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Since I had been to these two cities before, therefore this trip would be more of re-visiting and exploring some of the new attractions.
Leisure trip at a glance
Country: Japan
Period: 30 Apr to 06 May 2016
Flight timings:
30 Apr: SQ 616, SIN–KIX, ETD 1355 ETA 2130
06 May: SQ 615, KIX-SIN, ETD 2330 ETA 0510 (07 May)
Air tickets:
Return tickets at SGD 763.20 (inclusive of airport taxes)
Accommodations:
Kansai Airport Washington Hotel (30 Apr to 01 May)
Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba (01 to 03 May)
Highland Shimabara Guesthouse (03 to 04 May)
Hotel New Hankyu Annex (04 to 06 May)
Currency exchange rate:
JPY 1,000 = SGD 12.55 (Apr '16 period)
Here's the overview of the trip itinerary:
Day 1 – Boarded flight SQ 616. Took night bus to Kansai Airport Washington hotel.
Day 2 – Visited Rinku Premium Outlets. Took train to Namba station. Checked in Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba. Visited Kuromon Market, Dotonbori Street, Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street and Hard Rock Café Osaka.
Day 3 – Visited CupNoodles Museum - Osaka Ikeda. Took train to Universal City. Shopped along Universal Citywalk and explored Universal Studios Japan.
Day 4 – Took train to Kyoto. Checked in Kyoto Highland Shimabara Guesthouse. Visited Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Day 5 – Took train back to Osaka. Checked in Hotel New Hankyu Annex Osaka. Visited Umeda Sky Building and Floating Garden Observatory and Osaka Museum of Housing and Living. Shopped in Tenjimbashi-suji shopping street.
Day 6 – Visited Osaka Castle Museum, International Peace Center, Osaka Museum of History and Tsūtenkaku Tower.
Day 7 – Visited Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. Took shuttle bus to Airport. Boarded flight SQ 615 and arrived in Singapore the next day morning.
Kansai International Airport (関西国際空港)
The Kansai International Airport is an international airport serving the Greater Osaka Area. It is located 38-km southwest of Osaka station. The IATA code for this airport is KIX.
The airport is located on reclaimed land consisting of two airport islands in Osaka Bay and has a total area of 1,055-hectares (left photo below). This artificial island is connected to the mainland by a double-decked truss bridge known as "Sky Gate Bridge R" measuring 3.75-km long and 29.5-meters wide (right photo below).
TransportationGetting in/out of the Airport
By Train (Operated by Japan Rail)
- The "Airport Express HARUKA" departs from the airport every 30-minutes to Tennoji, Osaka and Shin-Osaka stations before heading directly to Kyoto. It will take about 50-mins to reach Shin-Osaka station.
- Alternatively, the "Kansai Airport Rapid Service" which is a cheaper choice to Tennoji and Osaka stations compared to HARUKA Express. It is tailored to accommodate the budget-conscious traveler while still offering a comfortable and efficient journey. Travel time to Tennoji station takes about 50-mins from the airport.
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For travel route between Shin-Osaka, Osaka or Tennoji stations, there are two choices for the express train compared to the conventional lines (left photo). This is particularly beneficial for passengers with a Japan Rail pass as it can be used without any additional cost. |
- For travel route between Namba, there are "Nankai Airport Express" and "Rapi:t Airport Express".
- The "Nankai Airport Express" has 12 stops between Kansai Airport station and Namba station, and traveling time takes about 44-minutes in total. We boarded this train from Rinkū-town station (left photo below). There is no seat reservation in the train (right photo below) and it got crowded during peak period towards the Namba city. As there is no designated space for luggage storage, it can be difficult for passengers with a lot of luggage. Do note that ICOCA card can be used and a one-way trip costs around JPY 970.
- The "Rapi:t Airport Express" is a premium express service that has only 6 to 8 stops between Kansai Airport and Namba station, and traveling time only takes about 34 to 37-minutes. The train has the 'retro-futuristic' design featuring plush seating, ample legroom, free Wi-Fi, power outlets, dedicated luggage storage space, and even multi-language support for non-Japanese speakers. However, it is much more expensive than the Nankai Airport Express.
By Shuttle Bus
- The "Airport Limousine Bus Serive" from Kansai Airport to Osaka is a popular alternative for travelers who prefer direct road transport over trains. This bus service offers a convenient and comfortable way to travel from the airport straight to multiple drop-off areas in the Osaka area. They include Osaka Station, Kintetsu Uehommachi, and Namba Station.
For travelers who booked the Kansai Airport Washington Hotel, then their complimentary shuttle bus service can be taken to reach the hotel.
On the return trip, we took the Airport Limousine Bus from Umeda (New Hankyu Hotel) to Kansai Airport (left photo below). A detailed tag was attached to each luggage before placing them into the trunk (right photo below). Each single trip takes about 60-minutes and cost JPY 1,550.
The most widely used smart card on JR West rail network is the ICOCA. Based on the acronym "IC Operating CArd" and also played on the Japanese phrase "Iko ka" which means "shall we go" in Kansai dialect. The mascot for ICOCA is a blue platypus named "Ico the Platypus".
The ICOCA card can be bought from ticket vending machines at JR-West stations and at shops like convenience stores. Non-resident can also purchase and no personal ID verification is required. We got our cards in a Tourist Information shop at Rinkū-town station for JPY 2,000 (left photo below).
