Kansai Airport's latest guide Osaka Kyoto Transportation Guide & Duty-Free Shop Must-Visit List

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📝 What is the difference between Osaka Airport and Kansai Airport?

01

"Kansai Airport, officially known as Kansai International Airport (Kansai International Airport), opened in 1994, is a major gateway for travelers from all over the world to Western Japan, and is also an important transportation hub within Japan. There are many flights to and from Kansai Airport 24 hours a day, and as many as 28 million passengers travel through the airport each year (approximately 32 million in 2019). The Kansai Airport code used for purchasing airline tickets and making reservations is "KIX".

02

Incidentally, there is another airport in Osaka called simply "Osaka Airport", "Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport)". Although the name of the airport includes "International", it is a different airport from "Kansai International Airport" as it only offers domestic flights.
Kansai International Airport (Kansai International Airport)
Address: 1 Izumi Airport North, Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture

🤗 Transportation from Kansai Airport to Osaka/Namba/Kyoto city center

There are many different ways to get from the airport to downtown Osaka, including the Nankai Dentetsu, the Haruka Kansai Express, and the Toshikitsu Airport Bus.

We recommend the Kansai Area Rail Pass, a value-added transportation ticket that allows you to visit Osaka's city sights, major cities in the Kansai area, and travel to and from Kansai Airport at a discounted price.

Let's start with rail transportation 🚄, summarized below from two needs: fast and comfortable and affordable, so you can choose according to your needs 😊😊.

To Osaka city center

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🔸 Fast and Comfortable

📍To Osaka ➡️ JR Kansaiku Limited Express "HARUKA

"HARUKA is a limited express train operated by JR-West that runs between Kansai Airport and Osaka-Kyoto. It is a comfortable and fast 47-minute ride from Kansai Airport to Osaka.

📍To "Namba"/"Shinsaibashi"/"Dotonbori" Preferred ➡️ Nankai Dentetsu "Rapi:t Limited Express

The "Rapi:t Limited Express" is a high-speed limited express train from Kansai Airport to Nankai Namba Station on the Nankai Main Line. It takes as little as 39 minutes from Kansai Airport along the Nankai Main Line to Nankai Namba Station without a transfer, and it is a fast and convenient way to get from Kansai Airport directly to the popular shopping districts of Namba, Dotonbori, and Shinsaibashi.

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🔸Affordable 💰💰

📍To "Osaka"➡️ JR "Seki Air Rapid"

If you are not in a hurry to get to Osaka from Kansai Airport, we recommend the JR Kansai-Kuko Rapid, which is not much slower, has frequent departures, and has cheaper fares.

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🔔Special attention ❗️❗️❗️

From Osaka ➡️ The JR Kansai Rapid train to Kansai Airport will connect with the Kishu Road Rapid train to Wakayama, and the two trains will separate at Higeno Station, with cars 1 through 4 going to Kansai Airport and cars 5 through 8 going to Wakayama.

If you are traveling to Kansai Airport, please pay attention to the direction of your car.

Be sure to take the first 4 cars to get to Kansai Airport.❗️❗️❗️

Also, the 4th and 5th cars are not interchangeable, so if you are in the wrong car and want to change seats, it is recommended that you get off the train and change to the first 4 cars. ❗️❗️❗️

📍To "Namba"/"Shinsaibashi"/"Dotonbori" ➡️ Minami Dentetsu "Airport Express”

The main difference between Airport Express and Rapi:t Express is that there are more stops, but the price is cheaper; if you are not in a hurry, Airport Express is more economical.

To Kyoto city center

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🔸 🔜 Fast and comfortable:

📍Preferred ➡️ JR Seki Airways Limited Express "HARUKA

Haruka is the best way to get from Kansai Airport to Kyoto, and it's easy to get there in one stop without having to change trains.

🤗 airport buses 🚌.

If you have a lot of luggage, a family in tow, or are arriving on a late-night flight, the airport bus is a good choice. There are many destinations to choose from, such as Universal Studios Osaka, Nara, and Kobe, which are not directly accessible by the Kansai Airport Railroad, and the airport bus is definitely the way to go.

For airport bus schedules, please visit the official website of Kansai Airport: https://www.kate.co.jp/scn/timetable/

01 Kansai Airport Terminal 1 Bus Stop

The vast majority of travelers arriving at Kansai Airport will enter through T1. The manned ticket counter is located on the 1st floor of the Arrivals Hall of Kansai Airport, and 12 different routes, with ride points shown on the ⬇️ map, will be visible as you walk out of the Arrivals gate of Kansai Airport.

02 Kansai Airport Terminal 2 Bus Stop

There are 10 different routes on the T2 and the ride points are shown on the ⬇️ map:

In addition, if you are staying for a large number of days and are arranging in-depth tours, it is recommended that you purchase the Kansai Wide Area Railway Pass, an exclusive discount ticket for foreign tourists, which allows you to ride on trains for five consecutive days, as it is the best value.

