When you type the phrase “Itami City” into Google and hit search, the first few pages that turn up are all flight and hotel booking information.
That’s right, very few know Itami more than just it being home to an airport and a pit stop between transits, while having the limelight stolen by the world-recognized Kansai International Airport nearby. To add to its agony, despite the name “Osaka International Airport (Itami)”, the airport is neither international (in present days), nor located in Osaka. Right now it serves only domestic flights, and is technically situated in Hyogo Prefecture.
All these confusions have left Itami shrouded in the unknown, and it is no wonder the historical city does not get the love it deserves when it comes to sightseeing attention.
So why bother taking the extra time to explore the city? Well, as a Japan-addict favoring the lesser known allures over mainstream tourist spots, here I am to assure you that Itami is one of those off the beaten path destinations that has lots of surprises awaiting, for you making the extra effort to get to know it deeper.
Alright, let’s start digging in.