Like Tokyo and also as confusing is the fact that Osaka’s older airport still retains the international name despite being used only for domestic flights. In resent year Osaka international has also been known as Itami Airport. A third domestic airport around 25km away at Kobe has also recently opened too.

Kansai was built on a man made island in the southern part of Osaka Bay, it was the most expensive construction project in modern history. A Discovery Channel documentary highlights the challenges that were faced in building the airport from construction an island in an earthquake zone to dealing with the island sinking under its own weight.

Construction started in 1987 and the airport opened in 1994 as the major international airport for the regions of Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. The terminal building is the longest airport terminal in the world and construction is underway to double the island to provide more runways and terminals.

Getting to and from the city of Osaka Kyoto or Kobe to Kansai International Airport is best done by train or shuttle bus as taxis can be rather expensive. The buses leave just outside the arrivals hall with some dropping off at all the major hotels alternatively 4 train services operate from the 2nd level of the terminal.

To get to Osaka via the train there are two services known as Nankai that take from 30 to 40 mins to get to Central Osaka. JR runs two services more convenient to get to Kyoto or Kobe, known as JR Haruka and JR Rapid with the Haruka service connecting to the Shinkansen bullet trains at Shin-Osaka.