Kansai International Airport (KIX)

Thought once inconceivable, it is now possible to visit Japan without stepping foot in Tokyo at all. Kansai International Airport (KIX) serves the western area of Japan housing the tourist-magnet city of Kyoto and the urban powerhouse of Osaka, along with the deeply spiritual ground of surrounding prefectures Nara and Wakayama . For more information about the general airport, click here: Kansai International Airport: KIX homepage

The airport is located around 50 minutes from the bullet train hub of Shin-Osaka and 100 minutes away from Kyoto Station . JR Limited Express and Rapid Trains run frequently between the airport and central Osaka in just over 30 minutes. For more information about available destinations and the time required, check here: Kansai International Airport: Access by train info

Buses are another good option for traveling farther into the Kansai region and beyond. The major hotel districts, neighboring prefectures and destinations further afield—including the island of Shikoku—are all covered. Click here for detailed timetables and fares: Kansai International Airport: Access by bus info

If the trains or buses don't quite serve your purpose, taxis are on hand to take you wherever you need to go. Take a look at the following link for average times and fares: Kansai International Airport: Access by taxi info

Stop by the Tourist Information Center staffed by multilingual travel experts who can answer questions and provide free maps and brochures. A stop at the center will save you lots of travel-planning time.

Japanese public transport, stores and restaurants are legally forbidden to accept foreign currencies, so you will need small amounts of yen currency for your immediate needs. If you have foreign bank notes other than U.S. dollars, it is wise to convert some of them in to yen while at the airport. Traveler's Checks can be cashed quickly at banks, but few stores or restaurants accept them.Unused yen may be re-converted at airports and other locations. For handling currency exchange, there are 11 currency exchange offices at the airport, some open 24 hours.

Receive your Japan Rail Pass by exchanging your Exchange Order at the Green Window (Midori-no-Madoguchi) Reservations Ticket Office at JR Kansai Airport Station. Exchange orders must be redeemed for a Japan Rail Pass within 3 months of the date of purchase. (e.g. If the exchange order was issued on April 15, the exchange order can be redeemed until July 14). You can use the Pass for most JR train trips.

Take advantage of free Wi-Fi at Kansai Airport and let loved ones know you have arrived safely.