Early this year, my friends and I flew to Japan to witness the beautiful Hanami season. We started our journey in Takayama and Shirakawa-go, then went around Kansai Region, Hiroshima, before finishing our trip where we started, in Nagoya.
We spent a significant amount of time in Osaka, working on various professional commitments during our trip. After these daily commitments, we went to the usual sights and enjoyed the amazing city. We all have been to Osaka a few times in the past, so we did not pressure ourselves to see everything during our stay.
Allow me to share some of our sightings during our lazy but relaxing travel days around the bustling city of Osaka.
Osaka is Japan’s second-most populous and famous city. This bustling port city is the center of commercial and economic activity in the Kansai Region. It is known for its modern architecture, food, entertainment, and nightlife. It is also known to be more relaxed than the very busy Tokyo.
My friends and I flew in and out of Nagoya. We flew with our favorite budget airline, Cebu Pacific Air, and paid ₱13,759.49 each for the return tickets, including checked baggage allowance.
We took a not so popular route and went to Osaka directly from Takayama. Normally, people would base in Nagoya and only take a day trip to Takayama and Shirakawa-go. We took the 5.5-hour express bus from Takayama Bus Terminal to Namba OCAT in Osaka.
Kintetsu Bus operates the 8:00 a.m. bus from Takayama while Nohi Bus operates the 1:40 p.m. bus to Osaka. One-way fare costs ¥5,500 per person from Mondays to Thursdays and ¥6,000 per person every Friday to Sunday.
We left Takayama on a Saturday afternoon, so we paid the ¥6,000 bus fare. We paid ₱2,303.59 each, including our bank’s foreign transaction service fee. We arrived in Osaka on time and went straight to our accommodation.
Accommodation
We stayed in Osaka twice during this trip, after Takayama before going to Hiroshima and after Hiroshima before going to Kyoto. In both instances, my friends and I stayed with The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi.
The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi is a 2-star accommodation located in the heart of Osaka. Renovated in 2019, the property has 134 private and dormitory rooms across 7 floors. It also has well-designed communal areas on the second level.
Osaka has an extensive subway and train system. Most, if not all, places to visit can be reached by train. My friends and I did not avail of any train or subway pass. We used our IC cards for every ride around the city.
Places Visited in Osaka
The Sakura full bloom got delayed by a little over a week during our visit. We enjoyed whatever the city had to offer during our stay.
Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street
This long shopping arcade is the best place to shop when in Osaka. It has a wide range of stores, from cosmetic stores to apparel shops, second-hand stores, shoe shops, and designer boutiques. It also has hundreds of nearby restaurants and cafes.
Dōtonbori
Dōtonbori is a famous commercial and entertainment district in Osaka. It is where the famous Glico man sign is found. Characterized by different LED billboards, this place is famous for local street food and restaurants.
Namba
Namba is another commercial area in Osaka that is connected to the busy Namba Station. The area has several shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, and even entertainment establishments.
Umeda Sky Building
The Umeda Sky Building is a two-tower mixed-use skyscraper with a rooftop observatory named Kuchu Teien Observatory. The observatory offers beautiful views of Osaka from its 39th floor from morning until evening.
My friends and I got our observatory tickets from Klook. We paid ₱540.30 each after discounts and went up the rooftop after sunset.
Shinsekai
Shinsekai is an old but cool neighborhood just outside the Minami ward. It has affordable restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. It also has the Tsutenkaku Tower, another famous local observatory. The neighborhood is best enjoyed at night when the lights are all lit up.
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. This historical landmark played an important role in unifying the country back in the 1600s. Today, it is a museum where visitors can enter for a fee.
Osaka Castle Park
The Osaka Castle Park is a massive park surrounding the beautiful Osaka Castle. This park is a famous Sakura spot in the city.
Too bad, the full bloom got delayed by a little over a week. We only saw the buds in the Sakura trees during our visit.
Nakaoe Park
Nakaoe Park is a small park near Osaka Castle. This park had beautiful Sakura trees in full bloom during our visit.
Kuromon Ichiba Market
Kuromon Ichiba Market is Osaka’s most famous fish market. Market vendors sell fresh seafood and produce daily. It is also a famous seafood and street food destination in Osaka. It also has various restaurants and souvenir shops, which visitors can check out during their visit.
This sums up our lazy but relaxing time in Osaka. We decided to just take our time and enjoy the city, and we eventually did.
