Since I have been to Osaka several times, it was high time that I reviewed this amazing airport known as KIX or Kansai International Airport here.
Anyone visiting Osaka will be coming in here, and I am going to share some general information about what is available here at the Osaka Airport.
On a trip here with mainstream journalists from Malaysia and working with the Osaka Government Tourism Board (OGTB) and Tourism Malaysia Osaka (TM Osaka), our group was taken on a tour around the airport.
Anyone visiting Osaka will be coming in here, and I am going to share some general information about what is available here at the Osaka Airport.
Kansai Osaka Airport Review
On a trip here with mainstream journalists from Malaysia and working with the Osaka Government Tourism Board (OGTB) and Tourism Malaysia Osaka (TM Osaka), our group was taken on a tour around the airport.
Anyone planning to visit here should take note that flights to Osaka depart from Kuala Lumpur at midnight and arrive in Japan early in the morning.
Therefore, we flew via Malaysia Airlines on this trip, and on our arrival, we were greeted by the head of the Malaysia Airlines Osaka office, together with the representatives of TM Osaka and OGTB.
The seven-hour flight was decent, but my important tip is to get a window seat or one by the door or bathroom if you want a comfortable flight here.
Therefore, we flew via Malaysia Airlines on this trip, and on our arrival, we were greeted by the head of the Malaysia Airlines Osaka office, together with the representatives of TM Osaka and OGTB.
The seven-hour flight was decent, but my important tip is to get a window seat or one by the door or bathroom if you want a comfortable flight here.
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| International check-in counters at the departure hall. |
Anyway, arriving at Osaka's KIX brought back memories from my previous trips in 2012 and 2013, when I noticed that some renovations had been done to accommodate the growing number of passengers here.
You should also know that there has been a steep rise in the number of Malaysians visiting Osaka, namely Muslim tourists who seek the Japanese experience here.
You should also know that there has been a steep rise in the number of Malaysians visiting Osaka, namely Muslim tourists who seek the Japanese experience here.
Our media group was given a semi-tour of the shopping facilities in the departure area. On a first impression, sections here resembled more of a shopping mall rather than a common airport shopping area.
They put in the effort to ensure that travellers felt comfortable here, and I was very comfortable. Popular Japanese brands caught my eye as we did a walk through the main shopping areas in the airport departure area.
They put in the effort to ensure that travellers felt comfortable here, and I was very comfortable. Popular Japanese brands caught my eye as we did a walk through the main shopping areas in the airport departure area.
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| Daiso store at Osaka airport. |
Muji to Go, Uniqlo and even Daiso are some of the common names that I am used to, and they are more familiar with Malaysian travellers as well.
Other shops were more general and straightforward, offering travellers what they needed before and after a trip. Souvenir shops were abundant, with all sorts of Japanese names, while speciality stores were also available.
Other shops were more general and straightforward, offering travellers what they needed before and after a trip. Souvenir shops were abundant, with all sorts of Japanese names, while speciality stores were also available.
On a side note, the Daiso store here is selling items at ¥100 and at the time of my visit, the conversion to Ringgit Malaysia was 3, so everything was RM3, and that was a steal if you ask me, compared to the Daiso in Malaysia which is RM5 per item.
So, if you are a shopping fanatic, bring that famous bag-in-bag and book that extra luggage for the flight back. (Bag-in-bag is how travellers put a medium bag inside a more giant luggage bag and pack the clothes in the medium bag)
So, if you are a shopping fanatic, bring that famous bag-in-bag and book that extra luggage for the flight back. (Bag-in-bag is how travellers put a medium bag inside a more giant luggage bag and pack the clothes in the medium bag)
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| Shopping in Osaka KIX Airport. |
The Kit-Kat Hunter
For chocolate lovers, if you are hunting for that amazing Japanese Kit Kat selection, one store here sells the entire collection.
As I was walking through, I noticed the specialized Kit Kat display with at least 8 different flavours. Eight! Can you imagine that? Not one, not two, but eight!
Definitely a paradise for Japanese KitKat lovers, and the prices are quite decent too, priced at ¥600 to ¥800 per box, which works out to be around RM18 to RM24 (US$6 to $8).
Flavours include Kit Kat Wasabi, Green Tea, Red Bean, Strawberry Cheesecake and other unique stuff.
You know how friends and relatives always ask for Japanese Kit Kat when anyone goes to Japan? Well, this is your solution here in Osaka.
For chocolate lovers, if you are hunting for that amazing Japanese Kit Kat selection, one store here sells the entire collection.
As I was walking through, I noticed the specialized Kit Kat display with at least 8 different flavours. Eight! Can you imagine that? Not one, not two, but eight!
