Hi all friendly users!
I desperately need help as i will be going to Japan on the 28th April - 8th May! I will be going with my girlfriend and this is our first time travelling alone and around Japan! We did not plan much beforehand and therefore booked our accommodation which was really out of the way for JR passes/stations. We also did not know that our trip will be in between the golden week for Japan! But we've already put that aside and already mentally prepared ourselves for the crowds.
What really bothers me is that the transportation in Japan is really confusing! Me and my girlfriend is still wondering if we should purchase the JR Pass or not. We've basically planned out the places that we want to visit and used Google Map to plan our transportation route (not sure if it is even accurate?)
We will be touching down on Kansai Intl Airport on the 28th April in the noon and will spend 4 days 3 nights in Osaka. We are planning to buy the Osaka Amazing Pass just for 29th April. And 28 and 30 April in Osaka we will just pay the normal transportation fee since 28th we will be travelling nearby our accommodation and 30th we will only be travelling to USJ and spend our entire day there. Below is our draft itinerary and cost breakdown (from Google Maps):
TT; Travelling Time
Time Location Method of Travelling Cost TT
28/4 (Thu)
4:20PM Kansai Airport Scoot (PLANE) PAID
5:30PM Home @ Osaka "Kansai-Airport Stn > Nankai-Namba Station
(Nankai/Nankai-Kuko Line)> Namba Stn >
Nishinakajimaminamigata Stn (Midosuji Line) > Walk JPY 1,160.00 70min
6:30PM Owl Café
"Nishinakajimanminamigata Stn > Umeda Station (Midosuji Line)
Walk to Higashi-Umeda Stn > Minami-Morimachi Stn (Tanimachi Line)
Walk 5 mins JPY 240.00 30min
Dotonbori
(Optional)
10:00PM Home @ Osaka Namba Stn (Midosuji Line) JPY 240.00
End of Day 1
29/4 (Fri) 7:30AM Breakfast
9:00AM "Universal Studios Japan
Opens at 9AM to 7PM" "Nishinakajimaminamigata Stn > Umeda Stn (Midosuji Line)
Walk to Osaka Stn > Nishikujo Stn (Osaka Loop Line)
Nishikujo Stn > Universal City Stn (Sakurajima Line)
Walk to USJ" JPY 360.00 35mins
7:00PM Shinsaibashi Shopping Street & Amemura (If done on first day, OTOT)
10:00PM Home @ Osaka
End of Day 2
30/4 (Sat) 9:00AM Osaka Castle Area Yodoyabashi Stn (Midosuji Line) > Temmabashi Stn (Keihan Line) JPY 390.00 40mins
11:00AM Tennoji / Shinsekai Area (Osaka Zoo, Tsutenkaku Tower, Lunch) "Tanimachiyochome Stn > Tennoji Stn (Tanimachi Line)
Walk to Zoo, then to Tsutenkaku" JPY 240.00 25mins
3:00PM Nagai / Tsurumi-Ryokuchi Suminoe Area (Garden) "Walk to Ebisucho Stn > Nagahoribashi Stn (Sakaisuji Line)
Nagahoribashi Stn > Tsurumiryokuchi Stn (Nagahoritsurumiryokuchi Line)
Walk to Sakuya Konohana Kan" JPY 280.00 40mins
5:00PM Bay Area (Cruise, Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Dinner) "Tsurumiryokuchi Stn > Morinomiya Stn (Nagahoritsurumiryokuchi Line)
Morinomiya Stn > Osakako Stn (Chuo Line)" JPY 320.00 45mins
9:30PM "Kita Area (Umeda Sky Building)
Closes at 10PM
Umeda Joypolis, 10:45PM" "Osakako Stn > Bentencho Stn (Chuo Line)
Walk to Umeda Sky Building
Bentencho Stn > Osaka Stn (Osaka Loop Line)" JPY 400.00 35mins
11:59PM Home @ Osaka From Umeda Stn (Midosuji Line) JPY 180.00 15mins
End of Day 3 and OSAKA