This prepaid card can be used for all trains, subways and buses in Osaka and Kyoto, and even for purchase of items in most convenient stores. Top up of the card was easy and can be done from the ticket vending machines in all JR-West stations. A detailed receipt would then be printed for each transaction (right photo below).
To use the card for riding the train or subway, simply tap the card on the sensor pad of the automated ticket gantry just like those public transport systems in most countries.Osaka Metro
The Osaka Metro is a major transit system in the Osaka Metropolitan Area and has eight subway lines operating on 129.9-kilometers of track and serving 123 stations (photo below). Of the eight line, the best for sightseeing are the Midosuji Line and Tanimachi Line. Click here for the PDF version of the Metro Map.
Keihan Main LineThe Keihan Line is convenient for traveling between major attractions in Kyoto (left photo below). The line runs between Sanjō station in Kyoto to Yodoyabashi station in Osaka. Unlike the station in major transportation hub, the stations in Kyoto appeared to be simple without any stores in the station except some vending machines (right photo below).
Accommodation
Kansai Airport Washington Hotel
The Kansai Airport Washington Hotel is a 3-star hotel located in Rinku and on the opposite shore of Kansai International Airport (left photo below). The hotel is within walking distance to Rinku Premium Outlets and SuperCenter Trail (right photo below).
This hotel offered free shuttle at scheduled times between the airport and hotel. There is even a Family Mart on its second floor which was convenient to us when we arrived late from the airport. Nearby Rinkū-town station provides train services, served by the JR Hanwa Line and Nankai Railway Main Line, to the airport or to cities in Osaka .The twin bed room had comfortable beds (left photo below) and a compact bathroom attached (right photo below).
Billing information was misplaced, therefore could not confirm its exact room cost.Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba
The Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba is a 3-star hotel set in a colorful building located on the vibrant Namba district (left photo below). It is just 3-mins walk from Nipponbashi train station Exit 6 and 2-mins walk to Kuromon Market. The popular "Fishing Restaurant ZAUO" is just located at the hotel basement (right photo below).
There are self-check counters at the lobby (left photo below) and a friendly-looking robot that is ready to assist visitors (right photo below).
This hotel was newly opened in Apr 2016 just weeks before our stay. It is a no-frills hotel offering everything in a small and efficient package, including the size of its room (left photo below). Basic amenities were provided in the attached bathroom (right photo below).
Booked this hotel online for an "Economy Twin Room" for two nights at JPY 30,800 without breakfast.| ✍ Update: |
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| This hotel has changed its name to "Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka Namba" since 2022. |
Highland Shimabara Guesthouse
The Highland Shimabara Guesthouse is a 2-star guesthouse that is just 3-mins walk from Nishi Hongan-Ji Temple and 15-mins walk from JR Kyoto train station (photos below).
The twin bed room had soft beds with air-conditioned (left photo below) and a reasonable-sized bathroom attached (right photo below).
The room even had a functional kitchen (left photo below) and what surprised me was the water-proofed TV in front of the bathtub (right photo below).
Booked this hotel online for a "Twin Studio" for one night at SGD 174.08 without breakfast.Hotel New Hankyu Annex
The Hotel New Hankyu Annex is a 3-star hotel located in the Umeda area (photos below). It just takes 5-mins walk from Hankyu / Umeda station and is right next to JR Osaka station.
The room was rather small but was clean and cozy (photos below).
Booked this hotel online for a "Compact Twin" for two nights at JPY 36,000 without breakfast.Interesting Observations
- Japan has many culturally unique social customs with emphasis on social etiquette. There were even instructions on toilet usage pasted on the walls of each toilet cubicles (left photo below).
- Interesting toilet bowl where water is first pumped out for hand washing and then collected in the tank for flushing later. Had been watching these toilet bowls on television and internet but only get to see and use one during my stay in a Kyoto guesthouse (right photo below). Indeed, it is a good design to save on precious water resources.
- It was my first time seeing white strawberries (left photo below). These are extraordinary "Awayuki" (淡雪) strawberries which is a rare and exquisite variety cultivated in the fertile lands of Kumamoto Prefecture (熊本縣).
- In a high-tech world where room cards are already common, Japanese still issue heavy room keys to hotel guests to prevent them from forgetting to return the keys during check out (right photo below).
- On old practices, some things do remain unchanged in Japan for years. I was rather surprised to see the exterior of a restaurant in Universal City Walk still look the same for more than 10 years. Following photo was taken when I walked past the restaurant in 2005 (left photo below) comparing with the recent photo I took in 2016 (right photo below).
- Unlimited Bus and Subway rides all day (or 2 consecutive days for a two-day pass).
- Free entry to over 30 attractions. These attractions included the Osaka Castle Museum, Osaka Museum of History, Tsutenkaku Tower, Floating Garden Observatory and Osaka Museum of Housing and Living.
- Dicounted offers to over 20 attractions and in selected restaurants and shops.
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If you're staying in Osaka on a full day and a museum or attraction lover, then it is worth the money to get an "Amazing Osaka Pass" (left photo). This Amazing Osaka Pass provided the following benefits: |
| ✍ Update: |
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| Physical card is no longer issued, do click here to find out more information from the website regarding the new "Osaka e-Pass". |
Some useful links:
- Osaka Info:
http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/ - Osaka Travel|Best of Osaka|Travel Japan|JNTO:
https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/kansai/osaka/ - Osaka - Wikitravel:
https://wikitravel.org/en/Osaka - Kyoto - Wikitravel:
https://wikitravel.org/en/Kyoto