The Terminal 1 Building at Kansai International Airport (KIX) celebrated its grand reopening after the completion of its major renovation in March 2025. With the opening of the new international departure commercial area in June 2026, the airport’s large-scale renovation project, which began in 2021, has now been fully completed.

Now more convenient and enjoyable than ever, Kansai International Airport has evolved into a destination where travelers can make the most of their time before departure. From newly designed spaces and expanded shopping areas to a wide variety of restaurants, be sure to explore everything the renewed airport has to offer before saying goodbye to Japan.

Since 2021, Kansai International Airport (KIX) has undergone its first major renovation since opening, with every phase of the large-scale redevelopment project now complete. The domestic area of Terminal 1 reopened in October 2022, followed by the international departures area in December 2023, earning praise from travelers for allowing them to enjoy shopping and dining until just before boarding.

In March 2025, the airport celebrated its grand reopening with the completion of its core facilities, further enhancing its capacity to accommodate future growth in international air travel. The transformation continued in June 2026 with the opening of a new international departure commercial area.

At the same time, KIX introduced a new Call to Gate system, under which departure gates are announced closer to boarding time rather than well in advance. With additional flight information displays installed throughout the terminal, travelers can relax, shop, and dine in the central international departures area until their gate information is displayed.

*Call to Gate: A boarding management system that announces departure gate numbers closer to boarding time.

The new International Departures Area is designed across three levels: the 4th floor houses the security screening area, the 3rd floor is dedicated to immigration, and the 2nd floor features the shopping area and departure gates. By consolidating the previously separate north and south immigration checkpoints into a single location, passenger flow has become much smoother. The redesigned space also incorporates elements of Japanese aesthetics, creating a welcoming atmosphere that lets travelers experience a touch of Japan even as they depart.

KIX DUTY FREE, a walk-through duty free store, offers a wide variety of products including the first Japanese airport duty free store, cosmetics of the world’s top brands, liquors and cigarettes from all over the world, and popular Japanese confectioneries. With so much to see and do, it is inevitable that one’s eyes will wander while walking around! It is also a great place to buy at a discount, so whether you are looking for a treat for yourself or buying additional souvenirs for family and friends, you are sure to find something you like. You will have no regrets about your shopping experience.

KIX DUTY FREE products can be ordered in advance via the web and picked up at the dedicated pick-up counter on the day of departure, for those who want a smooth shopping experience.
You can order up to 3 hours before departure (only for products marked “same day order OK: up to 3 hours before departure”).

For more information, please click here.

Beyond the walk-through duty-free shopping area, the four “Mood Area” are also lined with stores and eateries that match the atmosphere of each area. The Mood Area offers a wide variety of fashion, sundry goods, and souvenirs, so you may want to get there early to enjoy this area! It is also a great place to use up any extra Japanese yen you may have left over.

In the center is the PLAZA, the symbolic space of the new international departure area. The dynamic design is inspired by Japanese architecture, with symbolic roofs and pillars. Benches are placed here so that visitors can take a rest until boarding after fully enjoying shopping and dining.

In the Mood Area, there are many restaurants where you can enjoy Japanese gourmet food. Here are some of our favorites, ranging from the classic to the unusual and innovative!

First up is OnigiriBurger. As the name suggests, OnigiriBurger serves freshly made Japanese-style hamburgers with ingredients sandwiched between rice and nori (seaweed) instead of a bun. The entire menu was developed by a sushi restaurant in Osaka, where reservations are hard to come by. The menu is full of seasonal ingredients such as premium quality Kobe beef, thick fried tofu, fried shrimp, teriyaki chicken, and more! Enjoy the “ultimate Japanese food” only available at Kansai International Airport, where every ingredient has been carefully selected, including rice, seaweed, ingredients, and seasonings.

“Ramen” is one of the most popular Japanese food in Japan! “MENSHO”, which has many overseas branches and has many fans in Japan and abroad, now appears at Kansai International Airport. The unique combination of Japanese and Western ingredients and the bold toppings, such as A5 Japanese beef, on top of ramen noodles will shock you.

We also recommend the diner-style restaurants that serve orthodox Japanese cuisine. “Japanese Shokudo” offers a wide variety of dishes centered on side dishes based on the concept that “good food is good for you”. All of the dishes have a homemade feel and a relaxing, gentle flavor.

If you missed out on sushi during your trip or want to try it again, don’t worry! Don’t worry! There is also a sushi restaurant after the immigration check-in, so you can rush in there before boarding your flight.
The chef at Tsukiji Magoemon is a two-star Michelin-starred chef, and his nigiri and fish dishes are superb, featuring seasonal seafood shipped directly from Toyosu and Maizuru, two of the most famous fishing ports in Japan.

If you want to spend a quiet and relaxing time, go to “Cafe & Bar Wa SAKURA”.
For breakfast, we offer croque-monsieur and French toast with aromatic coffee, and for lunch and café hours, we have a lineup of light meals including beef curry and Neapolitan pizza. In the evening, the restaurant offers a menu of beers, wines, highballs, and other alcoholic beverages, as well as snacks to go with them, so how about a pre-flight drink? The café and bar can be used for various occasions throughout the day, so please feel free to drop by.

In addition to “Cafe & Bar Wa SAKURA”, there is also “KIX BEER”, a craft beer specialty store in Izumisano City where Kansai International Airport is located.

We are glad to see that the renewal has made it possible for passengers to enjoy shopping and dining at their leisure in the airport even after completing departure procedures! If you want to take a good look around the new, powered-up international departure area, we recommend that you leave plenty of time to go through security checkpoints early.

In June 2026, the final phase of Kansai International Airport’s renovation was completed with the opening of a new commercial area, expanding the international departures shopping zone to both the north and south and introducing the brand-new Magnet Area. As a result, the central international departures area now features around 50 shops. The expansion includes 24 newly opened stores, ranging from luxury brands to retailers making their first-ever appearance at a Japanese airport.

Highlights include the Universal Studios Store and Moncler, both debuting at a domestic airport in Japan, as well as popular retailers such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi and UNIQLO, where travelers can conveniently pick up souvenirs and last-minute essentials at reasonable prices. With so much to explore, it’s well worth arriving at the airport early to make the most of the new shopping area.

There are two convenient ways to travel from Osaka Umeda, the heart of Kansai, to Kansai International Airport (KIX): by train or by airport limousine bus. If you prefer a comfortable, hassle-free journey with plenty of luggage space, the airport limousine bus is an excellent choice. Be sure to check out the article below for a detailed guide to traveling by bus.

▶[2026] How to Get from Osaka to Kansai Airport | A Guide to Limousine Bus Fares, Travel Times, and Boarding Locations

Kansai International Airport is the perfect place to enjoy Japan to the very end. A new airport experience awaits you, so be sure to add “time to enjoy the airport” to your Japan travel schedule. You are sure to have another fun memory right before you leave Japan.

Q. Is Kansai International Airport open 24 hours?
A. Yes, Kansai International Airport is open 24 hours. However, some entrances and exits may be restricted during nighttime hours. While limited transportation services are available during late-night and early-morning hours, Japanese trains and buses do not operate 24 hours a day, and there are periods when public transportation is unavailable. Please check transportation schedules in advance.

Q. Are there restaurants after the international security checkpoint at Kansai International Airport?
A. Yes. Travelers can enjoy a variety of Japanese cuisine before departure, including onigiri (rice balls), sushi, udon, ramen, tempura, and kamameshi (traditional rice cooked in an iron pot). Please note that some restaurants may not be open during early morning or late-night hours, so we recommend checking the opening hours in advance.

Q. How early should I arrive at Kansai International Airport before my flight?
A. For international flights, it is generally recommended to arrive 2–3 hours before departure, while for domestic flights, around 1 hour before departure is usually sufficient. During busy periods such as the New Year holiday season, arriving an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour earlier is recommended.

Since Kansai International Airport offers plenty of opportunities for shopping and dining, arriving early is a great way to enjoy your final moments in Japan.

Q. Are there limousine buses to Kansai International Airport?
A. Yes. Airport limousine buses operate from various locations throughout the Kansai region to Kansai International Airport.

For details on traveling from Osaka Umeda, please refer to the article below.
▶[2026] How to Get from Osaka to Kansai Airport | A Guide to Limousine Bus Fares, Travel Times, and Boarding Locations

Kansai International Airport allows you to enjoy the best of Japan right up until the very last moment of your trip. With exciting new airport experiences waiting for you, be sure to include some extra time to explore the airport in your Japan travel itinerary. Before you leave Japan, you may just create one more unforgettable memory to take home with you.