Definitely a paradise for Japanese KitKat lovers, and the prices are quite decent too, priced at ¥600 to ¥800 per box, which works out to be around RM18 to RM24 (US$6 to $8).
Flavours include Kit Kat Wasabi, Green Tea, Red Bean, Strawberry Cheesecake and other unique stuff.
You know how friends and relatives always ask for Japanese Kit Kat when anyone goes to Japan? Well, this is your solution here in Osaka.
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| Japanese Kit Kat variety for sale at Kansai Airport. |
Below are some general photos that were taken during my walk around with the Kansai Airport officials.
The majority of the photos were taken in the airport's common departure area, which is also open to the public.
The majority of the photos were taken in the airport's common departure area, which is also open to the public.
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| A Japanese souvenir shop. |
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| Kokumin Shop. |
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| Kyoto Craft Mart is an excellent place to buy souvenirs. |
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| Muji to Go speciality shop in Kansai Airport. |
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| Some of the shops in the airport area. |
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| Toy Park is great for kids...and adults, too. |
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| Uniqlo store at Kansai Airport. |
Japanese Food at Osaka Airport
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| Some of the Japanese 'Display Food' at the airport. |
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| Japanese Bento and other dishes. |
The list goes on and on for food and beverage. Japanese restaurants mainly offer the usual sushi, Bento, soba, and ramen, and they always have beautiful fake food displays in front of them, which amazes me, too.
Others include Japanese fusion restaurants offering hamburgers, steaks and several Western choices.
Others include Japanese fusion restaurants offering hamburgers, steaks and several Western choices.
For those arriving in Osaka, you would be really tired and exhausted from the flight and will head straight to the city.
Therefore, these places are best visited before you depart Osaka, so give extra time before you check in for your flight.
In general, you can come here early for breakfast and explore Japanese food one last time before leaving Osaka.
Therefore, these places are best visited before you depart Osaka, so give extra time before you check in for your flight.
In general, you can come here early for breakfast and explore Japanese food one last time before leaving Osaka.
Muslim-Friendly Facilities at Osaka Airport
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| A halal Japanese restaurant at Kansai Airport. |
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| Halal certification at the Japanese Restaurant. |
Halal Restaurant at Kansai Airport
Muslim travellers are in for a deal as one Japanese restaurant was certified Halal by a Malaysian certification board, and the sign clearly stated this in front of the restaurant.
So, Muslims can now enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine, which is halal here at Osaka airport. Just take a look at the menu photos below.
So, Muslims can now enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine, which is halal here at Osaka airport. Just take a look at the menu photos below.
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| Halal Japanese Food at Osaka Airport. |
Muslim Prayer Room Facilities at Kansai
Kansai Airport has also built special prayer rooms for Muslims. Our media group visited one prayer room, or 'surau,' located on the third floor of the main terminal building.
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| Prayer Room or surau at Osaka airport. |
Inside is a men's and women's section for prayers, complete with the 'kiblat' direction and an area to wash up before prayers.
To use the facility, you need to inquire from the main information counter for them to open the prayer room for you. In total, there are three prayer rooms found around Kansai Airport which are;
To use the facility, you need to inquire from the main information counter for them to open the prayer room for you. In total, there are three prayer rooms found around Kansai Airport which are;
1. Third Floor
2. International Gate Area North Wing
3. International Gate Area South Wing
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| Prayer room sign at Kansai Airport. |
Arrival facilities at Kansai International Airport
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| Kansai Tourist Information Center. |
When you exit immigration and customs, you will see the main arrival hall. This is usually where pick-ups are done, and in most cases, Free Independent Travelers, or FIT, as they are commonly called, will take the bus or train to head into Osaka city.
It generally takes about one hour to travel to the city from the airport.
It generally takes about one hour to travel to the city from the airport.
Kansai Tourist Information Center
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| Kansai and Osaka Information. |
Before one does that, you should check out the Kansai Tourist Information Center for all your information. Do not worry, as the staff here speak English.
They also have a dedicated area where free information booklets on Kansai and Osaka are displayed, and some of them are available in multiple languages.
Look out for the English ones, and at the time of writing this, there was none in Bahasa Malaysia. Most of the general information about places to go, places to shop, festivals and so on is available here.
They also have a dedicated area where free information booklets on Kansai and Osaka are displayed, and some of them are available in multiple languages.
Look out for the English ones, and at the time of writing this, there was none in Bahasa Malaysia. Most of the general information about places to go, places to shop, festivals and so on is available here.
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| Japan SIM Card and Mobile Center at Osaka Airport. |
Japan SIM Card and Smart Phone Kiosk
The most popular stop for travellers is the SIM card booth. Here, you will get a SIM card for your smartphone or, the easiest of them all, rent a portable WiFi unit, which is practical for WiFi.
