Kitakyushu Airport has just one lounge: the card lounge “Lounge Himawari.” There are no ANA or JAL airline lounges.

“Lounge Himawari” is free with an eligible gold card or higher, and you can also get in for ¥880 (tax included) without a card. However, it’s located on the 2nd floor beyond security, so it can’t be used after you arrive. It’s open from 7:00 to 21:00, so flights in the 5 a.m. hour or the midnight hour fall outside its opening hours.

*The information in this article is current as of October 2026. Fees, opening hours, and eligible cards may change, so please check the official Kitakyushu Airport website for the latest details.

Lounge Himawari Basics | Kitakyushu Airport Has Only One Lounge

The only lounge at Kitakyushu Airport is “Lounge Himawari,” located inside the domestic departure waiting area on the 2nd floor of the passenger terminal building.

• Location: Inside the domestic departure waiting area, 2nd floor of the passenger terminal building (after passing through security)
• Opening hours: 7:00–21:00 (open every day of the year)
• Time limit: None
• Who can use it: Departing passengers on any airline

There are no ANA Lounge or JAL Sakura Lounge facilities. As a result, elite members of any airline use this lounge as a shared space.

Because the lounge is in the area beyond security, it can’t be used for waiting after you arrive or while waiting to be picked up. Head there after passing through security before your departure.

Lounge Himawari Fees

Cardholders with an eligible gold card or higher can use the lounge for free. Those without a card, as well as companions, pay a fee.

Category	Fee (tax included)
Eligible cardholder (the member only)	Free
General use (age 12 and over)	¥880
Companion (adult)	¥880
Companion (age 3 to under 12)	¥440
Companion (under age 3)	Free

At the reception desk, show your eligible card and your boarding pass for the day. If you don’t have a paper boarding pass, such as when you check in with an IC card, tell the staff your flight number, destination, and departure time. For most cards, companions aren’t covered by the free benefit, so plan on paying extra for them.

Eligible Cards

Gold cards and higher from the major card issuers are eligible.

• Sumitomo Mitsui Card: Visa Infinite, Platinum, Platinum Preferred, Gold, Gold (NL), Prime Gold, Business Owners Gold
• d CARD: d CARD GOLD U, d CARD GOLD, d CARD PLATINUM
• Others: Gold cards and higher from JCB, MUFG/DC/NICOS, Diners Club, and other issuers

You can check each issuer’s guidance with Sumitomo Mitsui Card, d CARD, and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club.

One thing to watch for is how American Express is treated. As of June 1, 2025, it was removed from the eligible cards. If you only have an Amex, you’ll pay the ¥880 fee. Even within the same card issuer, some card grades are not eligible, so be sure to check before you use the lounge.

Facilities and Services

Lounge Himawari is a compact lounge centered on soft drinks.

• Soft drinks: Free self-service (coffee, tea, juice, mineral water, and more)
• Alcohol: Beer is available for a fee
• Bringing in snacks: Allowed only for items without strong odors, such as rice balls, sandwiches, and sweets
• Wi-Fi: Available
• Newspapers and magazines: Free to read
• Seating: Sofa seats, counter seats, and table seats. Power outlets are available at the counter seats and some of the sofa seats along the wall

There are no showers, massage chairs, nap rooms, or phone booths. The entire lounge is non-smoking. If you smoke, use the smoking area on the 1st floor before security first.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Some flights fall outside opening hours: Kitakyushu Airport operates 24 hours, with flights in the 5 a.m. hour and the midnight hour. The lounge is closed at those times. As a rule of thumb, choose a flight that departs before 21:00.
• Not available after arrival: Because it’s in the area beyond security, only departing passengers can use it.
• Not in the international area: The lounge is inside the domestic departure waiting area. There is no lounge in the international area.
• Priority Pass is not accepted: The lounge is not a participating facility.
• You may be turned away when it’s full: During busy periods, you may not be able to get in.

Other Ways to Spend Your Time | Business Corner

When the lounge is closed, or if you don’t have a card, you can also use the business corner.

• Location: The 2nd-floor departure lobby and inside the 2nd-floor domestic departure waiting area
• Services: Power outlets and USB ports are free
• Seats: 17 seats in the departure lobby, 34 seats in the domestic departure waiting area

Recommendations by Purpose

If You Have a Gold Card

With an eligible card, you can enter for free at the reception desk. American Express is not eligible, so please check your card issuer’s guidance.

If You’re Traveling with Companions

Companions pay ¥880 for adults and ¥440 for ages 3 to under 12; children under 3 are free. When using the lounge with your family, budget for the fee for each person.

If You’re Taking an Early-Morning or Late-Night Flight

The lounge isn’t open for flights in the 5 a.m. hour or the midnight hour. Use the business corner and secure a spot with a power outlet.

