Itami Airport (Osaka International Airport) is a domestic-only airport. Its terminal building is made up of three connected areas: the North Terminal, the Central Terminal and the South Terminal. Where you need to go depends on the airline you’re flying.

In short, JAL (Japan Airlines) and JTA use the North Terminal, while ANA and IBEX Airlines use the South Terminal. The Central Terminal is not for check-in. It’s an area of restaurants and shops.

*The information in this article is current as of October 2026. Airline assignments and shops may change. For the latest information, please check the Osaka International Airport official website.

Itami Airport Terminal Differences: North vs. Central vs. South

Terminal	Airlines	Features
North Terminal	JAL, JTA (Japan Transocean Air), Amakusa Airlines	Gates 15 and above. Has the JAL lounge
Central Terminal	– (airline check-in is at the North and South terminals)	Area with restaurants and shops before security screening
South Terminal	ANA, IBEX Airlines	Gates 4–12 (the ANA and JAL areas split around Gates 13 and 14). Has the ANA lounge

The Itami Airport terminal building connects the North and South terminals, with the Central building in between. You can walk between the North and South terminals.

Which Terminal? Quick Reference by Airline

Airline	Terminal
JAL (Japan Airlines)	North Terminal
JTA (Japan Transocean Air)	North Terminal
Amakusa Airlines	North Terminal
ANA (All Nippon Airways)	South Terminal
IBEX Airlines	South Terminal

Osaka International Airport’s official flight information also shows JAL flights as “North” and ANA flights as “South.” If you’re unsure, check your boarding pass and the flight number on your reservation to confirm which airline operates your flight. For codeshare flights (flights jointly operated with another airline), go to the terminal of the airline that actually operates the flight.

North Terminal vs. South Terminal

North Terminal (JAL and JTA)

JAL check-in is on the 1st floor of the North Terminal. The departure lobby and security checkpoint are on the 2nd floor.

• Gates: 15 and above (the area splits from ANA’s around Gates 13 and 14)
• JAL lounge: 3rd floor of the North Terminal
• Example shops (after security): JAL PLAZA, Uncle Rikuro’s Cheesecake, Kihachu Sohonpo, SORADELI, Tabi-SORA
• Example shops (before security): Shokokuya, HMV&BOOKS SPOT

If you arrive by bus and are flying JAL, you can use the self check-in kiosks and self bag drop machines on the left side (No. 1) as you face the North Terminal entrance.

South Terminal (ANA and IBEX)

ANA’s departure lobby is on the 2nd floor of the South Terminal.

• Gates: 4–12 (ANA flights use up to around Gate 13)
• ANA lounge: 3rd floor of the South Terminal, among other locations
• Example shops (after security): Otabe, Ippin-san., Itami Kuko, Toyooka Kaban

Central Terminal

The Central Terminal is lined with shops before the security checkpoint (such as Sax Bar and SORAMISE). It is not a place to check in.

For restaurants, see our Itami Airport cafe guide, which covers the North, Central and South terminals separately.

Shop hours are generally 6:00 to 20:00, but vary by shop. Shops after security are open only to departing and arriving passengers.

What to Do If You Go to the Wrong Terminal

Walking between the North and South terminals at Itami Airport takes about 5 to 10 minutes through the central area. Before security screening, you can get there on foot.

1. Check your boarding pass and flight number again to confirm which airline operates your flight.
2. Before passing through the security checkpoint, head to the correct terminal.
3. Pass through security at least 20 minutes before departure.

Information is mixed on whether you can move between the North and South terminals after passing security. If you realize your mistake after going through, you may not be able to cross over. The safest approach is to confirm your terminal before going through security.

The official Q&A advises arriving at the airport at least 30 to 40 minutes before departure.

How to Get to the Terminals

Osaka Monorail

The nearest station is Osaka Airport Station on the Osaka Monorail. After exiting the ticket gates, walk to the end of the connecting deck on your left.

• North Terminal (JAL, etc.): Take the escalator or stairs down on the right at the end of the deck
• South Terminal (ANA, etc.): Take the escalator or stairs down on the left at the end of the deck

If you take the elevator down, turn left when you step out. Head right for the North Terminal (JAL, etc.) counters, or left for the South Terminal (ANA, etc.) counters.

Limousine Bus and Taxi

The limousine bus stops are near the center of the terminal. If you arrive by bus and are flying JAL, walk to the North Terminal. If you are flying ANA, walk to the South Terminal. For taxi stands, please check the guidance on the official website.

More Ways to Spend Time at Itami Airport

Now that you know the difference between the terminals, check out our other articles.

