The airport itself is quite nice (brand new) and easy to navigate. Access between floors is via well-marked escalators and elevators. The 1st floor is primarily used for the “Welcome Garden” and a couple of designated meeting points, but a couple of businesses can be helpful to outbound travelers who might not even know they are there. The “Oasis” restaurant seemed far less crowded than those on the main retail floor and the Lawson’s convenience store was a welcome alternative to the other, much higher-priced retail shops upstairs. There is an information counter in the center of the first floor and a Post Office currency exchange window.

The 2nd floor houses the Arrival Hall and provides direct walkway access to the Access Plaza. There are a couple of restaurants, phone rental, telephones, tour operator counters and money exchange services. For most arriving passengers, it is simply a place to get through as quickly as possible. The information counters are near the front of the hall and there is takkyubin luggage service, a luggage storage area and coin lockers. Lavatories are to the rear.

The 3rd floor comprises the Departure Hall with an information counter at the front, airline check-in counters in the center, takkyubin counter, money exchange counters, several gift shops and restaurants at the rear of the hall and two large waiting areas on each side of the hall outside security and before check-in. It is possible to walk to the rear of the hall without passing through check-in or security and the shops and escalators to the upper floor are located there, along with lavatories. After security is a high-end retail area with the duty free shops and exclusive stores (Hermes, Louis Vuitton, etc.) and a quiet central waiting area with tables and chairs as well as the terminal and gate areas. Most of the gate areas have large screen TVs.

The 4th floor houses "Centrair Skytown," which is an extensive retail center. It has an event center, lavatories, a bath facility "with a view," various relaxation facilities, many shops, stores, stands and restaurants and an al fresco dining area centered on a food court, all arranged with various "streets" and "lanes" like a theme park. There is an extensive outdoor "sky deck" viewing area. The 4th floor also houses the executive lounges, which are accessible by private elevators from the 3rd floor waiting area after security. At present, Centrair Airport houses a "Centrair Airline Lounge" used by several airlines on a contract basis, a KAL lounge, a "Sakura Lounge" for JAL and their partners and a "Star Alliance" lounge for elite members of Star Alliance airlines. My United Airlines Premier Executive (Star Gold) status earned me a lounge pass from the UA check-in agent.

The Star Alliance lounge is small but well-equipped, with wide windows overlooking the ramp and runways, comfortable armchairs, lots of electrical outlets for laptops or phone chargers, a small TV room with tables and chairs, free hot and cold beverage dispensers, a draft beer dispenser, pay bar, a nice spread of snacks and clean lavatories with showers. One disappointment was that free Wi-Fi was limited to users of a few domestic services. Paid Wi-Fi was available but rather pricey.

In all, I found the new Centrair Airport to be efficient, aesthetically pleasing, easy to use, scrupulously clean and comfortable and well-equipped for travelers. I like it even better than KIX and a LOT better than NRT for international arrivals and departures to and from Japan.

Airport link: http://www.centrair.jp/en/

Meitetsu Rail link: http://www.meitetsu.jp/english/travel_info/