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Kansai International Airport Passenger Reviews and Traveller Reports
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KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 15 April 2013 by Peter Thackray (UK) |
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Rating : 9/10 |  |
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Recommended |  |
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Flew in with ANA from Tokyo Hanida Airport mid evening. 15 minutes after landing was walking out of the
terminal building with my checked in luggage directly to either the airport hotel or railway station. The whole
experience very organised and clean and above all positive. Just a tip you cannot use a credit card to buy a
railway ticket into Osaka, it is cash only. Flying out of KXI to FRA was a very positive experience.
International Departures are on the 4th level, large Check-in groups A-G and then up an escalator to Security
Checking. On International Flights the usual European Rules on liquids apply. Again very quickly processed,
down an escalator and into International Departures which is a long thin hall backing the piers with the usual
selection of shops. There is free WiFi available. For some of the more remote piers there is a short train
ride that takes you to a sort of satellite set of gates with some limited shopping opportunities. Overall
despite being nearly 20 years old the airport is very modern, light and airy and very well run and easy to use.
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KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 14 January 2013 by Jeremy Chan (Hong Kong) |
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Rating : 10/10 |  |
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Recommended | |
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Visited Osaka for a few times, previously visited last July for a vacation. Airports in Japan are always
impressive. The airport is not busy at all. The queuing time for immigration is less than 3 minutes, and our
luggage appeared right away when we reached the baggage claiming gate. Ground staff extraordinarily nice,
helpful, and also efficient, even for the security officers. The terminal is spotlessly clean, and I should say,
outstanding. Good facilities and souvenirs shops in both the departure and arrival decks. Comfortable and
modern building, and convenient transportation to and from the airport. Incredible observation deck, which is
free of charge, providing even more facilities and shops for customers. Kansai Airport, together with some
other airports in Japan are the best I've ever visited, and their remarkable service is always unforgettable.
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KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 14 January 2013 by Euan Cameron (New Zealand) |
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Rating : 9/10 | |
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Recommended | |
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I stayed in transit whilst at Kansai International Airport. The transfer signs were clearly labelled in English,
the baggage check was a breeze, the terminal cleanliness was excellent. I gave this airport a 9/10 due to the
lack of duty-free shops and due to the staffs lack of English. I would highly recommend Kansai International
Airport.
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KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 26 November 2012 by Jeremy Chan (Hong Kong) |
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Rating : 10/10 | |
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Recommended | |
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A very nice airport to visit. Good facilities, especially the spectator area of the airport. Beautiful scenery, and
efficient airport services.
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KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 2 February 2012 by T Hoeh (Germany) |
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Rating : 9/10 | |
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Recommended | |
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Passenger-friendly airport, quick security check and friendly customs control. Excellent coach and rail
connections to Osaka, Kyoto and beyond. Short distance from terminal to coach and train station. Departure
side has some nice cafeteria/snack bar style restaurants right after passport control. When you want to grab
a bite before your flight make sure to do it before you take the shuttle to outlying gates, where food and
drink options appear to be limited. All in all a good place to start your visit to Japan.
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KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 6 December 2011 by A Lepik (Estonia) |
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Rating : 10/10 | |
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Recommended | |
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A very nice airport. Queues move quickly as is typical in Japan, plenty of facilities which are very clean and
pleasant and the terminals are nicely designed. Signage is great and shouldn't cause problems for anyone as
is the monorail. Staff is very friendly and the customs officers are polite, unlike most in Europe (and I won't
even compare with the US). Drink vending machines are priced moderately and not extortionate like in most
European airports. There is free internet - PCs, cables or wi-fi and all worked perfectly.
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KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 8 September 2011 by T Gilmore (Japan)
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Customer Rating : 5/5 |
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Regardless of the airline I have never waited more than 5 minutes to check-in.
Signage in English seems to be
good, but I speak Japanese. Security is quick and painless, the airport clean and spacious, and relaxing. The only
real downside is that all good restaurants and shops are outside of immigration on the 3rd level, airside has some
good options, but at a higher cost.
KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 7 April 2010 by Alan Ho (Singapore)
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Customer Rating : 5/5 |
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Good points: Clean and spacious, friendly staff, well designed terminal with short walking
distance, good range of shopping and food outlets before immigration and security checks,
luggage delivery and check in fast. Good choice of transport into Osaka down town, duty free
shopping offering have improve a lot since my last visit 3 years ago. Immigration is too slow,
for both departing and arriving passengers!
KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 22 February 2010 by F Endo (Japan)
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |
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Very convenient airport. It takes you no more than 15 minutes to check in, go through security
check and immigration, and reach your boarding gate. The check-in area is wide and open.
Security-check officers and immigration officers are polite and attentive. Wing shuttle and
boarding area are good and kept clean. The only thing I don't like about this airport is that
the boarding area isn't felt so wide. This is because there is a long wall at the center of
the boarding area and I cannot see the other side.
KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 23 November 2009 : by M Suda (Japan)
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Customer Rating : 5/5 |
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It's a masterpiece. Plenty of open air and space. The toilets are kept clean. Free wi-fi.
Check-in and information staff polite and friendly (customs may need more staffing for
foreigners). Choice of restaurants and shops are okay. The only reason why Kansai did not
develop as "the" Asian international hub is because the authorities did not close down Itami
(an old, domestic, cramped and dangerously-near to-the-city-center airport) as promised.
Because of Itami, domestic air connections to this airport have deteriorated; train
connections to Osaka also. The Japanese are using Incheon Seoul for transit instead, resulting
in fewer passangers. That is reflected in understaffing of customs staffs and vareity of shops
at Kansai.
KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 15 November 2009 : by Ron Kuhlmann (USA)
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Customer Rating : 2/5 |
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Very weird place. I arrived with a 10 hour layover and planned to take the train to Osaka for
a few hours. I passed through the transit checkpoint and went to the lounge to leave my hand
luggage only to discover that once back in the departures section it was impossible to leave.
I asked numerous personnel and no one had a solution. I was especially put off by the woman at
the information booth who spoke very poor English through a face mask, making the whole
exchange a rather surrealistic encounter. Admitting defeat, I spent the entire time at the
airport and continued to be astounded by the paucity of restaurants and shops. Plenty of duty
free but all with the same items. Plus for much of the time the airport was very empty. Also,
for a major entry point, the absence of English signage was astonishing. Overall, it was at
best a tolerable experience. Would not do it again.
KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 8 September 2009 : by F Dellera
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Customer Rating : 5/5 | |
Not a huge airport, but offers so much that you won't mind about it. Excellent choice of food
and shops, good connections to the city and between the floors, information staff was very
polite and helpful even for unusual requests like stamps at midnight.
KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 15 June 2009 : by P McCorkle
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Customer Rating : 5/5 | |
Kansai is one of my favorite airports, which is saying something because I hate airports.
Whenever I fly to Japan and can't get a direct flight I try to go through KIX. It's easily the
best I've been to next to Hong Kong. The location could be a little better, but that is it's
only weakness. Transportation links are outstanding. Security is always great: not just fast,
but thorough. I never feel like I'm treated as just cattle. Service at check-in counters has
always been great too. I remember the first time I flew out of Kansai I missed a train and
got there with just 30 minutes before my international flight left. In the US that would have
been a death sentence - a guaranteed missed flight. But at Kansai I found myself with enough
time to buy a book before boarding.
KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 16 April
2009 : by Nick Fortuna
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |  |
KIX on arrival with baby and child in tow was great - we were ushered right to the front of
the queue. Baggage was quick to come out also, so a very positive experience. Which is a shame
they make it difficult to get to the Nankai train with luggage. Bollards prevent you from
taking luggage carts onto the platform. Departure was a different story. On a very busy Monday
morning, the airport was bursting at the seams. Check-in took longer than anticipated. The
security check was efficient, though the staff there were brusque and not their usual japanese
polite. Add to that a security official incessantly barking something in Japanese into a very
loud megafone, making the security line more stressful. Downstairs, passport control took a
while, leaving little time for a lounge visit. KIX - getting too small for such a populous
catchment. Airside stocks plenty of luxury goods, but nothing a tourist would want to spend
money on.
KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT customer review : 15 December 2008 : by A Lee
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Customer Rating : 5/5 | |
Had 2 visits to KIX by way of 90 minutes transits between LAX and TPE. This is a beautiful, if a
little clinical, modern airport. A little disappointed by the Japanese shops, as I was expecting
more in the variation of items for sale of the local good. But there were just the usual stuff you
find in a supermarket one can find in any Japanese markets in the US. Luxury boutiques don't do
anything for me and you can buy them anywhere around the world, so what's the point?! View of the
Kansai region is nice across the bay, especially at night when the big wheel is lit up, pretty nice
to see. Airport seems a little deserted both times I visited it, is it underused? Excellent wifi
and internet stations abound and staff very friendly and helpful in guiding me around since my time
there were limited.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by Quek Keng Guan
4 June 2008 Customer Rating :
Used Osaka airport in May 08. Upon arrival at 7am, there is a long Q at the overseas visitors
section in the immigration. There is only 2 counters opened as compared to 4 counters opened for
their local people. They should have opened more counters for the overseas travellers. Airport is
clean and friendly to use. Train stations is located in the 3rd level of the airport and its easy to
locate, unlike Narita airport which is at basement. Airport is smaller compared to Narita. There is
plenty of shops at the airport. Managed to purchase Royce chocolates at the duty free shops. Overall
its pleasant to use. Will give 5* if there is more counters opened for overseas travellers at the
immigrations upon arrival.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by S Sinai
15 April 2008 Customer Rating :
I've only done one arrival here, but I was shocked and impressed that it only took about 3 minutes
from the time we first touched down on the runway to the time we were docked at the gate. Wow.
Immigration and customs took almost an hour though, which wasn't so wow. Except for passing through
customs and immigration, this is a very efficient and nicely designed airport. Pretty far from the
center of Osaka, but the transportation into town is very good, too.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by D Leopold
11 December 2007 Customer Rating :
It is easy to get around and very beautiful. There are dozens of places to eat, relax, have a drink
and you can even smoke there! This airport is efficient, airport staff wonderful. Getting off the
airport which is on an island was easy as you can choose either a bus, train, taxi, car, boat and
just about any other means to use you can think of. The airport observation deck was interesting as
was the way the trains travel under the highway bridge to and from the mainland
Osaka Kansai Airport review by Michael Weaver
19 January 2007 Customer Rating : n/a
Spotless, fantastic selection of food, efficiently run, security was
comprehensive but non-intrusive. The Hotel Nikko within the complex is
A+. The management of this airport should sell their management skills
to other airports worldwide, including the unforgivably, horrific LAX,
JFK or LHR. Osaka Kansai is Singapore's Changi airport is a ballgown!
(but I still like Changi) If you are visiting or transiting Japan, this
is the best.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by Nishi Takahiro
17 December 2006
Excellent Airport! Always clean, uncrowded and great. Immigration lines
for international passport holders sometimes gets long, but a great
airport. Also the 200 Yen coin showers located on the 2nd floor is great
for getting a quick shower after such a long flight. Transit system to
the city and other places in Japan are pretty good. The only complaint I
have is that lot of the jet ferry service has been cancelled increasing
time it takes to places such as Kobe or Tokushima by an hour or so.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by Tyler Higson
15 October 2006
Flying out of Kansai after 2 weeks in Japan. The airport is beautiful.
There was no hassle with Check in. I checked in early enough to request
a window. A bunch of other flights were heading out at the same time as
mine, but that did not effect the customs queues. It is a good procedure
that they have. They have 2 lots of passport control. gates 1-??? go on
the north side and the others on the south side. It makes it time
saving. Lots of shops and restaurants before and after customs. The
train that you have to catch to some gates is very fast. It says every 3
minutes, we just missed one and ours was gone with in a minute. Very
good airport and I will use it again!
Osaka Kansai Airport review by Kevin Armstrong
12 August 2006
Just made my third visit to Japan through KIX and starting to warm to
this place. Arriving passport control was much quicker and baggage
collection is good too. Onward transportation links are superb.
