We have previously introduced waypoints named after cars and food and waypoints named after beers, but it looks like we can continue this topic. This time, the waypoint names introduced are from the famous ice cream manufacturer Häagen-Dazs and the Hokkaido Shiroi Koibito (White Lover) chocolate.

Looking at the ILS Z or LOC Z RWY08 Arrival procedure at Nakashibetsu Airport (RJCN/NAKASHIBETSU), the Intermediate Fix (IF) is named HAGEN, and the Final Approach Fix (FAF) is named DATZU. Although the spelling is inconsistent (Häagen-Dazs), when put together, doesn’t it sound like the Japanese pronunciation of Häagen-Dazs?

I checked some data and found that for Häagen-Dazs ice cream produced in Japan, 80% of the milk raw materials are actually supplied by Hamanaka Town, located south of Nakashibetsu Airport. There are 24,000 dairy cows grazing on the pastures of Hamanaka Town, and its high-quality dairy products have become the main ingredient supply for Häagen-Dazs ice cream in Japan. It is said that Hamanaka Town is the only place in Japan that can stably provide milk with a milk fat content exceeding 4% throughout the year, so it is no surprise that it was selected by Häagen-Dazs.

Most people’s concept of Hokkaido probably involves high-quality ski resorts in winter, beautiful farms in summer, the movie “If You Are The One”, and gourmet food like seafood, beef, and ramen. Through the waypoints at Nakashibetsu Airport, I believe you now also know that Hokkaido’s dairy products are excellent. If you have the opportunity to travel to Hokkaido, do not forget to taste some. (Of course, you don’t necessarily have to go to Nakashibetsu; you can buy them in other places as well.)

Next, let’s look at the Shiroi Koibito (White Lover) waypoints; this one is really clear at a glance. It might be a bit small, so let’s zoom in again, The name of the Step Down Fix (SDF) is White, and the name of the Final Approach Fix (FAF) is Lover. Where else in the world could there be an airport that uses its most famous local specialty as the names for approach waypoints?