Airports in Japan

Narita opened in 1978 about 60 kilometres east of central Tokyo, in the city of Narita, Chiba Prefecture. It has three terminals; Terminal 3 serves low-cost carriers. Narita handles many long-haul flights from Europe and North America as well as Asian routes.

The JR Narita Express runs to Tokyo Station, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Yokohama in roughly an hour to Tokyo Station. The Keisei Skyliner is the fastest link to Nippori and Ueno in the north-east of the city, reached in around forty minutes; cheaper Keisei trains and the Access Express, which continues onto the Toei Asakusa Line, take longer. Airport limousine buses and low-cost coaches serve Tokyo Station, major hotels and districts.

Haneda, officially Tokyo International Airport, lies on reclaimed land in Ota ward on Tokyo Bay, only about 15 kilometres from the centre. Long the domestic hub, it has taken a growing share of international flights; Terminal 3 is the main international terminal, and Terminal 2 also handles some international departures.

The Tokyo Monorail runs to Hamamatsucho on the JR Yamanote Line, and the Keikyu Airport Line to Shinagawa, with through trains onto the Toei Asakusa Line; both take less than half an hour. Buses connect Haneda with Tokyo's main stations and hotels, and with Yokohama.

Kansai International, opened in 1994, was built on an artificial island in Osaka Bay so that it could operate around the clock. A road and rail bridge links it to the mainland. It is the main international gateway for Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe; Osaka's older Itami Airport and Kobe Airport serve mainly domestic flights.

The JR Haruka limited express runs to Tennoji, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto, taking roughly an hour and a quarter to Kyoto. The Nankai rapi:t and other Nankai trains run to Namba in southern Osaka in about forty minutes. Limousine buses serve Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara, and a high-speed boat crosses the bay to Kobe Airport.

Chubu Centrair International Airport opened in 2005 on an artificial island off Tokoname, south of Nagoya. It is a convenient entry point for central Japan: Takayama, the Japanese Alps, Ise and Kanazawa are all within reach.

The Meitetsu mu-SKY limited express reaches Meitetsu Nagoya station, next to JR Nagoya, in under half an hour; slower Meitetsu trains also run. From Nagoya, the Tokaido Shinkansen continues to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

New Chitose Airport, south-east of Sapporo, is Hokkaido's main airport and one of the busiest domestic hubs in Japan, with frequent flights to Tokyo and international routes mainly to Asia. In winter it is the gateway for skiers heading to Niseko, Furano and other resorts.

JR Rapid Airport trains reach Sapporo Station in under forty minutes, and continue towards Otaru. Buses serve central Sapporo and, in winter, the ski resorts.

Fukuoka Airport lies unusually close to the city centre. The subway Kuko Line reaches Hakata Station in about five minutes and Tenjin in around ten, making Fukuoka one of the most convenient airports in the world. The domestic and international terminals are on opposite sides of the runway, linked by shuttle bus.

Naha Airport is the gateway to Okinawa. The Yui Rail monorail runs from the airport through central Naha, with stops near Kokusai-dori and Shuri Castle; many visitors rent a car at the airport to explore the island.

Registering on Visit Japan Web before departure speeds up immigration and customs. At the airport, IC cards, JR passes and SIM or Wi-Fi rentals can be picked up in the arrivals hall or at the airport station. Luggage delivery counters (takkyubin) send suitcases to a hotel, usually for delivery the next day, so travellers can take the train with only hand luggage.

Airport trains and buses to the city are frequent from early morning into the evening; for late arrivals, checking the last connections on the operator's website in advance is sensible.