After a five-hour flight from Hong Kong—plus a brief layover in Taipei—our Cathay Pacific B777 finally pulled down its wheels at Kansai International Airport. There’s something unique about KIX in the late afternoon: the cool sea air, the soft light, and the feeling of “finally arriving” that’s hard to resist.
At Terminal 1, we were immediately faced with the classic choice for any traveler heading to Osaka:
JR Haruka or the Nankai Line.
Since our destination was an apartment in the Yodogawa-ku area, we chose the most logical—and most budget-friendly—route: the Nankai Airport Express to Namba.
There are two train options:
- Limited Express (reserved seats, ¥1,380)
- Regular Airport Express (no reservations, ¥980)
We opted for the regular. It was economical, fast, and comfortable enough for the first day of travel.
Osaka from the Train Window
As soon as the train started, a view of the ocean filled our windows. Osaka slowly emerged from the horizon, not with fanfare, but with the glint of lights, the buildings gathering closer together, and the city’s pace picking up speed. The station names appeared like the rhythm of a travel song:
Kansai Airport → Rinku Town → Izumisano → Kishiwada → Sakai → Tengachaya → Shin-Imamiya → Namba
Between Sakai and Tengachaya, the sky changed dramatically. Orange faded to black, and the city lights came on one by one. Osaka greeted us like someone opening a door slowly, inviting us in without words.
When the announcement sounded:
“Next station… Namba.”
we knew the first leg of our adventure had just begun.
Chasing the Red Line: Midosuji Line
Namba was bustling and lively that afternoon—like Osaka’s never-sleeping center of gravity. From here, we searched for the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, the legendary red line.
One thing that always amazes me:
In Japan, even the floor provides clues.
A red line underfoot guided us down to the ticket machine. Even though I already had a Pasmo, on this first day I opted for the ¥620 One-Day Pass—because we were still returning to Dotonbori that evening.
The train arrived just two minutes later. It was quiet, clean, and precise, as you’d expect from Osaka.
The journey to Nishinakajima-Minamigata felt like a gradual ascent from the bustling center to a quieter residential area. The station names flashed past the screen like short chapters:
Namba – Shinsaibashi – Hommachi – Yodoyabashi – Umeda – Nakatsu – Nishinakajima-Minamigata
This is where I finally understood why the name was so long.
“Nishi” means west,
“Naka” means middle,
“Jima” means island,
and “Minami” means south.
Complete. Long. But once I knew what it meant, it somehow became easier to memorize.
As soon as we exited Exit 1, Yoshinoya greeted us. Warm, fast, and perfect for our stomachs that had been grumbling since the afternoon.
Mini Taxi Drama & Kids’ Walk
Right across the street, an empty taxi was waiting. Initially, the four of us wanted to ride, but our suitcases trumped our hopes. So, my wife and I took the taxi, while the two kids opted to walk to the apartment—tough little characters.
We simply had to provide the full address:
3-chōme-2-6 Kikawahigashi
on our phone screen. The driver nodded quickly, then took us through the small streets of Yodogawa. The sight of low-rise apartments and small shops made the short journey feel like a sneak peek into local life.
The fare?
500 yen.
In Osaka, that’s a bit of a jackpot.
The Secret Code Behind the Key Box
Our Airbnb uses a very futuristic self-check-in system:
the key is kept in a key locker attached to the mailbox area. We simply entered the secret code sent via email, and “click”—the key popped out like a small gift.
The 6th-floor apartment wasn’t luxurious, but it was modern and efficient. Our favorite feature was the video intercom, which allowed us to open the lobby door simply by pressing the “open” button from inside our room.
After showering and resting for a while, my two kids and I headed back downstairs to enjoy the Dotonbori night—because anyone visiting Osaka feels obligated to greet the giant Glico neon sign.
Online Taxis Aren’t Always Wallet-Friendly
A few days later, we discovered an interesting fact:
The street in front of our apartment was rarely empty of conventional taxis.
Whenever we needed to get to the station quickly, we ended up relying on a taxi app. And here’s where we learned:
Online taxis in Japan aren’t like they are in other countries.
Apps actually only order official taxis, so there’s an additional pick-up fee. A short fare that’s usually around 500–700 yen can skyrocket to 1,200 yen.
It’s expensive, yes.
But when we need to get to the station on time, especially with luggage, the service feels like a lifesaver.
Osaka taxi drivers are always pleasant: friendly, polite, quick to help with luggage, and refusing tips as if defending the honor of their profession. a service standard worthy of note.
We also took taxis to:
– JR Juso on our way to Kobe
– Shin-Osaka on our way to Kyoto
The coordination between the subway, JR, and taxis made our travels in this big city incredibly smooth.
Osaka: A City That Tests the Rhythm of Travel
Osaka has always had a different rhythm than Tokyo. It’s more relaxed, more spontaneous, but also more challenging in its small streets. From the airport train overlooking the sea, to the busy red subway, to the taxis whose fares fluctuate with one’s mood—all were part of the mosaic of our trip.
This trip taught us simple things:
- that a One-Day Pass can save the day,
- that online taxis aren’t the cheapest but they’re the surest option,
- that a conventional taxi hailed on the street is always cheaper,
- and that the friendliness of the Osaka people makes everything feel lighter.
And beneath it all, there was the comfort of our little apartment in Kikawahigashi—with its secret key, its sometimes slow elevator, and its quiet that made every night feel like a sweet respite.
Osaka, as usual, didn’t try hard to charm.
She was simply herself—busy, honest, and full of little surprises.
And that’s exactly what made us fall in love all over again.
