Kansai International Airport (RJBB / KIX) is the international airport of Osaka and the Kansai region (including the cities of Kobe, Kyoto and Nara). The airport is located approx. 50 km south of Osaka on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, near the city of Izumisano to which it is connected by bridge. About 28 million passengers are handled per year (before Corona).

The airport was opened as Japan’s first offshore airport in September 1994. The second runway was opened in 2007, while a new low cost terminal was opened someyears ago. ANA, JAL and Jetstar Japan are common sights at KIX. ANA subsidiary Peach Aviation is based here. The major carriers of the Far East serve the airport as well as various smaller Chinese and Korean operators. Long Haul operators include some carriers from Europe, Emirates (777) from the Middle East and United (737 and 777) from the U.S.. Japan Coast Guard operates a Saab 340, which is based at KIX and can therefore be seen here quite often. Good weather is common at this airport, but during the hot summer months you sometimes have to face misty conditions.

Written by Maximilian Ono (Last time visited: March 2023), thanks to Tomoto providing pics of spot2.

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Airport Information
Runways
06L/24R	4.000 m
06R/24L	3.500 m
Terminals
Terminal 1	all other airlines
Terminal 2	Low-cost carriers Peach, Spring Airlines and Jeju Air.
Spotting Information
Ladder	not required
Car/Public Transport	Car is not required. All spots are reachable by public transport.
Restrooms	Inside terminal buildings and observation hall.
Drinks/Food	Inside terminal buildings and observation hall.
Hotels	Nikko Hotel between the two terminal buildings. Possibly there are other hotels on the shore in Izumisano.
Season	The chance for Runway 24 operations is higher during the summer months.
Runway Usage
General Info	The chance for Runway 24 operations is higher in the summer and in the afternoon. The chance for Runway 06 operations is higher in the winter and in the morning.
06L/24R	Landings in both directions
06R/24L	Take-Offs in both directions and few landings in off-peak times

	Spot #1 – Observation Hall – Runway 06R departures, Runway 24L arrivals&departures, Overview of the main Apron
WHERE	Leave Terminal 1 on the ground floor (international arrivals) and look for the Nankai Bus stop to Observation Hall. You have to pay a little amount for the bus, but the Observation Hall is for free. The ride takes about 5 minutes and includes audio commentary in English. Inside Observation Hall, take the escalator upstairs. The spectators’ facilities are located on 4th and 5th floor.
WHAT	The place is famous for spotting planes on final to Runway 24L with the access bridge in the background. You have to use the 5th floor for this, as otherwise the Coast Guard building will be in the way. Besides, you can also spot planes lining up on Runway 24L or departing on Runway 06R. Movements on the northern end of the main apron can also be seen. Please note this runway is rarely used for landings
TIME	Best light conditions are in the afternoon and early evening. In the morning, movements on the runway are in backlight.
MISC.	Food and drinks can be bought inside Observation Hall, but it’s also possible to bring in food from outside to eat it here. There are various benches and seating opportunities inside the building as well as on the building’s terraces. Monitors show the current flight information (including cargo movements). Models and Souvenirs can be bought here, too.
FOCAL LENGTH	Up to 200mm for 737on final approach runway 24L, up to 140mm for 737 during line-up. For departures on runway 06R and planes taxiing on the apron, you’ll need bigger lenses.

KIX-Spot1

KIX-Spot1

KIX-Spot1

KIX-Spot1

KIX-Spot1

KIX-Spot1

	Spot #2 –  Terminal 1 (North Wing) – Movements on the apron
WHERE	Leave Terminal 1 on the 4th floor (International Departures), turn right outside the Terminal building and follow the street just a few steps.
WHAT	Aircraft taxiing to and from stands No. 1 to 7 (North Wing)
TIME	Best light conditions in the afternoon (12 – 5 P.M.)
MISC.	You’ll find everything you need inside the Terminal building. Sometimes there are very few movements visible from this place, so check the airport website www.kansai-airport.or.jp to find out when gates N1-N7 will be used. Heat haze can cause problems, especially when an APU of a parked aircraft is running.
FOCAL LENGTH	Approx. 200-400 mm for aircraft on the taxiways. 50-200 mm for aircraft turning into their stands.

KIX-Spot2

KIX-Spot2

KIX-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Terminal 1 (South Wing) – Movements on the apron
WHERE	Leave Terminal 1 on the 4th floor (International Departures), turn left outside the Terminal building and follow the street just a few steps.
WHAT	Aircraft taxiing to and from stands No. 35 to 41 (South Wing). You can also see aircraft taxiing from Runway 06L/24R to the Terminal 1 apron in the background.
TIME	Only useful in the early morning. Backlight is a problem at all other times.
MISC.	You’ll find everything you need inside the Terminal building. Check the airport website www.kansai-airport.or.jp to find out when gates S35-S41 will be used. Heat haze can cause problems, especially when an APU of a parked aircraft is running.
FOCAL LENGTH	Approx. 200-400 mm for aircraft on the taxiways. 50-200 mm for aircraft turning into their stands.

KIX-Spot3

KIX-Spot3

KIX-Spot3