Osaka-Kyoto-Kobe-Himeji on a budget Ep.1

Toon traveled during **April 12–21, 2024**, which is the end of the cherry blossom season. There are still some flowers to see. 🌸 ### ✈️ Airplane tickets The airline used is **Philippine Airlines** which is **Full Service** (with meals and checked baggage) but must **connect** in Manila. - Outbound ▪️ BKK – MNL: 22:50 – 03:15 (PR733) ▪️ MNL – KIX: 14:20 – 19:10 (PR408) - Return ▪️ KIX – MNL: 10:05 – 13:10 (PR407) ▪️ MNL – BKK: 16:25 – 19:00 (PR736) 💰 Airfare price **17,200 baht per person** (Actual price 15,355 baht + purchase of travel date change service for an additional 1,845 baht) - Checked baggage of **23 kg. both outbound and return** - The baggage is **check-through**, no need to carry it yourself during the connecting flight - There is a full meal service during every flight and the plane is large. There is a screen to watch movies/listen to music - The seats are quite comfortable. Toon is 180 cm tall, so there is still a little legroom. 🧘♀️ Even though I had to wait for my connecting flight for a long time, the airport had **Starbucks to chill** and **Duty Free to walk around**, which was quite enjoyable. (The airport I was connecting to was **Terminal 1**.) --- ### 🛡️ Insurance + Internet - **Travel Insurance**: Sompo, **740 baht per person** - **Internet**: Use **AIS Roaming** --- ### 🛬 Entering Japan When I landed in Kansai, Toon was able to get through immigration very easily. Because I registered in advance at Visit Japan 🟢 Just show the QR Code → Scan → Smile at the officer → Receive the bag → Verify your identity and walk out --- ### 🚆 Getting into the city Take the **Express Train** from the airport into the city 💸 Travel fee **290 baht per person** --- ### 🏨 First night's accommodation: Osaka Guesthouse Sakura 💰 Price **1,943.5 baht/night** Pros: - Cute atmosphere, slightly old Japanese style Cons: - No elevator → Have to carry heavy bags to the 3rd floor by yourself - Shared bathroom - The bed looks like it hasn't been cleaned (the blanket is still wrinkled 😅) 🧳 Toon only slept one night, so it wasn't too serious. I put my stuff away and **went out to find something to eat late at night** immediately. --- ### 🍜 First dinner The restaurant is called **Osaka King**. I ordered many dishes. In total, **only 357.6 baht**. Every dish was delicious! --- ### 🏞️ Day 1: April 14, 2024 – Visit the World Heritage Village “Shirakawa-go” 🚄 Toon used **JR Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass 7 days** Price **4,400 baht/person** - Travel from Osaka → Kanazawa (by Shinkansen) - Take a bus from Kanazawa → Shirakawa-go 💸 Round-trip bus fare **1,248 baht** 🚌 When booking the morning round **all full** → got the afternoon round. While waiting, I walked around the nearby mall and played first. (I missed eating at noon because I planned to go to the village to eat 😅) --- ### 🏡 Arrived at Shirakawa-go - The village is very cute, nice atmosphere - **Sakura is still blooming** because this year it bloomed later than usual - But the weather is starting to get a little hotter and most importantly... 🍽️ **All restaurants are closed after 3pm** → If you want to eat, I recommend coming in the morning. 💬 I feel indifferent about Shirakawago during cherry blossom season. I think it would be more beautiful if you come during snow. 🍚 For dinner tonight, I ate at **Yoshinoya** → Price **249.12 baht** It was delicious and filling. --- ✨ That's the end of EP.1. If you're ready, I'll take you to **EP.2 - Kanazawa and then come back to rest in Osaka** 😊