Japanese Airport Staff Dresses Up as Ninjas for National Ninja Day
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
The area surrounding Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) in Central Japan is rich in samurai and ninja history. In 2018, the airport began the Samurai Ninja Project, as an initiative to promote the culture to international visitors. While the ninja culture is regularly displayed throughout the airport, Feb. 22 is an extra special occasion.
Since the number two in Japanese is “ni” and 2/22 translates to “ni” “ni” “ni” — which sounds a lot like “ninja” — the Japan Anniversary Association designated Feb. 22 as National Ninja Day.
To celebrate the event, 50 NGO airport staff members, from airline staff to cleaning crews, wore red and black ninja outfits.
An additional 3,500 airport workers wore badges that said they were on ninmu, which translates to duty. Instead of using the correct kanji (symbol) for ninmu, the character used for ninja was written on the badge instead, as a play on words.
The airport held a morning departure ceremony that included activities for children and a performance by the Hattori Hanzo Ninja Corps — the airport’s resident group of ninjas. The group performs at Chubu Airport and greets incoming tourists on the 22nd of each month. Each January, the airport holds a two-day long ninja festival, with shows and ninja-training experiences for travelers.
At the ceremony, airport director Masato Kondo said, “We want Chubu Airport to be known as ninja airport.”
While you soon will be able to fly to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) on several new routes from US carriers, consider booking a flight to NGO if you want to get the full ninja experience.
Featured photo by Chubu Centrair International Airport via Facebook.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
WELCOME OFFER: 80,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,650
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases within your first year of account opening.
- Earn 2X points on dining including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories.
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get up to $60 back on an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership through 12/31/2021, and get full access to their workout library through the Peloton app, including cardio, running, strength, yoga, and more. Take classes using a phone, tablet, or TV. No fitness equipment is required.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.