Osaka Itami Airport
- Published on : 23/05/2025
- by : Lucie G.
- Youtube
Osaka-Itami airport tarmac
sho K, Unsplash
Osaka Itami airport operates exclusively domestic flights from the Kansai region to the entire Japanese archipelago.
Osaka-Itami airport (or Osaka Kokusai Kuko in Japanese) is Osaka's closest airport, located north of Amagasaki and 15 km from Osaka station. It lies between the cities of Itami, Toyonaka and Ikeda, and can even be seen from the Umeda Sky Building! Despite its name in Japanese (kokusai means international), the airport is no longer international, and has only handled domestic flights since 1994, when the giant Kansai International Airport (KIX) was opened. It is therefore the region's second-largest airport, afterKansai International Airport (KIX) and ahead of Kobe.
Kansai's second airport
Itami airport was created in 1939 and was initially used for military purposes by the Imperial Japanese Army, until 1945, when the Americans took control of the archipelago. It was they who gave Itami its name and enlarged it by 220 hectares. The airport is still used for military flights, notably as an American air base during the Korean War. It wasn't until 1959 that Japan regained control of the airport and transformed it into a civilian airport, while still allowing American military aircraft to land.
Japan then experienced an economic boom, which meant that Osaka airport became increasingly busy, particularly with many international airlines. The airport's location meant that many of the surrounding residents suffered from noise pollution, which gradually increased with the democratization of jet aircraft for commercial flights. It was therefore decided in 1970 thatno flights would be operated between 10.30 p.m. and 6.30 a.m.
With the construction ofKansai International Airport on a man-made island in the Seto Sea in 1994, it was decided that Itami airport would only handle domestic flights.
Today it carries over 15 million passengers (by 2024) to more than 30 destinations across the archipelago .
Itami airport baggage reclaim area
dick Thomas Johnson, wikimedia
Terminals and airlines
Osaka-Itami airport is divided into three parts within the same building:
- South terminal : This terminal handles departures by ANA (All Nippon Airways), ANA Wings and Ibex Airlines.
- Central block: Located between the north and south terminals, this is where all arrivals take place.
- North terminal: This terminal handles departures by JAL (Japan Airlines), J-Air and Amakusa Airlines.
J-Air aircraft decorated for Osaka Expo 2025
s5A-0043, wikimedias
These companies serve some 30 cities, the main destinations in Japan, from Okinawa to Hokkaido, via Kyushu. Here are some of the destinations: Tokyo-Haneda, Sendai, Sapporo-Chitose, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Naha (Okinawa)...
Kansai airport or Osaka Itami airport?
If you're flying from outside East Asia, you'll need to land at Kansai International Airport, as no international flights arrive at Itami. On the other hand, if you're flying domestically, you're better off leaving from or arriving at Itami, as its proximity to the city of Osaka means you can reach it very quickly!
How to get to Itami (from Osaka, Kyoto, Kansai Airport...)
By train
- Osaka Monorail :
The only train connecting Itami airport with the rest of the city is theOsaka Monorail to Osaka Airport station. This train is not direct to the main Kansai destinations. You'll need to make a transfer. The IC card is valid for one trip on the Osaka Monorail, and you can also buy individual tickets.
To get to Osaka-Umeda, change at Hotarugaike station, just after the airport station, for the Hankyu Takarazuka line(20 minutes, 420 ￥)
For Shin-Osaka station, change at Senri-Chuo to catch the Midosuji subway line (30 minutes, 640 ￥).
For Namba station, same as Shin-Osaka, take the Midosuji subway to Senri-Chuo station (50 minutes, 770￥).
For Kyoto, go to Osaka station, where you can take JR Kyoto (1 hr, 1,020 ￥).