Departing the queue for security check was pretty long, but seemed to go
through very smoothly and, again, passport control was fast. Overall an
excellent airport
Osaka Kansai Airport review by Andrew Cruz
29 May 2006
Airport is beautiful, however, my flight from the US came at the same
time as a bunch flights from Korea. Having these arrivals all at once
made immigration forever! There were too few officials for those who
served the non-residents as opposed to the citizen's line which
basically had no wait whatsoever. Aside from this inconvenience, I found
the airport nice and airy.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by Jay Duce
20 May 2006
This might be about the best airport I have ever seen. It is easy to get
around and it is very beautiful - for an airport that is. Here you will
find none of the current problems you find in America. There are dozens
of places to eat, relax, have a drink and yes you can even smoke there!
This airport is efficient, airport staff is wonderful. Getting off the
airport which is on an island was easy as you can choose either a bus,
train, taxi, car, boat and just about any other means to use you can
think of. The airport observation deck was interesting as was the way
the trains travel under the highway bridge to and from the mainland.
If ever there was a 5 star airport this is it.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by Andrew Wright
6 May 2006
KIX was very efficient during our arrival and it did not take us long to
collect our luggage after disembarking. Note that passengers from
Australia and presumably Europe and America do not need to pass through
quarantine. The railway station (along with the JR office) is located a
few floors up and outside the main terminal building - just follow the
signs.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by Geoffrey McNab
31 August 2005
An excellent airport. Bright, spacious and impossible to get lost in. I found, this
being my first visit, all staff to be helpful and speak reasonable English. How many
airports have smart staff in white gloves at the foot of the escalators bowing to you
as ascend! It may seem slightly confusing at first owing the Japanese signage. But
there is always an English equivalent even if sometimes in smaller letters. There is
an excellent Airport layout leaflet with good maps of all the facilities. The airport
is on a man-made island connected by a causeway to Rinku Town. The only hotel at the
airport is the Nikko Hotel (quite expensive). A cheaper, and just as comfortable,
option is the Washington Airport Hotel 2 mins walk from the Rinku Town station
There is a hotel shuttle but not during the middle of the day. Otherwise its a mere 8
min train ride from either train line at the Airport station. Rinkyku Town is the
first stop and the hotel is very easy to find once you come out. I found Immigration
to be polite and efficient and I did not queue very long at all. There are excellent
left luggage lockers for all sizes. If too early for check-in (or just enjoy planes
and people watching) it is well worth taking the shuttle bus (100 yen each way) from
Bus Stop 1 at Ground Level to the Skyview observation complex at the end of one of the
runways. This superb facility has out door terraces, stunning views of the landing and
departing aircraft, a very reasonable priced cafe and "The Concorde Experience" which
is a restaurant serving meals on aircraft style trays out of old Ansett Airlines of
Australia meal carts! All in all an excellent airport to transit through or just
enjoy before or after flying.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by Roland Gollmer
8 August 2005
Having arrived and departed there quite a few times, I like its pleasant
airiness (huge windows and high ceiling), the train station near-by and I find it
really hard to get lost there (there's only left or right - almost foolproof!). It's true Immigration is
a bit slow, but I have seen far worse arriving at LAX or JFK or even NRT for that matter.
Only, never (I mean: NEVER) forget to keep enough cash to pay the airport tax. Otherwise, if you
have a morning flight (to Europe i.e.) you'll have to wait for the counter to open to charge it on
your card which is not possible on the machines. After that, you may have to run to catch your plane.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by Jackie Andrews
7 July 2005
I use KIX several times a year and I find some of the complaints baffling. It's a
beautiful building, never appears crowded or claustrophobic (even when it's stuffed
full of people) and the food outlets are good. I don't visit airports for the
shopping, though I know a lot of people do. Yes, I do always get searched by customs
and yes, there are sometimes long waits at immigration, but no worse than a lot of
other places. Try visiting the USA if you think you're hassled at KIX.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by A Hilbun
29 June 2005
I have connected through Kansai many times on my trips to/from Okinawa. For many years (until the
recent opening of the new Nagoya airport), the only alternative was to fly to Narita and then take a
90-minute bus ride to Haneda. On my last two connections through KIX, I found the staff to be
extremely courteous and helpful (yes, even toward westerners) if you speak Japanese. This hasn't
always been the case. Ten plus years ago you could say something in Japanese to an airport employee
and they would look at you in total bewilderment. For all its complexity, the airport is so well
designed that it never seems crowded, even when it is. The free wi-fi is a huge plus and there is an
array of shopping and dining options in the main terminal area. My only "complaint" would be that shops
and eateries are scant in the gate areas. It would also be nice to have a currency exchange past the
security checkpoint, if nothing more than an automated kiosk like at the Naha Airport in Okinawa.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by A Hilbun
29 June 2005
I have used Kansai airport for many times in my travels to/from Okinawa, since
(until the recent opening of the new Nagoya airport) the alternative was to fly
to Narita and then take the 90-minute bus ride to Haneda. If you can communicate in Japanese, you will have no problem with airport
staff. In the past, this wasn't always the case. A westerner that spoke fluent Japanese would be
greeted with dumbfounded looks, so it's safe to say that airport staff have become more cosmopolitan
over the years. The only complaint I would have is about the scant collection shops, eateries and
services past the security checkpoints. In all other respects, this airport is wonderful. It's so
well-designed that it never seems crowded, even when it is, and the free wi-fi is a definite plus,
allowing you to be productive while you are killing time during layovers.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by Kevin Armstrong
8 December 2004
I arrived in Japan for the first time via Kansai. Seems I had a similar
experience to other non-Japanese. At immigration there were 3 desks open
for about 100 Japanese and 3 desks open for about 500 non-Japanese!
