Only RM800 (USD200) to spend around Kansai? Here's a complete beginner's guide:

"Why is Japan so expensive? Jin, how do you travel to Japan with a budget?"

I have recently receive a lot of questions like this from my friends, so I would love to share about this today!

Here, I will introduce you a 5 Day 4 Nights budget trip to the Kansai Region!
The itinerary includes regions of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe, and is very suitable for first-time visitors even without a guide!
As I am a Malaysian, I will be writing from a Malaysian's perspective, and list out direct flights departing from Malaysia (KUL Airport).

I will also try my best to explain in a simple manner that you will be capable to travel on your own with some confidence! Hope it helps!


So, what are the direct flights available from Kuala Lumpur?
Assuming that you are flying from Malaysia, my personal favorite is Malaysian Airlines.
Though many Malaysians would also love to fly with AirAsia because it's cheap.
Japan Airlines (JAL) has the same timing as MAS, I would recommend it if you are also flying domestically in Japan because they have a special flight price, as long as your flights to and from Japan are with JAL!
If you want to be super comfy ANA is available! I'll fly with ANA if I have a ton to buy, because they allow me to carry 2 pieces of 23kg luggage (total of 46kg) for their economy class flight! Also ANA has one of the best in-flight meal I ever had!).

I highly recommend MAS for their timing as you can arrive super early (5:40AM), I fly with MAS if I am planning to have an open jaw ticket (flying in KIX, flying out NRT with overnight flight) because MAS has an early return flight from KIX (I personally despise morning departures because I'd rather sleep my way back in the plane with my normal body clock time and wake up at home).

However, since we are talking about a budget trip, I'll assume that you'll be taking a AirAsia flight and arrive at 9.30PM, and departing from KIX on either 4PM or 10PM. I will also assume that you might be even staying overnight in the airport or go out partying in Namba (it's fun because Osaka people are so warm!). But just to let you know that if you're flying with AirAsia, I will not calculate your day 1 from your arrival date because you are gonna get wasted for 1 night (wasted 1 day and get wasted, geddit, geddit?).

One good thing about AirAsia is that, sometimes, you can actually grab an overnight flight home (to KL) so that would make up the loss time of you arriving super late night!


So, how does this trip go? Summarize for me!

Alright lazy readers, here's a summary (might explain more in new post):


Day 1 – One day to Nara (flying with MAS or overnight in Kansai Airport)

Nara Park in Autumn

After leaving KIX, drop off luggage in accommodation (or worst case, in lockers of Namba station), then Head straight to Nara (Nara Park, Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Heian Palace or even Nara Botanical Garden if you had the time for it).

If you are flying with AirAsia and decided to check in to Namba on the same night, just head straight to Nara. You will even have some time to shop around Dotonbori when you are back from Nara, or head to Kobe for  Kobe Luminarie (Dec 7-16 2018) for their stunning illuminations!

Pass needed: 3-day Kansai Thru Pass

Day 2 – One day in Kobe

Kobe Habour View

Departing from Namba of Osaka, head to Kobe (Kobe Mosque, Kitano Ijinkan, Meriken Park, Kobe Port, Kobe City and Chinatown)

Pass needed: 3-day Kansai Thru Pass, Kobe Loop Bus Pass



Day 3 – One day in Kyoto

Gion Shirakawa Canal

Departing from Namba/ Umeda of Osaka to Kyoto (Fushimi Inari, Gion, Gion Shirakawa, Shijo Kawaramachi, Nishiki Market, Arashiyama, Bamboo Forest, Kimono Forest, Kyoto Tower).

Pass needed: 3-day Kansai Thru Pass

Day 4 – Osaka tour 

Umeda Sky Building during the day - Even prettier at night!

I have various ways to go around Osaka, and one of the ways is drawn here.

Some important places that you shouldn't be missing: Osaka Castle, Museum of Housing and Living, HEP 5 Ferris Wheel, Umeda Sky Building, Santa Maria Cruise, Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Tempozan Market, Tsukenkaku Tower, Shinsekai, Don Quijote Shin-Imamiya.

Pass needed: 2-day Osaka Amazing Pass


Day 5 – Bye bye, Osaka :( 

Nagai Botanical Garden (Try visiting them during their Christmas illumination period!)

Check out, ask if you could store your luggage until you're departing to the airport/ elsewhere.

Meanwhile, if you are flying back at night, spend your time here too: Dotonbori River Cruise, Tennoji Zoo, Nagai Botanical Garden

If you love shopping, here are some places: BIC Camera, Don Quijote (did I tell you that their Ferris wheel is finally back in operation?!), America Village... For thrift stores (or bundle shopping for Malaysians) head to 2nd Street Dotonbori, Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street! Hard Off is also a nice place to grab some secondhand goodies.

Pass needed: 2-day Osaka Amazing Pass, 1-way ticket to KIX


That sounds neat! But how much would it be costing me? 

I knew you'd be asking this, so I'll just explain about a couple of assumptions too.

As a budget travelers, hotels would easily cost RM200~400 per night. For cheapos like me, hostels are always my first choice! Because (1) Hostels are pretty safe, (2) you get to make new friends and it adds a new spice to your trip, and (3) It's CHEAP!! If you are worried about things getting stolen, carry your valuables with you. (BTW, did you know that it is illegal in Japan for not carrying your passport?)

