In 1970 and the site of Senri Hills in Suita, Osaka had been transformed into Japan’s first world fair, Expo ’70 or known locally as Osaka Banpaku. From March to September of that year almost 65 million people would visit the Expo, making it the largest world fair ever at the time, only surpassed once, 40 years later by Shanghai in 2010.
The theme of Expo ’70 was “Progress and Harmony for Mankind.” This expo saw early mobile phones, moon rocks, LAN technology and the first IMAX film on display. Fifty years on and the area is now home Expo ’70 Commemorative Park or Banpaku Koen. While the pavilions have disappeared, this large park has plenty to offer with beautiful gardens, museums, sports and recreation facilities and one of the famous symbols of the ’70s expo remain, the Tower of Sun.
As Osaka looks to the future, it will host its second world expo in 2025 (although at a different location). The city is pushing ahead with technological advances as they hope to “wow” the world again with the Expo 2025 theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives“.
I was lucky enough to be invited to experience an autonomous bus guide around the Japanese garden inside Expo Park.
5 years in the Future: The Virtually-Guided Autonomous Bus
The new autonomous bus is set to be introduced during Expo 2025. The bus sat 6 people, had large windows and Panasonic’s very cool futuristic transparent OLED TV.
The bus guided us around the park’s Japanese Garden with the journey taking 25 minutes. The virtual guide described the parks features as we travelled along at speeds between 5~10km/h. Not ripping speeds but comfortable enough to enjoy the sites out the window.
For most part it was a smooth experience, however there were some hiccups on the way with the automatic breaking system a little too sensitive. Falling leaves, it’s that time of the year, causing it to suddenly stop a handful of times.
The bus is designed by Navya, a French company with investment by SoftBank Corp. These buses are being trialed and tested at a number of cities round the world including Oslo, Singapore and Las Vegas.
While you can’t enjoy the autonomous bus for yourself just yet you can still enjoy the beauty of the park with gorgeous autumn colors and maple leaves this season (November). Expo Park is also one of the most popular spots for cherry blossoms in the spring. Check out the park’s website for more info.
Access to Expo Park From Kobe
You can get to the park by train in just over on hour from Kobe. There are a couple of routes you can take, with your final destination Bampakukinenkoen Station on the Osaka Monorail.
From JR Sannomiya Station catch the train to Shin-Osaka, transfer to the Midosuji Line and head to Senrichuo. From here, transfer to the Osaka-Monorail line and head to Bampakukinenkoen Station.
By Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya board the train towards Juso. Transfer here for the Hankyu-Kyoto Line Semi-Express train and get off at Minami-Ibaraki. Transfer to the monorail and six minutes later you’ll arrive at Bampakukinenkoen Station.
Driving is also an option with a large car parking facilities inside the park. You can also enjoy shopping at the neighbouring Expo City shopping centre.
With the rapidly changing world we live in I thought it would be useful to list a few online shopping sites I frequently use to get supplies. From baby foods to cereals, shampoos and gadgets. These sites all offer English support and deliver to Japan.
This list is aimed at expats that live in Japan but can be a handy guide for anyone wishing to know a bit about international and Japanese online shopping sites.
Best for organic products, cereals, baby food, vitamins, personal hygiene products.
My wife and I have been a big fan of iHerb for a number of years. Organic products are hard to come by or quite expensive in Japan so we use iHerb to get a bunch of things, mostly shampoos, conditioners and body wash. Plus I love my cereal and muesli in the mornings and Japanese supermarkets have never had the best selection so I turned to iHerb.
A recent purchase of cereal and baby cereal from iHerb
Great for road trips
Organic baby food as well, especially cereal, is almost non-existent in Japan. Ever since our baby was born (late 2018) we’ve found iHerb great for getting baby food such as organic oatmeal and puree pouches.
One slight nuisance with the site is that some products don’t ship to Japan. You won’t know until you go to checkout and an error occurs, you then have to go to your cart and remove the item/s before it will allow you to continue.
iHerb must have some contract with the Japanese delivery companies Sagawa and Yamato as shipping is usually super quick with products arriving within a week. Shipping is usually free for orders over a certain amount (campaigns vary). Be careful not to spend over ¥15,500 as you will be charged customs duty. Learn more about iHerbs shipping policy here.
