I'm traveling to Shiga this coming April. Landing at KIX, Osaka. I wish to travel the backpack way, and am hoping to cover 6 days in Shiga with a budget of RM1.5K. May I know if this is possible? Not going to go shopping or eat expensive meals, just want to experience Japan without the luxuries.

Forgot to mention that my accommodation in Shiga has been covered for as I'll be staying over at a friend's place. RM1.5K will only include food and transportation while I'm there. Also, checking on Hyperdia.com tells me that the fare from KIX to Minami-kusatsu Station (nearby my friend's place) is about 2200 yen, which if converted will be around RM80 one way.

This post has been edited by ISFJ: Feb 7 2014, 10:46 PM

Thank you for the information. I got the following route on Google from KIX to the Minami-kusatsu Station:
KIX - Hineno: Kansai Airport Line (440 yen)
Hineno - Tennoji: Hanwa Line (540 yen)
Tennoji - Osaka: Osaka Loop Line (190 yen)
Osaka - Minami-kusatsu: Any line (1,100 yen)

This route does not go through Kyoto and seems cheaper. May I know if this route is feasible?

May I know if the cards are only for the KIX - Kyoto journey? Can they be used for other locations?

I am just starting to plan my detailed itinerary at the moment, and now my rough plan is as follows:

Day 1:
LCCT - KIX
KIX - Osaka
Osaka - Shiga (Minami-kusatsu Station)

Day 2 - 5:
Shiga

Day 6:
Shiga (Minami-kusatsu Station) - KIX
KIX - LCCT

Can the Icoca card be used for all the locations as stated above?

Thank you for the feedback. Will weigh to see if I can afford to lose the time to fit my budget, or if it is better to spend more and see more.

Take time: 57 Minutes Transfer: 1 Times Distance: 51.4 km
Total:¥ 1,560(Fare:¥ 1,060 Seat Fee:¥ 500) Commuting ticket(1mon:¥ 5,040 3mon:¥ 14,360 6mon:¥ 24,190)

Found this while searching for a route on Hyperdia. May I know what does "Commuting ticket" mean? For the statement above does that mean that the total amount that I need to pay for the journey is 1,560 yen, or are there any hidden charges?

I would like to ask about the expenses of traveling from Shiga to Kyoto by train for a one-day trip. The Hyperdia website is totally unresponsive

Just got back from my 6 days in Japan (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe)! Maintained my budget at RM1.5k, even came back with souvenirs

I bought some Kit Kats from Nishiki Market in Kyoto for about 300 yen each, quite a good deal I must say. I also bought some I Love Kyoto shirts at 1000 yen each at the market. Uniqlo in Japan has really good deals as well, about 990 yen for a cute Line t-shirt. Also bought Kobe cheese cakes at about 800 yen per box. Japan is home to really cute stuff!

I bought my return tickets from Air Asia 2 months in advance at RM821 including airport tax and luggage. As my colleague is working in Japan, I managed to get free stay for my 6 days there. Hence the cheap trip.

I spent most of my money on transportation there. Stayed in Oiwake Guchi, so I had to take the bus each time I wanted to go to the Kusatsu train station with each bus journey to be 230 yen. As I traveled mainly to Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto, I used the Icoca card which I loaded with 10,000 yen (and got a refund of 400 yen on my last day). As for food, I normally ate street food in markets with occasional restaurant trips for okonomiyaki. All in all I spent about RM1.2k with the remaining money spent on souvenirs. Of course this only comes with free accommodation that I had while I was there.

I got my refund from the JR office in Kansai Airport.

Really? Oh man! I didn't manage to put Tokyo into my list though, shinkansen is going to cost a bomb for me.

There's a Pokemon Centre on the 13th floor of Daimaru at the Osaka Station if you're interested. Cuteness overload!

Hmmm not sure about other shopping places but since you'll be in Osaka do visit Dotonbori and Shinsekai!

I used the icoca card during my entire trip in Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe.