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Kansai International Airport
Kansai International Airport (KIX; 関西国際空港 Kansai-kokusai-kūkō) [1] is the main international airport of Japan's Kansai region, including the cities of Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.
Culture and History
Kansai International Airport was built at exorbitant cost on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, some 40 kilometers to the south of the city of Osaka. Unlike Tokyo's Narita, Kansai has fairly good domestic connections throughout Japan, making it a good choice for transiting onward. However, if you're flying domestically and your final destination is in Kansai, it probably makes more sense to fly to the more centrally-located Osaka (Itami) or Kobe airports instead.
The airport's single terminal, designed by star Italian architect Renzo Piano, is reputedly the longest building in the world at 1.7 kilometers from end to end. Arrivals are on the 1st floor, while departures are from the 4th floor. On arrival, note that not all ATMs accept foreign cards, but the Citibank and post office ATMs do. There are several currency exchanges in the arrivals and departures areas. They will only handle transactions from or to Japanese yen. Reliable baggage delivery services are available at the north and south ends of the international arrivals area.
Travel to Kansai International Airport, visa requirements
| Fast | Cheap | |
| Osaka | Nankai rapi:t | Nankai Rapid Service |
| Kyoto | JR Haruka | JR Rapid Service |
| Kobe | Limousine bus | Limousine bus |
| Itami Airport | Limousine bus | Limousine bus |
By train
The most practical means of getting to Osaka and Kyoto is by train. All trains leave from the Kansai Airport station across the road from the arrivals hall; there is a clearly marked walkway on the 2nd floor. You have a choice of two companies operating a total of four services:
JR Haruka
The JR West Haruka limited expresses run from the airport to Tennoji (29 min, ¥1,760), Shin-Osaka (45 min, ¥2,470) and Kyoto (73 min, ¥2,980). The fares listed are for non-reserved ordinary seats. Trains run every 30 minutes, some services make additional stops and/or continue onward to Maibara.
The Haruka is the easiest and fastest way to reach Kyoto, and you can connect to the Shinkansen (bullet train) at Shin-Osaka.
JR Rapid Service
The JR Rapid Service runs along the same tracks to Tennoji (43 min, ¥1,030), but then diverge along the Osaka Loop Line to Osaka station (63 min) and terminus Kyobashi (72 min, ¥1,160). All seats are non-reserved and trains depart every 20 minutes; the trains can get crowded at rush hour.
The Rapid Service is convenient for connections onward towards Kobe or Kyoto; change trains at Osaka station. Note that the Rapid Service does not go to any Shinkansen stations; to get to Shin-Osaka, you must transfer at Osaka to a local or rapid train bound for Kyoto.
Some trains from Osaka split with only some carriages proceeding to Kansai, and the others proceeding on the main line.
Nankai rapi:t
The Nankai rapi:t trains run to Namba station in Osaka. rapi:t α, taking 29 minutes from Kansai to Namba, stops at Shin-Imamiya, Tengachaya, Izumisano, and Rinku Town, while rapi:t β takes 34 minutes with stops at Sakai and Kishiwada. Both trains cost ¥1,390 to Namba, including a ¥500 reservation surcharge, and one or the other runs every 30 minutes.
The rapi:t and Rapid Service are the recommended means of going to central Osaka.
Nankai Rapid Service
Nankai Rapid Service trains run along the same tracks to the same destination, but like their JR counterparts stop more often and may get crowded. The trip to Namba takes 42 min and costs ¥890, making this the cheapest of the four options, unless your final destination is a JR station in Osaka (e.g Universal City).
Buses to Kansai International Airport
Airport Limousine buses leave for various destinations throughout Kansai from the 1st floor directly outside the arrivals hall. The cost is comparable to or slightly higher than the train, but the buses go directly to some major hotels (service to Umeda-area hotels is approximately 60 minutes; ¥1,300) and can be faster than the train for some destinations such as Kobe (60 minutes, ¥1,800) in good traffic.
The bus is also the only practical option for connecting to domestic flights from Osaka's Itami Airport (70 minutes, ¥1,700).
By ferry
After a prolonged hiatus, Kaijo Access [2] restarted their high-speed ferry service in 2006 and now run directly to Kobe's airport. Ferries run roughly every 45 minutes and take 29 minutes one way (¥1500). Via the ferry, shuttle bus and the Port Liner AGT line, Sannomiya (central Kobe) can be reached in one hour.
By taxi
Taxis are very expensive. Going to Osaka will cost you a minimum of ¥16,000, while reaching Kyoto will rack up closer to ¥32,000.
By shuttle van
Shared shuttle van services are provided by taxi companies at much more reasonable rates than private taxis. MK Taxi charges only ¥2,300 per person to Kobe or ¥3,000 to Kyoto, including one suitcase and carry-on luggage (there's a 1,000 yen additional charge if you have more than one large item). Convenient as it's a door-to-door service, but since the driver has 9 people to deliver, it may not be a fast arrival. Reservation at least two days beforehand is necessary, either online or by phone (tel. +81-75-702-5489, open 8 AM to 9 PM).
Kansai International Airport attractions and sightseeing
- The Sky View (tel. 072-455-2082) is open year round. Shuttle buses run from the passenger terminal building, and take about 6 minutes (¥100 adults, ¥50 children). There is an observation deck (8am - 10pm), an amusement floor (weekdays 10am - 6pm, weekends 10am - 8pm), a restaurant floor (11am - 10pm, last call 8pm), and a shopping floor (10am - 8pm).