In addition to Keihanjin, you can go all the way to the Kurashiki Mikan area in Okayama Prefecture, the Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Prefecture, and even eat udon noodles in Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku, and it is very convenient to purchase tickets in advance without waiting in line!

03 Free shuttle buses between Terminals 1 and 2 See the difference between the 2 terminals here.

Kansai Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1, which is used by conventional airlines (including some low-cost carriers), and Terminal 2, which is used exclusively by low-cost carriers (LCCs).

There is a free 24-hour shuttle bus service between the two terminals, which takes about 7 minutes per trip, but it is recommended that you arrive early to allow enough time to ensure smooth boarding.

【Terminal 1, Kansai Airport Station→Terminal 2】.

To get to Terminal 2 from Terminal 1, you need to pass through Kansai Airport Station on JR and Nankai Dentetsu, and then walk to Aeroplaza, a commercial facility of Kansai Airport. The shuttle bus is located on the 1st floor of Aeroplaza, and you can get on the bus directly on the spot by queuing up.

The shuttle buses are very frequent, departing every 2 to 8 minutes from around 5:00 a.m. to 0:00 a.m., and about once an hour during the late-night and early-morning hours.

【Terminal 2→Terminal 1, Kansai Airport Station】.

After arriving at Terminal 2 of Kansai Airport, picking up your luggage and arriving in Japan, follow the indicators directly outside to find the shuttle bus ride.

From 5:27 a.m. to about 23:47 p.m., there is a shuttle bus that departs about every 2 to 8 minutes, and about every hour during the early hours of the night.

04 [T1] Terminal 1: The main terminal for conventional aviation

Terminal 1 is the main terminal of Kansai Airport. The entire building consists of four floors: the 1st floor is the Japan Domestic Arrivals and International Arrivals hall, the 2nd floor is the Japan Domestic Departures hall and the general area for restaurants and convenience stores, the 3rd floor is mainly the International Departures license checking area, and lastly, the 4th floor is the International Departures hall and the security checking area.

Traditional airlines and some low-cost airlines are located in Terminal 1, including Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Star Airlines, Tiger Airways, Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airways.

05 [T2] Terminal 2: Specialized terminal for low-cost airlines

Kansai Airport's Terminal 2 is reserved for low-cost airlines, such as Spring Airlines and LOTUS Airlines. It is also the hub base for LOTUS Airlines, which includes international and domestic routes, making it convenient for connecting flights to other parts of Japan.

06 Comprehensive renovation underway! Large-scale renovation of Kansai Airport Terminal 1 until 2026

Kansai Airport is undergoing a major renovation of Terminal 1 in preparation for the Osaka-Kansai Expo (EXPO2025), a world exposition to be held in Osaka in 2025. Construction will begin on May 28, 2021, and is expected to be completed and opened in spring 2025 in conjunction with the opening of the Osaka World Expo, with all renovations completed by fall 2026. The renovations will include new duty-free stores and gourmet restaurants, as well as the centralization of the north and south departure security checkpoints to improve the flow of traffic and provide more comfortable and convenient airport services for travelers. services.

Kansai Airport Terminal 1 Renovation Highlights & Reservation Plan

In October 2022, the new "Japan Domestic Line" area on the 2nd floor was completed;

In December 2023, the new 4 themed commercial areas and lounge area in the center of the International Departure Area on the 2nd floor will be partially opened;

In the spring of 2025, the new "International Line Security Check Area" on the 4th floor and the "International Line Lounge" on the 3rd floor will be completed;

In the fall of 2026, the expansion of the north and south commercial areas of the International Departure Zone on the 2nd floor will be completed and the new store will be fully operational.

The new International Departure Area at Kansai Airport Terminal 1 is divided into four thematic "Moods": Peaceful, Active, Curious, and Fun, as well as a central lounge area, the Plaza (pictured above).

🤗 【Shopping】Kansai Airport Terminal 1 Duty Free Shop: Must-buy Gift Items

In conjunction with the renovation of Kansai Airport, a total of 27 new stores have opened in the duty-free area of the International Departure Zone in Terminal 1, including brands that are making their debut at the airport and gourmet restaurants that are making their debut in the Kansai region, and the following is a look at the newly opened stores.

The central area of the International Departure Zone at Kansai Airport Terminal 1 has been renovated and divided into four themes, each of which presents a different atmosphere and character. 17 duty-free stores, nine gourmet restaurants and a currency exchange office have been added to the renovation. Some of the brands in the Duty Free Shop have already had stores or counters at Kansai Airport in the past, and nine new brands and gourmet restaurants have been added for the first time at an international airport in Japan.

KIX DUTY FREE, a general duty-free store, has been renovated to provide a more spacious interior, where you can purchase snacks, cosmetics, perfumes, tobacco and alcohol from 341 brands, as well as Kansai Travel Diary, a specialty store for Kansai souvenirs, which is a good place to buy a wide range of souvenirs at one time.