I am still unsure about the Japanese SIM card and if it works well with Malaysian or Southeast Asian mobile phones, but you should double check this.
I just used my hotel WiFi whenever I got the chance. Several places around Osaka offer free WiFi, and WiFiso the Osaka Free WiFi, which is easy to log into.
Just connect to it. A browser will automatically pop up. Put in your email, and you can use it for 15 minutes. When it disconnects, just do the same step. All hotels in Osaka have free WiFi.
Some companies in Malaysia even offer portable WiFi before you leave the country. At the Mobile Kiosk Center here, you can even rent Japanese smartphones in English.
I am still unsure about the Japanese SIM card and if it works well with Malaysian or Southeast Asian mobile phones, but you should double check this.
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| Osaka Free WiFi services. |
Just connect to it. A browser will automatically pop up. Put in your email, and you can use it for 15 minutes. When it disconnects, just do the same step. All hotels in Osaka have free WiFi.
Some companies in Malaysia even offer portable WiFi before you leave the country. At the Mobile Kiosk Center here, you can even rent Japanese smartphones in English.
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| Malaysia Airlines check-in counter at Kansai Airport. |
Checking in at Osaka Airport
The Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia X check-in counters are located at Counter A, which is the first counter and the leftmost as you enter the departure hall of Kansai Airport.
The staff here are all Japanese who speak English, so there should be no problems with the language unless you do not speak any English at all, I suggest you ask them for the Malaysian manager or staff to talk to.
The staff here are all Japanese who speak English, so there should be no problems with the language unless you do not speak any English at all, I suggest you ask them for the Malaysian manager or staff to talk to.
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| The Smoking Room is located at Counter A in the departure hall. |
Smoking Room at Osaka Airport
You should know that Japan is en route to becoming a no-smoking country. However, for smokers, fear not, as there are designated areas and rooms available.
At Osaka Airport, smoking rooms are available on all levels. In the departure hall, the smoking room is just next to Counter A, where the MAS and AirAsia X check-in counters are located.
At Osaka Airport, smoking rooms are available on all levels. In the departure hall, the smoking room is just next to Counter A, where the MAS and AirAsia X check-in counters are located.
On the arrival hall, the smoking room is all the way to the right of the building before you exit the arrival.
Please note that you are not allowed to simply smoke anywhere you like, even outside the airport.
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| Luggage services at KIX. |
Bag Wrapping Facilities and other services
While some travellers like to wrap their bags for extra security, this service is offered just next to the smoking room at Kansai Airport.
There is a fee charged according to size. The company is called Your Wrap.
There is a fee charged according to size. The company is called Your Wrap.
1. Small Luggage Bag is ¥500
2. Medium Luggage Bag is ¥700
3. Large Luggage Bag is ¥900
4. Extra Large Luggage Bag is ¥1000
Baggage Storage Service
Next to 'Your Wrap' is a baggage or luggage storage service. Fees range from ¥360 to ¥1030, depending on how long you store your luggage there.
These are very trustworthy services but please do not put valuables in your check-in luggage, never ever do that.
These are very trustworthy services but please do not put valuables in your check-in luggage, never ever do that.
Extra Luggage
For anyone who overshopped in Osaka, fear not—you can buy boxes from the Baggage Service Area.
A medium-sized box will cost around ¥800, and you can check in these boxes on your flight. Note that, depending on your airline, any excess baggage will be charged.
A medium-sized box will cost around ¥800, and you can check in these boxes on your flight. Note that, depending on your airline, any excess baggage will be charged.
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| Money Changer at Kansai Airport. |
Currency Exchange or Money Changer in Osaka Airport
There are a few counters at the arrival and departure levels, so look for the word 'Currency Exchange'.
Money Changer is a very Malaysian or Southeast Asian term, so you will not see it all over Japan. Rates are based on the banks and are usually decent.
However, it is always better to change your Japanese yen in Malaysia or your home country before visiting Osaka, Japan.
Money Changer is a very Malaysian or Southeast Asian term, so you will not see it all over Japan. Rates are based on the banks and are usually decent.
However, it is always better to change your Japanese yen in Malaysia or your home country before visiting Osaka, Japan.
Vending Machine Services
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| Vending machines at the arrival hall. |
You will be surprised that they even have a vending machine area in the arrival section of the airport here.
Inside, you will find machines that sell popular Japanese coffee brands such as Suntory, Boss, UCC, and many others.
They also sell them in hot or cold, and prices are always around ¥100 to ¥130 per can. Other items found here include soft drinks and cigarettes.
Inside, you will find machines that sell popular Japanese coffee brands such as Suntory, Boss, UCC, and many others.
