The Most Popular Airport in Japan: Revealing the Top Choice for Travelers

Voting rules: Choose the airport you think is the most popular!

Updated on Sep 19, 2023 07:28

Welcome to StrawPoll, your ultimate destination for discovering the most popular airports in the Land of the Rising Sun! Japan is home to a plethora of world-class airports, each offering a unique blend of efficiency, convenience, and cutting-edge amenities. But which one truly stands out in the eyes of travelers? That's where you come in! Join thousands of other aviation enthusiasts in voting for your favorite Japanese airport or suggest one that's missing from our list. Your opinion matters, and together we'll determine the crème de la crème of Japanese air travel. So buckle up, prepare for takeoff, and help us rank the best of Japan's airports! Let the voting begin!

What Is the Most Popular Airport in Japan? (September 2023)

1

73
votes
MaedaAkihiko · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tokyo Haneda Airport

Tokyo Haneda Airport is located in the heart of Tokyo, Haneda airport is the busiest airport in Japan, serving over 85 million passengers in 2019. It has been consistently ranked as one of the world's best airports for its cleanliness, efficiency, and convenience.
Description

Tokyo Haneda Airport is a modern and stunning airport located in Tokyo, Japan. It is known for its exceptional design and functionality, offering a seamless travel experience to its passengers. The airport has a sleek and contemporary architectural style, incorporating traditional Japanese elements for a unique and captivating atmosphere.

Location: Ōta, Tokyo, Japan

Terminals: Three terminals (Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal IAT)

Annual Passengers: Over 87 million (as of 2019)

Runways: Four runways

International Flights: Direct flights to numerous cities worldwide
Tokyo Haneda Airport in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular airport
- Position 6 of 10 in Most beautiful airport in Asia
2

30
votes
momokkey · Public domain

Tokyo Narita Airport

Tokyo Narita Airport is located in Chiba Prefecture, Narita airport is the second-busiest airport in Japan, serving over 40 million passengers in 2019. It is the main international gateway to Japan, connecting travelers to over 100 destinations worldwide.
Description

Tokyo Narita Airport is one of the busiest and most important airports in Japan, serving the Greater Tokyo Area. It is located in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, approximately 60 kilometers east of central Tokyo. The airport serves as a major international gateway for Japan, accommodating a large number of domestic and international flights.

IATA Code: NRT

ICAO Code: RJAA

Year Opened: 1978

Terminal Count: 3

Runways: 2
3

22
votes
Carpkazu (Japanese) · CC BY 2.5

Kansai International Airport

The Kansai Airports company

Kansai International Airport is located in Osaka Bay, Kansai airport is the third-busiest airport in Japan, serving over 28 million passengers in 2019. It is known for its unique design and engineering, as it was built on an artificial island in the middle of the bay.
Description

Kansai International Airport is a major international airport located on an artificial island in the middle of Osaka Bay, near Osaka, Japan. It is often referred to as KIX. The airport serves as a hub for several major airlines and handles a large volume of domestic and international flights. It is known for its iconic terminal building and efficient operations.

Location: Osaka Bay, Japan

Artificial Island: Yes

Terminal: 1

Annual Passengers: 25 million

Runways: 2
4

15
votes
JKT-c · CC BY 3.0

Chubu Centrair International Airport

Centrair Co., Ltd.

Chubu Centrair International Airport - located in Aichi Prefecture, Centrair airport is the fourth-busiest airport in Japan, serving over 12 million passengers in 2019. It is known for its modern architecture and facilities, as well as its location on an artificial island in Ise Bay.
Description

Chubu Centrair International Airport is a major international airport in Japan located on an artificial island in Ise Bay, near Nagoya city. It is one of the busiest airports in the country and serves as a gateway to the Chubu region of Japan. The airport is known for its modern facilities and efficient operations, providing a pleasant travel experience for passengers.

Location: Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, Japan

Opened: February 17, 2005

Size: Approximately 1,180 hectares

Terminal Buildings: Two main terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2

Runways: Two parallel runways: 3,500 meters and 3,000 meters in length
5

11
votes
Muyo · CC BY-SA 3.0

Fukuoka Airport

Fukuoka Airport is located in Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka airport is the fifth-busiest airport in Japan, serving over 23 million passengers in 2019. It is known for its proximity to downtown Fukuoka and its easy access to other parts of Kyushu.
Description

Fukuoka Airport is an international airport located in Fukuoka, Japan. It serves as one of the busiest airports in the country, connecting Fukuoka City and the Kyushu region to domestic and international destinations.

Location: Fukuoka, Japan

Runways: 2

Passenger Terminals: 2

Annual Passengers: over 23 million

Airlines Served: over 30
6

9
votes
Osaka International Airport

Japanese Ministry of Transport

Osaka International Airport is also known as Itami airport, Osaka airport is the sixth-busiest airport in Japan, serving over 17 million passengers in 2019. It is primarily a domestic airport, serving flights to and from other parts of Japan.
Description

Osaka International Airport, also known as Itami Airport, is one of the busiest airports in Japan. It serves as a major transportation hub for the Kansai region, which includes the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. The airport primarily handles domestic flights within Japan, with limited international service. It has a strong focus on efficiency, convenience, and passenger comfort.