Best for quick deliveries, kids toys/books, on demand tv/movies
Most people know and use Amazon so not much explaining needed here. Amazon Japan is mostly the same as its international counterparts. It’s offered in English with most primary functionality such a menus, account information etc all having native support. Products are machine translated so some descriptions and many images don’t have the clearest translations or non at all. Prime Membership is ¥4900 a year and includes Prime Music, Prime Video, Prime Reading (mostly Japanese books) and free delivery on a huge range of items.
Rakuten is the big name when it comes to Japanese online shopping sites and can be a great place to shop online. If you live in Japan you’ll have to understand and read Japanese to take full advantage of it.
The Rakuten Global Market Place is their full English website, with machine translations for most products. You can use this store to get items delivered to Japan but it is mainly aimed at delivering Japanese products overseas.
Rakuten’s prices for beer are similar to what you find in supermarkets, just sometimes more convenient to buy in bulk.
There seems to be some product descrepencies between the Japanese and English sites, and the English site seems to be a bit clunky so I’ve always used the Japanese version to buy a range of things from coffee pods to bed frames, cases of beer and air purifiers. Delivery usually takes a couple of days.
Best for gadgets, computer parts, replacement items
If your not in a rush and can wait on the item AliExpress has been my go to site for computer parts and small items that I’ve paid as little as ¥50 for including delivery. I stress though, you don’t want to be in a rush for these items.
For example, I ordered a set of replacement tips for my earphones on August 31st 2019 for a mere ¥92. They arrived on November 1st. That was one of the worst cases but the average delivery time for numerous office products, computer cables, camera equipment, wall stickers, posters and more I’ve purchased has been 4~6 weeks.
Simple, ShopQCL.com sell contact lenses, nothing else. The company has been around for 2o+ years selling to the Japanese market and started their English website in 2019. I don’t use contacts but made their website, so yeah, if you do need some lenses, check them out!
Not an online shopping site but super useful to transfer money overseas. Take advantage of the strong yen with minimal transfer fees. I tried a few options but found TransferWise the easiest to set up and transfer money to/from my Japanese and Australian bank account.
What do you think of our list for the best online shopping sites that deliver to Japan? What websites do you use for online shopping in Japan? Let us know in the comments.
Disclosure: Our goal is to share information, articles and tips about Japan that may be of interest to you. We may get a small commission from any purchases you make through our affiliate links.
Tencha. Sencha. Houjicha. These are just a few of the amazing Japanese teas you can experience when you visit the Yamashiro region of Kyoto.
Kyoto Tea Plantations
Japanese Green Tea
The beautiful rolling hills of tea plantations combined with small towns, unique tea houses, temples, shrines and the world heritage Byodoin make it a destination unlike anywhere else in Japan.
Located between the two ancient capital cities of Kyoto and Nara, it’s a great change of pace from the overcrowded tourism spots of Kyoto city while still giving you the same authentic “Kyoto” experience.
Kyoto Tea Farm Tour, Tasting, and Lunch in Scenic Wazuka
Come and lose yourself in the maze-like terraced tea fields of Wazuka, declared a Scenic Property of Kyoto Prefecture, during this tea farm tour and tasting.
Escaping into the Kyoto countryside, Beyond Hyogo hit the road with Kansai Tourism Bureau and OchyaNoKyoto DMO to discover a region famous for tea and rich in cultural history. Over two days I learnt to appreciate the art of Japanese tea and discovered an area of Kyoto I’d never thought about visiting before.
Hiking the Ancient Tea Road
Soen Koyuan Yantan
The Yantan district of Ujitawara town is considered the birthplace of green tea in Japan and a fitting start for our two day tea adventure in the region. Meeting at Keihan Uji Station we jumped in a taxi and headed to the new tourist information center Soen Koyuan Yantan 宗円交遊庵 やんたん.
After a short tea break and video introduction about the region, we set off along the old town roads, winding our way past old houses and tea factories until we came to Takadaen, an old tea company rich in history. We learnt about the history of the company and the three generations of tea farmers while enjoying a cup of genmaicha.
Continuing up the road we arrived at the Birthplace of Soen Nagatani 永谷宗円生家, who is said to be the founder of green tea in Japan. He made it accessible for commoners to drink good quality green tea in 1738. The old thatched roof house was cosy and had the old tea equipment on display (just ignore the TV and modern lights).