They also sell them in hot or cold, and prices are always around ¥100 to ¥130 per can. Other items found here include soft drinks and cigarettes.
Other shops and facilities around Kansai Airport
For those leaving Osaka, I recommend you come 3-4 hours before your flight departs.
Why? All because of the security checks, which can take quite a long. As Malaysian Airlines and AirAsia X flights depart in the late morning, many other international flights also depart around the same time.
Therefore, give at least 30 to 45 minutes just for the security checking line. (Where you need to remove everything for the airport scanners).
Why? All because of the security checks, which can take quite a long. As Malaysian Airlines and AirAsia X flights depart in the late morning, many other international flights also depart around the same time.
Therefore, give at least 30 to 45 minutes just for the security checking line. (Where you need to remove everything for the airport scanners).
There is also a post office, clinic, dental clinic, police station, battery charging points (chargeable ¥100 for 30 minutes) and even a pet hotel. Several airport lounges and the KIX Airport Lounge are also open 24 hours.
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| Last chance for that Japanese McDonald's burger before leaving Osaka. |
And more importantly, it is the 'last-minute shopping' where you have the option of visiting the many shops outside the main departure area before going into the duty-free area.
Why am I saying this? Simply because many travellers like to finish their small change or get those last-minute goodies and souvenirs from local convenience stores like 7-11, Lawson and Family Mart.
Why am I saying this? Simply because many travellers like to finish their small change or get those last-minute goodies and souvenirs from local convenience stores like 7-11, Lawson and Family Mart.
Also, the common Japanese restaurants, Halal restaurants, and other fast foods are usually outside in the main areas.
Once you go inside after immigration, you will only have the choice of duty-free shops. Again, there are a ton of items to buy here, too.
If you are looking for traditional Japanese food souvenirs or Kit Kats, the duty-free shops have them all there.
The best part is that a lot of them display the contents of the snacks for you to see, while some English explanations are also available for some of the Japanese snacks.
Once you go inside after immigration, you will only have the choice of duty-free shops. Again, there are a ton of items to buy here, too.
If you are looking for traditional Japanese food souvenirs or Kit Kats, the duty-free shops have them all there.
The best part is that a lot of them display the contents of the snacks for you to see, while some English explanations are also available for some of the Japanese snacks.
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| The domestic departure hall at the airport. |
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| Tsutaya Book Store is in the domestic section of the airport. |
AED or Automated External Defibrillator devices in Kansai Airport
Kansai International Airport was the first airport in Japan to install AEDs, which are Automated External Defibrillators that ordinary citizens can use.
An AED is a medical device that is used to restart the heart of a person who is in cardiac arrest, and there are 46 AED units around the airport here.
An AED is a medical device that is used to restart the heart of a person who is in cardiac arrest, and there are 46 AED units around the airport here.
There are 27 units in the Terminal 1 Building, 11 units in the Terminal 2 Building, and 8 units in the Aeroplaza, hotel, Observation Hall, and other locations.
Please get and check the airport map if you or someone travelling with you is diagnosed with a heart condition.
Please get and check the airport map if you or someone travelling with you is diagnosed with a heart condition.
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| Kansai Airport Map. |
For more information, visit the Kansai Airport website and the Osaka Government Tourism Board website.
This trip was made possible with the collaboration of OGTB, Tourism Malaysia Osaka and Malaysia Airlines.
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| Officials involved in the Osaka Media Trip. |
The best times to visit Osaka are in the Autumn, from October to November, and in the Spring, from the end of March to early April.
However, you should note that the cherry blossoms usually start flowering at the end of March and continue until the first week of April for those wanting to see this amazing sight.
You can also check out the Sakura Forecast website. I am amazed that they even have this for the tourist.
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| Universal Studios Japan is one of the most popular attractions in Osaka. |
Other times to visit Osaka are during Christmas to experience the Japanese Christmas and witness some of the winter festivals.
However, most Japanese festivals take place in the summertime, so if you are into festivals, please check the main website for the complete list of festivals in Osaka.
However, you should also know that Universal Studios Japan is one of the most popular tourist attractions to visit at any time of the year.
Conclusion
However, most Japanese festivals take place in the summertime, so if you are into festivals, please check the main website for the complete list of festivals in Osaka.
However, you should also know that Universal Studios Japan is one of the most popular tourist attractions to visit at any time of the year.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed my Kansai Osaka Airport review. If you have any comments or feedback, please use the comment form below to contact me.
I will also share more stories and photographs of my Osaka Media Trip. At the same time, you can also check out some of my previous Japan articles highlighting Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo.
I will also share more stories and photographs of my Osaka Media Trip. At the same time, you can also check out some of my previous Japan articles highlighting Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo.