English In Japanese Airports: What To Expect

Japan has close to a hundred airports and airstrips, including military air bases and several domestic airports. While the most important and busy airports are controlled by the central government, others are operated by local governments.

The country's two leading airlines, Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA), serve a broad range of international destinations.

English signage is common in the bigger airports like Narita and Haneda in Tokyo, and Osaka's Kansai International Airport, as they are frequently used by foreigners. However, smaller airports can be more challenging to navigate, with complicated Japanese signage and staff with limited English proficiency.

English signage at Japanese airports

Tokyo Narita and Haneda airports

Both Narita and Haneda airports in Tokyo have English signage. The signs are written in Japanese, English, Chinese, and sometimes Korean. These international airports cater to millions of passengers each year, so they are well-equipped for international travellers. The signs are straightforward and clear, covering essential information such as arrivals, departures, and directions to various facilities within the airport.

Osaka's Kansai International Airport

Kansai International Airport, located southwest of Osaka, is western Japan's major airport. It is easily accessible from Osaka using the JR Haruka limited express train, covered by the Japan Rail Pass. While there may be some English signage at this airport, it is always a good idea to check with the airport or your airline for specific information.

Nagoya's Chubu Centrair International Airport

Chubu Centrair International Airport, also known as Central Japan Airport, is located south of Nagoya. Travellers can conveniently reach Nagoya from the airport using the Meitetsu Line μ-SKY limited express train. This airport is likely to have English signage, but it is recommended to check the latest information before your travel.

Other Airports in Japan

In addition to the major airports mentioned above, Fukuoka Airport, Sapporo's New Chitose Airport, and Naha Airport in Okinawa also have a significant number of international travellers. Many other smaller Japanese airports offer some international flights and may have English signage. These include airports in cities such as Shin-Chitose, Asahikawa, Hakodate, Aomori, Akita, Sendai, Ibaraki, Niigata, Toyama, and Komatsu.

Overall, Japan's international airports have made efforts to accommodate English-speaking travellers by providing English signage. However, it is still beneficial to have basic Japanese language skills or a translation app when navigating through these airports, as not all signs may be translated, and staff members with English proficiency may not always be available.

English-speaking staff at Japanese airports

English is widely spoken in Japan, especially in the country's major cities and tourist destinations. While Japanese is the primary language, English is often used as a common language for communication. This is true for airports as well, where English-speaking staff are usually available to assist travellers. Here is an overview of what to expect at Japanese airports in terms of English-speaking staff:

Tokyo's Narita and Haneda Airports

Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, is served by two major airports: Narita and Haneda. Both airports are well-equipped to handle international travellers and have English-speaking staff available. Narita is the primary international airport for Japan, with dozens of airlines operating routes to destinations worldwide. On the other hand, Haneda is the country's largest domestic airport and the second-largest in all of Asia. While Haneda primarily serves domestic routes, it also offers some long-haul international flights.

Osaka's Kansai International Airport

Kansai International Airport, located in Osaka, is another major gateway to Japan for foreign visitors. It is situated on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, about 30 miles southwest of Osaka. The airport features advanced transportation options, making it easy for travellers to navigate the region. English-speaking staff are usually available to assist with any queries or issues.

Nagoya's Chubu Centrair International Airport

Chubu Centrair International Airport, located near Tokoname, serves central Japan. It is conveniently located about 30 kilometres south of Nagoya. The airport features beautifully designed facilities and offers excellent shopping and dining options. English-speaking staff are typically available to assist travellers, especially in the areas of the airport that are open to the public.

Other Japanese Airports

In addition to the major airports mentioned above, many other airports in Japan offer international flights, particularly to destinations in Asia. These include New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, Fukuoka Airport, Kumamoto Airport, Sendai International Airport, Naha Airport in Okinawa, and Osaka International Airport (also known as Itami Airport). While English-speaking staff may be present at these airports, the availability might vary, and some smaller airports may have more limited English proficiency among their staff.

Tips for Communication

To enhance your experience at Japanese airports and facilitate communication with staff, it is beneficial to learn a few basic Japanese phrases. Additionally, many airports provide signs in English to assist visitors. If you encounter staff who have limited English proficiency, remaining patient and courteous can help ensure a smooth experience for everyone involved.

English-language announcements at Japanese airports

English-language announcements are made at Japanese airports, including at the major hubs of Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports, Osaka's Kansai International Airport, and Nagoya's Chubu Centrair International Airport. These airports serve as key gateways to Japan, offering a range of international and domestic flights. While English announcements are made, it is worth noting that smaller airports in Japan may have more limited English signage and staff proficiency in English may vary.

Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport)

Haneda Airport is Japan's busiest airport and one of the largest in the world, serving around 87 million passengers in 2018. It is easily accessible from downtown Tokyo, located just 30 minutes away by metro. The airport offers a wide variety of flights, excellent amenities, and a convenient train connection to the city. It is known for its efficient design, making it easy to navigate despite the high volume of passengers. Haneda primarily serves domestic routes but also has long-haul international routes.

