When I found out there was direct flight from Kota Kinabalu to Osaka (Kansai International Airport) via Malaysia Airlines, without second thought instantly I bought not only one but two tickets specially for my mom as her birthday present last two years. Not only for its hassle-free from transit in Kuala Lumpur but the airfare was pretty affordable and reasonable - only RM797 for return, including 30kg luggage allowance, complimentary meals and beverages and in-flight entertainments.My initial plan was to do the same route like I did previously for my maiden trip to Japan; Osaka, Kyoto & Tokyo but in the midst of planning, I decided to change the plan which was just solely focus on Kansai region.
#1: Ready for boarding MH54!
#2: In-flight meals and beverages. Somehow, international flight served a decent and scrumptious instead than the local flight.
#3: After 3 years, I never thought I will seeing this signboard again. [Check my old post]
Interesting Fact of Kansai International Airport:
Kansai International Airport is an airport that's said to have never lost a piece of luggage since it opened 22 years agp and being the second biggest hub airport in Japan after Tokyo Narita International Airport.
Why I choose to focus on Kansai region instead
- In Kansai region alone, there are 10 prefectures - Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hyogo (Kobe), Wakayama, Fukui, Mie, Shiga, Tottori and Tokushima.
- Travel around Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo within 8 days is indeed cram and rush based on my past travel experience. Plus like I mentioned earlier, I was travelling with my mom and therefore, I prefer this trip to be relax and easy.
- Cost saving from buying 7 days Japan Rail Pass that cost 29,110 yen (approx. to RM930) and focusing on buying Kansai Pass instead.
I glad I made a wise choice cause right after two years from this Kansai trip, I went Tokyo last July with my family, including my two brothers who went Japan for the very first time. *peace*
Upon arriving at Kansai International Airport (KIX), both mommy and I bought our quick lunch from Lawson, a 24 hours convenience store once we done with the immigration and customs clearance. Right after that, we went to JR Ticket Office located on second floor (just follow the sign) to query which most preferable and economical pass to choose from.
#4: JR Ticket Office located on second floor of KIX for purchase or exchange JR Pass
Talking about Japan railway and public transportation network, I have to admit that they are the most convenient, efficient, safe and comfort one but then seriously looking into their railway line, they are utterly complex and complicated at the same time. Three times I went Japan, and still I could board on the wrong train somehow.
To buy which pass is depends on your desired destination. For our case, our hotel situated in Shin-Osaka and hence we were advised by JR officer to opt for ICOCA & Haruka for Haruka Limited Express. This option is hassle-free without having to change trains and the quickest one (it took 49 minutes only) but the expensive one. Haruka Limited Express departs KIX twice an hour.
"ICOCA is an IC card convenient for JR, subway, private railway, buses and shopping in the Kansai Area and other places worth 2,000 yen (500 yen refundable deposit plus 1,500 yen worth in train and bus fares) wheres as Haruka is a discounted ticket for Kansai-Airport Express to access from KIX to Osaka, Kyoto or Kobe area (either a round-trip of a one way ticket)."
Price for ICOCA & Haruka:
Round-trip type = 4,060 yen
One-way type = 3,030 yen
#3: Two designs for ICOCA card and the green tickets are the Haruka return tickets.
I think it is worth to buy these ICOCA & Haruka pass cause one way conventional ticket from KIX to Shin-Osaka can cost 2,470 yen. However if your arrival station is Namba, then opt for cheaper but slower Nankai Airport Express for 920 yen. (Reminder: There is a difference between "Rapi:t Limited Express Train" and "Express Train" and the fare are also vary. Now you know why I boarded on the wrong train).
If you want to know more about money-saving transportation tickets within Kansai region, here are the reference:
1) Kansai International Airport JR-West
2) Japan Guide for Kansai International Airport
3) Japan Rail Pass and rail travel in Japan complete guide - JPRail.com
4) Osaka: Arriving & Departing by Tripadvisor
Unlike JR Railway Pass, all of these JR-West Rail Pass, Kansai Area Pass, Kansai Wide Area Pass, Kansai Thru Pass, Kitentsu Rail Pass and etc. can be bought directly within Japan.
In case you like to know the exact train timetable, route and fare from starting point to the end, refer to Hyperdia. I'm frequent user for this whenever I was in Japan.
If you want to know more about money-saving transportation tickets within Kansai region, here are the reference:
1) Kansai International Airport JR-West
2) Japan Guide for Kansai International Airport
3) Japan Rail Pass and rail travel in Japan complete guide - JPRail.com
4) Osaka: Arriving & Departing by Tripadvisor
Unlike JR Railway Pass, all of these JR-West Rail Pass, Kansai Area Pass, Kansai Wide Area Pass, Kansai Thru Pass, Kitentsu Rail Pass and etc. can be bought directly within Japan.
In case you like to know the exact train timetable, route and fare from starting point to the end, refer to Hyperdia. I'm frequent user for this whenever I was in Japan.
#5: Nankai Railway information (Bear in mind this trip was 2013 and the fares are different now)
#6: KIX train station is just nearby the JR ticket office
#7: Haruka Limited Express - It's expensive but took only 30 minutes from KIX to Shin-Osaka
#8: Hotel Consort in Shin-Osaka (Will blog about this in upcoming post)
On the very first night for my repeated Osaka trip, we went for shopping spree in Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade and night strolling in bustle and lively Dontobori in Minami (Namba) area. As I went and blog about these two tourist spots previously, hence I don't think it's necessary for me to repeat from doing the same things but please, do enjoy the photos.
My Old Posts:
#9: Shinsaibashi Shopping Center, the largest shopping area in Osaka which houses more than 180 shops
#10: Drug and beauty stores are the popular one in Shinsaibashi Shopping Center
#11: Glico Running Man, the famous and colourful signboard in Dontobori
#12: My mom took this one - not bad!
#13: Lit by hundreds of neon lights and merchandise signboards
#14: Dontobori canal packed with abundant of restaurants on left and right
#15: Another famous sign of Dontobori - Giant Crawling Crab
How To Get Shinsaibashi and Dontobori
From Shin-Osaka station, we took Osaka City Subway Midosuji Line to Shinsaibashi Station by using the ICOCA card we bought earlier. The fare is 240 yen.
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