Osaka Airport (RJOO / ITM), was Osaka’s main airport until Kansai International Airport was opened in 1994. Nowadays ITM only handles domestic services. Traffic is restricted due to its location within a highly populated neighbourhood in Hyogo prefecture next to the city of Itami. Nevertheless, ITM’s handles some 17 million passengers every year.

The airport is accessible from Osaka either by bus or by train (Hankyu railway Takarazuka line from Umeda station, change to Osaka monorail at Hotarugaike station). This airport has only poor airline variety. Most operations are served by ANA, JAL and their subsidiaries. Ibex Airlines also offers a couple of flights. Good weather is common at this airport, but during the hot summer months you sometimes have to face misty conditions or heat distortion.

Written by Maximilian Ono (last visited March 2023)

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Airline Variety
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Airport Information
Runways
14L/32R	1.828 m
14R/32L	3.000 m
Terminals
North Terminal	JAL
South Terminal	ANA, Ibex Airlines
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not required
Car/Public Transport	Car is not required as you can reach the spots by foot and public transport. See description for each location. When you rent a bicycle from Sone station (It is 160 yen in 2 hours, in the case of electric bicycle, necessary identification card) you can can ride to all the spotting places. There is also a bicycle rental at Okamachi station north to Sone station.
Restrooms	Not directly at the spots. Inside terminal buildings
Drinks/Food	Inside terminal buildings or at spot 2 there is a 7eleven.
Hotels	Not directly at the airport but Osaka city centre is easily accessible
Season	Better in summer due to the north/south direction of the runway and the better climate.
Runway Usage
General Info	Due to mountains north of the airport, almost every arrival approaches from the south.
14L/32R	Departures & arrivals of smaller aircraft (usually Embraer 170 downwards)
14R/32L	Departures & arrivals of larger aircraft (usually Embraer 190 upwards)

	Spot #1 – “La Sora” observation deck – departures and arrivals, movements on the apron
WHERE	Rooftop of both terminal buildings
WHAT	You can see and spot movements on the apron as well as arrivals and departures on both runways.
TIME	Best light conditions are in the early morning. Later, movements on the runway are in backlight.
MISC.	Shops and restrooms inside the terminal, possibly also on the terrace itself.
FOCAL LENGTH	Approx. 50-100mm for planes on the apron. Longer lenses are required for planes on taxiways and on the runway.

ITM-Spot1

ITM-Spot1

ITM-Spot1

	Spot # 2 – Itami Sky View Park – arrivals and departures on both runways
WHERE	Located on the other side of the runway system. By car you can park there directly. The number 25 bus goes there from the airport terminals and the stop for the Sky Park is outside the 7/11 convenience store (it’s the first stop after the bus comes out of the underpass beneath the runway). Buses are every 30 minutes and it costs around ¥150.
WHAT	You can see and spot all movements on both runways. There are plenty of opportunities where you can stand because the park is pretty huge.
TIME	Best light conditions are in the afternoon. In the morning, movements on the runway are in backlight. The spot becomes useful by around 11 o’clock.
MISC.	There is a 7/11 store next to the bus stop.
FOCAL LENGTH	Below 100mm for planes on runway 32L, longer lenses required for planes on runway 32R.

ITM-Spot2

ITM-Spot2

ITM-Spot2

ITM-Spot2

ITM-Spot2

ITM-Spot2

	Spot # 3 – Harada – RWY 32L and 32R arrivals, RWY 32L lineup
WHERE	Starting at Osaka (Umeda) Station, take Hankyu Railway Takarazuka Line and leave the train at Sone Station. Note you can only take the “Local” train service as Express trains don’t stop at Sone. Leaving the station to the south, take the first major street to the right as it is drawn on the map. The walk will lead you below a highway and takes approx. 20 minutes. Just follow the approaching planes above your head. After crossing a bridge above a small river, turn right into the small sand path.
WHAT	You can see and spot mainly approaches to Runways 32L and 32R. Besides, ground shots can be made for Runway 32L lineups.
TIME	Best light conditions are in the afternoon. In the morning, you have to go on walking along the sand path to the other side of the approach glidepath.
MISC.	There are no shops or restrooms at the spot, so buy what you need in the shops on the way or at Osaka (Umeda) station.
FOCAL LENGTH	Max. 50mm for 777-300 on final to Runway 32L. If you walk back to the street, you’ll make it with a 55mm lens (see picture attached). Min. 200mm for Dash 8 Q400 approaching Runway 32R.

ITM-Spot3

ITM-Spot3

ITM-Spot3