Photo/Illutration The wooden roof of a waiting area in Terminal 1 of Kansai International Airport conveys a sense of traditional Japanese architecture. (Masaru Komiyaji)

IZUMISANO, Osaka Prefecture--Kansai International Airport here unveiled a new departure zone and passport control area in Terminal 1 as the facility underwent extensive renovations to ease congestion and accept more inbound visitors.

The new international flight departure zone is on the second floor and covers an area of about 10,000 square meters. The passport control area is on the third floor.

The renovated area boasts a walk-through duty-free shop, bringing together stores that had been located in nine locations.

Stores are lined up on both sides of a curved passageway that leads from the passport control area to the boarding gates, making it easier for travelers to shop.

The passport control area, which had previously been split between the north and south of the terminal, has been consolidated at the center to ease congestion.

In addition to a wooden roof, the waiting area is equipped with a four-meter-tall digital display showing "koi" carp and plum trees to create a Japanese ambience.

The area is lined with a craft beer restaurant, an anime shop and other stores.

"It is the last place (for passengers) before they leave Japan. We hope it leaves an impression and makes them want to come back," said Keiji Takano, an executive officer of Kansai Airports, the airport operator.

Kansai Airports implemented a refurbishing plan for Terminal 1 in 2021 to ease chronic congestion at the international flight departure zone after inbound tourist numbers suddenly exploded.

The domestic passenger area has already been consolidated to increase the international passenger area by 25 percent.

The security check area and the entry procedure section will also be modified to accept up to 40 million international flight customers in total, nearly twice the figure of fiscal 2018, according to the company.

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