Roberta Aguirre
Japan has 98 airports, 28 of which are operated by the central government and 67 by local governments. The country's two leading airlines, Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA), serve a wide range of international destinations. The busiest airports in Japan include Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Kansai International Airport, Chubu Centrair International Airport, and New Chitose Airport. These airports offer convenient access to major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, and Sapporo, through various transportation options, including trains, buses, and taxis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports in Japan | 98 |
| Number of airports operated by central government | 28 |
| Number of airports operated by local governments | 67 |
| Japan's biggest and most visited airport | Narita Airport (NRT) |
| Location of Narita Airport | 60 km east of central Tokyo |
| Airport closest to Tokyo's city center | Haneda International Airport (HND) |
| Number of passengers served by Haneda Airport annually | 72 million+ |
| Airport serving central Japan | Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) |
| Airport serving western Japan | Kansai International Airport (KIX) |
| Airport serving the island of Hokkaido | New Chitose Airport (CTS) |
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What You'll Learn
Tokyo's Narita Airport
Narita International Airport, also known as Tokyo-Narita International Airport or Narita Airport, is located about 60 kilometres (37 miles) east of central Tokyo in Narita, Chiba. It is the largest international airport in Japan, serving as the main international hub for Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Nippon Cargo Airlines, and United Airlines. Narita is also the busiest airport in Japan in terms of international passenger and cargo traffic, handling 33.4 million international passengers and 2.2 million tonnes of international cargo in 2018.
The airport has a long and controversial history, dating back to the 1960s when the Japanese transport ministry began searching for alternate airport locations due to capacity and noise issues at Haneda Airport, then known as Tokyo International Airport. The initial plan was to build a five-runway airport in the village of Tomisato, but the site was later moved to the villages of Sanrizuka and Shibayama, where the Imperial Household owned a large farming estate. The decision sparked protests from local residents, who were not consulted during the planning process and opposed the expropriation of their lands. This led to the formation of the Sanrizuka-Shibayama Union to Oppose the Airport, which remained active until 1983. The opening of Narita Airport in 1978 was met with high security and protests, with 14,000 security police officers deployed to counter 6,000 protesters.
Today, Narita Airport offers convenient transportation options to and from Tokyo. The JR Narita Express (N'EX) provides a direct connection between the airport and Tokyo Station, with additional stops at Chiba Station, Yotsukaido Station, and Sakura Station. The trip takes approximately one hour, and the N'EX runs every half hour during mornings and evenings, with hourly departures during midday. Alternatively, passengers can take the Narita Line/Sobu Line Rapid Train, which departs once per hour and takes one and a half hours to reach Tokyo Station. For those travelling to Shinjuku Station, the journey takes about one hour and thirty minutes by train.
In addition to its transportation facilities, Narita Airport also features a variety of attractions and amenities for travellers. The airport is located within easy access of popular destinations such as Tokyo Disney Resort and Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, a top temple in the annual Hatsumode ranking. The temple is just a 10-minute train ride from the airport, and the approach offers a delightful experience with restaurants, souvenir shops, and the aroma of grilled unagi. Narita Airport also has a large commercial complex, Ikspiari, where visitors can enjoy shopping, movies, and other entertainment activities.
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Haneda Airport, also in Tokyo
Haneda Airport, also known as Tokyo International Airport, is located in Ōta, Tokyo, 14 to 15 kilometres (8 to 9.3 miles) south of Tokyo Station. It is one of two international airports serving the Greater Tokyo Area, the other being Narita International Airport.
Haneda Airport is Japan's largest domestic airport and the second-largest airport in Asia, serving more than 72 million passengers annually. It is the primary domestic base for Japan's two largest airlines, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, as well as several other airlines. The airport covers 1,522 hectares (3,761 acres) of land and has three domestic terminals and one international terminal, with flights operating across Japan and worldwide.
The history of Haneda Airport dates back to the 1930s. In 1930, the Japanese postal ministry acquired a portion of reclaimed land to construct an airport. Haneda Airfield first opened in 1931 with a small terminal, a 300-metre runway, and two hangars. During World War II, the airport shifted to military transport services and flight training for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. After the war, Haneda Airport was expanded and favoured over a new airport proposal.
