10 Recommended Tourist Spots Around Kansai International Airport – Plus Access to the Kinki Region

Kansai International Airport is the gateway for foreign visitors arriving in Osaka and, along with Itami and Kobe, serves as an important domestic hub airport in Osaka. Although Itami Airport is more convenient for trips to downtown Osaka or Kyoto, there are many occasions—such as when using LCCs—when you’ll use Kansai International Airport. Also, if you head to northern Wakayama or use the high-speed ferry “Kobe–KIX Bay Shuttle,” Kobe is surprisingly close.
In this article, we introduce how to travel from Kansai International Airport to Osaka, Kyoto, Wakayama, and Kobe, along with our recommended tourist spots in the vicinity of the airport.

How Do You Get from Kansai International Airport to the Kinki Region?

Kansai International Airport is located off the coast of Izumisano City. Two rail lines—the JR and the Nankai Electric Railway—serve the airport, and either can take you into Osaka City.

For travel toward Wakayama, transfer at Hineno Station if using JR, or at Izumisano Station if using Nankai. To reach Kyoto, the JR limited express “Haruka” is convenient (parts of Haruka also run to Ōtsu and Kusatsu in Shiga Prefecture). Alternatively, if you take the Nankai line and transfer at Tenkachaya Station to the subway Sakaisuji Line—which runs directly with the Hankyu Kyoto Line—you can conveniently reach Karasuma or Kawaramachi in Kyoto. In addition, limousine buses also operate from the airport.

At first glance, Kobe may seem to require a detour around Osaka Bay, but if you use the high-speed ferry “Kobe–KIX Bay Shuttle” from the port at KIX, you can reach Kobe Airport directly in about 30 minutes, which is very convenient.

There are great discount tickets available for traveling from Kansai International Airport!

For access from Kansai International Airport to various Osaka Metro stations, the "KIX Chika Toku Ticket" is very convenient. Priced at 1,020 yen (as of November 2022), for example, if you travel from Kansai International Airport Station via Namba Station to Umeda Station, you save as much as 140 yen. This ticket is valid on all Osaka Metro lines, so the price remains the same when used for Shin-Osaka, Eisaka, Moriguchi, or Dainichi Stations.

In addition, there are "KIX Access Ticket/Kyoto Access Ticket" options that allow for affordable transfers at Tenkachaya Station toward Kyoto, and a "Nara Access Ticket" that allows you to transfer at Namba Station onto the Kintetsu line to reach Kintetsu Nara Station.

Tourist Spot ①: Rinku Premium Outlets

Rinku Premium Outlets is the largest outlet shopping mall in Western Japan. It is popular with visiting foreign tourists who pick up Japanese souvenirs, and its many shops and restaurants offer entertainment for all ages.
Access is very convenient—it’s only one stop by Nankai or JR from Kansai International Airport, and about a 6-minute walk from Rinku Town Station. It’s an ideal way to pass the time before your flight.

Tourist Spot ②: Sennan Rikai Park

Sennan Rikai Park is a nature-rich park in Osaka Prefecture that features two rare beaches where you can enjoy swimming—the Tokimeki Beach and Pichipichi Beach. In the park, you can enjoy barbecues, and there is an athletic area with a long roller slide that is sure to delight children.
Access is best from a station located midway between Hakozaku Station and Awani Station on the Nankai Electric Railway. There is also a paid parking lot available for your convenience.

Tourist Spot ③: Awashima Shrine

Awashima Shrine is known as a shrine for doll memorial services. More than 20,000 dolls are lined up around the shrine. The enshrined deity, Sukuna-hiko, is believed to bestow blessings for recovery from women’s illnesses, success in love, and matchmaking, earning the reputation as a “goddess for women.”
From Kansai International Airport, take the Nankai Electric Railway and transfer at Izumisano Station and Kinokawa Station, then get off at Kadata Station. There are no local buses, so a taxi from Kadata Station is the most convenient option.
If you have extra time, taking a boat to visit Tomogashima—a place with scenery reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli film—is also recommended.

Tourist Spot ④: Mizumadera (Mizumakannon)

Mizumadera, also known as Mizumakannon, is a temple located in Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture. It is said to have been founded by Gyoki under the imperial edict of Emperor Shōmu, and is believed to offer protection against misfortune. In addition, the Aizen-dō hall located within the temple grounds has recently attracted attention as a power spot for matchmaking, making it popular with couples.
Access: From Kansai International Airport, take the Nankai Electric Railway to Kaizuka Station, then transfer to the Mizumadera Railway and get off at the terminal Mizumakannon Station. It’s about an 8-minute walk from the station.

