JAPAN. Kansai Airports has struck agreements with a series of partners for 23 retail and dining outlets amid the latest phase of renovations in international departures at Kansai International Airport Terminal 1. The spaces include 16 for retail and seven for food & beverage.
The T1 redesign and renovation began in stages in 2021 to expand international flight capacity, enhance airside space and improve the passenger experience. The major work was completed in March 2025 ahead of the opening of the Osaka/Kansai Expo.
In Phase 4, the final phase, the international departures area that began operation in December 2023 is being further expanded, with the renovated area scheduled to open in summer 2026.
As reported, the centre of the new international departures area has been expanded by +60%, and the commercial space divided into four distinct ‘Mood’ zones.
The updated offer includes luxury boutiques, stores that make their debuts at Japanese airports plus several firsts for Kansai or Japan.
In the Wallside zone, eight boutiques are dedicated to fashion & accessories brands Burberry, Loewe, Gentle Monster, Swatch, Omega, Tiffany & Co, Issey Miyake and Moncler. The Gentle Monster and Moncler boutiques are firsts for Japanese airports.
In a Magnet Area blending F&B and retail either side of the main departures zones, Wolfgang Puck Kitchen Counter is a new addition, offering handcrafted pizzas, signature burgers, rice and noodle bowls with a curated selection of grab-and-go items. (Click here for our related story on Avolta F&B contracts at the airport.)
Crystal Jade – La Mian Xiao Long Bao comes to Kansai for the first time with its blend of Shanghainese classics and regional favourites, featuring modern twists from innovative Xiao Long Bao to hand-pulled La Mian.
Food court concept Shokusai-dori is a first for the Kansai region and at a Japanese airport, featuring celebrated restaurants, gourmet favourites and special collaborations spanning Japanese set meals, Tempura, Oyakodon and Ramen.
Healthy Grab & Go Fresh is also a first for Kansai.
In the same zone, Taste of Japan – Kansai Tabinikki is a speciality store offering a wide selection of sweets and souvenirs, including Royce, Shiroi Koibito and Tokyo Banana from Japan, as well as popular confectionery from the Kansai region alongside international brands.
Japanese apparel & accessories label Uniqlo offers high-performance, high-quality items suitable for all seasons.
A four-outlet Fun Mood zone includes character goods store Kawaii Buzz, travel essentials and destination goods from Sakura Voyage, casual Kobe beef steak restaurant Kobist – Bifuteki Kawamura (a first for Kansai and for Japanese airports), while Universal Studios Japan, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026, will open its first official merchandise shop at Kansai International Airport.
Elsewhere, a Peaceful Mood area blends dining and retail with a further four innovative concepts. These include Beppinsan, the airport’s first health and beauty speciality store.
Kamameshi & Matcha Tsumugi is a new concept from Japanese café Tsumugi, which offers artisan kamameshi rice pots, matcha and exclusive Japanese confectionery in a cozy space inspired by traditional colours and motifs.
Tea concept Fukujuen presents a curated range of Uji teas together with Japan-crafted tea utensils.
Finally, Matsumoto Kiyoshi retails souvenirs for international travellers, along with medicines, cosmetics and travel goods.
In the apron-side zone, Tully’s Coffee is a new highlight, with its mix of speciality coffee and light meals.
The improvements across the four phases increase T1’s international passenger capacity to 40 million (departures and arrivals combined). ✈
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