Yesterday I have made one of the fastest decisions in my life: booked a flight to Osaka (KIX) after I saw the cheap airfare without knowing anything about travelling to Japan and the Kansai region!

This is my very early draft itinerary (only me and hubby). I just want to make sure that the route that I take is ok and could save time & especially travelling cost by rail.

We want to make this trip a relaxed one and we don’t mind walking long distance since the weather is cool in November. We prefer to walk outdoors, admire the beautiful autumn foliage and we are not keen on indoors i.e. museum, exhibition, etc.

Travel date: 8 November 2018 to 19 November 2018

Day 1 (8 Nov): evening flight to Osaka (KIX)

Day 2 (9 Nov): reach KIX about 7am > take train to Kyoto > check in hostel > explore the city (to plan for places to go later) > overnight in Kyoto

Day 3 (10 Nov): Kyoto sightseeing (to plan for places to go later) > overnight in Kyoto

Day 4 (11 Nov): Kyoto sightseeing (to plan for places to go later) > overnight in Kyoto

Day 5 (12 Nov): check out hostel > take train to Osaka > check in hostel in Osaka > lunch > explore the city > overnight in Osaka

Day 6 (13 Nov): Universal Studios (it’s on Tuesday, we hope the crowd will be lesser)

Day 7 (14 Nov): Wake up a bit later due to full day at USJ > Osaka sightseeing & shopping

Day 8 (15 Nov): Day trip to Nara

Day 9 (16 Nov): Day trip to Kobe or Wakayama? Which one is better?

Day 10 (17 Nov): Osaka sightseeing & shopping

Day 11 (18 Nov): Osaka sightseeing & shopping

Day 12 (19 Nov): check out hostel early in morning for 1030am flight back home > take train to KIX

From the dates above, would I be able to catch the beautiful autumn foliage at Kyoto, Nara and Osaka? Is the rough itinerary above ok and makes sense?

so you are saying that I can stay either at Kyoto or Osaka (use it as permanent base) and then travel to nara, kobe day trips from kyoto or osaka?

aiyo, I'm confused now..

I'm ok to stay at 2 places..i very lazy carry heavy luggage around too. the more i read about kyoto, the more i like it compared to osaka cos during autumn the scenery is very nice.

Thanks..i'll put himeji castle in my planning too.

Thanks! that's my initial planning for now.

I'll most probably be staying near Kyoto Station (haven't booked a hostel yet) and I plan to explore the east side for a day (Higashiyama, Kiyomizudera, Yasaka shrine, Ginkaku-ji) wearing kimono.

The shop that I plan to rent the kimono is Wargo and it is in front of Kiyomizuzaka Bus Station (near Chawanzaka) and about 5 min walk from Kiyomizudera. It opens at 9am and I must return the kimono latest by 5.30pm.

Assuming I start walking about 10.30am, would I be able to complete the areas and return the kimono to the store before 5.30pm?

What is the recommended route sequence that I should walk from beginning until back to the store?

I know it could be challenging walking on slopes, stairs wearing kimono and the geta (slippers) but since I am used to wearing slippers and flip flops so hopefully it's not very difficult for me lah..

Please advise, thank you!

This post has been edited by sugarbaby: Mar 27 2018, 02:23 PM

So far everything is ok at osaka? Anything affected that we need to know? I'm going there in November. Thanks.

Cool! Stay safe!

Is shopping at premium outlet still worth it since our ringgit not strong anymore?

I plan to go kobe sanda premium outlet to check out longchamp, Coach, prada, miu miu stuff.

Guys and gals, , I'm very confused and hope to get your advise please.

Summary of my 10 days trip is like this:

Arrival at Kansai Airport - Rinku Premium Outlet - Osaka (5 days) - Kyoto (5 days) - Kansai Airport.

My concern is going back to kansai airport from kyoto.
My flight's departure time is 10.30am and i gotta take either the train or bus from kyoto station before 6.30am.

I have searched Google map and West JR website and got the recommended results (pls refer pic).

1. By airport limousine bus = normal fare is 2550 yen.
2. By train + Haruka = normal fare is 2850 yen (pls refer pic).

I have a Suica card and i was told i cannot buy the 1 way Haruka discount ticket from Kyoto station to airport at 1600 yen because i need to have ICOCA card.

What if i buy the 1 way ICOCA + HARUKA set at 3600 yen (preloaded 1500 yen in ICOCA + 500 yen deposit); this means my non reserved haruka ticket is 1600 yen as compared with normal train fare 2850 yen. Can i do it this way?

Sorry i got quite confused here and i am trying to see if i can save money on travelling back to kansai airport.


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Thanks!