Revisiting the Kansai International Airport 関西国際空港

14th December 2010. Written by Xin Li.
Osaka, Japan
Like Kyoto, Osaka is conveniently connected to the Kansai International Airport by railway. The most expensive, but fastest way to get to the airport or vice versa is the Haruka Express (about 30-40 minutes from Tennoji Station). It will cost about 2070/2780 Yen (Tennoji/Shin-Osaka) which makes purchasing a 1-Day Kansai West Pass (2000 Yen) worthwhile as it allows unlimited rides on normal JR lines in Nara, Osaka and Kyoto, including the Haruka Express.

With comfortable seating and space for your luggage, travelling between Osaka, Kyoto and Kansai Airport is fuss-free and comfortable. There are vending machines onboard if you need any drinks.

After some 40-50 minutes, we found ourselves at Kansai International Airport, our trip in Japan is coming to a close. It was such a dreadful thought.

This time round, we also took some time to explore the airport, trying to appreciate the architecture designed by famed architect, Renzo Piano.

The airport can be divided into 3 main parts, the Hotel Nikko & the Aeroplaza, the Train Station (for both Nankai Railways & JR) and the Airport itself. Compared with Chubu Central Airport, Kansai Airport felt extremely spacious.

Once again it was a midnight flight from Kansai International Airport. Most of the shops and restaurants are closed. We spend some time at a book shop called Tsutaya.

Expressive, dignified stretches of truss systems can be found around the passenger terminal, giving a sense of monumentality. The long stretch of system adds a kind of dynamism as well.

A powerful joint acts as a gateway and a joint at the same time. The imagery was enhanced by the fact that you approach the airport over a ‘bridge’.

We refreshed ourselves at the KIX Refresh Cabin (500 Yen for 30 minutes) after checking in, before boarding our flight to Bangkok.

A well-equipped shower room to meet your needs: clean towels, body soap and shampoo were all provided.

Then relax in the delightful lounge area where you could browse through some magazines provided and take note of your flight with the screen provided.

Free drinks and massaging chairs are included as part of the package. I enjoyed how a cool, relaxing palette of colours were used in the lighting as well as the wall paper to create a a rather serene environment, it really does isolate one from the hustle and bustle of the airport. However, I am not sure how it would be like during the peak hours.

Of course, what is a lounge without complimentary internet access? Here you can tweet or update your Facebook status as most would probably do. Or, check emails!

The Goodbye Seats…by the time I reached here, thoughts and reflections started pouring into my mind. How much I would miss Japan? Did I enjoy this trip? What do I like most? What comes next? Questions, questions that continues to ring in the mind as the clock ticks closer to the boarding time.