Birthplace of Japanese Tea
Birthplace of Japanese Tea
Chasomyo Shrine – dedicated to tea
Walking up to the tea fields
The shrine next door, Chasomyo Shrine 茶宗明神社, is dedicated to Soen Nagatani and is where tea farmers and companies come to pray for success for their business. This peaceful walk continued up to the tea fields and looped back around for a bento lunch back at Yantan.
Access: This area is best accessed by car. Once you arrive it is possible to walk the streets by yourself but I highly recommended to book a tour/guide that can assist you and provide you with expert knowledge of the region.
Kiehanna Commemorative Park
This large garden was built in 1995 and represents the satoyama landscape of ancient towns that sat on the base of mountains. As the season changes, so to does the park with the layered gardens, water features, rock clusters and forest areas that can all be viewed from the 10m high bridge.
Kiehanna Commemorative Park
Making our own miniature rock garden
Kiehanna Commemorative Park
We were guided around by and explained the details of the parks features and design. We also got to design our own zen rock garden on a miniature board and were taught the basic concepts about sensing and visualising the design and what it means to you.
The park was lovely with wide open spaces but perhaps more suited for residents of Kansai who wish to go on an outing with their family rather then tourists who have a limited time in Japan.
Keihanna Commemorative Park けいはんな記念公園 is open daily from 9am to 5pm and costs 200 yen to enter. Private guides/tours aren’t available to the public, however, any organizations wishing to bring tour groups here can arrange it with OchyaNoKyoto DMO.
Picturesque Tea Fields of Wazaka
Our third stop was roughly 25 minutes drive away. As we pulled up in the taxi the rolling hills of green tea plantations appeared before us. The Ishitera Tea Plantation 石寺の茶畑 are perfectly maintained crops of tea leaves which are very Insta-worthy.
If you do plan to drive to this region privately, be careful where you park and be sure not to enter the farms as they are private property.
Rolling Tea Fields
Enu-to-Enu Guest House: Tea Tasting, Dinner and Sleep
At around 5:30pm we reached our destination for the night, the friendly family run guest house Enu-to-Enu 茶農家民宿えぬとえぬ. Before the sun came down we hiked around their tea plantation and had a chance to ask questions about the growing process and farming of the tea leaves.
Returning to the guest house we had tea tasting time and sampled three tea leaves. The uniqueness of each leaf and the slight variations in the brewing process and time bring out different flavours. I won’t go into details here but it is something that you have to experience and appreciate for yourself.
Enu-to-Enu is a cozy guest house with two guest rooms (tatami) and a dining room, perfect for couples or small groups of up to 6 people.
Not having any idea of what was going to be for dinner what came next what came next blew me away. A 6 course meal worthy of being in any 5 star hotel’s restaurant. Simply amazing. Made using local ingredients and all with a hint of tea.
Get out a ¥10 coin and have a look at it. No, not that side, the other one. Yep, see that building, that there is the World Heritage Byodoin Temple 平等院 and where we began our tour on day two.
The surroundings are similar to other major tourists sites in Kyoto with well kept gardens and stone paths.
To enter the Phoenix Hall and see the 1000 year old Amida Nyorai Seated Statue you have to get a seperate ticket for ¥300 and reserve a time slot. You must take off your shoes as you enter the hall. The guide gives a short history lecture, in Japanese, about the statue and the walls. No photography is allowed. If you don’t understand Japanese you’re not missing much of you skip this.
Byodoin Temple 平等院
Byodoin Temple 平等院
Hoshokan Museum
Hoshokan Museum located to the side of the temple is rich in artefacts and has good English information. Definitely pop in here as you explore the grounds. There is no extra charge for entrance here.
You can walk to Byodoin Temple from both JR Uji and Keihan Uji Stations. Entrance is ¥600 for adults. Open from 8:30am to 5:30pm.
Lunch and Matcha Making at Fukujuen Uji
Uji River Views
Uji River Views
Uji River Views
Uji River runs through the town and striking it lucky with the weather we were able to enjoy a pleasant walk along the riverside. This area will be especially beautiful in the spring when the cherry blossoms are out.
Fukujuen Uji Tea Workshop 福寿園「宇治茶工房」 is located along the river has a small museum, gift shop, matcha making workshop and head up stairs to the restaurant.
