Narita Airport
Also known as Tokyo Narita Airport
Formerly known as New Tokyo International Airport
Narita International Airport is located in Chiba Prefecture, about 60 km east of central Tokyo.
Narita International Airport is one of Japan’s busiest international airports and remains a major gateway for international passengers and cargo. In 2019, over 36.5 million international passengers and over 7.5 million domestic passengers used the airport. These numbers dropped significantly in 2020 due to COVID-19 but had generally increased year on year prior to that.
There are three terminals at Narita. Terminal 1 opened in 1978, Terminal 2 in 1992, and Terminal 3 (for low-cost carriers) in 2015.
To reach many ski regions north of Tokyo, travellers first need to travel from Narita into central Tokyo. There are several options for doing this.
By train
Trains are a popular way to travel to and from Narita Airport, as they are generally reliable and not affected by road congestion.
There are two stations: Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station and Narita Airport Terminal 2·3 Station. Both JR and Keisei lines operate from the airport, and signage is clearly marked in English.
Terminal 3 is connected via a free shuttle bus or a short walk from Terminal 2.
The Narita Express (N’EX) and Skyliner services provide luggage space, seating comfort, and power outlets. Local train services are also available and are cheaper, but slower and less suited for large luggage.
Narita Express (N’EX)
53-60 minutes to Tokyo Station (fastest service)
All seats reserved
Approx. 3,070 yen
Operated by JR East
Runs between Narita Airport and Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Yokohama
Skyliner
41 minutes to Keisei Ueno Station (fastest service)
All seats reserved
Approx. 2,520 yen adult / 1,270 yen child
Operated by Keisei Electric Railway
Stops only at Nippori before Ueno
Keisei Ueno Station is approximately a 5-minute walk from JR Ueno Station, providing connections to the Yamanote Line, Shinkansen services, and multiple subway lines.
By bus
Airport limousine buses operate between Narita and various destinations in Tokyo. Fares typically start from around 1,500 yen to Tokyo Station. Travel times are longer than train services and may be affected by road congestion, but they provide direct access to major hotels and stations.
By taxi
Taxis are significantly more expensive, typically costing 20,000–30,000 yen to central Tokyo, plus expressway tolls.
Haneda Airport
Also known as Tokyo Haneda Airport
Haneda Airport is located about 15 km south of Tokyo Station. It was Tokyo’s primary international airport until 1978, when Narita opened. From 1978 to 2010, Narita handled most international flights. Haneda reopened major international services in 2010 with the addition of a new runway and international terminal (now Terminal 3).
Haneda is closer to central Tokyo than Narita and handles a higher volume of domestic flights. It is the busiest airport in Japan.
Haneda is a major base for Japan’s two main domestic airlines: Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA).
The airport has three terminals:
Terminal 1 (domestic, opened 1993)
Terminal 2 (domestic, opened 2004)
Terminal 3 (international, opened 2010; renamed from International Terminal in 2020)
By train
Haneda Airport is served by the Tokyo Monorail and the Keikyu Airport Line.
Tokyo Monorail
Connects to JR at Hamamatsucho Station (Yamanote Line and Keihin-Tōhoku Line)
Approximately 20 minutes between Haneda Airport and Hamamatsucho Station
Approx. 500 yen
Covered by the Japan Rail Pass between JR stations and the monorail segment
The monorail has stations at all three terminals. Hamamatsucho Station connects to Daimon Station (Toei Oedo Line).
Keikyu Airport Line
The Keikyu Airport Line connects the airport terminals (Terminal 1·2 Station and Terminal 3 Station) to Shinagawa and Yokohama via Airport Express and Limited Express services.
By bus
Airport limousine buses operate between Haneda and central Tokyo, including Tokyo Station. Journey time is around 40–50 minutes depending on traffic. Fares vary by destination.
By taxi
Taxis typically cost 5,000–10,000 yen to central Tokyo depending on destination.
Kansai International Airport
Kansai International Airport is located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, less than 40 km from central Osaka. It opened in 1994 and serves Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. It replaced Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport) for international services.
In 2019, over 31 million passengers used the airport.
The airport has two terminals:
Terminal 1 (main terminal, one of the longest airport terminals in the world at 1.7 km)
Terminal 2 (low-cost carrier terminal)
A driverless shuttle system (Wing Shuttle) operates within Terminal 1. Terminal 2 is connected to the station via shuttle bus and walking routes through Sora Park.
By train
Kansai Airport Station is shared by JR West and Nankai Electric Railway. The airport is connected to the mainland via the Sky Gate Bridge R.
JR Haruka
Direct service to Tennoji, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto
Approx. 50 minutes to Shin-Osaka
Approx. 2,500 yen (unreserved)
Covered by Japan Rail Pass
JR Rapid Service
Connects to Osaka Station via Osaka Loop Line
Approx. 63 minutes to Osaka Station
Non-reserved seating
Nankai rapi:t
Connects Kansai Airport and Namba Station
Approx. 34–37 minutes depending on service
All seats reserved
Approx. 1,450 yen
Nankai Rapid Service
Slower service to Namba
Approx. 45 minutes
Approx. 930 yen
By bus
Airport buses operate to major destinations across the Kansai region, including hotels and transport hubs. Journey times are around one hour to central areas. Services also connect Kansai Airport with Itami Airport.
By taxi
Taxi fares to central Osaka are typically around 20,000 yen or more, excluding tolls.
New Chitose Airport
New Chitose Airport is the main airport serving Sapporo, located about 50 km south of the city. It is one of Japan’s busiest airports and handles a major domestic route between Sapporo and Tokyo.
The airport is adjacent to Chitose Air Base, with coordinated airspace and shared infrastructure during certain conditions. It became Japan’s first 24-hour airport in 1994, although night flight operations are limited.
By train
JR trains provide the fastest connection to Sapporo.
Rapid Airport service to Sapporo Station
Approx. 1,150 yen
Approximately 37-40 minutes
Covered by Japan Rail Pass and Hokkaido Rail Pass
By bus
Airport buses operate to central Sapporo in approximately 70–80 minutes. Fare is around 1,100 yen. Private services also operate direct routes to ski areas.
By taxi
Taxi journeys take around 60 minutes and cost approximately 10,000–13,000 yen plus tolls.
Asahikawa Airport
Asahikawa Airport is located about 15km southeast of central Asahikawa in central Hokkaido. There are several flights each day to and from Haneda Airport, operated by JAL and AIRDO/ANA, along with Jetstar Japan flights to Narita Airport and direct international flights to Taipei.
The airport is about a 40-minute bus ride from Asahikawa Station and around one hour from Furano, making it much more convenient than New Chitose Airport for those destinations.
Sendai Airport
Sendai Airport is located about 14 km southeast of central Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture. It handles domestic flights and limited international services to destinations in Asia and the Pacific.
By train
The Sendai Airport Line connects the airport to Sendai Station in approximately 20–25 minutes. Sendai Station connects to the Tohoku Shinkansen and local rail networks.
By road
The airport is accessible via the Sendai Tobu Toll Road and Route 20.
By bus
Bus services operate to Sendai Station (approx. 45–50 minutes, 660 yen) and other regional destinations including Fukushima and Yamagata.
Niigata Airport
Niigata Airport is located about 7 km northeast of central Niigata City. It mainly serves domestic flights with some international services to East Asia and Russia.
There is no railway station at the airport.
Bus services connect the airport with Niigata Station.