In addition, MIKI HOUSE, a Japanese children's clothing brand that has opened its first store in a duty-free zone at an international airport in Japan, features Japanese-made children's shoes, as well as limited-edition Kansai Airport products such as jinpira (a two-piece kimono) and airplane prints.

Brands that have made their debut at Japan's international airports

CHAUMET: A French luxury jewelry brand.

CANADIAN MORNING & TOKO: Travel goods and bags.

Japan Tech: Japanese brand watches and home appliances

MIKI HOUSE: Japanese children's clothing brand

Anime hunt: Japanese toy company Bandai BANDAI models and anime peripherals

🤗 【Food】Kansai Airport Terminal 1 new gourmet restaurant see here

Before flying home, Kansai Airport is the last chance to taste Japan's authentic cuisine! On the second floor of Terminal 1, there are 17 renovated restaurants in the Kansai area, including Osaka's famous "551 Pengrai" meat buns, a variety of Kansai cuisine, and shops where you can take a break after checking in and going through customs.

【Terminal 1 2nd Floor Dining Restaurant Selection New Shop (Before Customs Security)】

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551 Penglai - Osaka must-eat meat buns

Wayuki Pork Chop Eitei: A high-class tonkatsu restaurant owned by Wayuki Pork Chop (とんかつ和幸).

LE PAN Kobe Kitano (ル・パン科戸北野): A bakery directly managed by the Kobe "Rinkai Paradise" Hotel

Osaka Tenma Sushi Restaurant Nishiya (大阪天満すし処西屋): A sushi restaurant located in Osaka's gourmet spot "Tenma".

Genki Store: A famous yakiniku restaurant in Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture

Onigiriburger's "OnigiriBurger" "Samurai" Kobe Beef Steak" Onigiri Burger is sandwiched with a whole Kobe beef steak, limited to 55 pieces per day! Since the store is located in the controlled area after the customs check, it is recommended to go early after completing the check-in process if you want to enjoy a leisurely meal.

The name "KIX BEER" uses the airport code KIX of Kansai Airport

【New restaurant in the international departure free zone (after customs security)】

OnigiriBurger: A rice ball burger specialty store that carefully selects local Japan ingredients

KIX BEER: A local craft beer brand in Izumisano City

MENSHO: A ramen shop that uses ingredients made in Japan

Segafredo Caffe: Top coffee in Italy

Tsukiji Sunemon: A two-Michelin-starred chef's sushi restaurant

Soup Five Elements: Soup specialty store

Cafeteria in Japan: A Japanese-style restaurant with a focus on Japanese side dishes

🤗 【Shopping & Dining】Kansai Airport Terminal 2 International Terminal

Kansai Airport Terminal 2 is smaller than Terminal 1, and there are 6 shops selling duty-free goods and souvenirs after passing through security. If you want to buy snacks and cookies, we recommend visiting the "Kansai Travel Diary" first, and the "TRK Duty Free Shop" has the most complete list of duty-free cosmetics, perfumes, tobacco and alcohol!

In addition, the newly opened convenience store "IPPINSAN" in February 2024. Marché」（いっぴんさん。 You can buy a Kobe teppanyaki bento, and if you don't have an in-flight meal when you take a low-cost airline, it is recommended that you have a full meal before you get on the plane!

There are four main restaurants in Terminal 2: Japan chain coffee shop "PRONTO" and curry restaurant "COCO'S Airport Dining" before the security check, "Nana's Green Tea" where you can enjoy various matcha tea after the security check, and "Osaka Gochi Shokudou" (Osaka Gochi Shokudou) where you can enjoy Kansai cuisine.

📎 Don't miss it out on aviation fans! "Kansai Airport Observation Deck Sky View”

The airport, where many airplanes are gathered, is a mecca for aviation fans who love to see and photograph airplanes! The Kansai Airport Observation Hall Sky View (関空景ホールスカイビュー) is a separate building from the Kansai Airport Terminal, and it can be easily reached in about 6 minutes one way by taking a free shuttle bus from Bus Terminal 1 at Bus Terminal 1.

"Kansai Airport Sky View" has three major facilities, so you can learn and experience various aviation-related knowledge in addition to seeing airplanes, and finally buy a unique aviation souvenir!

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Kansai Airport Observation Hall Sky View Highlights

Sky Deck (スカイデッキ): The first choice for watching planes is a 360-degree observation deck on the rooftop of the 5th floor, and it is equipped with children's playground equipment to let children discharge, and the night view here is also very beautiful.

The Aviation Museum "Sky Museum" (スカイミュージアム): You can learn about the history of Kansai Airport, learn about aviation, and have a 30-meter-long Kansai Airport terminal and passenger plane model that has been reduced to 1/72 scale.

The souvenir shop "Sky Shop Town" offers a wide range of goods from various airlines, such as model airplanes, notebooks, and key rings, so you don't have to be an aviation fan.

Kankong View HallSky View( 関空展望ホールスカイビュー)

Address: Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture Quanzhou Airport North 1 関空機ホールスカイビュー

Access: About 6 minutes by free shuttle bus from Kansai Airport Terminal 1