A Futuristic Airport Built on the Sea
Kansai International Airport is one of Japan’s most impressive engineering projects — built entirely on an artificial island in Osaka Bay. This bold idea was born to solve the overcrowding problem at the old Osaka International Airport.
Construction of the island, called Kankūjima, began in the late 1980s, and the airport officially opened in 1994. The island is divided into two main areas: Terminal 1 for international flights and Terminal 2 for domestic flights.
Terminal 1, designed by the world-renowned architect Renzo Piano, stretches an incredible 1.7 km — making it the longest airport terminal in the world. Inside, the airport features luxury brands such as Chanel, Hermes, Cartier, and a wide range of restaurants.
A Groundbreaking Project Facing the Risk of Sinking
Despite careful planning during construction, Kansai Airport faces a serious problem — the seabed beneath the island is not as stable as expected. Below the reinforced clay layer are pockets of sand that cause the island to continue sinking over time.
Since its opening, Kansai Airport has already sunk 38 feet (around 11.5 meters). Experts predict it will sink another 13 feet (around 4 meters) by 2056. If no drastic measures are taken, the entire island could be submerged by 2100.
An Engineering Marvel That Amazes the World
Each year, Kansai welcomes over 20 million passengers and handles around 1 million tons of cargo, making it the third busiest in Japan. The $20 billion project continues to amaze people around the world.
Many social media users have expressed their admiration:
“Kansai Airport in Japan, built in the ocean… What an incredible sight!”
“Wow… This is amazing! An airport floating in the middle of the sea.”
“An impressive example of human engineering.”
However, this engineering marvel has faced major challenges. In 2018, Typhoon Jebi caused severe flooding after powerful waves broke through the seawall. The storm even pushed an oil tanker into the bridge connecting the island to the mainland, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
Despite these struggles, Kansai remains a symbol of creativity, bold ambition, and one of the most remarkable achievements in modern construction.