Japan 2013: En Route To Osaka

Japan

I have always been mesmerized by this country ever since hubs and I went here for our honeymoon three years ago. There is something about the culture, the people, the food and the place that I love and if only I have plenty of resources, I will definitely keep on coming back. So when Cebu Pacific opened up a sale in October last year, I immediately booked tickets for the whole family even without the assurance that we'll be granted a VISA. It took me four hours (from 12mn!) before I was finally able to finish the transaction. I cannot remember how many times have I clicked the finished/confirmed button only to get a notification afterwards that someone already got our slots. So from first week of May, we ended up leaving on May 23. But it is still worth it, where can you get airtickets to Osaka for six adults and one child for only Php46,000??? :)

This is the first trip where our little girl had her own seat already. Getting front row seats with bigger leg rooms may require you to shell out additional moolah but believe me, it's worth the penny when you have a toddler :)

Touch Down

We landed at Kansai International Airport at half past seven in evening (PH is one-hour behind Japan). Kansai International Airport is the second most important airport in Japan. It is located on a man-made island in the middle of Osaka Bay at Osaka Perfecture.

Passing through the immigration and all the security checks of the airport was an easy breezy as everything is in order. Airport personnel, old and young, are ready to assist you despite the language barrier. And take note, they are not grouchy yet considering that it was a little bit late already when we arrived.

To The Hotel

Last time we went here, we stayed in Kyoto (Hotel Keihan Kyoto). Hotels in Kyoto are more expensive because most of the historical and national heritage sites are there. Since we needed three rooms for three nights, we decided to stay this time in Osaka where room rates are relatively cheaper.

Our hotel is located in Namba, known as an entertainment district. The best way to go to Namba from Kansai Airport is via Nankai Electric Railway's Rapi:t β  (not a typo error, it's really called that way). Japan's railway system is very complicated when you look at it on the map, yet very convenient to use. This Nankai line is by far the best train ride that I had in my entire life (will be making a separate post about it).

Namba Station

Family Pic! Just arrived at Nankai Namba Station. Photo taken by the train attendant.

After gathering our luggage, we went out of the station and walked to our hotel which is less than five-minute walk away only! The weather was so nice that night (around 23 degrees celcius) and we had a good walk from the station to the hotel.


Additional important note:

Taxi service in Japan is very expensive (flag down is JPY660, around US$7). But you get what you pay for, classic car with a door that automatically opens and closes for you! The magic of technology :)