Do you have a layover of longer than a couple of hours while traveling to an exciting destination through Kansai International Airport in Osaka? You have many options for interesting shopping within an hour and a half or less by train, monorail, or bus, including artwork and memorabilia inspired by Godzilla as well as beautiful and functional Sakai carbon steel knives. Read on to discover shopping and cultural destinations you can choose from during your Kansai International Airport layover.
• Address: 1-1-30 Zaimokucho-nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City, 590-0941, Osaka Prefecture
• Operating hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily (closed for New Year holidays)
Approximately a three-minute walk from Myokokuji-mae Station, a ten-minute walk from Sakai Station, and near the Hanataguchi bus stop of the Nankai bus, the Sakai City Traditional Crafts Museum is the home of traditional Sakai knives and blades that you may view and purchase. The blades are made using Japanese carbon steel forging skills that date back to the 5th century. The Sakai traditional blade-making crafts you will see today in the crafts museum began in the 16th century. Some of the best-known traditional items include tobacco knives used to chop tobacco. In addition to tobacco knives, the museum and shop include many other professional blades suitable for home and professional chefs and cooks.
Beautiful and functional Sakai blades are not the only craft or product available at Sakai City Traditional Crafts Museum. Sakai City was referred to as the "Venice of Japan" in the 15th century by foreign traders. It became a rich, busy, and sophisticated self-governing city at this time when many trades and products were developed. Also, in the spacious museum/store, you will find products and crafts that date back to the early years of Sakai City, including locally-made sweets and more. The Sakai City traditional crafts museum and store also offers:
• Incense sticks, aka joss or Senko sticks
• Chusen cotton fabric in bright patterns
• Sakai City bicycles, originally made during the First World War
• Kombu or kelp, which is dried and comes in seven varieties
The Senshu region in Osaka has been home to a thriving textile industry for many generations. Among the textiles are soft, highly absorbent, comfortable, and beautiful Senshu towels. Known as some of the world's softest and most delicate yet absorbent towels, Senshu towels have been woven using traditional techniques since 1887. The towels start out being woven with thin, raw fibers of cotton. After they are woven, Senshu towels are washed and bleached, which washes away starch, oil, and any impurities, resulting in an ultra-soft and absorbent final product.
• Address: 1-8-8 Ichibanishi, Izumisano City, 598-0006, Osaka Prefecture
• Operating hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The large, two-story Senshu Towel-Kan Main Store is located approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes from Itami Airport by monorail and train. It is approximately a 15-minute walk from Nankai Izumisano Station. Senshu Towel-Kan exhibits new towels and towel designs by local traditional towel-makers and designers. The exhibited towels are not available for purchase at the main store, but you may find versions of them available at Senshu Towel-Kan Rinku Premium Outlets, also approximately 1 hour and 30 to 45 minutes from Itami Airport by Rinku Town Station. Choices of towel include Senshu-bijin beauty face towels made from organic Indian cotton, Takumi hand towels which meet strict water absorbency standards, and the environmentally-friendly Muko-towel, which is suitable for babies and people with sensitive skin.
One of the best-known movie monsters in the world is Godzilla, a gigantic dinosaur-like monster or kaiju who has starred in nearly 40 films made in Japan and in Hollywood since the 1950s. Jin-Koubou Shop & Gallery is a family-owned store and gallery which creates, displays, and sells unique, high-quality Godzilla artwork, models, and related replicas of famous film scenes.
• Address: 2-6-32 Ayazono, Takaishi City, 592-0014, Osaka Prefecture
• Operating hours: Weekdays 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Open during the afternoon and evening hours, Jin-Koubou Shop and Gallery is located in a modern black-textured building approximately a ten-minute walk from Takaishi Station on the Nankai Line. Current owner Kazuya Inoue has been a collector of Godzilla figurings since 2002. In addition to Godzilla art and figurines, the store includes rare toys from the 1950s along with replicas of devices used in the films, including the "Oxygen Destroyer" used in the original 1954 Godzilla film. Open since 2007, the store includes an on-site factory where the Godzilla and related collector items are painted and finished for display and sale. Be aware that while the items can be shipped within Japan, they are not available for international shipping.
It's worth taking a trip from Itami Airport to visit one of the most traditional sake breweries in Osaka. Naniwa Sake Brewery (Naniwa Shuzo) opened in 1716, using wood imported from Wakayama for the buildings and high-quality water from the Izumi mountains. The brewery makes every bottle of sake that it sells by hand. The sake made at the brewery is called "Naniwamasamune," representing Osaka, which has the traditional name of Naniwa.
• Address: 3-13-6 Ozakicho, Hannan City, 599-0201, Osaka Prefecture
• Operating hours: Monday-Friday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday-Sunday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
You can attend tours of the Naniwa Sake Brewery and purchase many types of sake, from seasonal brews to traditional "normal" sake, which is made from any type of polished rice. The brewery sells a variety of cups and souvenirs for modest prices, starting at 240 yen. In addition, you can purchase Osaka commemorative cups and others celebrating food culture, festivals, and local officials. The main residence and brewery buildings are Registered Cultural Properties. You may reserve a tour of the brewery by calling on weekdays between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Sake tasting, narazuke (pickled vegetables in sake lees), and sake rice cracker tastings are available.
Within about an hour and a half by train, monorail, or subway from Osaka International Airport, you can find many fascinating and unusual shopping destinations. For example, you can discover sake souvenirs from a traditional sake brewery that makes all of its beverages by hand or buy soft, absorbent Senshu towels for family members. Additionally, you can bring home hand-made Godzilla memorabilia. These stops near Osaka International Airport offer many desirable items and opportunities to experience facets of Japanese culture.
Explore Japan with the JAL Japan Explorer Pass, starting at $49 (USD) for any applicable route within Japan.
Do you have a several-hour layover at Kansai International Airport? Sennan Long Park and other fun destinations are nearby.
Osaka is home to the kofun - gigantic mounds that serve as the burying place of emperors and other royalty. See them up close, sky-high, or through a virtual tour.
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