17 hours from London to Osaka: A guide to survive

By Gloria Zheng, Osaka University, Japan

It has been over a month since I arrived in Japan, so I figured it was time to sit down and write about my experience travelling alone for the first time. I flew from Heathrow Airport in London to Kansai International Airport in Japan (if you’re studying in the Kansai region you’ll most likely be flying here).

1. Book everything in advance

I booked my flight the same day I received my visa from the Japanese Embassy in London. This meant that I could get the best savings as as prices steeply rise the weeks following the date you’re planning to fly. I also used Google Flights to find the cheapest flight that fit my needs. It was necessary for me to take a train to London as well (which we all know is notoriously expensive!) which I did for less with a Grand Central 25% student discount and 16-25 railcard.

In addition I booked my accomodation for two weeks a month in advance as I couldn’t move in until the 19th. I used the Hotels function on Google Maps to sort by budget and location and Agoda to utilise their mobile coupons. Most hotels and AirBnbs in Japan offer free cancellation ahead of time so if you find a hotel/AirBnb that is a better choice you can cancel without a fee.

2. Prioritise comfort

As students, we’re always on the lookout for the best deal. However, sometimes it’s worth it to pay a little bit more and always!!! read the fine print of accomodation listings. I found a great deal (or so it seemed) of a room on AirBnb that was in a great location being only 7 minutes from Ikebukuro. However when I received the key information I noticed that the room was located on the 5th floor with no lift. Carrying two heavy suitcases up and down those tiny stairs is something I never want to experience again.

3. Pack only necessary things

Navigating through gigantic airports and Japanese railway stations is a lot of walking. It’s even harder with two unwieldy suitcases, so when packing to fly take only what you really need. Japanese weather is a lot different than the UK; even in October it’s still ~28 C in the daytime. I would only pack a few trousers and tops as you won’t need a coat until December time. Additionally, you can buy anything you need easily from a デパートor Amazon.jp.

These are the three things I would prioritise to survive a 17 hour trip from London to Osaka. Have a nice trip!