Plane Spotting—Exciting Views Near Itami Airport!

A lot of people have been to Itami Airport, aka Osaka International Airport, but have you reallybeen to the airport if you haven’t gone plane spotting there?
While the observation deck has amazing views of the runways and planes taking off and landing against a backdrop of the Rokkō Mountain Range, there is one spot where you can see the planes extremely close. And it is absolutely thrilling!

■Rent-A-Cycle to get to the Senri Riverbank

The best spot to watch the planes overhead is the Senri Riverbank, but there’s just one catch. It’s pretty far from both of the closest train stations, Sone Station and Okamachi Station on the Hankyu Takarazuka Line. There’s not much to do on the way to the riverbank as the roads nearby are full of small factories.
Needless to say, there isn’t much parking nearby. One solution is to rent a bicycle! At the Hankyu Okamachi Station you can find Hankyu Rent-A-Cycle and one of the HELLO CYCLING stations that can be found nationwide.

Because you can rent from any HELLO CYCLING location and return it somewhere else, you could drop off your rental bicycle near the Senri Riverbank while you watch the planes. This way you can enjoy watching the planes at your leisure without racking up your rent-a-cycle costs.

■A 10 minute ride from Hankyu Okamachi Station

My navigation app pulled up a route that told me to head southwest from the station. And while that may be the shortest route, I took a different route that the stationmaster recommended because it looked more straightforward.
First, you pass under the overhead Hankyu train tracks and head north, towards Toyonaka Station. When you reach a large street (Route 99), you turn left. From there you simply go straight.
You’ll see the big red and white sign for the Chinese chain Gyoza No Osho on your left and pass the Hanshin Expressway. Then you head into an industrial area. Just keep going straight.
Before you enter a tunnel that goes under the airport runway, you turn left and follow the river. It’s easy to navigate because there is only one road along the river.
At one point, the path is no longer open to car traffic, but don’t worry, you’re going the right way. Then you will see a small bridge called Shinmei-bashi (神明橋). Cross the bridge and you’ll already be able to see the airplanes that are about to land.

You’ll be able to see the bank of the Senri River here. This is also the southernmost point of the runway so you can witness the planes flying at their lowest altitudes.

■Roaring overhead engines

Once you arrive, all you have to do is wait for the planes to come in.
You can also check the Itami Airport website for the flight schedules, so you know which flights are coming in when.
As soon as you hear that rumbling sound from the sky, face south and look up.

Those lights shining through the clouds are your first glimpse of an airplane. It might be far away at first, but it will get closer—much, much, closer. The sound grows louder too and then there is that one moment when it passes right overhead. It’s such a thrill!
When you aren’t looking at an airplane, the engine noise is simply that. Just noise! But when you are plane spotting, the thundering sound of a plane engine is enough to get your heart pumping.

You’re so close to the planes, it feels like you could reach out and touch them. And there aren’t many places like this in Japan!
And because this area is along the river, there is nothing to block your view. You can stay here watching planes all day long!

■Itami Airport/Osaka International Airport

As the sky grows dimmer, the runway lights come on. The evening runway takes on an entirely different look from daytime with rows of illuminated lines and planes landing in the sunset against a backdrop of dark blue mountains.

The riverbank is not very well-lit at night so it might be a good idea to bring a light with you. Even though it is a popular place for plane-spotting, it hasn’t been developed yet. But I heard some good news! It might take a few years, but there are plans to build a proper observation deck here.
That would be great if it makes it easier for people to come here!

■Other nearby spots

Finally, I’d like to show you a few more nearby plane-viewing spots.
Just on the other side of the runway, opposite the airport, you’ll find Itami Sky Park and Skyland HARADA (both of which have parking lots).

Itami Sky Park is a sprawling space on the west side of the runway where you can watch airplanes take off. Next to it, on the south side, is Skyland Harada where you can see the planes the second they enter the runway.
While these spots don’t have the same level of intensity as the riverbank spot, you can get a good look at the airplane livery (insignia on the plane body). Itami Sky Park is 1.2 km long, and you can watch the stages of the runway from seats.

There are plenty of other things to see and enjoy at the park like children’s play equipment, exhibitions related to aircraft, and a park center. Watching the planes here would be a good way to spend the day.

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