Have you been to Osaka? How do you find the city? Is it a place you will come back to in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? You may also send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.
Thanks for joining me in today’s Osaka blogpost. In case you missed it, my friends and I flew to Japan for 20 days to experience the cherry blossom season from March to April 2024. You can find all posts related to this trip under the Sakura 2024 category.
Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you in the next one!
In the last two years, I have been to Osaka four times. Believe it or not, I only stayed in one accommodation. I enjoyed my first stay back in April 2023, to the point where I stayed in this property every single time I visited Osaka after. I will not gatekeep this any longer, and I will share my favorite Osaka hostel, The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi, in today’s Hostel of the Day feature.
I have been to Osaka a few times in the past. If you are interested to know more about my previous visits, feel free to check out the posts under the Osaka category.
The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi
The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi is 2-star high-rated accommodation in the heart of Osaka. Renovated in 2019, the property has 134 well-designed private and dormitory rooms across 7 floors. The reception, communal lounge, and co-working spaces are found on the second floor.
The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi is located at 1-14-29 Shimanouchi Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, 542-0082. It is in the center of Osaka, in a quiet neighborhood east of Shinsaibashi. The property is 2 minutes by foot from Exit 6 of Nagahoribashi Station (K16/N16) on the Sakaisuji & Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Subway Lines. It is 10 minutes by food from Exits 5 & 6 of Shinsaibashi Station (M19) on the Midōsuji Subway Line.
The hostel is 700 meters or 10 minutes away by foot from the Shinsaibashi Shopping Street and 1.1 kilometers or 15 minutes away by foot from Dotonbori/GGlico Man Sign. It is also near several local restaurants and convenience stores like Lawson, Family Mart, and 7-Eleven.
The Stay Osaka is 25 to 30 minutes by train (Midōsuji Subway Line) from Shin-Ōsaka Station, 45 to 50 minutes away by train (Midōsuji and Sakaisuji Subway Lines) and airport bus from Osaka Itami Airport, and 50 minutes to an hour by train (Midōsuji and Sakaisuji Subway Lines, Nankai Lines, and Osaka Loop Line) from Kansai International Airport.
The hostel’s location is an easy 10 out of 10. It is close to everything one needs when traveling around Osaka. It is near the subway station, near commercial spaces, and is accessible to the airports via train.
The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi has a long list of hotel- and hostel-type private and dormitory rooms that all types of guests can choose from.
The private rooms have the following configurations: queen room with private toilet, twin room with private toilet, triple room with private toilet, 4-bed bunk room with shared toilet, 4-bed bunk room with private toilet and mini kitchen, Japanese-style (futon) room (for 5 people) with private toilet, 5-bed bunk room with private toilet and mini kitchen, and 6-bed bunk room with shared toilet.
The dormitory rooms have the following bed arrangements: mixed dormitory room with shared toilet, female dormitory room with shared toilet, and mixed dormitory room with semi-double beds and shared toilet. Room or dormitory bed rates per night vary depending on season and booking platform.
I stayed with The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi four times in the last 2 years, and I have booked the same mixed dormitory room (Room 701) with semi-double beds for all stays. Each semi-double bed features an enclosed (by curtains) space, a pillow and duvet, a safe box, in-room slippers, and toilet amenities, including bath and face towels. The room also features a large storage space and a small co-working space with tables and chairs facing the windows.
I paid an average of ¥4,322.13 per night, or ₱1,682.86 per night, with 11 out of 16 nights during peak season (long holiday weekend and Sakura season).
Guest Facilities & Amenities
Guests staying at The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi enjoy the following facilities and amenities:
Free High-Speed Wi-Fi – All hostel guests have access to complimentary high-speed wi-fi both inside the rooms and in the communal areas. The connection is fast enough to accommodate those people working remotely while in Osaka.
Shared Kitchen – Guests can use the shared kitchen to cook meals during their stay. The kitchen is fully-equipped with a burner, pans, and everything needed for cooking.
Communal Dining Area – The hostel has a spacious and aesthetic communal dining area beside the kitchen.
Complimentary Tea, Coffee, & Ice Cubes – The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi offers complimentary tea, coffee, and ice cubes to all guests. The hostel’s tap water is safe for drinking.
Co-Working Space – The hostel has a co-working space shared with the dining area on the second floor. Some dormitory rooms also have small co-working spaces inside the rooms.
