Kansai International Airport (KIX) 関西国際空港

Reserve your place in a Yasaka shuttle to reach Kyoto!

A massive airport

With an attendance of 31.9 million passengers in 2019, Kansai International Airport (KIX) is the 3rd busiest airport in the archipelago behind the two Tokyo airports (Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita). A strong increase in attendance in recent years is encouraged by the growing number of tourists, major renovation and expansion work carried out in 2016 and 2017 as well as an ever wider range of long-haul and low-cost flights. The KIX is also the main platform for low-cost flights in the region.

Twenty-five years after opening its doors, KIX is today a real giant with 86 airlines present in its two terminals and 101 destinations served around the world.

• Read also: The Kansai region

Japan's first airport built on the sea

The project for a second airport in Osaka was born in the early 1960s to remedy the expansion of the Osaka Itami international airport located in an urban area. To avoid noise, pollution problems, and curfew restrictions, the government implemented a state-of-the-art technology to accommodate the expansion - build a floating airport in Osaka Bay!

It is indeed in the open sea, 5 km off the Senshu area (southern part of Osaka) and 35 km southwest of the city center that the new airport platform was built. The work on Japan's first maritime airport began in 1987 with the formation of an artificial island of 4 km² created by backfilling. The Terminal 1 project was entrusted to the Italian architect Renzo Piano, who delivered a spectacular and emblematic achievement of high-tech architecture. It's building with its asymmetrical roof reminiscent of an airplane wing is the longest terminal in the world; the latter measuring 1.7 km! Built in 2012, Terminal 2 is much smaller in size. It is exclusively dedicated to domestic and international flights provided by low-cost airlines.

What services are available at Kansai International Airport?

• Tourist information: A tourist information desk with English-speaking staff is available in both terminals. It provides maps and brochures on the Kansai region and the rest of the archipelago. Terminal 1: 1F (center), open daily from 7 am to 10 pm Terminal 2: international public space, open every day from 11:30 am to 7:30 pm.

• Currency exchange offices: at Terminal 1 there are 16 currency exchange points spread across levels 1F, 2F, 4F, and in the international terminal area. Terminal 2 has 3: 2 in the public area (International) and 1 in front of the Nankai Line counter at the airport station. If you want to withdraw from an ATM, know that the airport has no less than 13 at Terminal 1 and 4 at Terminal 2.

• Luggage storage: if you want to leave your luggage temporarily at the airport, there are two solutions available to you. There are manual locker counters at Terminal 1 (1F and 4F). Count 640 ¥ ($5.50/4.75€) to leave a suitcase there for a day. There are also many automatic lockers (terminals 1 and 2). For lockers billed by the day, it will cost you ¥ 800 (€ 6.64) for the older ones, ¥ 600 ($7/6€) for the medium ones, and ¥ 400 ($3.50/3€) for the small ones. Other lockers are billed every 3 hours on the following basis: ¥ 300 ($2.75/2.25€) for older children, ¥ 200 ($1.75/1.50€) for medium and ¥ 100 ($.85/.75€) for small.

• Luggage delivery service: counters located at the southern and northern ends of Terminal 1 1F (international arrivals) offer a delivery service for your suitcases directly to your accommodation. Accessible without reservation, delivery costs between ¥ 1,500 and ¥ 3,000 ($13/11.50€ - $26/23€). 

• Wifi: free wifi is accessible in terminals 1 and 2.

• Wheelchairs and strollers: approach an information desk on any floor of Terminal 1 (except the international gates area). In Terminal 2, contact the information center (public area).

• The station: the airport station is served by the lines of the JR and Nankai companies. It is accessible on foot from Terminal 1 and by a shuttle bus from Terminal 2. If you wish to activate your JR Pass, go to the JR Midori-no-madoguchi counter (green counter) located in front of the control gates.

• The Sky View Observation Hall: an observation platform, located near the ferry terminal, offers an incredible panoramic view of the airport runways. The endless spectacle of planes taking off and landing is breathtaking! To get there, take the shuttle (about 10 min) from bus stop 1 outside the terminal.

The shops and restaurants at Kansai International Airport

As in any major international airport, luxury brands and duty-free shops are available. In all, there are no less than 101 shops. The latter offers you a wide choice of alcohol, tobacco, cosmetics, perfumes, leather goods, electronic products, jewelry and watches, souvenir gifts ...

Among these, do not miss the Pokemon Store (level 2F of Terminal 1) as well as the huge gachapon space located in the central area on level 2F of Terminal 1. To satisfy a small or big appetite, you have the choice of 60 restaurants and cafes offering traditional Japanese cuisine, Chinese, Western dishes, and familiar fast food.

• Read also: What are the souvenirs to bring back from Kyoto?

Join / Leave Kansai International Airport

Discover detailed access to or from the main tourist destinations in the region.

How to travel between Kansai International Airport (KIX) and downtown Osaka?

Shin-Osaka

• Train: by Limited Express Haruka: around 50 min / Price: ¥ 2,710 ($23.50/20€) with a reserved seat or ¥ 2,380 ($21/28€) without a reservation
• Bus : around 80 min / Price: ¥ 1,600 ($13.75/12€)
• Taxi: allow around 50 min. Travel time varies depending on traffic conditions / Price: ¥ 17,900 ($155/136€)

Osaka

• Train: by JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service: around 70 min / Price: ¥ 1210 ($10.25/9€)
• Bus : about 50 min / Price: 1600 ¥ ($13.75/12€)
• Taxi: allow around 40 minutes. Travel time varies depending on traffic conditions / Fee: ¥ 20,280 ($175/154€)

Namba

• Train : by Nankai Airport Express: around 45min / Price: ¥ 930 ($8/7€) or by Nankai Limited Express Rapit: around 38 min / Price: ¥ 1,450 ($12.50/11€) or ¥ 1,660 ($14.25/12.50€) in "super-seat"
• Bus : around 50 min / Price: ¥ 1,100 ($9.50/8.25€)
• Taxi: allow around 50 min. Travel time varies depending on traffic conditions / Fee: ¥ 20,280 ($175/154.50€)

Tennoji

• Train: by Limited Express Haruka: around 30 min / Price: ¥ 2,070 ($17.50/15.50€) with a reserved seat or ¥ 1,740 ($15/13€) without a reservation
• Bus: around 70 min / Price: 1600 ¥ ($13.75/20€)
• Taxi: allow around 50 min. Travel time varies depending on traffic conditions / Fee: ¥ 20,280 ($175/154.50€)

How to travel between Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Kyoto?

• Train: by Limited Express Haruka: around 75 min / Price: ¥ 3,230 ($28/24.25€) with a reserved seat or ¥ 2,900 ($25/€ 22) without a reservation
• Bus : around 120 min / Price: ¥ 2,600 ($22/19.75€)
• Taxi: allow around 120 minutes. Travel time varies depending on traffic conditions / Fee: ¥ 35,280 ($305/269€)

How to travel between Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Kobe?

• Limousine bus to central Kobe: around 65 min / Price: 2000 ¥ (16.65 €).
• High-Speed Ferry to Kobe Airport: To reach the ferry terminal, take the shuttle from Terminal 1 (1F, bus stop 12) or Terminal 2 (approximately 10 minutes). The crossing lasts 30 min / Price: ¥ 1,880 (€ 15.66). Special rate for foreign visitors (on presentation of passport): ¥ 500 (€ 4.16).

How to travel between Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka Itami Airport (ITM)?

• Limousine bus: around 70 min / Price: 2000 ¥ (16.65 €).