Kansai, Japan 101.

Tips and debunking travelling to Japan’s myth. Yes, you can afford it.

I won’t go into the usual introduction to Japan, chances are if you are planning to read this then you probably have a clear idea as to 1) where is Japan and 2) what you want or hope to see in Japan. But I do have to say this, Japan was never really in my radar and is one of those country that I know I will eventually go but didn’t do much about it. Until of course when I saw a promotion from Malaysian Airlines — USD275 (return flight, direct from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Kansai Airport*) and for one of the most coveted season — sakura or cherry blossom. I also picked Kansai over Tokyo because thats’s where Kyoto is (arriving in Kansai airport is also cheaper than Narita).

*The Kansai region (関西地方 Kansai-chihō?) or the Kinki region (近畿地方 Kinki-chihō?) lies in the southern-central region of Japan’s main island Honshū.[2] The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, and Shiga. Depending on who makes the distinction, Fukui, Tokushima and even Tottori Prefecture are also included. While the use of the terms “Kansai” and “Kinki” have changed over history, in most modern contexts the use of the two terms is interchangeable. The urban region of Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto (Keihanshin region) is the second most populated in Japan after the Greater Tokyo Area — Wikipedia

So I booked my cheap tickets but before long the realisation that I might have to spend more than my ticket’s worth starts to creep in because everyone said that Japan is expensive. Depending on who you are talking to, usually it comes from those who have never been there or those who went to Japan and shopped (it would be expensive to go anywhere in the world to shop and shopping in Japan is hard to resist)

Here’s a breakdown of my expenditure in Japan for 12 days in RM (Ringgit Malaysia):
MAS return flight — 895
1 Bed in mixed dorm for Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima— 921.35
West Japan Rail Pass — 647.51
Haruka Limited Express (return airport express) + ICOCA— 127.95
Train, buses and transport (not covered by Japan Rail Pass) — 283.72
Food — 597.93
Entrance fees for temples/etc — 78.40
Laundry & Towels — 14.10
Shopping — 247.25
B-mobile Internet Access — 132.38
Karaoke — 41.55
Souvenirs — 394.03 (ridiculous amount I know!)

GRAND TOTAL: RM 4,381.17 (roughly USD1,345.77)
AVERAGE per day for the basics (no souvenirs or shopping): USD112.15
AVERAGE per day for everything: USD95.73

It’s not too bad if you consider the sights, experiences and places that I have experienced including nearly all the important sites in Kyoto (Old Canal, Higashiyama, Arashiyama, Kinkakuji area), Nara, Uji, traveled down to Hiroshima via a bullet-train and spent a day walking at the peace park, ferried across the mainland to the famous Miyajima island.

View from outside the Shinkansen aka bullet-train — en route to Hiroshima

For those who worried about the language — not knowing Japanese is never a barrier, most of the signs and announcements are done in Japan followed by English on the train/bus or with anything related to tourism and travel. Let’s be honest, you wouldn’t be venturing that much outside of tourist areas anyway. The only time I had problems was when I couldn’t order from a Japanese only menu but that can easily be solved by pointing to something that looks interesting or delicious on the next table or when I tried buying some muscle relaxant from the pharmacy which is why having Internet can be handy.

Internet is not expensive, B-Mobile offers a data only SIM for two weeks (option of 1GB or unlimited with capped speed) for a mere USD40 or so which comes out to USD2.86/day. I use Internet mainly for looking up temples’ closing time, train timetable and how to connect them and places to dine via Foursquare. Saves time and beats getting lost (I am klutz when it comes to directions).

Which is why choosing a place near the main JR (Japan Railway) station to stay is key. You want to be able to utilise Japan’s fantastic public transport and not take cab. After all, cycling or walking to stations in Japan is pure bliss — the infrastructure for pedestrian and cyclist is second to none. A main JR station also house shopping malls, eateries and almost everything that you need. For the six days that I spent in Kyoto, I rarely venture out from JR Kyoto station for food or shopping.

Geishas placed by Japan Tourism for photo op in Gion

I cannot stress enough that sakura season is NOT overrated and worth the crowd and hassle and worth noting that you should try and book things earlier.

You have not seen cherry blossom until you’ve been to Mt Yoshino, arguably the number one place to view in the whole of Japan. Looking at a mountain filled with pink fluffy awesomeness that resembles cotton candy makes the journey worthwhile. There might be cherry blossoms elsewhere in the world but nothing can compare to seeing it in Japan.

Mt Yoshino in all it’s glory

Most people take day trip(s) to Kyoto and based themselves in Osaka — WRONG! you cannot see all the amazing sights in Kyoto in a day. I spent six days there and couldn’t even finish doing everything. Osaka on the other hand was pretty boring (for me anyway) apart from being a vibrant city with a couple of places here and there but you don’t go to Japan to visit Universal Studios or just to be in a city. Take day trips to Osaka instead.

Lastly, don’t believe in the Tokyo Banana hype — it was expensive and tasted bad.

The famous bamboo forest in Kyoto

Remember, I regret going to Japan — says no one ever.

Daniel Wong is a slave to his advertising job with good friends aplenty. With unhealthy appreciation for bags and fashion, likes men, beard, glasses and all things dandy preppy but also understands there is more to life than this. He will be trying to backpack his way to a RTW trip for as long as his money can stretch in July 2014.

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