Fukujuen Uji Tea Museum
Fukujuen Uji Tea Gift Shop
For ¥1320 you can use a stone mill to grind the tea leaves into matcha powder which you then make into your own matcha tea. While there was some satisfaction about drinking tea you made from scratch the process of turning the mill for 20 minutes wasn’t really worth it, especially on a fine day.
The upstairs restaurant serves Japanese cuisine all infused with tea using local ingredients. Prices range from ¥1000 to over ¥3000 for lunch.
Fukujuen Uji
Learning the Art of Tea at Takumi-no Yakata
Explanation from the master
Uji Gyokuro tea set
Continuing our stroll along the Uji River we arrived at another Tea house which would be our final tea tasting of the two days. Uji Tea House Takumi-no Yakata 宇治茶道場「匠の館」 is a small cafe which is a comfortable space to enjoy siping a cup of the finest gyokuro tea. If it is your first time the staff will explain the best method of brewing the tea. Surprisingly, you can eat the tea leaves at the end. Add a little ponzu and you’re good to go. Although, I wouldn’t recommend doing this with the cheap tea bags you buy at the supermarket.
Certified Uji tea cafe
Feeling the Zen at Koshoji Temple
Our Japanese tea learning experience may have been over for the day but there was one last surprise to round out the two days, a zen session at Koshoji Temple 興聖寺.
Koshoji Temple 興聖寺
Koshoji Temple 興聖寺
Koshoji Temple 興聖寺
Koshoji is a Soto Zen temple located in Uji and famous for the beautiful Autumn leaves that cover the path leading up to the main hall. The temple has a lot to offer all seasons and is quite a large complex. Although we visited on a public holiday it wasn’t crowded at all which made it a peaceful experience.
After being guided around the grounds by the monk we were shown the sitting technique of zazen and had a 20 minute meditation session. Flexibility and patience aren’t my strengths, add to that pins and needles in my leg and I failed miserably at maintaining the pose.
Soto-Zen Koshoji
Access and further information
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Each place we visited over the two days had their own charm and specialized in their own variety of Japanese tea. Overall, it was a terrific experience and somewhere I wish I had of visited much earlier. I will be back here in the coming months with my family.
Byodoin Temple, Fukujuen Uji, Takumi-no Yakata and Koshoji Temple are all within walking distance from Uji Station. Access to Uji Keihan Station from Sannomiya (Kobe) takes about 90 minutes.
Access from Kobe & Osaka: Catch the train from JR Sannomiya to JR Osaka (21min), change to the Osaka Loop Line to Kyobashi (7min). Switch to the Keihan line and catch a Limited Express to Chushojima (30min), final change trains to the Uji Line to Uji Station (15min).
For the places we visited on day one heading by car and/or booking a tour is the best option. Check out the sites below for further information and have a happy tea life.
To find out more about these places or to book a tour visit the OchaNoKyoto website.
OchaNoKyoto Tourism Site
For more great content on Kansai head to the Kansai Guide.
The Tottori Sand Dunes & The Sand Museum are a must for anyone visiting the Chugoku region of Japan. Located in the San’in Kaigan Geopark on the Sea of Japan, this region has beautiful coastal drives, beaches and is home to the largest sand dunes in Japan.
I drove to Tottori with my family in June 2019, what was a spare of the moment decision ended up being one of the highlights of the year. The Sand Museum, dunes and the beautiful coastal roads will now be a yearly trip for us.
The Sand Museum
The Sand Museum opened in 2006 and finished its 12th exhibition on 5 January 2020. The photos in this post are from this exhibition which was titled “Travel Around the World in Sand / South Asia”. The next exhibition will run from 18 April 2020 to 3 January 2021 and is titled “Travel Around the World in Sand / Czech & Slovakia”
I was really impressed with this museum and scale of the sand sculptures. The details that went into creating the 20+ sculptures on display is amazing.
They are housed in a big shed which protects them from the weather, you can walk around the base of the sculptures and get close enough to see the intricate work that’s gone into creating them. Head up to the 2nd floor deck to look out over the whole room and see the sculptures flow into one another.
There are a couple of outside displays also which wind up a small path. At the top you can see the sand dunes spread out in front of you.
The museum is wheelchair and stroller friendly and only costs ¥600 to enter (the price might change when the new exhibition starts in April 2020).
Tottori Sand Dunes
Jumping back in the car and heading down the road another couple of minutes you reach the entrance to the Tottori Sand Dunes. The main carpark to the left costs ¥500 but the parking area behind the shops to the right is free.
This unique geographical feature is quite rare and a site to behold. The lack of tourism information in the past is one of the reasons it took me almost 15 years of living in Japan to visit the region. The photos I saw of the area years ago also didn’t do it justice.
Now the area has become quite developed with boardwalks, shops and facilities all supporting the main site of the dunes. You can enjoy camel rides on the dunes and there is even an amazing paragliding experience you can have over the sand dunes..
Walking out on the dunes is easy and you don’t need any special footwear. There is a ramp off to the side of the main stairs so you can get to the sand in a wheelchair or with a stroller. However, once you have reached the sand unless you have a special equipped wheelchair/stroller you’ll be stuck at the top edge and can’t venture out over the hill.
Driving to Tottori and along the San’in Kaigan Geopark
It is possible to catch a train to Tottori, there are regular bus tours that depart from major cities such as Kobe and Osaka and you can even jump on a plane and fly into Tottori Airport. However, to experience the Japanese countryside and coastal roads, driving is the best option.
From Kobe, the drive takes around 3 hours through central Hyogo to the dunes. You can rent cars quite reasonably in Japan with a small car costing about ¥5000 per day.
We stopped at the town of Sayo on the way, this small village had a rest area where you can get a coffee, a bite to eat and fresh produce. A friendly local farmer approached me and showed me a small tourist information area with the local sights and history of the town (all in Japanese).
Before heading directly to the dunes, we veered off to the right and drove back into Hyogo Prefecture to discover the San’in Geopark coastal road and beaches. These sites are a real hidden gem of Japan. The rocky cliffs, sandy beaches and endless views out into into the ocean reminded me of something I would find back in Australia rather then Japan.
The San’in Kaigan Geopark stretches along the Sea of Japan from Kyotango in Kyoto Prefecture, across the top of Hyogo and into Tottori Prefecture.
Some of the coastal scenes driving along the San’in Coastal Geopark
Tottori Tours Available
If you want to experience Tottori with the easy of a tour and/or guide there are a couple of options available.
Tour 1 – From Osaka
Departing Osaka you can enjoy a bus tour that leaves early in the morning and arrives back at in the evening. The full 12 hour tour includes visiting the dunes, museums, driving along the coastal roads, lunch and a few other seasonal sights to discover.
Soar above the massive sand dunes on a paraglider to witness the grand desert-like panorama spread before your eyes. Challenge yourself to an unforgettable sky adventure.
Disclosure: Our goal is to share information, articles and tips about Japan that may be of interest to you. We may get a small commission from any purchases you make through our affiliate links.
The big question I get asked a lot when friends and family visit me in Japan is this; “Is it worth buying a Japan Rail Pass?” The short answer is, it depends.
A lot of my friends and family have come to visit me in Kobe and stayed only in the Kansai region for a week. They have flown in and out of Kansai Airport (KIX) and visited cities the cities of Kyoto, Osaka, Himeji, Nara and of course Kobe. If you are planning to do something similar then the Japan Rail Pass won’t pay off.
There are many websites that cover this topic and they basically all give you the same answer. You have to break down your trip and calculate the costs of train fares between places to see if the Japan Rail Pass is really worth it. Sites like HyperDia and Japan Transit Planner can assist you.
Think about these questions.
Where am I flying in and out from?
How long am I staying in Japan?
What cities am I planning on visiting?
Are the places I want to visit covered by the JR Pass?
Japan Rail Pass Costs
Standard
Green Car
7 days
¥29,650
¥39,600
14 days
¥47,250
¥64,120
21 days
¥60,450
¥83,390
The Green Car is a first class car with more leg room and wider seats. The standard Shinkansen seats are quite spacious enough for most travelers.
Let’s break down a couple of basic Japan travel itineraries and see if the Japan Rail Pass will pay off.
Japan Itinerary – Plan 1
7 day trip. Fly in and out of Tokyo (Narita Airport). Visit Kyoto, Osaka and around Tokyo.
JR Train Journey
Train Fares
Narita Airport – Tokyo on Narita Express (N’EX) return
¥4,070
Tokyo – Kyoto
¥13,650
Kyoto – Osaka
¥570
Osaka – Tokyo
¥14,520
Around Tokyo (approx.)
¥2,000
Total Costs:
¥34,810
With this basic plan above you can see the JR train pass is about ¥5000 cheaper than buying tickets individually. It is also a lot less hassle of trying to figure out individual tickets so it will be worth it for sure.