Location: Itami, Hyogo, Japan

IATA code: ITM

ICAO code: RJOO

Opened: 1939

Terminal buildings: 2
7

8
votes
663highland · CC BY 2.5

New Chitose Airport

New Chitose Airport - located in Hokkaido, New Chitose airport is the seventh-busiest airport in Japan, serving over 23 million passengers in 2019. It is the main airport in Hokkaido, connecting travelers to other parts of Japan and international destinations.
Description

New Chitose Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Hokkaido, Japan. It is located in Chitose City, about 48 kilometers south-southeast of Sapporo. The airport acts as a major gateway to the island, serving both domestic and international flights.

Location: Chitose City, Hokkaido, Japan

Distance from Sapporo: Approximately 48 kilometers

Type: Public

Opened: July 4, 1991

Terminal Count: 2 (Domestic and International)
8

4
votes
nattou · Public domain

Hiroshima Airport

Hiroshima Prefecture

Hiroshima Airport is located in Hiroshima Prefecture, Hiroshima airport is the eighth-busiest airport in Japan, serving over 2 million passengers in 2019. It is known for its convenient location and easy access to Hiroshima city and other parts of the Chugoku region.
Description

Hiroshima Airport, also known as Hiroshima Prefecture Airport, is a major airport located in Mihara, Hiroshima, Japan. It serves as the primary gateway for travelers visiting Hiroshima and the nearby regions. The airport offers domestic and international flights, connecting Hiroshima to various destinations around the world.

Location: Mihara, Hiroshima, Japan

Airport Code: HIJ

Year of Establishment: 1993

Terminal Capacity: 2.3 million passengers annually

Runways: 1
9

10
votes
663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0

Sendai Airport

Sendai Airport Authority

Sendai Airport - located in Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai airport is the ninth-busiest airport in Japan, serving over 2 million passengers in 2019. It is known for its modern facilities and convenient location, connecting travelers to other parts of Tohoku and Japan.
Description

Sendai Airport is a major international airport located in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. It serves as the main gateway to the Tohoku region and is one of the busiest airports in Japan outside of the Tokyo metropolitan area. The airport was opened in 1994 and has since become an important transportation hub for domestic and international flights.

Location: Natori, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan

Year of opening: 1994

Airport type: Public

International flights: Yes

Domestic flights: Yes
10

6
votes
Naha Airport

Okinawa Prefecture Government

Naha Airport is located in Okinawa, Naha airport is the tenth-busiest airport in Japan, serving over 20 million passengers in 2019. It is the main airport in Okinawa, connecting travelers to other parts of Japan and international destinations.
Description

Naha Airport is a major international airport located in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. It serves as a gateway to the Okinawa Prefecture and is one of the busiest airports in Japan.

Location: Naha, Okinawa, Japan

Type: Public

Opened: 1979

Terminal Buildings: 2

Runways: 2

Missing your favorite airport?

Graphs

Discussion

Ranking factors for popular airport

Passenger traffic

The total number of passengers passing through the airport annually is a critical factor in determining its popularity. The more passengers the airport serves, the more popular it is likely to be.
Flight frequency

The number of flights (domestic and international) taking off and landing at the airport can indicate its popularity. A higher frequency of flights generally means that the airport is more popular and in demand.
On-time performance

The efficiency of an airport in terms of flight punctuality can also be a crucial factor in ranking its popularity. Passengers prefer airports with a strong track record of on-time departures and arrivals.
Passenger satisfaction

Factors like cleanliness, ease of navigation, safety and security measures, quality of passenger amenities, and overall customer service play a significant role in determining an airport's popularity.
Awards and recognition

Accolades received from industry stakeholders like airlines, government bodies, and travel groups can also be used to measure an airport's popularity.
Cargo traffic

Although not directly related to passenger experience, the volume of freight handled by the airport can indicate its importance in the global transportation network, and thus, its overall popularity.
Economic impact

The airport's contributions towards local and national tourism, job creation, and overall economic development can also impact its popularity.
Environmental sustainability

As environmental concerns become more prominent, airports that prioritize sustainability measures may be viewed more favorably and could be considered more popular.
Social media presence and reviews

User-generated content, such as reviews and social media posts, can provide valuable insights into an airport's popularity. Positive feedback and high follower counts can indicate a more popular airport.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular airport in Japan. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or your favorite airport is missing from the list, feel free to help us improve the ranking.

Statistics

1576 views
188 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each airport once every 24 hours. The rank of each airport is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular airport in japan

Japan is a popular destination for both business and leisure travelers, with numerous airports serving the country. However, when it comes to the most popular airport in Japan, one name stands out: Tokyo Haneda Airport. Located in the heart of Tokyo, Haneda Airport is renowned for its efficiency, convenience, and excellent facilities. In recent years, it has undergone a major expansion, with the addition of a new international terminal and numerous shops, restaurants, and lounges. As a result, Haneda has become a favorite among travelers, both domestic and international, who appreciate its modern amenities, easy access to the city, and excellent customer service. Despite competition from other airports in Japan, Haneda remains the top choice for many travelers, and is sure to continue to be an important hub for years to come.

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