• Lounges: Complete Guide to Itami Airport Lounges (including lounges you can use after arrival)
• Observation deck and sightseeing: Complete Guide to Itami Airport Attractions
• If you’re driving: Itami Airport Parking Compared: Our Recommendations

Getting To and From Itami Airport? Try NearMe (Airport Shuttle) Too!

*The photo is for illustration purposes. Actual vehicles vary by area.

If you’re heading to Itami Airport from the Osaka, Hyogo or Kyoto areas, consider NearMe (Airport Shuttle) to Itami Airport (Osaka-Hyogo route and Kyoto route), with no transfers. Even if you’re not sure whether you need the North or South Terminal, you can travel door to door with your luggage.

Overview

NearMe is a flat-rate shuttle service that picks you up from anywhere you like, such as your home or hotel, and takes you directly to the airport. It has taken more than 1.5 million cumulative bookings (October 2019 to September 2026) and has a rider satisfaction rating of 4.6 out of 5.0.

Per-person shared ride fares for Itami Airport are as follows.

Route	Pickup/drop-off area	Fare
Osaka-Hyogo route	Suita, Ikeda, Toyonaka, Minoh, Itami, and parts of Osaka City (Yodogawa, Nishiyodogawa and Higashiyodogawa Wards)	from ¥1,980
Osaka-Hyogo route	Kita Ward, Osaka	from ¥2,980
Osaka-Hyogo route	Universal Studios Japan	from ¥4,980
Osaka-Hyogo route	Kita Ward, Sakai	from ¥7,800
Kyoto route	Kyoto City	from ¥3,980
Kyoto route	Uji City	from ¥4,480

Private hire (flat-rate chauffeured car) starts from ¥8,980 per vehicle on the Osaka-Hyogo route and from ¥20,800 per vehicle on the Kyoto route.

How It Works

1. Enter your preferred date, time and conditions to make a provisional booking.
2. You’ll hear back on whether your booking is confirmed within a few hours.
3. By 6:00 p.m. the day before your ride, your departure and arrival times, vehicle and route are finalized.
4. On the day, simply board the vehicle at your designated location.

New bookings are generally accepted until 6:00 p.m. the day before your ride, so please book early.

How to Save Even More

• Early-bird discount: The earlier you book, the more you save, up to 50% off
• Shared-ride discount: Get a discounted fare when there are other riders or when your conditions (date, time, route) make it easy to find them
• Group discount: The more people in your group, the lower the per-person fare, with discounts of up to about 70%
• Children ride at half the adult fare, and infants ride free
• One suitcase per person is free; oversized luggage is +¥1,000 per item
• Shared rides earn miles for ANA, JAL, Starflyer, UA and EVA
• Full refund if your flight is delayed

Who NearMe Is Great For

• Travelers heading to Itami Airport from the Osaka, Hyogo or Kyoto areas who want to avoid transfers
• Travelers with a lot of luggage
• Travelers unsure which terminal to go to
• Families and friends traveling to the airport together

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. How many terminals does Itami Airport have?

A. There are three connected areas: the North Terminal, the Central Terminal and the South Terminal. Check-in takes place at the North and South terminals.

Q. Is JAL at the North or South Terminal?

A. The North Terminal. JTA is also at the North Terminal. The official flight information also shows JAL flights as “North.”

Q. Is ANA at the North or South Terminal?

A. The South Terminal. IBEX Airlines is also at the South Terminal. The official flight information also shows ANA flights as “South.”

Q. Does Itami Airport have an international terminal?

A. No. Itami Airport is a domestic-only airport. For international flights, use Kansai International Airport.

Q. How long does it take to get from the North Terminal to the South Terminal?

A. Allow about 5 to 10 minutes on foot through the central area. Confirm your terminal and make your way over before security screening.

Q. What should I do if I go to the wrong terminal?

A. Before passing through security, walk to the correct terminal. You need to pass through security at least 20 minutes before departure, so give yourself plenty of time when arriving at the airport.

Q. Which terminal can I reach from the Osaka Monorail station?

A. At the end of the connecting deck at Osaka Airport Station, going down on the right takes you to the North Terminal, and going down on the left takes you to the South Terminal.

Q. How can I tell which gate to go to?

A. Check your boarding pass and the airport’s departure and arrival display boards. As a guide, the South Terminal has Gates 4–12 and the North Terminal has Gates 15 and above.

Summary

Itami Airport is domestic-only, with three connected areas: North, Central and South. JAL and JTA use the North Terminal, and ANA and IBEX Airlines use the South Terminal. Before going through security, check your boarding pass and flight number to confirm which airline operates your flight.

If you’re traveling from the Osaka, Hyogo or Kyoto areas and want to get there with your luggage and no transfers, please also try NearMe (Airport Shuttle), where your pickup time is confirmed in advance when you book. We hope you’ll give it a try on your next trip through Itami Airport.