If you decide to make any other trips such as heading down to the famous Himeji Castle from Osaka (¥1520, one way) or farther down to Hiroshima (¥10,430, one way) the JR Pass will have you covered.
Japan Itinerary – Plan 2
10 day trip. Fly into Kansai Airport, use Osaka as a base, travel around Kansai and head up Tokyo. Fly out of Tokyo.
JR Train Journey
Train Fares
Kansai Airport – Osaka
¥1,190
Osaka – Kyoto return
¥1.140
Osaka – Kobe
¥410
Kobe – Himeji
¥990
Himeji – Osaka
¥1,520
Osaka – Nara (return)
¥1,620
Osaka – Tokyo
¥14,520
Travel in Tokyo (approx.)
¥4,000
Total Costs:
¥25,390
If this is your plan and you have forked out ¥47,250 for the 14 day pass you will be quite a bit out of pocket. In this instance it isn’t worth the value. However, like I mentioned above, if there are just a couple of extra tweaks to your itinerary the costs can build up quickly. Jumping on a Shinkansen from Tokyo to the beautiful town of Kanazawa (and experience the Omicho Market) will cost about ¥28,000 return. Here, the 14 day rail pass suddenly becomes worth it with just one extra side trip.
I have just scratched the surface here and given you a general idea of the costs associated with catching a train in Japan. There are a heap of websites with more detailed information on the Japan Rail Pass such as japan-guide.com or jrailpass.com. Check them out and if you have any questions please leave a comment below.
Upgrades to the Japan Rail Pass in Spring 2020
JR will launch a new website around April 2020 which will make it easy for users of Japan rail pass to reserve seats for the Shinkansen (bullet trains). The new Japan Rail Pass will also allow you to pass through the automatic ticket gates at stations (you currently have to show your pass at a manned gate and they wave you through).
We will update this post with more information as it becomes available.
Disclosure: Our goal is to share information, articles and tips about Japan that may be of interest to you. We may get a small commission from any purchases you make through our affiliate links.
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is one of the major attractions to visit in Japan. There are only 4 Universal Studios theme parks (2 in the States, 1 in Singapore and 1 in Osaka) around the world, so if you are in Japan it’s a great opportunity to visit this top sightseeing destination.
Each area has plenty of attractions, restaurants and shops to explore. There are many street parades and seasonal themes throughout the year including the popular zombie walks in October for Halloween.
Buying tickets to Universal Studios Japan
Basically there are 3 ways to get tickets; take a chance and get a ticket on the day at the gate, purchase one at only a handful of travel agencies (like JTB) in your country or the easiest way is to buy online.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™
The Flying Dinosaur
Buying USJ tickets online is straightforward thanks to the official partners Voyagin. They make it easy to get your studio e-ticket and express passes for your desired date so you can avoid long queues on the day.
Ticket prices start at ¥7800 for adults, 1 day entrance off peak. Children ages 4-11 are ¥5400.
An Express Pass plus your Studio Pass will cost around ¥20,000 or more depending on what options you choose. The express pass packages change as the attractions change. You can see a full list of available passes here.
Universal Express Pass 7 – Grants you express entrance to 7 attractions. Costs ¥13,500
Universal Express Pass 4 – Grants you access to 4 attractions. Costs ¥12,250
USJ Access: Getting to Universal Studios Japan
If you have made your way to JR Osaka station without any hiccups you can head to the Osaka Loop Line 大阪環状線, tracks 1.2.
Board the train at platform 1 and head the Nishikujo 西九条, three stops from Osaka. Many trains from Osaka go direct to Universal-city ユニバーサルシティ while some trains you might have to transfer. If you aren’t sure, check when you arrive into Nishikujo you are on platform 3. You should also be able to tell by the other passengers on the train, it’s pretty easy to spot the excitement of USJ bound revelers.
Once you arrive at Universal-city station you can follow the signs along the Universal City Walk to the entrance of USJ. Universal City Walk has many restaurants and cafes, mostly American style junk food you can stop at before or after enjoying the theme park.
USJ way back in 2009, a lot has changed since this photo.
One thing to note when you visit USJ is that the shows will be in Japanese. However, there are lots of English guides around the park to assist you and the official USJ website is amazing with lots of detailed English information on all the attractions, restaurants and shops.
