From the airport to the city centre Kansai
To get to the city from Kansai International Airport (Osaka):
Limited Express Haruka . This is the fastest JR express train. It reaches Tennoji and Shin-Osaka Stations in 35 and 50 minutes (¥1710 and ¥2330 respectively).
Nankai . This company offers two trains to Namba from the airport: the Limited Express Rapi:t (about 35 minutes - ¥1450) and the Airport Express (about 45 minutes - ¥930).
Limousine bus . These buses, less limousines than they seem, provide access to different areas and hotels in Osaka. They can easily be found at the airport exit on the arrivals level. Among the various options, some buses also allow you to reach Kyoto, Nara or Wakayama.
Taxi. A trip to central Osaka costs on average ¥15,000 - 18,000.
To get to the city from Itami airport (Osaka):
Train . Take the monorail from the airport (Osaka Airport) to Hotarugaike station, then take the Hankyu Takarazuka line to Osaka-Umeda (about 30 minutes - ¥430).
Taxi. The average taxi fare to Osaka railway station is ¥6000 (about 20 minutes).
To get to the city from Kobe Airport:
Train . The Port Island (Portliner) line connects the airport to Sannomiya Central Station in 18 minutes (¥340).
Bus . Several buses take you to Shin-Kobe, Sannomiya, Arima Onsen or Awaji Island.
Taxi . A taxi to Sannomiya station costs an average of ¥3500 (about 20 minutes).
To reach the center of Tottori from Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport, take a local bus to the station (30 minutes - ¥470) or a taxi (about 15 minutes - ¥2500).
To reach Shirahama City Center from Nanki-Shirahama Airport, take a local bus to the railway station (20 minutes - 360 ¥) or a taxi (about 10 minutes - 2000 ¥).
Tottori City Center from Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport, take a local bus to the train station (30 minutes - ¥470) or a taxi (about 15 minutes - ¥2500
).To reach Yonago City Center from Yonago Kitaro Airport, take a local bus to the train station (30 minutes - ¥600), JR Sakai Line train (28 minutes - ¥240) or taxi (about 25 minutes - ¥5000).
Arrival by train Kansai
From Kobe and Osaka airports, trains serve the main stations. Other stations are easily reached by JR lines and the lines of the various Kansai train operators. JR West (www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/), Kintetsu Railway (www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/), Osaka Metro (www.osakametro.co.jp/en/), Hankyu Railways (www.hankyu.co.jp/global/en/), Hanshin Electric Railway (www.hanshin.co.jp/global/en/), Keihan Railway (www.keihan.co.jp/travel/en/) and Nankai (www.howto-osaka.com/en/) are the main companies you'll come across when traveling in Kansai. The name of the operator usually precedes the name of the station. Ticket prices vary according to operator and destination.
Shinkansen trains take you from Tokyo to Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Shin-Kobe, Himeji and Maibara. A new section of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which runs to Toyama on the Sea of Japan, was inaugurated in March 2024. From Tokyo, it takes just 3 hours to reach the cities of Fukui and Tsuruga.
Public transport Kansai
The price of the train and metro ticket is progressive according to the station of departure and destination. The automatic machines all allow you to buy tickets in English or in other languages. Apart from the JR pass, which allows you to travel on the JR and shinkansen lines, there are other passes that allow you to use the metro all day or all means of transport combined. For example, the operator Kintetsu offers very interesting passes starting at ¥1,500 per day to travel between Osaka, Nara and Kyoto (www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/ticket/). For more information on the many discount and pass options, go directly to the operators' websites or to the tourist information centres. The city of Kobe, for example, offers the Rokkosan Tourist Pass to enjoy easy and cheap access to Mt. Rokko (¥1,200).
Bike, scooters & co Kansai
Bicycle use is common in Japan and very convenient in cities like Kyoto. Free-use bicycle rental services are developing. Among the companies offering them: hubchari.com/en/ (Osaka), www.kobelin.jp (Kobe), docomo-cycle.jp/nara/en/ (Nara)... Agencies, tourist offices, shops or hotels can also offer bike rental.
With a driver Kansai
It is quite possible to hail a taxi on the street in Japan or to wait for one at the stops provided for this purpose in front of the stations. Booking online is another, slightly more expensive option (e.g. www.mktaxi-japan.com). Taxis are, of course, becoming increasingly rare in less touristy prefectures. But some initiatives make it possible to enjoy a private taxi for a few hours, as in Tottori, with a three-hour service at only ¥2000 (www.service-taxi.jp/1000yentaxi).
By car Kansai
We do not recommend the use of the car in large cities, such as Osaka or Kobe. There may be traffic jams and it is not easy to find parking spaces, which are relatively expensive. To travel to rural areas and prefectures that are less well served by train, renting a car becomes a very convenient option.
Accessibility Kansai
In large cities, wide arteries and stations, pavements and platforms are paved with podotactile slabs. Most stations are also equipped with standard lifts where disabled people and parents with children have priority. Staff can assist in moving around, providing steps in stations where necessary. To enquire about these issues or to request accompaniment, the JR network has an English-language number: ✆ +81 3 3423 0111. It is also advisable to book wheelchair-accessible taxis in advance, for example from airports. Accessibility is quickly spoilt off the beaten track, especially in mountainous regions, temples and shrines.
