nishimark

When are your arrival and departure times?

suthida

6:30am arrival, 5:25pm departure.

suthida

Thank you for your suggestions and recommendations. I appreciate your input. I am not up for sightseeing since I will returning from a funeral. Leaving LAX tomorrow for Bangkok, will have 6 hours layover on the way there which I will just hangout at the airport. However, on the way back to LAX, will have 10 hours at KIX and want to kill time but not quite sightseeing, is there any malls to hang out nearby there? I'd lived and worked in Tokyo for a year when I was younger so been to some temples already. Numba sounds like fun though, do you know how long it will take the train to get there and can I go with a wheeled carryon bag? or best to go light with a backpack? I will arrive at 6:30am and depart at 5:25pm. Thank you.

nishimark

Kyoto is a great place, but will take more time getting there and going back. I'd recommend go into Osaka, greater Namba area (much closer than Kyoto), walk around, have lunch, then back to the airport. You won't need to get back to KIX until 3:30 or even 4:00, so you'll have some time.
Take Nankai train to Namba.
https://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/access/train
Here's some good info about Osaka.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4001.html

evergrn

If you decide to go to Kyoto, you'll probably have ~5hrs there (but then keep in mind it takes an additional time to get from Kyoto Station to wherever you want to get to).
If you decide to just settle for Nanba, you'll probably have 6~6.5hrs there.

You'll have to decide for yourself which place you'd rather go to. If it's raining that day, Kyoto is almost certainly not worth it. If the weather's decent and you just want to go check out a specific area of Kyoto (eg, Kizomizudera + shopping alley below it + Gion area), then Kyoto is definitely doable. Nanba area can be a lot of fun also, and 6hrs will go pretty quick.

nishimark

A different option, take the high speed ferry to Kobe and walk around, then have Kobe beef for lunch.
https://www.kobe-access.jp/eng/
Or continue on to world heritage site Himeji castle.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3501.html

jib71

Himeji is doable, but quite a lot of effort. The travel is 4+ hours roundtrip with several changes. Worth it if you're passionate about Japanese castles.

nishimark

If Himeji, then I recommend the high-speed ferry, because much faster than train or bus to Kobe (Sannomiya station). From JR Sannomiya to Himeji is 40 minutes on express train. Could still get back to Kobe for lunch, then ferry back to KIX. Not your normal layover, but the castle is a unique place.

suthida

Thank you everyone for your advice and suggestions. Very much appreciated.

Thank you

Thank you.

craigthemif

Is it feasible to travel with ski equipment on the high speed ferry between Kobe and Kansai? Right now the only way I can use miles to get from Sapporo to connect to an international flight at KIX would be Kobe or ITM. I'm assuming Kobe might actually be easier...

nishimark

ITM would be easier, because there is a direct bus to/from KIX. They can put your luggage underneath.

NishinomiyaDada

according to the Japanese version of the website...
The sum of the width/hight/depth has to be under 2m and the weight needs to be under 30kg.