Tourist Spot ⑤: Kishiwada Castle

Kishiwada Castle, known for its Danjiri Festival, is the symbol of Kishiwada City. Believed to have been built by the Wada family, descendants of Kusunoki Masashige, this castle, although reconstructed during the Showa period, exudes an imposing presence.

A highlight is the Kishiwada Castle Garden (Hachijin Garden), created in 1953 by renowned landscape architect Sanrei Shigemori. Considered one of the finest modern Japanese gardens, it has been designated as a national scenic spot.

Tourist Spot ⑥: Hamadera Park

Hamadera Park, located in Nishi-ku, Sakai City, features a rose garden with 300 varieties and 6,500 plants, as well as attractions such as a miniature “children’s train” and go-karts, making it fun for both adults and children. The park also offers barbecue areas and a seasonal pool in the summer, perfect for family outings. Access: It is convenient to get off at either Hamaori Station or Hamadera Park Station on the Nankai Electric Railway, or at Higashi-Hamaori Station on the JR Hanwa Line.

Tourist Spot ⑦: Hankai Electric Tramway

At the station closest to Hamadera Park—Hamada Park Station on the Nankai Electric Railway—runs a streetcar operated by the Hankai Electric Tramway. In some sections, the tram runs alongside cars, and its steady movement is endearing to rail enthusiasts.
Notably, the 161 series tram is recognized as Japan’s oldest operational train, having been in service since 1928 on the route between Osaka City and Sakai City. Because it does not have air conditioning, it mainly operates from autumn to spring, but it’s amazing that it has been in service for over 90 years.
This tram is recommended for those who want to travel leisurely into Osaka City.

Tourist Spot ⑧: Nintoku-tennō Mausoleum (Kofun)

The Nintoku-tennō Mausoleum (also known as Daisen Kofun) is so massive that it is immediately recognizable on maps and aerial views. Along with the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt and the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang in China, it is considered one of the world’s three great tombs. Built in the 5th century, this uniquely Japanese keyhole-shaped kofun is so enormous that even up close you cannot grasp its full extent. For a better overall view, it is recommended to visit the 21st-floor observation lobby of Sakai City Hall, where you can truly appreciate the grandeur of this World Heritage site.

The nearest stations are JR Mozu Station and the Nankai/Mikuni-no-Oka Station.

Tourist Spot ⑨: Myōkoku-ji Temple

Myōkoku-ji, located in Sakai-ku of Sakai City, is famous for its impressive sago palm tree, which is approximately 1,100 years old. According to legend from the Sengoku period, because the tree was so magnificent, Oda Nobunaga had it transplanted to Azuchi Castle; however, the tree supposedly whimpered every night, “I want to return to Sakai.” Enraged, Nobunaga ordered it cut down, but when the tree bled and writhed in agony, he found it eerie and returned it to Myōkoku-ji.

Furthermore, Myōkoku-ji is associated with the “Sakai Incident” of 1868, when Tosa domain samurai were ordered to commit seppuku after a Frenchman attacked them upon landing in Sakai. Myōkoku-ji is an indispensable temple for understanding the history of Sakai.
Access: The nearest stop is Myōkoku-ji-mae on the Hankai Electric Tramway.

Tourist Spot ⑩: Sumiyoshi Taisha

In Osaka, Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of the most famous shrines. It is the head shrine of over 2,300 Sumiyoshi shrines nationwide. The shrine grounds feature many buildings designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties, and, like Ise Grand Shrine, the shrine buildings are rebuilt every 20 years in a ritual known as Shikinen Sengu. With a history of over 1,800 years, the shrine is bustling during New Year’s visits and festivals, and serves as a spiritual pillar for the people of Osaka.

◎ Enjoy Osaka from KIX!

Kansai International Airport offers excellent access to southern Osaka and Wakayama. In this article, we have selected destinations along the Nankai and JR Hanwa lines that are easily accessible from KIX. Next, consider using Kansai International Airport as your gateway to the Kinki region, where ancient urban centers and business hubs have thrived since time immemorial.

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10 Recommended Tourist Spots Around Kansai International Airport – Plus Access to the Kinki Region