Last minute Help

[fathinzara]

Hi,

I need some last minute help on my Japan trip this coming Monday. My family (2A & 2C) will be going to Tokyo (Haneda Airport) this coming Monday (2 June). From there, we will be going to our Airbnb apt in Shinjuku. We are advised by the host to take the train.
While in Tokyo, our plan is visit the Disney Land and Sea, sight-seeing nearby and maybe to Shibuya.
On Friday,(6 June) we will make our way to Osaka. We have not decide on whether to take the bullet train or the bus. While in Osaka, we will be staying in the Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka (Namba Station). We intend to visit Kyoto for a day trip and maybe the Universal Studio also. Subsequently we will be flying out from Osaka (KIX Airport) on Tuesday (10 June).

I need some guide on these please.

1) Is JR ticket suitable for this, or just pay for each trip separately, or any card to go around like EZ Link (Singapore) or Octopus card (HK) ?
a) If yes, which duration do I take?
b) Can it be use to take the bullet train?
c) Do I need to buy while in Singapore or can I buy it in Japan?
d) Can I use it while in Osaka to go to Kyoto and to KIX airport?
e) Any idea how to get to Fraser Residence from the bullet train stop in Osaka?

2) Is the bus to Osaka services reliable as I have checked that it is much cheaper?
a) Any idea where do this bus stopped in Osaka?
b) Heard it is a 7-8hrs ride? Any stops in between for toilet breaks/ meals)

Appreciate any help I can get...

 

[mynameisjon]

1. Unless you're taking round trip Tokyo to Osaka, don't buy JR rail pass. I think bus would be a cheap alternative, especially night bus. Can save on one night accom. If you want to buy an "E-Z link" card, get a Suica card and top up as needed. Money inside can be used to buy stuff from convenience store also. Suica works in Tokyo and Osaka. Kyoto I'm not so sure.

b. Bullet train you need to buy a ticket from the ticket office. Honestly if there's 4 of you, renting a car for one day that allows you to drop off in Osaka might be cheaper. One bullet train ticket to Osaka from Tokyo should cost around $100 each. That's $400. Bus on the other hand is probably a fraction of that price.

c. Rail pass can only buy in SG. But don't buy it.

e. use google maps. Their transit info is sufficient. Or you can use hyperdia.

Buses to Osaka can try Willer Express. Per pax is about $50.

For rental car, I checked for you from this website, it's maybe $150 for one day. Pick up at Haneda Airport, return to Osaka's Kansai airport. Just remember to get your international driving permit. GPS provided so you shouldn't have a problem. If get from Point A to B with 4 people, this is your cheapest choice. Maybe someone with experience can help you regarding route and total damage for the tolls.

 

[samtcy]

Hi,

I need some last minute help on my Japan trip this coming Monday. My family (2A & 2C) will be going to Tokyo (Haneda Airport) this coming Monday (2 June). From there, we will be going to our Airbnb apt in Shinjuku. We are advised by the host to take the train.
While in Tokyo, our plan is visit the Disney Land and Sea, sight-seeing nearby and maybe to Shibuya.
On Friday,(6 June) we will make our way to Osaka. We have not decide on whether to take the bullet train or the bus. While in Osaka, we will be staying in the Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka (Namba Station). We intend to visit Kyoto for a day trip and maybe the Universal Studio also. Subsequently we will be flying out from Osaka (KIX Airport) on Tuesday (10 June).

I need some guide on these please.

1) Is JR ticket suitable for this, or just pay for each trip separately, or any card to go around like EZ Link (Singapore) or Octopus card (HK) ?
Since you will only require a 1way Shinkansen train ride from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka station, then nope, you don't need JR Pass...anyway, you won't really have the time to purchase the 7days JR Pass anyway since you will be flying off tomorrow and you can't buy the JR Pass from within Japan. You will have to purchase this Shinkansen ride from the ticketing office at JR train stations. As for subway/short train rides within Tokyo and Osaka, you can get prepaid cards like SUICA card or ICOCA card for those. Those works like EZlink cards.

a) If yes, which duration do I take?
Nope, you don't need the JR Pass, since you won't be able to buy it from Japan anyway.

b) Can it be use to take the bullet train?
JR Pass can be used for bullet trains, but as mentioned above, you cannot buy this particular railpass from within Japan.

c) Do I need to buy while in Singapore or can I buy it in Japan?
Singapore

d) Can I use it while in Osaka to go to Kyoto and to KIX airport?
For future references, yes the 7days JR Pass can be used for Narita Express train from Narita Airport to Tokyo, as well as Haruka Express train from Kyoto to Osaka to Kansai Airport.

e) Any idea how to get to Fraser Residence from the bullet train stop in Osaka?
You will alight from the Shinkansen at Shin-Osaka station in Osaka. At Shin-Osaka station, you head over to the Osaka subway Midosuji line and take a 15mins subway ride (280yen) and then alight at Namba(subway) station.
Then from Namba station, you walk about 7mins to your hotel.

