#Lake West Sky#: A 14-Day Kansai Free Travel Diary – D14: Kansai International Airport, End of Journey

June 5, 2025, sunny.

Time flies so fast. We arrived on May 23, and today we have to go back. Fourteen days may seem like a long time, but in reality, each place only got a day or two, hurried, leaving early and returning late, always wanting to visit more places and see more sights. It feels unfinished, but there's no choice—the visa only allowed 15 days, so we'll have to come again later.

After breakfast at the hotel, we packed up and checked out before 10 a.m. Time to go home.

Leaving the hotel, we walked to Nagahoribashi Station and took the Sakaisuji Line (toward Tengachaya) to Tengachaya Station. After tapping out, we went to the entrance of Nankai Main Line's Tengachaya Station across the street.

We tapped in, transferred to the Nankai Main Line (toward Kansai Airport), and rode to Kansai Airport Station.

It's fine to take the rapid train; there's no need for the limited express.

We arrived smoothly at Kansai Airport Station.

Since it was still early, we first went to the first floor to check the airport bus information, hoping it might be useful later, and for any netizens who need a reference.

Up to the fourth floor international departure hall, we found the China Southern Airlines check-in counter, checked luggage, and checked in. After security, we passed through the duty-free shops and entered the waiting hall.

Kansai International Airport is located on Kanku Island in Osaka Bay, southwest of Osaka City, 35 km from central Osaka and 5 km from the nearest coastline. It is a 4F-class international airport and a 24-hour international aviation hub.

Kansai International Airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 covers 304,000 square meters, Terminal 2 covers 67,000 square meters; the apron has 105 parking stands, 41 of which are contact gates.

Terminal 1 is 1,672 meters long, making it the longest airport terminal in the world, with a height of 36.54 meters and four floors.

Terminal 1 has a 677-square-meter winged shuttle that quickly moves passengers from one end to the other. I gave it a try.

Paid massage chairs: 300 yen for 12 minutes.

The airport duty-free shops were super crowded.

The plane was ready for departure, and the flight took off on time.

After the in-flight meal, the flight attendant came around with a tray of Häagen-Dazs ice cream (limited quantity, first come first served), asking if passengers wanted any. Of course I wanted one!

After a three-plus-hour flight, we landed safely at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, then took the subway back to our warm home.

This Kansai trip lasted 14 days, covering almost most of the Kansai region. It was quite rewarding.

(I) Let's first recap:

1. May 23–25: Mainly in Wakayama City, visiting Wakayama Castle, Kishigawa Line Cat Train, Kii-Miidera Temple, Kuroshio Market, and Mount Koya.

2. May 26: A day trip to Shirahama, visiting Sandanbeki, Senjojiki, Toretore Market, Shirahama Beach, Engetsu Island, and Ashizuri no Hashi (bridge).

3. May 27: Visited Daimonzaka hiking, Kumano Nachi Taisha, Seigantoji Temple, Nachi Waterfall, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, Shingu Castle Ruins, Asuka Shrine, and Jofuku Park.

4. May 28: Visited Hakuto Shrine, Tottori Sand Dunes, and Tottori Castle Ruins.

5. May 29: Visited Conan Town, Yura Taidai Park, Yura Taidai Site, Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory, Conan Bridge, and Beika Shopping Street.

6. May 30: Visited Amanohashidate Viewland's Flying Dragon Observation Deck, Rising Dragon Observation Deck, took a sightseeing boat, and cycled back and forth across the sandbar.

7. May 31: A day trip to Kobe, visiting Nankinmachi Chinatown, Kitano Ijinkan (7 houses), Nunobiki Herb Garden, and Kobe Port Tower.

8. June 1: In Kyoto city, visiting Kiyomizudera Temple, Sanjusangen-do, Fushimi Inari Taisha, and Ninenzaka Sannenzaka.

9. June 2: A day trip to Nara, visiting Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha, Mount Wakakusa, Todaiji Temple, and on the way back, a stop at Uji.

10. June 3: In Osaka city, visiting Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori, and Osaka Castle Park.

11. June 4: In Osaka city, visiting Tsutenkaku, Tennoji Park, Isshinji Temple, Shitennoji Temple, Umeda Sky Building, Hep Five Ferris Wheel, and Osaka Castle Park.

12. June 5: Kansai International Airport, Osaka.

The first half focused mainly on natural landscapes; the latter half was more urban scenery.

(II) About Transportation

For transportation during the trip, except for the five days from May 26 to 30 when we used the Kansai Wide Area Pass (within its allowed scope), we mostly used Suica card or cash (where Suica wasn't accepted).

Kansai Wide Area Pass: 12,000 yen each. Suica card recharged three times: total 16,000 yen per card. Some transportation required cash, such as: Kishigawa Line One-day Pass 800 yen each, Shirahama Bus One-day Pass 1,100 yen each, Tottori to Yura round-trip ticket 1,720 yen per person, and Amanohashidate sightseeing boat round-trip ticket 1,300 yen per person.

(III) About Accommodation

Before departure, we booked hotels from May 23 to May 27 domestically, including: Comfort Hotel Wakayama (3 nights), Blue Port Hotel Kii-Katsuura (1 night), and Shingu Hotel (1 night). Considering that after May 28 the itinerary had uncertainties that might change the travel route, we didn't book hotels after May 28 in advance.

The Tottori hotel (May 28) was booked after we reserved the reserved seats from Shingu to Tottori at Wakayama Station. Similarly, after reserving seats from Tottori to Amanohashidate at Tottori Station, we booked the Amanohashidate hotel (May 29). After reserving seats from Amanohashidate to Kyoto at Amanohashidate Station, we booked the Kyoto hotel (May 30–June 2) and the Osaka hotel (June 3–June 4).

(IV) About Getting Around

I didn't install any extra apps intentionally. I use a domestic Chinese phone, and for navigation during the trip I used the already-installed AutoNavi map (Amap). I followed one principle: ask a lot—that's the most convenient way. For example, when I found a route from the hotel to a certain attraction, I took a screenshot and saved it. At the subway station entrance, I'd show the screenshot to station staff, and they'd tell me which platform to take and how to get there (usually only at major stations did I need to ask in detail). Some staff even looked it up on their PDA and showed me the result, which I just photographed with my phone.

In short, don't put too much pressure or constraints on yourself. Just go with the flow—play wherever you go, eat wherever you go.

(V) About Internet

This trip I bought a 15-day data card with 10 GB total. The first 10 days were fine, but from day 11, suddenly the speed dropped unbearably slow. Apart from navigation (not even on all the time), I didn't watch videos, just normal usage. I didn't expect to use up 10GB so quickly—it caught me off guard. The last few days were a bit passive, but luckily I had some emergency measures and the itinerary wasn't affected.

(VI) About Costs

The total cost for two people on this trip was about 26,000 yuan, of which: airfare 4,700 yuan; hotels 8,300 yuan; exchanged cash 10,000 yuan (200,000 yen); other 3,000 yuan (visa fees, insurance, internet card, electronic payments during the trip).