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Osaka in less than 2 weeks, need help pls

cynthia
cynthia
about 10 years ago
10 responses

Hi, Daniel!

Glad I found this forum; you have been a great help to others :)

Hope you can help my family and I on deciding if "Kansai Pass" or "ICOCA & Haruka Pass" would be suitable for our itinerary below.

Day 1 (Tue): Arrive Kansai @ 1530hrs
Day 2 (Wed): Sightseeing in Osaka
Day 3 (Thu): Day tour to Kyoto and Nara (we may travel our own by train or we may follow available tour)
Day 4 (Fri): Universal Studio
Day 5 (Sat): Day tour to Wakayama (we may travel our own by train or we may follow available tour)
Day 6 (Sun): Depart Kansai @ 1600hrs

Meanwhile, we would love to make it to Tokyo. Do you think it is wise for us to depart Osaka on Day 4 mid-morning (for sightseeing in Tokyo), Day 5 (Disneyland) and return Day 6 morning to catch our flight at Kansai Int Airport?

Thanking you in advance.

Regards.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Hi there!

Yes that is certainly possible, it takes about 140-160 minutes to travel from Osaka - Kyoto with the Shinkansen. If you do want to make it to Tokyo and back to Kansai I would recommand a 7 day JR Pass, as it is the roughly the same price as a normal return ticket Tokyo - Osaka but now you can use the pass for all of your other travel as well.

If you stay in Kansai, then you may want to buy either normal tickets, use ICOCA or use a Kansai Area Pass. Note that you need to do a good amount of travel for the Kansai Area Pass to pay off but I think it may be worth it if you go to Wakayama.

I hope this helps!
Dnaiel

cynthia
cynthia
10 posts
about 10 years ago

Thanks so much for your prompt reply, Daniel.

After viewing numerous websites, I realised there are too many places to visit in Osaka and nearby Osaka.

May I seek your expertise as to which popular places that we should not miss in Osaka and nearby Osaka during our 6 days trip.

Appreciate your advise.

Regards.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Again,

That's a pretty hard call to make - I guess it comes down to personal favorites.
What I would certainly visit is Namba and walk the shopping streets of Shinsaibashi, it is a great experience.
Other things I would recommend are visiting the Shinsekai area and maybe a visit to Osaka castle.

Also if you are into Anime and Manga be sure to visit Den Denk town.

Hope this gives you some ideas, the best thing is to read a little about everything possible and decide on your own preferences.
-Daniel

cynthia
cynthia
10 posts
about 10 years ago

Hello, Daniel.

It is almost too difficult to choose among the many places to visit. But I will follow your recommendations as to not miss the popular spots in Osaka.

And thanks for mentioning Anime and Manga, my kids love them. We will find definitely get there.

Thanks again for your wonderful help. I hope my family and I will have a great trip to Osaka.

Will be in touch again when I plan to Tokyo for my next holiday.

Cheers and regards.

cynthia
cynthia
10 posts
about 10 years ago

Dear Daniel,

My itinerary has changed. With the combination of places to visit in Tokyo and Osaka and considering travelling to/fro the airports, can you please advise the most suitable travel pass for us?

Day 1 (Tue): Kansai - Narita by flight / touch down Narita @ 2030hrs (nearest station to accommodation: Nippori St.) Day 2 (Wed): Sightseeing - Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shibuya and/or Akihabara areas Day 3 (Thu): Disneyland Day 4 (Fri): Narita - Kansai by flight / touch down Kansai @ 1330hrs, Sightseeing in Osaka Castle Park, Den Den Town, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi and/or Umeda areas (nearest station to accommodation: Dobutsuenmae St.) Day 5 (Sat): Day tour to Kyoto (we may travel on our own or we may follow available tour) Day 6 (Sun): Sightseeing - Tempoyan Market Place, Depart Kansai @ 1600hrs

May I ask if there are shops/markets that open till late night nearby Nippori St. and Dobutsuenmae St.?

Thanks again.

Regards.

cynthia
cynthia
10 posts
about 10 years ago

Dear Daniel,

My itinerary has changed. With the combination of places to visit in Tokyo and Osaka and considering travelling to/fro the airports, can you please advise the most suitable travel pass for us?

Day 1 (Tue): Kansai - Narita by flight / touch down Narita @ 2030hrs (nearest station to accommodation: Nippori St.) Day 2 (Wed): Sightseeing - Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shibuya and/or Akihabara areas Day 3 (Thu): Disneyland Day 4 (Fri): Narita - Kansai by flight / touch down Kansai @ 1330hrs, Sightseeing in Osaka Castle Park, Den Den Town, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi and/or Umeda areas (nearest station to accommodation: Dobutsuenmae St.) Day 5 (Sat): Day tour to Kyoto (we may travel on our own or we may follow available tour) Day 6 (Sun): Sightseeing - Tempoyan Market Place, Depart Kansai @ 1600hrs

May I ask if there are shops/markets that open till late night nearby Nippori St. and Dobutsuenmae St.?

Thanks again.

Regards.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Again :)

My previous advice has not changed much, by flying between regions you take away the need for a JR Pass. I would recommend buying an IC card such as ICOCA or Suica to make your travel more convenient. Think about the previously mentioned Haruka + ICOCA package or the Narita Express + Suica deal available at Narita Airport.

As for shopping near Nippori, I know that shops remain open until quite late around Ueno (not far from Nippori), of course some shops remain open 24H but these are mainly convenient stores.

A quick visit to Ameyoko may also be interesting if you stay near Nippori.

I hope this helps!
Daniel

cynthia
cynthia
10 posts
about 10 years ago

Thanks a bunch, Daniel!!!!!

One other question is can I buy N'EX + Suica at Kansai Airport Terminal 2? I have about 01hr waiting time for my flight to Tokyo.

JR ticket sales counter in Narita Airport Terminal 2 close at 19:00hrs and my arrival to Narita is 20:30hrs.

Thanks again.

Regards.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Hi again :)

Unfortunately the N'EX and Suica can only be purchased at Narita Airport terminal 1 or 2. The Ticket office may close around 20:30 but the sales country remains open until 21:45 so you should be fine purchasing it at arrival.

Take care!
Daniel

cynthia
cynthia
10 posts
about 10 years ago

Thanks again, Daniel.

Cheers and regards,
Cynthia

cynthia
cynthia
10 posts
about 10 years ago

Hi, Daniel!

Leaving in two days time and suddenly I am confused. If I get Suica in Tokyo, can I use it in Osaka (for travel on Osaka City Subways and Osaka Loop Line)?

Thanks and regards :)

cynthia
cynthia
10 posts
about 10 years ago

Daniel, hello again!

If Suica cannot be used in Osaka, I need to buy ICOCA.

The nearest stop to the place where I will be staying is Shinimamiya St so taking Nankai Limited Express Rapid is convenient. Am I able to buy only ICOCA only without Haruka?

Thanks.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Cynthia,

The IC cards are interchangeable nation wide, so you can use Suica in ICOCA territory and visa-verse.

For reference, you can buy a normal ICOCA card at any JR Station within Kansai.

Taka care :)
Daniel

cynthia
cynthia
10 posts
about 10 years ago

Arigato, Daniel!!!!


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