Innovation That Matters

In Japan, airport baggage carousels are populated with fun art

Travel & Tourism

A number of Japanese airports are using baggage carousel art to entertain those waiting for their suitcases.

UNLOCK THIS INNOVATION AND MUCH MORE…

Become a member today and get early access to the ideas transforming our world from just £39 per month*

Exclusive member benefits:

  • Access to over 13,000 innovations
  • Monthly horizon scanning reports
  • Exclusive feature articles

Already a member? Sign in here

Trips abroad are usually fun enough that consumers put up with the more boring parts — waiting in airports and the long-haul flights — but do they have to? In the past we’ve written about Virgin Atlantic’s on-board Gallery in the Air, and now a number of Japanese airports are using baggage carousel art to entertain those waiting for their suitcases.

Rather than leave the carousels empty as passengers wait to pick up their luggage in order to begin their holiday or get home, airports including Nagasaki Airport, Okayama Airport and Miyazaki Airport are sending out fun statues that travel around the tracks. The pieces typically reflect the character of the region they’re in — for example, a figurine of Medama no Oyaji, a character from the Gegege no Kitaro anime series, is present at the Yonago Kitaro Airport, while the Asahikawa Airport uses statues of penguins and seals to advertise the local zoo. The art offers a bit of relief from the monotony of waiting around and also introduces travelers to aspects of the local area, even giving them recommendations of places to visit.

Whether the statues keep customers amused or distract them from actually watching out for their luggage remains to be seen, but the move does address the negative connotations of waiting around in airports. What other ways can travelers be entertained?

Spotted by Murray Orange, written by Springwise

Website: https://www.springwise.com/japan-airport-baggage-carousels-populated-fun-art/

Download PDF

Springwise Services:
Our expertise in spotting the latest innovations is the best resource to empower your team’s future planning.

Find out More