13 May 2025
We left Kii Katsuura early and took the train to Osaka—a long ride that gave us plenty of time to watch the scenery roll by. Somewhere along the way, a Caucasian traveler mistook me for Japanese and asked for help. She had missed her bus to Nanki-Shirahama Airport because her taxi came late, and now was desperately trying to catch a flight. Her plan was complicated—get off at a small station, call a taxi, and somehow make it to the airport on time. From our train window, we later spotted her hopping into a taxi at the station entrance. We were happy she made it.
The rest of our train journey was calm, but stepping into Osaka felt like entering another world—so many people, such a fast pace. We checked into our hostel, where the owner kindly let us into our room early (a first on this trip!).
Our main goal in Osaka was to visit the Osaka Expo. Unfortunately, the reality didn’t match our expectations. Everywhere we went, there were long queues, and even after waiting, the exhibitions we managed to enter felt underwhelming. I had hoped for something bold and inspiring, but honestly, I’ve found small gaming fairs more engaging. Some exhibitions had rave reviews, but they required reservations we couldn’t secure.
Still, not all was lost. We enjoyed sampling different kinds of umeshu (plum wine) at the Expo and even bought a bottle to bring back. That was probably the highlight of the day—laughing while tasting far too much alcohol at once.
By evening, we returned to the hostel, tired but content. It wasn’t the most exciting day of the trip, but it gave us our first taste of Osaka and set the stage for the days to come.
My One-Day Osaka Adventure: Budget Reference
After a morning in Kii-Katsuura, I made my way to Osaka for a day of exploration. Here’s a rough budget reference based on my experience, all in yen.
🚄 Getting There: Kii-Katsuura → Osaka
- Train Ticket: ¥7,200
I took the train from Kii-Katsuura to Osaka. You can choose between a local train or Shinkansen, which will affect the price. The ride was relaxing, and the scenery along the way made the journey feel shorter.
🏨 Accommodation
- Hostel: ¥4,000
A simple hostel in Osaka. It wasn’t fancy, but it was cozy and perfect for recharging after traveling. If you’re planning to visit the Expo early, it helps to stay somewhere closer to the Expo area.
🚇 Getting Around
- Metro from Hostel to Osaka Expo: ¥330
Osaka’s metro system is super convenient. It only took me a few minutes to get to the Expo, and it was very easy to navigate.
🎟️ Sightseeing: Osaka Expo
- Expo Entrance Ticket: ¥5,976
A tip: Food inside the Expo can be pricey. I brought my own snacks, which saved me a bit of money and kept me energized for exploring.
💰 Total Estimated Budget
¥7,200 + ¥4,000 + ¥330 + ¥5,976 ≈ ¥17,506
This budget is just a reference—it depends on whether you choose local trains or Shinkansen, which hostel you pick, and what you spend inside the Expo. Personally, the ride from Kii Katsuura was really long, and the expo is really crowded, I would have chosen to explore the city leisurely instead.
👉 A complete 38-day Japan itinerary, including Nakasendo walking, Kumano Kodo hiking, Shimanami Kaido cycling, and a Kyushu road trip.
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