Today, Haneda Airport offers convenient transportation options to and from Tokyo. The Keikyu Line express trains connect the airport's terminals to Shinagawa Station on the JR Yamanote Line, providing easy access to various neighbourhoods in Tokyo. Additionally, the Tokyo Monorail connects the airport to Hamamatsucho Station in 13 minutes, and buses are also available to major hotel districts and tourist destinations in the city.
Haneda Airport has received recognition for its facilities and services. In 2020, it was named the second-best airport globally and the World's Best Domestic Airport. It has maintained its high ranking in subsequent years, known for its convenience, shopping options, and restaurant offerings.
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Kansai International Airport, Osaka
Kansai International Airport (KIX) is located in the Osaka Bay off the Honshu shore, 38 kilometres (24 miles) southwest of Ōsaka Station. It is the closest international airport to the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, and is the primary international airport in the Greater Osaka Area. It is also the nearest international airport to Kyoto, and the third busiest airport in Japan, serving over 31 million passengers in 2019.
Kansai International Airport is built on an artificial island, Kankūjima, within three municipalities, including Izumisano (north), Sennan (south), and Tajiri (central), in Osaka Prefecture. The airport covers a total of 1,055 hectares (2,607 acres). It has two runways, the first of which is 4,000 metres (13,120 feet) long, and the second of which is 60 metres (200 feet) wide. The airport first opened on 4 September 1994, becoming the first in Japan to operate 24 hours a day.
The airport is accessible by train, with JR Limited Express and Rapid Trains running between the airport and central Osaka in just over 30 minutes. The airport is also connected to Osaka Station via the JR Haruka limited express, with the trip taking between 40 and 50 minutes. Additionally, buses are available for travel into the Kansai region and beyond, and taxis can be used to reach various destinations.
Kansai International Airport offers various amenities and services for travellers. These include free Wi-Fi, 11 currency exchange offices, and a Tourist Information Centre with multilingual staff. The airport also provides access to the Japan Rail Pass, which can be used for most JR train trips.
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Chubu Centrair International Airport, Nagoya
Chubu Centrair International Airport, also known as Nagoya Central Japan Airport, is located on an artificial island in Ise Bay, Tokoname City, in Aichi Prefecture. It is around 30-40 kilometres south of Nagoya in central Japan. The airport is classified as a first-class airport and is the main international gateway for the Chubu ("central") region of Japan.
Chubu Centrair is Japan's fourth most important international airport, after Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports, and Osaka's Kansai airport. It is conveniently connected to Nagoya and other parts of central Japan by public transportation. The fastest and cheapest way to get to Nagoya Station is by train, which takes 30 minutes and costs 980 yen for a non-reserved seat and 1430 yen for a reserved seat. Buses also operate between the airport and various locations around Nagoya, including a bus to Sakae in central Nagoya every two hours, costing 1500 yen one way. High-speed boats connect the airport with the city of Tsu in Mie Prefecture, taking around 45 minutes and costing 2980 yen.
The airport consists of two terminal buildings. Terminal 1 handles most domestic and international flights, while Terminal 2 is a smaller terminal for discount airlines. Chubu Centrair offers a wide range of shopping and dining options, including a public bath and a Boeing museum.
In 2019, the airport was ranked the fifth-best airport in the world by Skytrax and received the World's Best Regional Airport and the Best Regional Airport in Asia awards. It serves the third-largest metropolitan area in Japan, centred around Nagoya, which is a major manufacturing centre. The airport handles a significant amount of cargo, with 212,797 tons moved in 2018.
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Fukuoka Airport
The domestic terminal of Fukuoka Airport is conveniently connected to the city by the Fukuoka City Subway, with a travel time of about ten minutes to the business district. In contrast, the international terminal is only accessible by road, although there is a scheduled inter-terminal airport bus connecting the two terminals and the subway station. Additionally, a scheduled bus service is available to Hakata Station and the Tenjin area.
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Frequently asked questions
Haneda Airport, also known as Tokyo International Airport, is located 14 kilometres (8 miles) south of Tokyo. Narita Airport is another airport in Tokyo, located 60 kilometres (37 miles) east of the city.
Haneda Airport is Japan's largest domestic airport and the second busiest airport in Asia, serving over 72 million passengers annually. Narita Airport is the largest international airport in Japan.
You can take the JR Narita Express (N'EX) train, which runs every half hour during mornings and evenings and hourly during midday. The trip takes about one hour. Alternatively, you can take the Narita Line/Sobu Line Rapid Train, which departs once per hour and takes an hour and a half.
