About Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport

Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport (IWK) is the civilian side of an airfield in Iwakuni, a city in the far east of Yamaguchi Prefecture in western Japan. The runway is shared with Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, a joint facility of the US Marine Corps and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Passengers use a dedicated civil terminal, so the military role of the base has little effect on an ordinary trip.

The nickname comes from the Kintaikyo, the wooden arched bridge that is the most famous sight in Iwakuni.

Where Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport Is Located

The airport sits close to the heart of Iwakuni, a short distance southeast of JR Iwakuni Station. That makes it one of the easier regional airports in Japan to reach without a car. Hiroshima lies a little further along the coast, and Miyajima is roughly between the two.

Terminal and Facilities at IWK

The civil terminal is compact and handles domestic flights. Check-in, security and the gate are all a few steps apart, which keeps waiting time short. Expect a small selection of shops and a place to eat rather than a large shopping area.

Airlines and Routes from Iwakuni

Scheduled flights are operated by All Nippon Airways (ANA) and its regional arm ANA Wings. The core route links Iwakuni with Tokyo Haneda several times a day. Service to Naha in Okinawa is also offered. Frequencies can change with the season, so check the current timetable before planning a connection.

Getting from the Airport to Iwakuni and Beyond

• Bus: local buses run between the terminal and Iwakuni Station in around seven minutes.
• Train: from Iwakuni Station, JR local trains continue along the coast towards Miyajima and Hiroshima.
• Shinkansen: bullet trains stop at Shin-Iwakuni Station, which is on the outskirts of the city rather than next to the airport.
• Taxi: taxis wait outside the terminal and suit travellers with heavy bags.

Things to See near Iwakuni

The Kintaikyo Bridge, with its five wooden arches over the Nishiki River, is a short bus ride from Iwakuni Station. Many visitors pair Iwakuni with Miyajima and its floating torii gate, or with a day in Hiroshima.

Travel Tips for Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport

Because the terminal is small, flights are few each day. Plan onward trains around your arrival time, and allow a little extra time if you need to reach Shin-Iwakuni for the shinkansen.

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