So the breakdown is estimated as follow:

Accommodation – Hostel (Namba area) for 4 nights (RM75 per night = RM 300)
Transportation – Kansai Thru Pass (RM203) (5200 yen) (Price from HIS Malaysia)
- Osaka Amazing Pass (RM129) (3300 yen) (Price from HIS Malaysia)
- Kobe Loop Bus Pass (RM25) (660 yen) (Buy when boarding the bus)
- Airport Transfer to KIX (RM35) (920 yen) (Buy on day of return)
Travel Insurance – RM39 (AXA website)
Travel Simcard – RM59 (Hallo 1010 Simcard)

Total Ground Arrangement Cost – RM790 (Approx 197 USD)!


Wait, why hostels in Namba? 

Glicoman! Easily accessible from Namba too!

First of all, a little warning: It's my personal preference to stay around Namba because it is absolutely convenient! It's comfortable, it has nightlife and is not dead quiet after 9PM (many shops in Japan closes at 8!) so you feel absolutely safe to walk alone in the evening! Also, if your day happen to suck and it just wouldn't stop raining, you have a bunch of shopping malls that can you can waste DAYS in there!

Also, Namba has so many places that are super convenient. Without boarding the train, you can go Namba Park, Dotonbori, Laox, etc. Also for my Muslim friends, rejoice! Because LAOX has their designated bilik solat (prayer room), and not just that, you can find public suraus (prayer room) and halal food too (example: Ayam-Ya, Naritaya Shokudo, Kenny's....)


Not convincing enough? Here's a more convincing reason to stay in Namba! 

Being the central part of Osaka, Namba is the hub for local railway transportation! (JR Namba station is also in this region, but it isn't quite the central part for JR lines but it's still OK to stay here!)  Namba station is so convenient to go through local subways and railways to Nara, Kyoto and Kobe, which is why I always love Kansai Thru Pass and Osaka Amazing Pass because the transportations are covered!


But Namba is so big, where should I book my accommodation?

Personally, hostels between Namba subway station and Nippombashi subway station is my favorite as a traveler. Because it's easily accessible from the airport using the Nankai Line, and also the above stated reasons.

If you are registering under licensed Airbnb (many Airbnb listings are unlicensed and are illegal), there are quire an amount of their listings around Nippombashi (Daikokucho too), it is also OK because it's only a station away from Namba. You can also head to Nara easily from Kintetsu Nippombashi station, or head to Kyoto with the brown line (Sakasuji line but I prefer to remember by colors) or transferring to Hankyu Line (darker brown line lol) to Katsura, then transfer to Arashiyama. Keihan line is also easily accessible from Kitahama station if you plan to visit Fushimi Inari of Kyoto! So it depends on how you have planned your itinerary too because who knows, you might think my itinerary suck. lol.

To Kobe, you can board Hanshin Line from Osaka-Namba station to Sannomiya Station or head to Umeda station from Namba with Midosuji (red) line, then go towards Sannomiya Station with Hankyu line (this option is faster!). So, Namba is a really nice place.

Even for people who have a JR Pass, you can easily use a 3-day Kansai Area Pass, but I would recommend staying in Tennoji or Osaka Station because it has easier access from KIX by Ltd. Express Haruka. My personal rule of thumb is that, the accommodation must be within 10 minutes of walk from the train station (for lazier people, within 5 is the best). The good part about Kansai Area Pass is that, it's super easy to head to Kyoto for Arashiyama, Yamashina, Biwako Valley and Fushimi Inari, but the downside of JR Pass is that, you cannot board local subways or buses (but there are 1-day passes available, or just buying a physical ticket/ ICOCA to use it along your way).


Wait, are you sure that hostels are THAT cheap?

Well, everything is subject to seasonality and availability when it comes to travel. Sometimes in low season (especially typhoon season lol) I have seen prices as low as RM65 per night on average! High season prices can go up to RM150. If you are aiming for Airbnb, perhaps RM90~RM110 would be a good range to consider. Sometimes, I pay a little higher if I know that the place is a really great one (make sure to read the reviews)!

To Japan, I always get my passes from H.I.S. Travel. Because I have tried purchasing Osaka Amazing Pass on my own and IT WAS SO DREADFUL. I got lost finding the right place, and I had to queue and it drove me nuts! Also, why spend more time waiting while you can just head straight to the gates and board the first train available to your accommodation? Unless you had to use a JR pass that you can never escape the dreadful 1-hour queue to get your exchange order to turn to your rail pass, it's better to opt for a Kansai Thru Pass if you aren't leaving the Kansai region lol :)


What about the insurance?

Okay, I have no preference to buy insurance. I am too lazy to compare so I just went with a friend's recommendation and used AXA. It's also cheap (imo) and I don't need to talk to an agent because I can just make a booking online!


Data SIM card?

Hallo1010 is a very popular data simcard used by Malaysians going to Japan! It's low-cost and connections works just fine!

Alternatives are also available if you live in KL and are going with more than 1 person. You can rent a pocket wifi at RM15~18 (from HIS travel, Travel Recommends or Samurai Wifi) and all of them have pretty decent reviews too!


Any other things that I should take note of?

1. Do NOT make a walk-in accommodation booking. There's a phone booking fee or a desk charge for bookings of hotels. Avoid them by booking online at all costs!
2. Do NOT ignore travel insurance. You know how Japan is - full of natural disasters and sometimes sh*t can really happen. If you are visiting Japan for like, more than 5 times annually, might as well as grab a yearly insurance. You will save more.
3. Do NOT assume you will be OK without internet unless you are very familiar with the area or has good command in Japanese (heck, I still needed my wifi even if I can speak Japanese). You'll need them for navigation and translation (I used them when I was in a pharmacy and it was so helpful to get something that I don't know how to express my medical condition in Japanese).


I can't think of more to write as of the time being, but I'll update this whenever I could.

Feel free to ask anything in the comments!


Until next time!