Watch: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ Coming to USJ Summer 2020
Disclosure: Our goal is to share information, articles and tips about Japan that may be of interest to you. We may get a small commission from any purchases you make through our affiliate links.
Serving over 24 million visitors per year (2018), Kansai International Airport (KIX) is where your journey to discover west Japan begins. The airport is located on the artificial island in Osaka Bay and links to the major cities of Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara and many other must-see destinations in Kansai.
KIX can be accessed by road, rail and sea. By rail, the Nankai and JR lines both have special services which run into Osaka. The Nankai line is best if you are heading into the Namba area of Osaka while the JR line is better for Osaka and Shin-Osaka Stations.
I’ve always found the airport limousine bus service to be the easiest when traveling to/from Kobe. Just outside the airport arrival hall is 12 bus stops which take you to 7 prefectures in Kansai (Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Okayama, Tokushima, Kagawa). If you are arriving and departing from the same destination within a month definitely get a return ticket as this can save you about ¥1000.
The Kobe Bay Shuttle is a high speed boat which operates hourly between KIX and Kobe Airport. At only ¥500 for foreign tourists, the 30 minute trip is an exciting alternative to start your adventure in Japan.
The best site to get all the details on travel to/from Kansai Airport is KIX ACCESSMOOTHIE.
Why I have a Love-hate Relationship with KIX
Living in Kobe since 2004 I’ve flown in and out of KIX somewhere around 30 times, both for international flights from terminal 1 and domestic flights from terminal 2. This isn’t unique to KIX but any place where you are seeing family and friends come and go you tend to get mixed emotions and part of the reason I have a love-hate relationship with the place. I guess this is one aspect of living abroad.
Driving out to KIX
Anyway, let’s get into the physical parts of the airport which I dislike. The main reason I don’t like KIX is the lack of dining options and cafe spaces, especially after you go through the international security check point. There are no pubs or proper dining spaces, just a few counter and stool cafes. The duty free and shopping options are also subpar.
KIX international area, to me, has always just felt empty and lacking the facilities of what most other airports have. There are areas at the airport where it has just been completely empty, and this can be a good thing if you like space but for me, the lack of nothingness takes the excitement of your adventure away.
Now onto the main thing I love about the airport, and that’s speed at arrival. The speed at which you can pass through immigration, collect your bags, get though customs and be in the arrival hall has always been above average.
The record for me, from plane to bus was 18 minutes. This was after landing from an international flight from Cairns. The doors opened on the plane, I cleared immigration, went to baggage claim, collected my suitcase, cleared customs and was on the bus back to Kobe all in under 20 minutes. Admittedly, this was about 10 years ago when the number of visitors was approx. 10 million less, as a resident of Japan there is a special line we can enter at immigration, I already had a return bus ticket and the bus arrived perfectly as I exited the terminal.
Even recently, arriving back from my Christmas/New Year holiday (Jan 2020) the airport was busy but the suitcases came much quicker than my previous destination of Singapore and Melbourne.
Baggage delivery, WiFi and Useful Services at KIX
Here are a couple of handy features at KIX that will make your stay in Kansai convenient.
Baggage Delivery Service
Enjoy sightseeing luggage free with the convenience of having your luggage delivered to your hotel in Osaka or Kyoto or to Kansai International Airport with a same-day delivery service.
Pick up a WiFi hot spot router you can carry around with you for your travels in Japan. Located in the arrival hall at KIX, Sakura Mobile is the best way to stay connected. Share it with 15 devices
There are multiple currency exchange places throughout KIX including a handful in the arrival hall. Many places in Japan, including, restaurants, taxis and ticket machines still only accept cash so it’s better to carry Yen with you when traveling. Here is a list of Currency Exchange counters at KIX.
Future Developments at KIX
In December 2019 KIX announced a major upgrade to the Terminal 1 building. I’m looking forward to these changes as they address my major dislike.
New concept design for Kansai International Airport. Copyright Kansai Airports.
Kansai Airports’ press release admitted the design of the terminal 1 was to handle 12 million international and 13 million domestic passengers per year. However, in 2018 they served 20 million international and only 4 million domestic. The revamp will address this by increasing the international area.
The redesign will happen over the next 5 years and will hopefully be completed by 2025 in time for the Osaka Expo. Smart lanes, more shopping and dining options and an overall better experience for travelers.
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