โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
90
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Tancho Kushiro Airport (KUH), identified by its ICAO code RJCK, is a prominent regional aviation hub in eastern Hokkaido, Japan, situated approximately 22 kilometers from the Kushiro city center. The airport operates from a modern, three-story terminal building that has recently undergone significant service expansions, including the opening of the URAR TERRACE food court on the third floor in late 2025. This facility acts as a vital gateway for tourism to the nearby Kushiro-shitsugen National Park and is nicknamed "Tancho" after the Japanese red-crowned cranes that inhabit the region.
The terminal layout is designed for passenger convenience, with the first floor dedicated to check-in and arrivals, the second floor housing departure gates and retail zones, and the third floor offering dining and scenic views. Travelers can utilize a variety of modern amenities, such as a dedicated "Kids Space" for families, a paid lounge on the second floor with refreshments, and a rooftop observation deck that provides panoramic views of the runway and the Pacific Ocean. For business travelers, the facility offers meeting spaces with LAN access and a new automated passenger guidance system introduced in 2024 to streamline terminal navigation.
Ground transportation is well-integrated with scheduled flight arrivals, with dedicated airport shuttle buses providing a 45-minute connection to Kushiro Station. The terminal also features a specialized "Cycle Station" equipped with tools and racks for visiting cyclists, alongside on-site car rental desks and a professional car wash service launched in late 2024. As of 2025, the airport continues to maintain its high service standards, supporting regular domestic rotations via carriers like JAL, ANA, and Air Do, while serving as a cultural showcase for the region's unique wildlife and Ainu heritage.
๐ Connection Tips
Tancho Kushiro Airport (KUH) serves as the primary aviation gateway to Eastern Hokkaido and the spectacular natural wonders of the Kushiro-shitsugen National Park. The journey to the JR Kushiro Station takes approximately 45 to 55 minutes and costs roughly 950 JPY. For those wishing to explore the vast wetlands or visit the crane sanctuaries independently, renting a car is highly recommended. The terminal building itself is distinctive, designed to resemble the Japanese crane (Tancho) for which the region is famous, and it features a high-quality restaurant on the third floor serving fresh local seafood and Hokkaido specialties.
Getting to and from the airport is highly organized and primarily focused on road transport. Additionally, the 'Akan Airport Liner' provides a direct link to the famous Akanko Onsen (Lake Akan) resort area, a trip of about 70 minutes. Several major agencies, including Toyota, Nissan, and Orix, have desks located conveniently in the arrivals lobby. Arriving 60 to 90 minutes before a domestic departure is typically sufficient to navigate the efficient security screening.
For the most efficient and cost-effective connection to the city center, travelers should utilize the Akan Bus (Airport Limousine), which is meticulously timed to depart shortly after the arrival of major domestic flights from Tokyo Haneda (HND) and Sapporo New Chitose (CTS). Taxis are readily available at the designated rank outside the arrivals terminal; while convenient for reaching specific hotels, a ride to the city center can be quite expensive, typically ranging from 6,000 to 8,000 JPY. It is vital to note that during the long winter season (November to April), roads in Eastern Hokkaido can be extremely icy and prone to heavy snowfall; ensure your rental vehicle is equipped with high-quality winter tires and allow extra drive time.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Amami Airport (ASJ) serves as the primary aviation hub for Amami Oshima Island in Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture. The airport features a modern, compact terminal building that efficiently handles both domestic scheduled flights and occasional international charters. The layout is designed for ease of use, with the first floor dedicated to arrivals and airline check-in counters, while the second floor houses the departure gates and security screening facilities.
Inside the terminal, travelers can enjoy a range of amenities that showcase the unique culture of the Amami Islands. Several restaurants and cafes serve local delicacies such as 'Keihan' (chicken rice), providing a final taste of the island's culinary heritage before departure. Multiple souvenir shops offer traditional Oshima Tsumugi silk products, local sweets, and handmade crafts. For those seeking relaxation, a paid passenger lounge is available on the second floor, offering a quiet environment with complimentary soft drinks.
One of the most notable features of the Amami terminal is the panoramic observation deck located on the roof. This open-air space provides visitors with stunning views of the aircraft on the apron against the backdrop of the emerald-green East China Sea and the island's lush, mountainous terrain. The airport is fully accessible, offering free rental wheelchairs and strollers at the information desk, along with multi-purpose restrooms and tactile paving for visually impaired passengers.
๐ Connection Tips
Amami Airport is the main island gateway for Amami Oshima, and the connection is usually a straightforward domestic transfer inside a single terminal. Arrivals, departures, bus stops, car rentals, and the observation deck are all in the same compact building, so the airport works efficiently as long as travelers keep to the domestic schedule and allow a reasonable transfer buffer when connecting onward.
The ground leg is usually a Shima Bus or taxi ride into Naze, and the difference between the two is mainly speed and convenience. If you want flexibility for beaches, ferry piers, or outer-island day trips, it is worth booking a car in advance during summer or holiday peaks because the island is much easier to explore by road once you have a vehicle waiting.
ASJ closes soon after the final scheduled flight, so there is no benefit in treating it like a 24-hour hub. Cash in yen is still useful for buses and small local expenses, while the airport itself offers Wi-Fi, charging points, and a good observation area that makes the wait comfortable without pretending to be a large metropolitan terminal. A booked car also helps when you want the ferry or beach access to run on time.
โ Back to Kushiro Airport