Itami - is it easy to navigate and understand
 

We are flying into Itami and plan to take the airport limo to Namba station. We are staying at the Swissotel, which I believe is attached.

I am concerned about figuring out how to purchase our tickets, which bus to get on and when to get off.

Are there English speaking personnel to help? How are the buses labeled? And how do the buses announce the stops? Am I worrying for nothing?

Thanks, Inor

All valid questions and ones I would be worried about if I hadn't been to Japan so many times before. No I have never been into Itami but would not worry too much. See here for the map of the arrival area. http://osaka-airport.co.jp/en/map/

The limosine bus would be the easiest and most painless imho. Itami is a big airport and signs will be in Japanese with some English so don't worry. Someone at the bus ticket counters should speak some English.

English speakers should also be available at the Info counters and the JR train counters.

Just speak slowly and be patient with them. Tell them where you want to go and they will direct you to the correct bus stop. Have yen available to pay for your tickets as most counters will not accept credit cards. There should be money exchanges in the arrivals lobby also.

All the airport limo buses I have taken will announce stops in Japanese and English with also Korean and Chinese thrown in more often now. They are equipped with a tv monitor in the bus that will announce the stops in those various languages also.

Here is a explanation of various ways to get into Osaka Namba.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2433.html
If you at the Swissotel you want to get to Nankai Namba station not the JR Namba station which is a couple of blocks away. The Namba area (Minami),has three railway companies (JR, Nankai and Kintetsu) and three subway lines that have their separate stations, all named Namba Station.

If you are staying mainly in the Kansai area know that the JR rail line is not really the most convenient way to travel within the area. Use of the Kansai Thru Pass may be for you, see here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357_005.html

Aloha!

Thank you for your reply. I didn't realize that there were two Namba stations. Do you know which Namba station the airport limo bus stops at. Or does it stop at both? Thanks, Inor

They stop at Namba. See here for the bus schedules:

http://www.okkbus.co.jp/eng/

http://tinyurl.com/n77qs3

I would email your hotel for specific directions with the limo bus from Itami but I think you have all the info you need here.

Aloha!

Hi HT,
Sorry for being so thick, but when you say they stop at Namba. Do you mean them stop at the Namba JR station or the Nakai Namba station. I can't tell from the websites.

I have tried to email the hotel, but they have been unsuccessful in being able to reply to me via email.

Thanks, Inor

http://www.okkbus.co.jp/map_e/index.html

Click on "Namba/OCAT" for a map.