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Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan

As part of our list of resources for visitors to Osaka City, we provide this overview of Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan.

Osaka’s Kansai International Airport

Kansai International Airport is located to the south of Osaka City, in Izumisano City. The word Kansai refers to this region of Japan, and includes Osaka, Hyogo, and Kyoto prefectures. Most local people shorten the name of the local airport and simply call it “Kanku.” The IATA airport code abbreviation for Kansai International airport is “KIX.”

Kansai International Airport is the primary airport for this region. Other local airports include Osaka International Airport (also called Itami Airport) and Kobe Airport. All three of these airports are operated by Kansai Airport Co., Ltd.

At Kansai International Airport, most domestic and international flights arrive and depart from Terminal 1; the international departure is on the 4th floor, the domestic departure is on the 2nd floor, and both international and domestic flights arrive on the 1st floor.

Terminal 2 is smaller and is primarily used for low-cost carriers (LCCs) such as Spring Airline, Peach Airline, and Jeju Airline (for both domestic and international flights).

On the 2nd floor of the Terminal 1, there are many famous restaurants and popular brand shops such as Chanel, Dior, Burberry, Prada, and Louis Vuitton; you can enjoy shopping in Kansai International Airport.

Each day approximately 200 flights arrive and depart from Kansai International Airport. Most of the international flights are to and from Asia countries, such as Korea, China, and Vietnam.

Osaka Kansai also features a high-speed ferry boat that travels to and from Kobe Airport.

Where is the Airport in Osaka?

Kansai International Airport is main airport used by visitors to Osaka, and is located in the city of Izumisano (about 1 hour south of Osaka City by train). The second, smaller Osaka Itami Airport is about 30 minutes north of Osaka City.

How to get to Osaka City from Kansai International Airport?

There are a number of ways to travel between Kansai International Airport and the most popular train stations in central Osaka City; for most visitors, the easiest way to Osaka City from the airport is by train.

— By Train

Two train lines in Osaka provide service to and from Osaka’s Kansai Airport; the Nankai line and some JR line.

The most common way from Kansai International Airport to the city is to take the Nankai “Rapi:t” train, which takes just 35 minutes to Namba station, and the fare is 1,490 JPY.

You can also use JR trains to get to Osaka City; some people take the JR Limited Express “Haruka” train to to Tennoji station, Osaka station, or Shin-Osaka station. It is also common to take normal, JR local trains from the airport’s station to major Osaka stations (where riders can transfer to the JR Osaka Loop Line).

The train station at the airport is called Kansai Airport Station.

— By Bus

There are airport limousine buses that connect Kansai Airport with various places in Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and other destination in the Kansai region.

Taking a limousine bus from Kansai to Osaka takes longer than the train, but can be more comfortable (and makes fewer stops than the train). It takes about an hour to get to central Osaka by limousine bus, and costs about 1,500 JPY.

— By Taxi

Because Kansai Airport is located about 50 km to the south of Osaka City, a taxi ride into the city center is rather expensive. The fare for a medium-sized taxi between Kansai Airport and central Osaka is approximately 15,000 JPY and takes about 50 minutes.

— By Rental Car

Rental cars are available in the Aeroplaza. Reception counters for rental calls at Kansai Airport are located about a three minutes walk from Terminal 1 via the 2F connection passage, or a seven-minute ride from Terminal 2 via the free airport shuttle bus service.

— By High-speed Ferry (from Kobe Airport)

There is high-speed boat service to and from Kobe Airport on the Bay Shuttle. If you’re coming directly from Kobe Airport, the Bay Shuttle ferry is much faster than the train.

How do I get to Kansai International Airport from Osaka City?

The most common way to get to Kansai Airport from Osaka City is to take a train, but you can also go by limousine bus and taxi as well.

Which Terminal at Kansai International Airport is Used for Domestic Flights?

Almost all domestic flights to and from Kansai Airport use Terminal 1. The departure lobby for domestic flights is on the second floor.

Some of the airlines that offer domestic flights to Osaka’s Kansai International Airport include: All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Airlines (JAL), JetStar, Star Flyer, and Peach.

Which Terminal at Kansai International Airport is Used for International Flights?

Almost all international flights to and from Kansai Airport (including All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Airlines (JAL), China Airlines, Korean Air, etc) use Terminal 1. The departure lobby for international flights at Kansai Airport is on the fourth floor.

Some of the airlines that offer international flights to Osaka’s Kansai International Airport include: All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Airlines (JAL), China Airlines, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Viet Jet Air, China Eastern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Jin Air, United, Eva Air, Air France, Thai Airways International, Air Busan, Shandong Airlines, Air Macau, Philippines Air Asia, Hainan Airlines, HK Express, Tway Air, Greater Bay Airlines, Hongkong Airlines, Starlux Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Air Canada, Etihad Airways, Tigerair Taiwan, Hawaiian Airlines, Finnair, and Emirates.

The ticket counter for the Bay Shuttle high-speed ferry service to Kobe Airport is also located in Terminal 1.

What Airlines Use Terminal 2 at Kansai International Airport in Osaka?

Terminal 2 is designed to cater specifically to low-cost carriers (LCCs), offering those airlines dedicated facilities and potentially lower landing fees compared to Terminal 1.

Some examples of low-cost carriers at Kansai International Airport include: Jeju Airline, Spring Airlines, and Peach Airline.

High-speed Ferry Service to and from Kobe Airport

There is a high-speed ferry called the Bay Shuttle that connections Osaka Kansai Airport and Kobe Airport.

Taking the high-speed boat service from Kansai to Kobe Airport takes only 30 minutes, with an additional 20 minutes via the Port Liner train to reach downtown Kobe City. Taking the train from Osaka Kansai to Kobe City takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you’re coming directly from Osaka Kansai Airport, taking the Bay Shuttle ferry service may be a good alternative to the train.

Shopping Near Kansai International Airport

— Rinku Premium Outlet

Rinku Premium Outlet is located next to Kansai Airport, only one stop from the airport by train. Shoppers can get to the Osaka airport outlets easily, and can buy brand goods at reasonable prices. The Rinku Outlets are popular with local people as well.

For more information, see our full guide to shopping in Osaka.