Tottori Sakyu Conan Airport, Quando le tragedie diverranno realtà!

TOTTORI--Tottori Airport has been nicknamed Tottori Sakyu Conan Airport in tribute to two major attractions in the prefecture: the “sakyu” sand dunes and Detective Conan.

Members of a panel set up to promote the airport visited the prefectural government office on Nov. 13.

A costume character of Conan gave Governor Shinji Hirai a message from Gosho Aoyama, the author of the “Detective Conan” (aka “Case Closed”) mystery manga series.

“I’m so thrilled,” Aoyama’s message said. “I can’t believe two airports in my hometown were nicknamed after (manga) characters.”

The author hails from the town of Hokuei in the prefecture. When he returned home in January this year, Aoyama apparently suggested that Hirai follow the example of Yonago Kitaro Airport and give Tottori Airport a moniker.

The Yonago airport was nicknamed after the “GeGeGe no Kitaro” horror manga series.

“I expect that the (Tottori) airport will be cherished by people from not only across Japan but also from the rest of the world and make them want to visit,” Aoyama’s message said.

Governor Hirai said he wants to use the airport’s nickname as an economic stimulus measure.

“We’d love to have Mr. Conan at the airport to promote it by saying, ‘There is always only one truth, Tottori is a great place,’” the governor said, quoting one of Conan’s signature phrases.