Spending almost an hour waiting for my passport to be stamped while tiny
Korean children run all over my feet is not my idea of a good time, and
the only airport that I've been made to feel less welcome at is Tel
Aviv. Had no problems once I got through customs and things improved. It
may have just been culture-shock but I was a little confused about how
to get into the city from the airport. But the people at the information
desks are extremely helpful, and can also book hotel rooms at reasonable
rates. Internet access is also easy and cheap. Transport into Osaka city
and points beyond seemed pretty good too.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by Iwan Morgan
21 October 2004
Kansai international airport would be more aptly renamed Kansai for
Japanese only airport. I am well used to this airport having lived for 3
years just outside Osaka. Immigration at this airport calls all non-
Japanese foreigners and even stamps Japanese passports. Customs stops
everyone and even the Japanese show their tickets. Foreigners are
usually searched thoroughly without exception. Customs officials are
often monoglots. Bureaux de change require travellers to fill a form to
list the currency they are exchanging. Signs within the airport are
often in Japanese only. Airport restaurants treat non-Asians like little
green men from Mars. The restaurant menus are mainly in Japanese only.
The Airport bus ticket machines show destinations in Japanese only. Bus
drivers are monoglots. No wonder hardly any tourists go to Japan. I was
lucky. I speak Japanese.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by Ratana Patumwat
30 August 2004
Kansai is the one of the best airports in the world. The duty free shops are fine, and
transportation to/from the airport to Osaka is very convenient. There is also some Hi-speed
computers near the gates too. However the whole building was a little complex, but I'll say its
overall fine.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by Andrius Uzkalnis
24 May 2004
One of the best airports in the world: airy, light, unbelievably. Never crowded, never rushed, it
just oozes efficiency. After a red-eye flight from Europe, nothing beats Osaka Kansai - after I exit
through immigration and customs, I get myself a can of chilled tea from a vending machine and from
then on I know my trip will be fine and everything is good. Airside shopping is substandard but then
it is hardly a transit destination. On the way back to UK, I always manage to get all the sake I
need. Hotel Nikko Kansai, within 5 minutes from the terminal, is convenient and efficient. Again -
so much space everywhere, so much air. Ultimate stress relief.
Osaka Kansai Airport review by Peter Geran
4 April 2004
I went through Kansai in January and February. On my second trip, the immigration was
useless.
It took one hour to go through immigration, and I have been going in and out of Japan since 1988.
Not enough officers manning the " Foreigners " immigration counter, and they only waited until all
Japanese were processed before opening up additional counters.
As for shopping, forget it. Selection of shops is poor, and just the usual Japanese high priced
cosmetics and French scarves.
Prices for drinks and food once you had gone through immigration were excessive.
Nothing to recommend the place.
Also don't make the mistake of staying at a hotel on the " land side" of the airport.
We caught the HARUKA Express from Kyoto, then decided to take a shuttle bus to hotel. Shuttle buses
don't start until 5:00PM, so we took a taxi back. Yen 4,900 approx for a short trip - unreal
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