Access
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Airports around Kansai
There are 3 major airports that serve as the gateway to the Kansai, the western region of Japan, including Kansai International Airport, Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport), and Kobe Airport. As of October 2022, regular international flight routes are serviced through Kansai International Airport, but visitors can soon expect Kobe Airport to answer to growing demand with its goal to service regular international routes by 2030, starting with its charter international flight slated for 2025. Below is an overview of the collective “3 Kansai Airports” providing major air travel to the Kansai region via Kansai International, Osaka International (Itami) and Kobe Airports.
Kansai International Airport
Seated as the gateway to Japan’s western region, this 24-hour, international airport offers a network of all-day access to domestic and worldwide destinations. The airport debuted in 1994 as the world’s first ever airport to be built on a completely man-made island. Today you can access the airport by train, bus, taxi, car/rental car, as well as high-speed boat.
Official siteOsaka International Airport (Itami Airport)
This airport, located at the near center of the Keihanshin metropolitan area, is a mainstay for domestic flights across Japan. It services a full roster of domestic flight routes and access to Japan’s major airports. Access to the airport is primarily available by train (monorail), bus, taxi as well as car or rental car.
Official siteKobe Airport
This sea-bound airport offers prime access to the heart of downtown Kobe. Currently, it only services domestic flights but is slated to charter its first international flight in 2025, with plans to open to regular international travel by 2030. For access to the airport, train (Port Liner), bus, taxi, car/rental car and high-speed boat (Bay Shuttle) is available to use.
Official site◎Main Direct Flights from Kansai International Airport
- 1 Paris (France): approx. 14hr 55m
- 2 Amsterdam (the Netherlands): approx. 17hr 45m
- 3 Dubai (U.A.E.): approx. 11hr 15m
- 4 Shanghai/Pudong (China): approx. 2hr 35m
- 5 Seoul/Incheon (S. Korea): approx. 2hr
- 6 Hong Kong: approx. 4hr 30m
- 7 Taipei/Taoyuan (Taiwan): approx. 3hr 10m
- 8 Singapore: approx. 6hr 55m
- 9 Manilla (Philippines): approx. 4hr 35m
- 10 Bangkok (Thailand): approx. 6hr 20m
- 11 Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam): approx. 5hr 35m
- 12 Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia): approx. 7hr
- 13 Los Angeles (U.S.A.): approx. 10hr
- 14 Cairns (Australia): approx. 7hr 10m
- 15 Honolulu (U.S.A.): approx. 7hr 20m
- 16 Guam (U.S.A.): approx. 3hr 45m
※Only major country cities listed. This list does not include all flights available.
※Flight details are subject to change. Please check with the official airline flight status for the most recent information.
Transportation pass
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◎KANSAI ONE PASS
You can travel around “Kansai” with just one IC card. The pass is available only for foreign visitors. With this pass, you can smoothly make connections at any major transportation companies in the Kansai region without buying tickets each time, and some discounts for museum and other facilities are available.
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◎JR-WEST RAIL PASS
You can purchase convenient and inexpensive unlimited ride ticket according to your travelling days and area.
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◎JAPAN RAIL PASS
This pass is jointly provided by six companies of the JR group. It is the most economical pass if you travel around Japan by train. (Please note certain limitation is applied. For example you cannot use it for “Nozomi” and “Mizuho” on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen Line.)
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