Kansai Airport (KIX) and Rinku Town: Access and Attraction Guide

Osaka is Japan's second-largest metropolitan center after Tokyo, concentrating about 10% of Japan's total population and 10% of foreigners living in Japan. It's also a popular tourist destination, with many people visiting from all over Japan and abroad every day, making Osaka a bustling city. Osaka is not only known for its numerous tourist attractions but also for its culinary delights, attracting many visitors specifically for its gourmet offerings.

Two main access points for tourists visiting Osaka are Umeda Station and Kansai International Airport. Both are surrounded by numerous commercial facilities and tourist attractions.

In this article, we'll introduce Kansai International Airport and the neighboring town of Rinku Town, which is home to many tourist attractions. We'll also cover access from Kansai Airport to various tourist spots, making this a must-read for those planning to visit Osaka by air.

What is Kansai International Airport, the Gateway to Kansai?

Kansai International Airport (KIX) is a sea airport built on an artificial island. With over 25 million annual visitors, this airport is bustling with people every day.

To date, it has connected 210 international cities and currently operates regular flights to 89 cities in 25 countries (regions). It ranks second in Japan's "Foreign Visitor Entry Ranking for All Airports and Ports," serving as a gateway connecting Western Japan with the world.

For domestic flights, it operates regular services to 17 locations, connecting Kansai with various regions of Japan. Kansai International Airport can be considered one of the major foundations of Osaka as a tourist city.

Access from Kansai International Airport to Major Tourist Spots

Here, we'll introduce access from Kansai International Airport to Osaka's main tourist attractions. If you're starting your tour from Kansai Airport, use this as a reference to begin your journey.

Access to Osaka Station (Umeda Station)

1. "JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service" from JR Kansai Airport Station to JR Osaka Station
   (Travel time: 72 minutes, about 1,210 yen, no transfers)
2. "JR Limited Express Haruka" from JR Kansai Airport Station to JR Osaka Station
   (Travel time: 50 minutes, about 2,410 yen, no transfers)
   *Limited express ticket required.
3. "Airport Limousine Bus" from Kansai Airport to Osaka Station
   (Travel time: 70 minutes, about 1,600 yen, no transfers)

The recommended option is #1, which offers a good balance of cost-performance and travel time.

If you are interested in Umeda, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Umeda as much as possible.

Access to Universal Studios Japan

Source: Official website

1. "JR Transfer"
   Take the Kansai Rapid Service (bound for Osaka) at JR Kansai Airport Station, get off at Nishikujo Station
   At Nishikujo Station, take the JR Yumesaki Line (bound for Universal City/Sakurajima), get off at Universal City Station
   5-minute walk
  (Travel time: 70 minutes, 1,210 yen, 1 transfer)
2. "Airport Limousine Bus"
   From Kansai Airport to Universal Studios Japan
   (Travel time: about 70 minutes, 1,800 yen, no transfers)

My recommendation is option #2, which allows you to reach your destination without any transfers.

If you are interested in Universal Studio Japan, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Universal Studio Japan as much as possible.

Access to Dotonbori

1. "Nankai Electric Railway" (Fast)
   Take the Nankai Limited Express Rapi:t at Nankai Kansai Airport Station, get off at Namba Station
   7-minute walk from the North Exit
   (Travel time: about 47 minutes, 1,490 yen, no transfers)
2. "Nankai Electric Railway" (Economical)
   Take the Airport Express at Nankai Kansai Airport Station, get off at Namba Station
   7-minute walk from the North Exit
   (Travel time: about 52 minutes, 970 yen, no transfers)
3. "Airport Limousine Bus"
   Take the bus bound for Namba at Kansai Airport, get off at Namba [OCAT]
   12-minute walk
   (Travel time: about 62 minutes, 1,100 yen, no transfers)

My recommendation is option #2, which offers the best cost-performance.

If you are interested in Dotonbori, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Dotonbori as much as possible.

Access to Shinsekai

1. "JR"
   Take the Kansai Airport Rapid Service (bound for Kyobashi) at JR Kansai Airport Station, get off at Tennoji
   About 10-minute walk
   (Travel time: about 1 hour, 1,080 yen, no transfers)
2. "Nankai Electric Railway"
   Take the Airport Express (bound for Namba) at Nankai Kansai Airport Station, get off at Shin-Imamiya Station
   About 10-minute walk
   (Travel time: about 45 minutes, 970 yen, no transfers)

Option #2 is recommended as it's cheaper and faster.

If you are interested in Shinsekai Area, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Shinsekai Area as much as possible.

Rinku Town: The International City Located Opposite Kansai International Airport

The closest land-based facility to the floating Kansai International Airport is "Rinku Town." It's just a 5-minute train ride from the airport.

The concept of Rinku Town is "The 'town' closest to the world." It's a small "town" that has everything necessary for life, including nature, entertainment, and food. Why not spend some relaxing time here while looking up at the planes connecting to various parts of the world?

Here, I'll introduce five of my recommended spots in Rinku Town.

Packed with Attractions! Explaining 5 Recommended Spots in Rinku Town!

Rinku Premium Outlets

Source: Official website

Rinku Premium Outlets is the largest outlet mall in Western Japan, where you can enjoy shopping at about 250 stores. With shops covering various genres including fashion, cosmetics, and sports equipment, you can spend hours here. The food court is also well-equipped, so you can relax and have a meal when you're tired from shopping.

This place is designed with inspiration from Charleston, an American port. I really like the calm atmosphere of Rinku Town. You can shop while feeling like you're walking in a resort area, enjoying the pleasant sea breeze.

At outlet malls, you can get various items at relatively low prices, so why not do some shopping while you're here?