City tours
- Kanku Lounge (tel. 072-455-2092, open 8am - 8pm; ¥250 per hour.) On the second floor. It's open to all visitors, offering massage and other amenities.
- Refresh Room (tel. 072-455-2792, open 9am - 9pm, reception to 8pm), in the international departure area (4F), offers coin-op "electronic" massage chairs (¥200 for 10 minutes), regular massage chairs for ¥500 per hour, shower rooms (¥600 for 30 minutes, towels and soap included) and personal lounges with beds for ¥1,000 per hour (¥500 per hour thereafter).
- The Kids Room (tel. 072-455-2791 open 9:30am - 6:30pm), also in the international departure area (4F), has facilities for children from infants to seven years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian. The playroom, infant room and nursing room are free, and complimentary baby food and diapers are offered (one per child).
- There are nursing rooms on the second, third and fourth floors, inside the womens' restrooms, and inside the domestic and international gates.
- The shower room on the second floor is open 24 hours. It's ¥500 for 15 minutes and ¥100 for every two minutes thereafter. A towel costs ¥200, while soap is complimentary. There's also a massage chair and a foot massage machine (¥100 for 10 minutes).
Shopping, Kansai International Airport souvenirs
- The Aeroplaza (3F) features several stores, including Uniqlo for cheap, foreigner-sized clothing.
- Rinku Premium Outlets / Aeon Rinku Shopping Center 3-28 Rinku-ourai-minami, Izumisano 072-458-4600 10am to 8pm. [3] There are over 150 shops and restaurants. A shuttle bus runs from the north end of the international arrivals area outside the first floor of the airport. It takes about 10 minutes and costs ¥100.
- Sky Shop Town, on the same shuttle bus route, is in the Sky View (see above) area.
- Hotel Nikko Kansai (see below) also features an upscale gift shop.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
There is a convenience store at the north end of the Passenger Terminal building (2F).
The Aeroplaza (3F) is filled with eateries and shops for passengers who wish to do some last minute shopping. Although not as atrocious as some other international airports, prices may be slightly higher than on the mainland. At the arrival hall and on the departure floor, there are a few Starbucks coffee shops (open until 10pm).
- Matsuya (松屋) is a cheap Japanese fast food staple, open 24-hours, offering beef bowls.
Cafeterias and other eateries on departures level (4F) are more expensive.
- Cafe KANSAI (レストラン カフェ カンサイ) is open from 7am to 1am near the international departure gates, and features mostly udon. If that doesn't strike your fancy, there's a convenience store with snacks and gifts right across the way.
For slightly cheaper eats, try the shops on the main floor of the hotel building. This area is also a good place for gift shopping, and has several other amenities such as a video arcade. Food and retail outlets usually close by 10 PM.
Kansai International Airport nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
- In the Aeroplaza (3F), there is a basic "Japanese-style pub".
- Hotel Nikko Kansai is the only other place for a pre-flight drink, with bars on the 11th floor.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Budget
The airport terminal is open 24/7, so you can sleep in there. Blankets are also available from the information centers for free.
Mid-range
There are several hotels across the bridge near Rinku-Town Station, 6 minutes away by JR or Nankai. For most tourists it hardly seems worth using them, since once you have got on the train, you might as well go to your final destination, but they can come in handy for early morning departures or overnight connections.
- Kansai Airport Washington Hotel, 1-7 Rinku-Orai-Kita, Izumisano, tel. 072-461-2222, [4]. Over 500 rooms, rack rate for a single ¥9500, discounts available for advance bookings. 3 min on foot from Rinku-Town station, or take a shuttle bus from the airport.
- Ramada Kansai Airport, 3-3-34 Ichibanishi, Izumisano, tel:072-461-2222, [5]. Over 500 rooms, rack rate ¥8000, advance booking discounts available. 10 min on foot from Rinku-Town station, or take a shuttle bus from the airport.
- Sun Plus Hotel, 3-3-4 Minato, Izumisano, tel. 0120-48-2911, 072-461-2911. Single rooms ¥6,300 yen. Free pick up service from Rinku-Town Station, and free delivery to the airport.
Splurge
There is only one hotel on the artificial island itself:
- Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport, tel. 072-455-1111 [6]. Single rooms from ¥22,000yen, advance booking discounts available. Directly connected to the airport by a walkway, and featuring restaurants, a wine bar, a business center, etc. Airline crews use this hotel. It is possible to get a room "free" as part of a JAL international flight if there is no connecting flight on the day you arrive.
Contact
Small internet kiosks are available throughout the airport. In the arrivals building, they cost ¥100 for 15 minutes, but once you're through the gates in the international departures area, access is free - look for the e symbol "information" computers.
Stay safe
- If you're feeling unwell, there is a health clinic (tel. 072-456-7185; 9am - 5pm regular hours, emergency treatment available 24 hours) on the second floor provided by Kinki University Hospital.
- But if the ill feelings are confined to your teeth, then see the dental clinic (tel. 072-456-8601; open weekdays only, 9:30am - 1pm, 2pm - 7:30pm) on the third floor. Walk-ins are welcome.
- On the other hand, if you've had it with your good health, there are plenty of smoking rooms once you're through the international departures gate (4F) and on the domestic level (2F).
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