Japan-Hop: KIX Arrival

OSAKA, Japan, 2nd of November 2010 - After a somewhat teeth-gritting afternoon (from the long queue at check-in,  to leaving my favorite hand-carried umbrella behind, to work-related stuff), I finally left on time for my flight from Manila, Philippines to Osaka, Japan. I would be landing at KIX.

Note: Kansai International Airport (KIX)  is situated approximately 50 km from the center of Osaka City.


After going through immigration and getting my luggage, there were a few things I had to attend to according to my mental checklist.

Rent a cellphone vs. Buy a phone card

Unless your situation demands that you be reached 24/7 (having your own cellphone with you at all times is a must), I recommend you go for a phone card. 

It is -

1) way cheaper than renting a cellphone;  

2) public phones which accept coins or phone cards are plentiful in Japan, even in towns up in the mountains, as long as you are not in a cave under the earth.

I asked a few cellphone rental companies at the KIX airport and compared prices. And boy was I glad I didn't buy another cellphone compatible with Japan's system. It would have been quite expensive all around if I sum up all that I would have shelled out.

You have the option of renting - 

a mobile unit which has a Japanese number or;

just the SIM card (with Japan number) which you plug into your CDMA cellphone or;

just a phone unit where you can use your own SIM card which has international roaming. 

Lastly, operating the public pay phones is not that difficult.  You have instructions both in the phone cards and on signs on the machines themselves. 

It is good to buy the phone card at the airport itself since its already there and does not cost more than the usual phone card. Tthere is even a card dispenser upon walking from the plane to the train which takes you to the arrival area. You can ask for help from the Information Counter if you aren't sure about the prefix to use with the number you must call.

A useful public pay phone

Contact Amanto Village (the place I would be staying at)

Amanto Village is ideal if you are a backpacker, you don't have much luggage or you are on a budget. 

You can walk to/from JR's Osaka Station in about 20 minutes.It is also near other local train lines in Osaka and is priced at JPY 2000 per night (as of this writing). It is a bargain for its location and your proximity to knowledgeable folks you can ask about the artsy scene in Osaka. For example,  I got help for my Bunraku and other trips from the helfpul people here.

As of the moment though, its a bit difficult to go there unless you've already visited the place. Hence you need someone to meet you at a drop-off point in Osaka City - preferably near Shin Hankyu Hotel.  From there, your contact can take you to the guest house.  Currently, their website does not have a very detailed map you can use if you want to do this part yourself. 

Some photos of the place and people I met there can be seen if you click on this link.

Get the JR Pass activated and have as many JR train reservations confirmed for the town hopping

Unless it is quite late and the JR Ticket office is closed, the first thing you do if you are on a tight schedule is to get this done as soon as possible. ASAP, you hear? 

Proceed to the JR Ticket Office gate (it is up the escalators and near the train terminal). They usually close their KIX JR office around 9 or 9:30 pm so get your voucher changed, then have your train and seat reservations (if applicable) ironed out. 

It took almost an hour to get everything finalized for my whole trip since I would be making more than a dozen train hops in this particular adventurous journey. 

Do check out the schedules on their website for the opening and closing hours of their offices which do JR Pass exchanges.

Lining up for the JR Pass Exchange

Hop on the limousine bus from Kansai International Airport (KIX) to Osaka City

Since the JR Pass is in increments of 7 days validity, I chose not to use it for my first night but to try instead the limousine bus which would take about an hour's drive from KIX to Osaka City. I would be in Japan for about 15 days, while my pass was for 14 days, hence this decision.

Once you leave the International arrivals floor of KIX's Passenger Terminal Building (1st floor) and go out the doors, the bus stops are located on the same level. 

The ticket vending machines (vending machines are so ubiquitous in Japan!) are located very near the bus stops and its easy to get your ticket as you just choose a destination and pop the necessary bill for payment. There is also a ticket counter where you can use if you want to pay using your credit card. This is manned but I think they close at a certain time.

Considering the distance, unless you are rolling in money you want to burn, don't take a taxi if you are going to Central Osaka. The taxi fare will probably be around JPY 18000 for that 1 hour ride. If your JR Pass allows it, of course I recommend to use the pass and try to hop off on the train terminal nearest your lodgings.

** Note: 

The author may not keep this post updated for prices or changes in the situation. What is described here are the circumstances at the time of the trip. 

- Dec 28, '10 10:49 PM 

for Everyone