2) Is the bus to Osaka services reliable as I have checked that it is much cheaper?
a) Any idea where do this bus stopped in Osaka?
b) Heard it is a 7-8hrs ride? Any stops in between for toilet breaks/ meals)

Appreciate any help I can get...

See reply in red.

Some additional info:
- The shinkansen ride from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka takes about 2 and half hours to 3hrs journey. The cost is 14450yen (if you get reserved seat), or 13620yen (if you get unreserved seat). The difference is that for reserved seat ticket, you will get a guaranteed seat number printed on your ticket, whereas for unreserved seat means that if all seats in the unreserved cabin is full, you will have to stand throughout your journey.

- For your train journey on your last day from your hotel in Osaka to Kansai airport, you can take the Nankai Airport Express train to Kansai airport directly from the Namba (Nankai) station just opposite your hotel. You won't need to take the more expensive Haruka Express train.
-More info on the Nankai Airport train: Kansai International Airport access | How to Enjoy OSAKA

 

[samtcy]

Willer Express bus, from Tokyo to Osaka:
Search results for available seats Tokyo

 

[cpuer]

The overnight bus should be good. Its a 9 hours ride though, hopefully your kids wont get fidgety. Cheapest is at 6480Yen for an adult, 50% off for kid.
Search results for available seats Tokyo

save one night lodging cost too.

 

[cancer81]

you can also consider budget domestic flight

Peach

 

[fathinzara]

you can also consider budget domestic flight

Peach

if I was to choose this option, is JR Card better to buy since I am going to airport (although different airport) to fly to osaka?

 

[samtcy]

If you choose to fly via Peach airlines from Tokyo Narita Airport to Kansai Airport, do remember that you will still have to consider the train fares from Tokyo to Narita airport, as well as Kansai airport to Namba in Osaka...on top of the airfare when you do price comparisons with the other transportation options.

 

[cpuer]

over night buses are best lah, sleep through the 9 hrs wake up time is shopping time

 

[fone]

Depends on how young are the kids. If they do not sleep, do you need to keep them entertained? Had a bad experience taking a night flight with my 2 year old, should have paid extra to fly in day time and overnight at a hotel. Thus, given the choice, I won't opt for overnight flight / bus /train if I can help it, travelling with kids. No point going by night bus / flight / train to ruin the next whole day travel when adults can't sleep well due to children not sleeping well.

 

[samtcy]

There are daytime buses though...not just overnight buses.

The most convenient and comfortable method is by Shinkansen, but it's going to be expensive.

The cheapest is via bus.

Although the cost for taking a plane is probably going to be somewhere between the cost of Shinkansen and cost of bus, but then you will have to make 1hr train journey from Tokyo to Narita Airport, spend 2hrs at Narita Airport for check in and waiting for flight, about 1 and half hours of flight time, then clear immigration and collect luggage, then take another 1hr train ride from Kansai Airport to Osaka.
Which makes the plane option kinda tedious in my opinion.

 

[kifo]

Domestic flight one hour check in is still possible. Best 1.5 hrs.

 

[lwm999]

Hi,

I need some last minute help on my Japan trip this coming Monday. My family (2A & 2C) will be going to Tokyo (Haneda Airport) this coming Monday (2 June). From there, we will be going to our Airbnb apt in Shinjuku. We are advised by the host to take the train.
While in Tokyo, our plan is visit the Disney Land and Sea, sight-seeing nearby and maybe to Shibuya.
On Friday,(6 June) we will make our way to Osaka.

Basically you only have 3 days (Tue-Thu) in Tokyo. To visit both Disney parks, you need minimum 2 days. If you ask earlier I will have advised you to stay around Disney. Try to go to the park at least 1 hour before opening time. It will save you more time queuing later.

 

[fathinzara]

Thanks all for the help. I will take note of the pros and cons of each transport.
we are seriously considering the bullet train factoring in the travel time/cranky kids.
a) with 4 big luggages, is there any place to put our luggages? like check in? Can't find anything in the Internet that able to help.

 

[kifo]

Thanks all for the help. I will take note of the pros and cons of each transport.
we are seriously considering the bullet train factoring in the travel time/cranky kids.
a) with 4 big luggages, is there any place to put our luggages? like check in? Can't find anything in the Internet that able to help.

I suggest you Takkyubin 2 of your luggages forward to Osaka one day before you leave Tokyo. So you only have to manage 2 luggages on the Shinkansen.

 

[cpuer]

Try to travel lighter. make use of the compression bags, learn from the pro:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIk8v__Osm8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDn9l20NlWw

 

[fathinzara]

hey guys.. you all have been brilliant.. Thanks a lot..