," where airlines and aviation industry companies set up booths and host stage performances. The charm has consistently sold out within 1 to 2 hours of the event opening each year, making it a highly sought-after item among aviation enthusiasts.
The charm contains actual pieces of aircraft tire rubber collected from Chubu Centrair's runway, and has been blessed at Hikoujinjya (Flying Shrine) in Kyoto for aviation safety.
Special Design for the 10th Anniversary
This year's design commemorates the 10th edition of the Aviation Fan Meeting. The front features a vibrant visual of an aircraft powerfully taking off from the runway toward the sun. The back shows an aircraft that has successfully taken off, embodying the wish for "leaping toward big dreams!" This special charm is designed to appeal not only to aviation fans but also to anyone facing important milestones in exams, work, or new challenges.
For the first time, the design has been supervised by aviation photographer Charlie Furusho, who serves as the event planner and supervisor. To deepen visitors' connection with Centrair as their "base," the design incorporates Furusho's brand concept "NGO BASE®", encouraging charm holders to develop affection for the airport.
Sales Information for the Original Aviation Safety Charm
*Sales end when stock runs out
Pre-orders begin on Tuesday, February 24 at 10:00 AM. The charms will be available for pickup at the event venue during the "10th Aviation Fan Meeting 'AIRLINE EXPO IN JAPAN'" on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. Walk-up sales and online shop purchases are also available.
Price: 1,100 yen (tax included)
Sales/Pickup Location: Center Pier Garden, 2nd Floor, Terminal 1 (Special Event Venue)
Sales Methods: Limited to 3 charms per person for all methods
① Pre-order: February 24 (Tue) 10:00 AM to February 27 (Fri) 5:00 PM - 700 units
*Closes when quota is reached
② On-site sales (no reservation required): March 7 (Sat) & March 8 (Sun), 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM - 200 units (100 per day)
③ Online sales: March 6 (Fri) 1:00 PM - 100 units
*Closes when quota is reached
Online Shop: https://www.centrair-onlineshop.com/shopbrand/ct55
Detailed sales information: https://www.centrair.jp/event/enjoy/kokufan/goods.html
About the Original Aviation Safety Charm
The charm has been sold annually at the Aviation Fan Meeting since 2020, receiving positive feedback each time. This marks the 7th edition. All charms are blessed at Hikoujinjya (Flying Shrine) in Kyoto for aviation safety.
This year's charm features a special design commemorating the 10th Aviation Fan Meeting. The colorful design strongly emphasizes "Centrair's character," making it more distinctive than previous years.
What is Hikoujinjya (Flying Shrine)?
Located in Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture, Hikoujinjya was founded in 1915 by Chuhachi Ninomiya, known as the "Father of Japanese Aviation" and the first person to fly a powered aircraft in Japan. The shrine enshrines Nigihayahi-no-Mikoto, an ancient deity of the sky, and is visited by pilots and others working in aviation-related fields.
Special Feature #1: Contains Robust Aircraft Tire Rubber from Centrair's Runway - A Premium Specification Wishing for "Safe Arrival"
Aircraft tire rubber adheres to the runway during landing when the tires make contact with the surface, and Centrair regularly removes it. Since the first edition, rather than traditional paper talismans, the charm contains actual tire rubber collected from Centrair, carrying the wish for "safe arrival" of cherished goals. This makes it a particularly meaningful item for "aviation safety," as it represents proof of a flight that landed safely.
Special Feature #2: Vibrant Design Depicting the Moment of Takeoff - Wishing for "Leaping Toward Big Dreams!"
Front: Vibrant Design Depicting the Moment of Safe Takeoff
- Dynamic composition showing an aircraft powerfully taking off from the runway toward the sun
- Runway features the marking "NGO BASE®" supervised by Charlie Furusho
Back: "Leap" Design Showing Successfully Airborne Aircraft
- Playful design with a small aircraft hidden somewhere that has successfully taken off
What is NGO BASE®?
"NGO BASE" combines "NGO," the three-letter IATA code for Chubu Centrair International Airport, with "BASE," meaning "home base." Created by aviation photographer Charlie Furusho, who also serves as Centrair's official photographer, the concept embodies "a special area where you can experience the real appeal of the airport." The term was born from the desire to deepen fans' attachment to the airport they consider their base.
For this Aviation Fan Meeting event where aviation enthusiasts gather, incorporating "NGO BASE®" into the charm design expresses the hope that participants will feel Centrair as their base.
Feature #3: Special Charm Blessed at Kyoto's "Hikoujinjya (Flying Shrine)"
On Tuesday, February 10, staff visited Hikoujinjya in Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture, to have this year's aviation safety charms blessed.
Under the still-cold sky, staff brought this year's aviation safety charms to receive blessings at Hikoujinjya.
The head priest, who performs the annual blessing ceremony, happily shared that "some people who receive charms at the Aviation Fan Meeting later come to visit Hikoujinjya."
The head priest also noted that "because this tire rubber was handled by mechanics and others actually working in the field and supported safe aircraft operations, it is extremely precious and valuable." Among the charms brought for blessings, those containing actual tire rubber pieces are "unique to Chubu Centrair International Airport," reaffirming that this is a special charm exclusive to the airport.
This Year's Aviation Safety Charm Staff Member
As the Aviation Fan Meeting reaches its 10th milestone, we created a more vibrant design with a "celebratory" feeling. The front shows an aircraft powerfully taking off toward the sun, while the back hides a small aircraft that has successfully taken off - please try to find it!
We also received design supervision cooperation from Charlie Furusho, who has been building the event with us from the beginning. By incorporating the 'NGO BASE®' element, we've created a charm where you can feel more of Centrair's character.
We hope this charm reaches everyone who holds wishes of "safe arrival" or "wanting to leap forward." Even those who purchase annually will find this year's edition has a more premium finish, so we hope you'll enjoy it as part of your collection.
Head Priest of Hikoujinjya
Charms containing tire rubber are extremely rare, and because they come from aircraft that arrived safely and landed safely, they have great value.
Also, this tire rubber was handled by people actually working in the field supporting safe aircraft operations, giving it special meaning in that respect as well. Among the charms we bless, Chubu Centrair International Airport is the only one to include actual tire rubber pieces, and we perform the blessing ceremony each year with special feelings.
The aviation industry continues to face labor shortages, so we would be pleased if this precious charm could help more people become interested in the world of aviation.
Previous Aviation Safety Charm Series
March 7 (Sat) & 8 (Sun): "10th Aviation Fan Meeting 'AIRLINE EXPO IN JAPAN'"
An event for aviation fans where airlines serving Centrair and other aviation industry companies set up booths and host stage performances.
- Date: Saturday, March 7 & Sunday, March 8, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Location: Terminal 1 - 4th Floor Event Plaza, 3rd Floor Special Waiting Room, 2nd Floor Center Pier Garden
Event details: https://www.centrair.jp/special/event/kokufan/