Osaka Monorail
mIKI Yoshihito, wikimedias
By bus
Limousine buses are available and travel directly to key points in Kansai. Tickets can be purchased in advance or from machines at the airport. Here are some of the stations served:
- Osaka Station
- Shin Osaka Station
- Namba Station
- Kyoto Station
- Kansai International Airport (KIX)
- Sannomiya station (Kobe)
- World Expo 2025 site (by reservation only)
These buses drop off either in front of the north terminal or the south terminal. You can board a limousine bus on platforms 1 to 5 and 8 to 13. Platforms 6 and 7 are used by local buses to the town of Itami.
Platform 0 will accommodate highway buses, i.e. buses covering long distances, such as to Fukuyama, Tottori or Awaji Island. These buses must be booked in advance, and tickets are not sold at Osaka airport.
Itami airport entrance
studio IRONY, wikimedias
By car
There are several car rental companies at the airport, including Nissan, Times and Nippon Rent A Car. You'll also find a large number of cabs near the bus platforms. If you've rented a car, there's a south and north parking lot. Please note that there are different rates during peak periods.
What to do at Osaka-Itami airport
Around the airport :
- Itami Sky Park
This park runs alongside part of Itami airport, offering a glimpse of the runways as planes take off and land. The long park features fountains, flowerbeds , benches and green spaces.
- Rooftop Observation Deck
Right at the heart of the airport (4 F), accessible day and night, this observation deck is a large terrace where you can enjoy the incredible view of aircraft taking off and landing. Admire the sunset and enjoy Sorayan Park, a small green space with beautiful flowers on the terrace.
- Queensway / GINZA BODY CARE
Located on the second floor (Central Block 2 F), this relaxing establishment offers a variety of massages, for the whole body or feet. If you'd like to relax before catching your flight, you can go directly to the boutique, as reservations are not required. Some massages can be performed without having to change clothes.
Services available at the airport :
- Eating and drinking at the airport
Before and after check-in, some 30 restaurants serving Japanese (sushi, udon, takoyaki, etc.), American, Chinese and European cuisine are scattered throughout the three terminals. If you just want a drink or a coffee, you'll find everything you need at Tully's Coffee, Starbucks or Dean&Deluca, as well as Osaka Airport Winery, a wine cellar/bar offering wines from all over the archipelago!
- Shopping
Like any good airport, you'll find plenty of stores selling clothes, souvenirs, cosmetics and accessories. There's even a Lawson's and stores selling omiyage, those edible souvenirs typical of Japan (Kansai Tabinikki, Otabe, Namiyoshian...). Each region of Japan has its own omiyage speciality, so don't hesitate to try one out, or find out which sweets to take home!
- Salon / Lounge
The Credit Card Lounge is a comfortable and luxurious lounge, which offers a welcome to holders of premium blue cards from certain banks. Here you can enjoy drinks in a calm, relaxed setting. You'll also find the Sakura Lounge for JAL premium customers, the ANA Lounge and the Osaka Lounge.
- Hotels
If you want to get to the airport as quickly as possible, there's no better place to stay thana hotel close to the airport, for your morning flight to the next leg of your journey! Around Itami, we recommend the Osaka Airterminal Hotel , located within the airport itself, with indoor and outdoor onsen. Just a 10-minute walk from the terminals, the Toyoko INN Osaka Itami Airport offers free shuttle buses to Osaka airport.
- Currency exchange and ATM
You'll find money exchange facilities at 1F South Terminal , and ATMs at 1F South and North Terminals.
- Information center
For any questions or information, go to 1 F or 2 F in the central block, where you'll find information points.
- Wifi
You can connect to the airport's wifi network from all terminals.
- Luggage storage
There are lockers in every sector of the airport, where you can leave your luggage for a few hours or a few days. Prices range from 300 to 600 yen for the day, or 300 yen for two hours.
- Luggage delivery services
Luggage delivery services allow you tosend or receive your luggage anywhere in Japan. You'll find Yamato Ta-Q-bin, Post Office and Lawson (Yu Pack) at 1 F of the central block.
Other Kansai airports
Kobe airport
