7 hour layover in Osaka -- what to do?
 

Hey -- I have a 7-hour layover in OSAKA, and I arrive at 5 p.m., and leave at 1:25 a.m. I was wondering if anyone knew how far the airport is from the downtown area, and if it would be uncomplicated to leave the airport for a few hours? I know, sometimes, between checking in and travel. . . . it is not easy to leave the airport on a layover! Also, any recommenations for something to do that night -- a nice mid-price (or high-medium) restaurant or bar where I can go on my own? Maybe there is a neat part of town I could check out for a few hours?

Start by checking whether you will be at Itami (ITM) or Kansai (KIX) aiport. The former is fairly close to Osaka and is mostly used for domestic flights, the latter is on a manmade island miles away (an hour by high speed train) and is mostly used for international flights.

Thank you someotherguy! I think I saw a post from you or someone else on this website about that. . . . and it said that United Airlines flies only to KIX, which is the one that is far away? I am definitely flying United. . . . so, it sounds like I am going to be pretty far away. What do you think? Is it still worth it to try to get into town?

I you arrive on time, which is possible, count on being cleared through immigration and customs around 6 - 6:30. You'll need something like a shore pass to leave the secure area of the airport if you are booked through on United and your bags are checked still.

From KIX to Osaka station is about an hour by limo bus or rapid train. The Haruka express train doesn't stop at Osaka station, but at Shin Osaka station, which isn't the same. That would mean you'd be at Osaka station at around 7 or 7:30 at best. You'd have time to have dinner in one of the restaurants. Across the street, the Hilton does a really nice buffet dinner on the second floor, and in the station itself, there are loads of restaurants for every taste.

You'd need to be back at the airport before midnight, and know that the trains and buses may not be running to the airport that late...check that out first. You'd need to leave Osaka station no later than 11 pm, giving you maybe 3 hours.

Check out Kansai International Airport's website in English for transportation information and so on. There are also quite a few shops and restaurants right in the airport itself, as well as an outlet mall center very nearby in Rinku-town (Haruka train goes there quickly).

There is a Nankai train that goes to Rinku town, only 6 minutes from Kansai. But instead of that and instead of going to Osaka station, are there restaurants and stuff at Tennoji (on the JR line) or at Namba (on the Nankai line)? Then OP wouldn't have to figure out how to change trains.

The only place I know of in Osaka is the Hard Rock Cafe which is next to on of the Honmachi station exits, but that would require a change of trains.

The last Haruka Limited Express train from Tennoji leaves at 9:02 and takes 32 min to get to KIX. The last Kanku Rapid train leaves Tennoji at 22:52 and takes 50 min.

I was in the Namba area when I went to the Osaka Municipal Gym. for sumo last spring. It is a hopping area w/a big indoor mall and places to eat. Not sure what else there is to do there but it is a vibrant area.

If you are flying UAL, you are in Kansai which is about an hours train ride from downtown Osaka. The train station at Kansai is right outside of the terminal and you can enter Japan, with the usual immigration procedures, even if your bags are checked all of the way through. The majority of the shopping and dining at KIX is outside of security, therefore same deal wiwth having to clear immigration and customs prior to getting to the rest of the airport.

Also take a walk around the airport, extremely impresive building---all one structure houses the entire airport.