Unfortunately, the "transit tours" are only being offered through 2/28/06. They were kind of an experiement and we are hoping they will be re-instituted as a permanent thing.

The "train into town" is the JR Haruka Limited Express and takes about 48 minutes to Shin-Osaka Station or 75 minutes to Kyoto Station. There is a slower, cheaper local train into Osaka that takes about an hour.

KIX has a wide variety of shops and restaurants for a layover, and the Nikko Hotel permits dayroom use or exercise/shower facilities for a fee.

There are lots of threads and info on the subject of layover activities at all the major Japan airports in the Travel&Dining: Destination >The World/Japan forum. Drop in and take a look.

JR