Job Discussion Forums

nene · Joined: 09 Jun 2005 Posts: 16

Hello all. I need some help getting around Osaka. I'm flying into Kansai from Korea next month to take the GRE. The test is at

NAKATSU CENTER BLDG. 7F
1-11-1 NAKATSU KITA-KU
OSAKA, JAPAN - 531-0071

I arrive at 10:50, and need to be at the test site at 12:30. I know it's tight, think I'll be alright? What's going to be my best bet for getting up to Kita-Ku quickly? I don't care about the expense, but I know literally zero Japanese words. I'd also like it to be relatively low stress, as I'm heading to the test. Are cabbies prone to taking foreigners for a ride, so to speak?

Thank you thank you thank you for any help!
-Mike

Mtnkiwi · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 67 Location: Osaka

Near Umeda, so.. take the rapid train to Namba (Nankai line, blue train with circular windows), then the Subway to Umeda, then a taxi? Someone may know whether there is a subway stop closer than Umeda (there may well be).

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Chris21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 366 Location: Japan

If you can catch the trains, you might only be 10 minutes late.

Usually I can clear immigration and customs very quickly at Kansai Airport. If you bring only carry-on luggage, you can probably be out of the airport in 30 minutes. Get on the 11:35 Nankai Rapito train to Namba. It takes 37 minutes from the airport to Namba. From there, transfer to the subway (the walk takes about 7 minutes) and take the Midosuji line up to Nakatsu (it takes about 11 minutes to go 5 stops). Assuming you catch a 12:20 subway, you'll arrive at Nakatsu at 12:31 (and then have to find the testing site).

You can double-check your route with the following link... http://www.hyperdia.com

All of this is contingent on no late planes, no lines at immigration, no delayed trains, and being able to quickly find the testing site... it's risky. It's probably better to catch an earlier flight.

nene · Joined: 09 Jun 2005 Posts: 16

Wow, thanks for your help guys - much appreciated.

I guess underestimated Osaka.

I'm going to try to get Friday off and fly in then; if that doesn't work, maybe I'll rebook the test for Sunday afternoon (I had hoped to have a mini-vacation after the test, but oh well).

I'll be carrying on only... assuming customs is only 30 minutes and everything's smooth, that puts me out the door at 11:20-ish. How long would a cab ride take? How much would it cost?

I lean toward a cab ride anyway, since I want to be as low stress/low excitement as possible at this time (my first minutes in Japan)...

Zzonkmiles · Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 309

Another option is to take the JR Haruka (super express) train from the airport to Shin Osaka. Then you can transfer to the subway and ride it to Nakatsu. Still, this is going to be very very tight. It'll take about 35 minutes from the airport to Tennoji, another 15 minutes to Shin Osaka, and another 15 minutes to Nakatsu from there. Your biggest problem will probably be catching a train from the airport without having to wait so long.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Zzonkmiles · Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 309

Chris21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 366 Location: Japan

Actually, the JR Haruka line is probably the best option (I've never taken it myself)... it's 10 minutes faster than going to Namba (because there's no walk when transferring). The JR Haruka leaves every :16 and :46 of the hour. If you can catch the 11:16, you'll arrive at Nakatsu with about 15 minutes to spare.

Although to catch the 11:16, you'll have to move quickly to get out of the airport (although I often get out of KIX in 20 minutes if I'm not picking up luggage).

I wouldn't take a cab... they're actually slower than the trains.

foster · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 485 Location: Honkers, SARS

A cab from Airport to Downtown Osaka would be at least 20,000 YEN!