Narita International Airport

Located about 60 kilometers outside of Tokyo, Narita International Airport is Japan's primary gateway for international travel. It serves dozens of airlines and handles a significant portion of the country's international traffic. Narita offers excellent facilities, but its distance from the city center makes ground transportation more time-consuming and expensive. Travelers usually opt for the train or bus, which takes around an hour, instead of taxis, which can be costly.

Kansai International Airport

Kansai International Airport, located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, is a major entry point for foreign visitors to western Japan. It is about 40 kilometers from Osaka and is also the nearest international airport to Kyoto. The airport offers numerous flights and is easy to navigate. While it is a bit far from the city center, it is conveniently connected to Osaka via an affordable and straightforward train ride.

Chubu Centrair International Airport

Chubu Centrair International Airport, located on an artificial island near Tokoname, serves central Japan, particularly the Chūkyō metropolitan area in the Aichi region. It is one of the busiest international airports in the country and functions as a hub for All Nippon Airways and Jetstar Japan. The airport offers beautiful facilities, including a shopping center that is open to the public. However, the post-security area has limited shopping and dining options.

Other Airports

In addition to these major airports, Japan has several other international airports, such as New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, Fukuoka Airport, Hiroshima Airport, Kumamoto Airport, Sendai International Airport, and Naha Airport in Okinawa. These airports offer varying levels of connectivity to both domestic and international destinations. Some, like Hiroshima Airport, provide connecting flights to larger hubs like Haneda in Tokyo.

English-language services at Japanese airports

Japan has a total of 98 airports, including several international airports with English-language services and amenities to assist travellers. These include Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports, Osaka's Kansai Airport, and Nagoya's Chubu Centrair International Airport.

Narita International Airport

Narita International Airport (NRT) is the largest international airport in Japan, located 60 kilometres (37 miles) east of Tokyo. The airport offers English-language signage to help visitors navigate, and staff members are generally proficient in English. To travel between the airport and Tokyo, you can use the JR Narita Express (N'EX), which is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and runs every half hour during mornings and evenings and hourly during midday.

Haneda Airport

Haneda Airport (HND) is Japan's largest domestic airport and the second-largest airport in Asia. It is located just 14 kilometres (8 miles) south of Tokyo. The airport can be easily accessed using the Tokyo Monorail, which is included in the Japan Rail Pass and runs approximately every four minutes.

Kansai International Airport

Kansai International Airport (KIX), located 40 kilometres (25 miles) southwest of Osaka, is western Japan's major airport and the nearest international airport to Kyoto. English-language services and signage are available at the airport. To travel between Kansai Airport and Osaka, you can use the JR Haruka limited express, which is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Chubu Centrair International Airport

Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO), also known as Central Japan Airport, serves central Japan and is located 30 kilometres (18.5 miles) south of Nagoya. English-language services and signage are likely available, especially considering its status as one of Japan's most important international airports. To travel between the airport and Nagoya, you can take the Meitetsu Line μ-SKY limited express train.

In addition to these major airports, Fukuoka Airport, Sapporo's New Chitose Airport, and Naha Airport in Okinawa are also international airports in Japan with a significant number of international flights. Many smaller Japanese airports also offer a limited number of international flights, mainly to destinations in East Asia.

English-language forms and documents at Japanese airports

Overview

English is used at Japanese airports, and some airports offer customs declarations in English. However, it is unclear whether all forms and documents are available in English. Here is a detailed overview of English-language forms and documents at Japanese airports.

Customs Declarations

Japan's Customs and Tariff Bureau has introduced Electronic Customs Declaration Gates (e-Gates) at seven international airports: New Chitose Airport, Narita International Airport, Haneda Airport, Chubu Centrair International Airport, Kansai International Airport, Fukuoka Airport, and Naha Airport. These e-Gates facilitate the customs clearance process for inbound passengers, reducing waiting times and congestion. Passengers with IC passports can use the e-Gates by scanning their passports and following the instructions on the terminal. The e-Gates also capture facial images for identification and facial recognition, after which the images are immediately deleted.

Drug Smuggling Warnings

Drug smuggling is a serious crime in Japan, and the Customs and Tariff Bureau has published warnings in English on its website.

COVID-19 Procedures

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan implemented specific procedures and forms for entry into the country. These procedures included health monitoring, mandatory COVID-19 testing, and private medical insurance requirements. The necessary forms, such as the "Written Pledge" and "Schedule of Activities in Japan," were available in English and had to be submitted to the airport quarantine office.

While English is used at Japanese airports, it is important to check with the specific airport and relevant authorities to confirm the availability of English-language forms and documents for your particular needs.

Frequently asked questions