If You Want to Work Before Departure

Wi-Fi is available, along with power outlets at some seats. There are no phone booths, so take calls outside the lounge.

If You Want to Enjoy a Drink

Beer is available for a fee. You can bring in light snacks as long as they don’t have strong odors.

NearMe Is Also a Great Way to Get To and From Kitakyushu Airport!

Kitakyushu Airport operates 24 hours and has early-morning and late-night flights, but the lounge is open only from 7:00 to 21:00. If you want plenty of time in the lounge before your flight, or you’re worried about getting to the airport early in the morning or late at night, consider NearMe’s fixed-fare taxi to Kitakyushu Airport.

Why You Can Skip the Worry About Early-Morning and Late-Night Travel

• Runs 24 hours: Covers early-morning and late-night flights. Even for flights outside the lounge’s opening hours, you don’t need to worry about getting there.
• Reliable with advance booking: Your pickup time and vehicle are confirmed by 6 p.m. the day before.
• No driving or parking hunt: Travel from your home or hotel to the airport with no transfers, for an easy, stress-free ride. You can spend your pre-departure lounge time at a relaxed pace.
• Peace of mind if your flight is delayed: There’s no cancellation fee if your flight is delayed or canceled.

Overview

NearMe is a fixed-fare ride service that picks you up directly from wherever you like, such as your home or hotel, and takes you to the airport. It has served more than 1.5 million cumulative passengers and has a ride satisfaction rating of 4.6/5.0 (results from October 2019 to September 2026). Kitakyushu Airport service operates within Fukuoka Prefecture (excluding some areas). Per-person fares for shared rides are as follows.

Pickup/drop-off area	NearMe	Reference taxi fare
Kokuraminami Ward / Kanda Town	from ¥2,480	from ¥3,170
Kokurakita Ward	from ¥3,980	from ¥9,840
Moji Ward	from ¥4,980	from ¥11,680

The reference taxi fare is the amount for one passenger, including the pickup fee and expressway tolls. You can search for detailed fares on NearMe’s Kitakyushu Airport page.

How It Works

1. Enter your preferred date, time, and conditions to make a tentative booking.
2. You’ll receive notice of whether the booking is possible within a few hours.
3. By 6 p.m. the day before your ride, your departure and arrival times, vehicle, and route are confirmed.
4. On the day, simply board the vehicle at the designated location.

As a rule, new bookings are accepted until 6 p.m. the day before your ride, so please book early.

How to Save Even More

• Early-bird discount: Book at least 14 days before your ride for a discounted fare
• Share discount: Get a discounted fare when you have a fellow rider, or when your date, time, and route make it easy to find one
• Children ride for half the adult fare, and infants ride free
• One suitcase is free; large luggage costs extra
• Shared rides earn miles with ANA, JAL, Starflyer, UA, and EVA

NearMe Is Recommended For

• Travelers heading to the airport outside the lounge’s opening hours on early-morning or late-night flights
• Those who want to relax in the lounge before departure
• Those who want to skip the hassle of driving and finding parking
• Those traveling to the airport with family or friends

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Does Kitakyushu Airport have a lounge?

A. Yes. There is one card lounge, “Lounge Himawari.” It’s located inside the domestic departure waiting area on the 2nd floor of the passenger terminal building (after security).

Q. Are there ANA or JAL lounges?

A. No. Kitakyushu Airport has no airline lounges.

Q. How much does Lounge Himawari cost?

A. It’s free for members with an eligible gold card or higher. Even without a card, you can use it for ¥880 (tax included). Companions pay ¥880 for adults and ¥440 for ages 3 to under 12; children under 3 are free.

Q. Is it free with an American Express card?

A. As of June 1, 2025, American Express is no longer eligible. You would pay the ¥880 fee.

Q. Can I use the lounge after I arrive?

A. No. The lounge is in the area beyond security and is available only to departing passengers.

Q. What are the lounge’s opening hours?

A. 7:00–21:00, open every day of the year. Flights in the 5 a.m. hour or the midnight hour fall outside opening hours.

Q. Can I use Priority Pass?

A. No. The Kitakyushu Airport lounge is not a Priority Pass participating facility.

Q. Can I bring in food?

A. Yes, but only items without strong odors, such as rice balls, sandwiches, and sweets.

Summary

Kitakyushu Airport’s only lounge is “Lounge Himawari” on the 2nd floor beyond security. It’s free with an eligible gold card or higher, and you can get in for ¥880 without one. Keep in mind that it can’t be used after arrival, and since it’s open from 7:00 to 21:00, early-morning and late-night flights fall outside its opening hours. American Express has not been eligible since June 2025.

If you’re worried about getting to the airport early in the morning or late at night, please also consider NearMe, which runs 24 hours and confirms your pickup time with advance booking. You can spend your pre-departure lounge time at a relaxed pace. Be sure to try it the next time you use Kitakyushu Airport.