<Store Information>
Address: 3-28 Rinku Orai Minami, Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture
Opening Hours: Retail stores: 10:00-20:00
               Main Side 1F Food Court / Seaside 3F Food Hall: 10:00-20:00
              Restaurants: 11:00-21:00
               Cafes: 9:30-20:00
              *Last orders vary by store.
Closed: 3rd Thursday of February
Phone: 072-458-4600
Official Website: https://www.premiumoutlets.co.jp/rinku/

If you are interested in Shopping in Osaka, check the article below! I summarized Shopping Places I recommend and how I felt each Places.

Rinku Pleasure Town Seacle

Source: Izumisano Kankou

Rinku Pleasure Town Seacle is a multi-purpose commercial facility directly connected to Rinku Town Station, offering excellent accessibility. While shopping facilities are plentiful, food and amusement options are particularly abundant.

There are over 20 attractive restaurants, and I always find it difficult to decide where to eat. The amusement options are so diverse, including bowling and capsule toy machines, that you can enjoy yourself all day long.

The highlight here is the large Ferris wheel called "Star of Rinku," which has become a trademark. From a height of 85 meters, you can view Kansai Airport, the beautiful sea, Rinku Town, and the urban cityscape stretching beyond.

<Store Information>
Address: 3 Rinku Orai Minami, Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture
Opening Hours: 10:00-20:00 (Some stores may differ)
Closed: Varies by facility
Phone: 072-461-4196
Official Website: https://www.seacle.jp/

Izumisano Fishery Cooperative Open-Air Market

Source: Official website

The Izumisano Fishery Cooperative Open-Air Market is a fish market boasting one of the largest catch volumes in Osaka. About 30 shops sell fish, including wholesale stores where professional chefs come to source ingredients, and eateries that serve freshly prepared fish dishes on the spot.

I love fish dishes and often visit this place. My recommended way to enjoy it is through seafood BBQ. You can buy your favorite fish at this fish market and immediately grill and eat it at the adjacent "Seafood Grill Market."

The fresh fish eaten on the terrace with the sea breeze blowing tastes even more delicious, and no matter how much you buy, it's quickly consumed. A roof is installed, so you can enjoy it comfortably even on rainy days or when the sun is strong.

<Store Information>
Address: 2-5187-101 Shinmachi, Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture
Opening Hours: 10:00-17:00
Closed: Wednesdays
Phone: None
Email: pakn47893@hera.eonet.ne.jp
Official Website: http://www.aozora-ichiba.com/index.php

Rinku Park

Source: Official website

Rinku Park is a spacious park facing the sea, offering spectacular views of planes taking off from Kansai International Airport, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Awaji Island, and more across the sea. There are many unique sights here, such as "the shadow of airplanes against the setting sun sinking into the sea," making it a popular spot for wedding photos.

My recommended spot is Marble Beach. It's an artificial beach paved with white marble. The white stones shimmering in the sunlight create a beautiful contrast with the blue sea and sky. It's also famous as a "lovers' sanctuary," and I recommend taking a photo at the heart-shaped monument installed there.

<Store Information>
Address: 1-271 Rinku Orai Kita, Izumisano City
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Closed: Never
Phone: 072-469-7717
Official Website: https://rinku.osaka-park.or.jp/

Kansai Airport Ice Arena

Source: Official website

The Kansai Airport Ice Arena is a skating rink that just opened in 2019. You can enjoy skating in a high-quality environment that's even chosen as a practice venue for professional athletes.

You can also experience curling here. It's a sport that many people might have seen on TV but aren't very familiar with, so why not take this opportunity to try it out?

The arena operates year-round, so you can enjoy skating even in summer, and rental skates and other services are available, so you can come empty-handed. There are also supports for beginners, so please feel free to visit.

<Store Information>
Address: 1-23 Rinku Orai Kita, Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 12:00-18:00 (Last entry 17:00)
               Fri 12:00-17:00 (Last entry 18:00)
              Sun 15:00-18:00
              Holidays 12:00-18:00
Closed: Saturdays (Sundays and holidays are by reservation)
Phone: 072-463-6880
Official Website: https://www.kanku-icearena.or.jp/

"Rinku no Yu" Rock Salt Bath is Also Recommended to Relieve Travel Fatigue

Source: Official website

Rinku no Yu Rock Salt Bath is a super public bath (a complex facility with public bathtubs) located within the Rinku Pleasure Town Seacle mentioned above. Here, you can thoroughly enjoy services necessary for healing your body, including baths, stone saunas, saunas, massages, and meals.

You can enjoy five types of baths here, but my favorite is the "Takami-yu." Being at a particularly high position, you can feel the sea breeze. The cool sea breeze on your thoroughly warmed body is very pleasant.

Please be mindful of the numerous manners associated with Japanese baths. For example, entering naked (not putting clothes or towels in the hot water), not letting your hair touch the water (tie it up on top of your head if it's long), and so on.

<Store Information>
Address: 3 Rinku Orai Minami, Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture
         Rinku Pleasure Town Seacle 2F
Opening Hours: 9:00-24:00 (7:00- on Sundays and holidays, last entry at 23:15)
Closed: Open all year round
Phone: 072-469-4126
Official Website: https://rinkunoyu.jp/onsen-ofuro/

Access to Rinku Town and Basic Information

Official Website: https://rinkutown1.jimdofree.com/
Closing days, phone numbers, etc. vary by facility, so please check each facility's website or social media for details.

Access from Kansai International Airport

1. "JR"
   Take the Kansai Airport Rapid Service (bound for Tennoji) at JR Kansai Airport Station, get off at Rinku Town Station
   (Travel time: 5 minutes, 370 yen, no transfers)
2. "Nankai Electric Railway"
   Take the Airport Express (bound for Namba) at Nankai Kansai Airport Station, get off at Rinku Town Station
   (Travel time: 5 minutes, 370 yen, no transfers)