Day 01: Japan Narita (成田) Airport to Osaka (大阪)

Today is the starting of a long free and easy holiday to Japan.  A trip with my family and friends.  This is also my first time flying into Narita Airport and take a Shinkansen (新幹線) to Osaka (大阪).

Before the trip, have done an intensive research, still the entire journey was not as smooth as planned.

Below is the list of items "DIE DIE MUST HAVE" before taking this challenge.

1.  Air ticket to Narita Airport.

2.  JR Rail Pass.  (Only can take HIKARI ひかりor slower train)

3.  Courage to ask for direction.

From Narita (成田) Airport To Hotel Universal Port.

Reach Narita by an A380 at 6.30 am

After a long night flight, we landed at Narita Airport at around 6.30 am.  It was a bright and sunny morning, but feel very tired.

Getting ready to check into custom and collect luggage.

Once get out of the plane, we go direct to the wash room to clean up before collecting our luggage.

There are lot of people at the custom, but the queue was fast.  The custom required us to take photo and fingers print.  Interesting!!  

After collected all our luggage, we go out to the arrival hall and take an elevator down to the JR Ticket Office at the train station, which locate at the basement of the terminal.  

The staff are very friendly and able to communicate with simple English.  The registration of the JR Rail Pass do take awhile, as the staff needs to verify our passports and fill up some forms.

The counter staff also helps us to reserve the seats for both Narita Express and Shinkansen to Osaka.  Then the staff issued us the tickets for both Narita Express and Shinkansen.

JR Rail Pass (Front).

JR Rail Pass (Back).

With all the tickets ready, just walk over to the gate of the Narita Express and show the JR Rail Passes to the Station Master.  Then proceed down to the platform.

Checking for the seat number while waiting for the train to be ready.

Seats inside the Narita Express.  All our small bags can put on top the seat, with the big one put behind the car.

Train Platform, the Car Number is displayed on the train window.

Shinagawa (品川) Station.

At Shinagawa (品川) Station, alight from the Narita Express, go up the elevator and follow the direction as shown on the signboards.  

Direction to Shinkansen Platform.

One important thing before boarding the Shinkansen!!! Go get some bento set and drinks, many choices in the station.  The choice of foods and drinks on the train are very very limited.   

To Shinkansen Platform 23 or 24 for Shin-Osaka direction.

Timing and direction of Shinkansen.

Shinkansen Platform To Shin-Osaka.

The arriving train and car number are displayed on the platform.  Queue only when the train is arriving.  The train and car number are also displayed on the each carriage of the train, so one should have no problem to board the right train.

The alighting and boarding of train are done in very swift and fast pace, all done within less than 3 minutes.  Amazing!!

Mt Fuji (富士山)

Mount Fuji from far.

Mount Fuji from near.

Look out for Mt Fuji when the Shinkansen is approaching near Mishima Station (三島駅).  The mountain is on the right window seat towards the direction of Osaka (大阪).

Fantastic view of Mt Fuji... 

Shin-Osaka Station (新大阪).

The Shinkansen stop at Shin-Osaka (新大阪).  From here, we changed to the JR Line to Osaka Station (大阪駅).  Then take a direct train to Universal City or change at Nishikujo Station (西九条駅).

Gantry Between Shinkansen Station and JR Line.

There are a few shops and restaurants inside the station.  If there is no rush to reach Osaka, the ramen are not bad and take a break before the challenge ahead.

After a good meal.

JR Osaka Station.

This is the confusing and most challenging part of the entire journey.  There are many lines that can go to Osaka Station, as long there is a sign stated that the line is bound towards Osaka. 

If you are confused, just approach any Station Master.  They will able to tell you which platform. 

It is a 15 minutes journey from Shin-Osaka to Osaka Station.

At Osaka Station, we alighted from the platform and go up to the main lobby.  At the main lobby, we then proceed to Platform 1 to board a train (from any line) to Nishikujo Station (西九条駅).  Nishikujo Station is just three stations away from Osaka Station.  From Nishikujo Station, we transferred to another platform for a train towards Sakurajima Station (桜島駅).  For two stations, we reached Universal City.

新大阪駅 => 大阪駅 => 西九条駅 => Universal City.

Universal City Station.

It seems very confused to travel from Shin-Osaka to Universal City.  That day, i was tired and confused by the peak hours crowd.  After cool down in the hotel, then i remembered that we can just wait slightly long for a Sakurajima line  (桜島線) that starts from Kyobashi Station (京橋駅) and passed by Osaka Station.
                           
The crowds were terrible, till i too busy to take care of my luggage and do not have the times to take any photo at the Osaka Station.

The crowds is comparable to the Yamanote Line (山手線) in Tokyo (東京).

Hotel Universal Port

The hotel is located just outside the Universal City.  It was windy and freezing that evening.  It takes awhile for me to ask around for the direction.

The shortest path is to turn left and walk straight after coming out of the station.  It is a 5 minutes walk from the station to the hotel.

Hotel Universal Port.

The hotel is fantastic.... highly recommended... good services and values for money.

Will cover in my next blog..