Part VI: Getting Back to Kansai International Airport

Well, now it is time to say farewell. We had a fantastic time and of course it was far too short! But what the heck. Life is like that: you can never get enough of the good stuff in life, right?

When you are going back home, we will put you on the train at Fukui. You will then go to Shin-Osaka. That is easy, just put your luggage where you put it coming here, relax, kick off your shoes and enjoy the scenery of this part of Japan. Most people don't get to see it because all they see is Tokyo, and Kyoto. If Japan shows up on TV, it will only be the rush, hustle and bustle of busy Tokyo. Most people never know what you know. Spread the word: Japan isn't such a hectic place to live as most people think (80% of the island is like where we live!)

You have arrived at Shin-Osaka. The train has stopped, you have gathered your suitcase and wiped your tears. When you get off the train at Shin-Osaka you have to go upstairs to the main station. I didn't take a picture of this platform, but it shouldn't be too difficult. Just go up the stairs.

Then you usually have time to go to Starbucks right there if you want a coffee, or something. But the longest part of the train ride is over. The Haruka is only 45min to 1 hour and the final stop is Kansai Airport. Keep an eye on your ticket time though as usually it gets set so you only wait about 20 minutes.

After you get your coffee or whatever it is that has struck your fancy, you look for the sign that says 11 or 12 to Kansai Airport (see picture). The track will be #11. When you arrived you got off 11, walked across the platform to 12 and got on the Fukui train.

Go down these stairs to the platform that you got off on when you arrived from the airport. There will be two trains coming and going: be sure you get on the one TO KANSAI AIRPORT. If you get on the one that goes to Kyoto, you are going the wrong way. Be sure to watch. And remember, TRUST THE TIME ON YOUR TICKET. The Kyoto one may come a bit sooner than the one to Kansai (dropping everyone off from the airport - another good hint that you do NOT want that train), but trust the times. This is the only tricky part.

Once you are on the train, you have no worries. It will take you right to Kansai Airport. You will get out, go up the escalator and see everything that you recognize from the way out. Go through the turnstiles by putting in that one ticket with all the writing again, then walk over the concourse to the airport. You will need to get into the elevator there and go up to the 3rd or 4th floor to check in. Just follow the others with the big suitcases. Once you have checked in, probably it is a good idea to get something to eat. In the center of the check in area you will find an escalator going down. If you go down a floor you will see a bunch of shops and some restaurants. Walk around there a bit and enjoy it. Lots of stuff to see there. If you want to go back to Starbucks and the restaurants around there, go down to the 2nd floor and instead of going over the concourse, just turn right off the escalator and you can see Starbucks and the other restaurants behind the escalator down. Very easy. If you go through the gates to passport control, etc. all that is behind there is duty free and no real restaurants. Likely you will be hungry so I highly suggest getting something to eat before you go through that area. Remember, you have to go either to one side or the other side of this long hallway and catch the shuttle out to where your plane will be. Just follow what is on your ticket, and follow the gate.

Have a great flight and be sure to send me an e-mail when you get back so I know that all went well. We'll miss you! Bye!!

Here is a review of how to get to Fukui from Kansai International Airport:

Part One: Getting Out of Kansai Airport

Part Two: Getting Into JR Station

Part Three: Getting on the Haruka Express for Shin Osaka

Part Four: Getting on the Train Bound for Fukui Station from Shin Osaka

Part Five: Getting to Kamishii-mura from Fukui

If you would like to go back to the top page, click here.

Cam Switzer
October 5th, 2003