Kansai International Airport General Duty Free Shop "KIX DUTY FREE"

Providing a unique airport experience through a variety of expressions of "Japaneseness"

  • Public Spaces
  • A walk-through duty-free store that envelops all departing passengers in a "comfortable sense of security" and a "premium, luxurious space that is uniquely Japanese."

    A walk-through duty-free store that envelops all departing passengers in a "comfortable sense of security" and a "premium, luxurious space that is uniquely Japanese."

  • Entrance space after immigration: Passengers are welcomed in a comfortable space using organic shapes and Japanese materials, freed from the stress of formalities.

    Entrance space after immigration: Passengers are welcomed in a comfortable space using organic shapes and Japanese materials, freed from the stress of formalities.

  • "Wear Beauty" Perfume and Cosmetics Section: Inspired by the act of applying color and face powder, the vibrant red plasterwork enhances the splendor of the area.

    "Wear Beauty" Perfume and Cosmetics Section: Inspired by the act of applying color and face powder, the vibrant red plasterwork enhances the splendor of the area.

  • The layout creates an immersive experience by enveloping the passenger aisle with sales areas on both sides.

    The layout creates an immersive experience by enveloping the passenger aisle with sales areas on both sides.

  • Highly visible sign guidance: Sign display rules for genres, brands, and products are set to increase instant clarity while navigating the area.

    Highly visible sign guidance: Sign display rules for genres, brands, and products are set to increase instant clarity while navigating the area.

  • "Ibusu" tobacco section: Handmade black Japanese paper and glittering scattered gold leaf represent the floating smoke that rises when smoking a cigarette.

    "Ibusu" tobacco section: Handmade black Japanese paper and glittering scattered gold leaf represent the floating smoke that rises when smoking a cigarette.

  • "Katakado" Western and Japanese sweets section: The sweets area features an accent wall that expresses the delicacy of sweets, such as crystals and Japanese sweets tools.

    "Katakado" Western and Japanese sweets section: The sweets area features an accent wall that expresses the delicacy of sweets, such as crystals and Japanese sweets tools.

  • "Brew" Western and Japanese liquor section: Providing an experience where you can appreciate the culture of alcohol from around the world at once on a double-page spread

    "Brew" Western and Japanese liquor section: Providing an experience where you can appreciate the culture of alcohol from around the world at once on a double-page spread

  • Reflecting on your Japanese experiences and culture before leaving Japan: A place to experience the unique culture of Kansai, not just pass through

    Reflecting on your Japanese experiences and culture before leaving Japan: A place to experience the unique culture of Kansai, not just pass through

  • Kansai International Airport General Duty Free Shop "KIX DUTY FREE"
  • Entrance space after immigration: Passengers are welcomed in a comfortable space using organic shapes and Japanese materials, freed from the stress of formalities.
  • "Wear Beauty" Perfume and Cosmetics Section: Inspired by the act of applying color and face powder, the vibrant red plasterwork enhances the splendor of the area.
  • The layout creates an immersive experience by enveloping the passenger aisle with sales areas on both sides.
  • Highly visible sign guidance: Sign display rules for genres, brands, and products are set to increase instant clarity while navigating the area.
  • "Ibusu" tobacco section: Handmade black Japanese paper and glittering scattered gold leaf represent the floating smoke that rises when smoking a cigarette.
  • "Katakado" Western and Japanese sweets section: The sweets area features an accent wall that expresses the delicacy of sweets, such as crystals and Japanese sweets tools.
  • "Brew" Western and Japanese liquor section: Providing an experience where you can appreciate the culture of alcohol from around the world at once on a double-page spread
  • Reflecting on your Japanese experiences and culture before leaving Japan: A place to experience the unique culture of Kansai, not just pass through

Photo: Taichi Misonoo

About the Project

Overview KIX DUTY FREE is one of the largest walk-through duty-free shops (approximately 2,500 m²) at any international airport in Japan, and is located on the route that all departing passengers take to their boarding gates after completing immigration. The store is divided into four categories - perfumes and cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco, and confectionery - each with a different design accent, and carries over 300 brands. We have created a space that allows customers passing through to experience a sense of variety within a traditional Japanese atmosphere and enjoy themselves.
Issues/Themes Rather than simply being a transit point, the airport will be a next-generation facility that creates a unique airport experience and offers new value.
To embody an "airport that exudes a sense of place" (an initiative that provides and allows passengers to experience spaces and services unique to the country or region).
Space Solution/Realization Based on the concept of "Natural Flow," a harmony with Japan's ancient and beautiful nature, we have created a comfortable passenger guidance and store space using fluctuations, light, and curves. Traditional Japanese materials such as plaster, washi paper, Japanese wood, and wooden molds for Japanese sweets have been used for each category, evoking the scenery and crafts seen in Japan and the Kansai region for both foreign and Japanese passengers, creating a space that will add color to your final visit to Japan. We have created a unified space that combines a "stress-free passenger passage (shared environment)" with a "comprehensive four-category duty-free store (tenant store) that is easy to browse and shop in."

Basic Information

Client Kansai Airport Retail Services Co., Ltd.
Services Provided Basic Concept: The Design Solution
Design, Layout, Production, Construction, brand Interior Design Supervision: Tanseisha
Our Team Creative Direction: Tomoaki Otsuka
Design, Layout: Tomoaki Otsuka, Chiaki Suzuki, Yusuke Bannaka, Ryota Kagi
Production, Construction: Atsushi Ota
Project Management: Jun Kondo
Location Osaka, Japan
Open December, 2023
Website https://www.kixdutyfree.jp/
Tag
Tomoaki Otsuka

Creative Direction

Tomoaki Otsuka

He has experience and know-how in a wide range of fields, including not only specialty stores such as retail stores and restaurants, but also hotels, airports, and large commercial facilities. He strives to enhance the value of hospitality and the message by extracting, fusing, and expressing "values and mechanisms that can only be found here" from the perspectives of both the business owner and the end user. He has also had extensive experience in planning facilities that serve as gateways to local areas, and is involved in collaborations with various local craftsmen and artisans from the perspective of promoting and revitalizing the local area.

*The shared information and details of the project is accurate as of the date they were posted. There may have been unannounced changes at a later date.

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