Common Lounge & TV Area – Guests can chill and relax in the common lounge and TV area beside reception.
Clean Communal Showers & Toilets – The property makes sure that its communal showers and toilets are clean and well-maintained.
Air Conditioning & Heating Systems – All private rooms, dormitory rooms, and common areas feature air conditioning and heating systems.
Breakfast Service – The hostel offers breakfast service to those who avail themselves of it. The breakfast meals can be ordered for a fee the night before.
In-House Bar – The Stay Osaka has an in-house bar that sells alcoholic drinks and mixed drinks.
Vending Machines – The hostel has vending machines in front of reception.
Tourist Corner – The Stay Osaka has a tourist corner that has guides, city maps, flyers, and pamphlets with everything about Osaka, current promotions, and upcoming events.
Locker Rental – Guests can rent lockers for their valuables or other items when needed.
Free Boardgames Rental – Guests can borrow the boardgames near the lounge area and play with them during their stay.
Free Umbrella Rental – The Stay Osaka offers free umbrella rental during rainy days. Guests can freely get one when leaving the hostel and return it after use.
Coin-Operated Laundry & Dryer – The hostel has a coin-operated laundry and dryer, which guests can use during their stay.
Luggage Storage – The Stay Osaka offers free luggage storage before check-in until 3:00 p.m. and after check-out until 10:00 p.m.
Hostel Shop – Forgot to bring something? Fret not. The hostel has a small shop selling items the guests might need during their stay.
Seasonal Hostel Activities – The property hosts seasonal hostel activities to welcome guests from around the world. These activities are announced ahead of time in the hostel socials and on the noticeboards.
Long Reception Hours – The hostel reception is open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. Check-in starts at 3 p.m. daily while check-out is allowed until 10:00 a.m.
Multi-Lingual & Friendly Staff – The hostel staff are all warm, welcoming, and friendly. They speak different languages including Nihongo, Korean, and English.
Lift Access – The hostel has one lift that goes to every floor. Guests who bring large luggage do not need to carry it via the stairs.
Designated Smoking Area – The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi has a designated smoking area outside near the building entrance.
Secured Room Access – All private and dormitory rooms can only be accessed by using the assigned key cards during check-in. The key cards only work on your assigned room, the assigned floor in the lifts, and the common floors.
Secured Hostel Premises – The rooms can only be accessed by the guests. Also, the lift requires a keycard for it to go up. The main entrance door is locked every day after 11:00 p.m. The hostel is also equipped with a 24/7 security surveillance system.
Hostel Experience
I have stayed with The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi several times in the past, and I will continue to stay with them every time I am in Osaka.
The hostel wins in some aspects. First, the mixed-dorm with semi-double beds is something I really like. I get the privacy I need for a fraction of the price of a private room. I also like that the room is spacious, has its own toilet and shower, and has a small co-working space or table.
Second, the hostel’s common area is my favorite. The common area is spacious and aesthetic. It is also perfect for those who need to do some work during their stay. It also has a fast and reliable wi-fi connection, ideal for work calls and meetings.
Third, the hostel offers complimentary amenities like shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap, coffee, tea, and even ice cubes. It is my first time to see a hostel regularly provide ice cubes to its guests. Fourth, the hostel’s location is one of the best in Osaka. It is in a quiet neighborhood near Shinsaibashi and near many Osaka sights like Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, and Namba. It is also accessible to the city’s public transportation system.
Fifth, the hostel’s rates are not the cheapest in the city but are affordable and reasonable for the location, facilities, and amenities they offer.
The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi is not a perfect hostel. I also had some not-so-good experiences during my previous hostel stays. First, the common area can be very noisy and busy during the night when most guests are back from the days outside. There was one instance when guests were laughing out loud and shouting at 1:00 a.m. Good thing, the staff advised that group to tone down their voices.
Second, the dormitory room temperatures can be hot and uncomfortable at times. The dormitory room temperatures are controlled by the staff. There were instances when it went to the high and hot temperatures during my spring visits.
Even with these not-so-good experiences, The Stay Osaka remains to be my favorite hostel in Osaka. I enjoyed my previous stays with them and I am looking forward to coming back in the future.
If you have any curiosities about the hostel and about a potential upcoming stay, please feel free to reach out to them on the following channels:
This wraps up my post about The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi. What do you think of the hostel? Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.
Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and please watch out for more Sakura 2024 content in the coming weeks.
In April 2023, I flew to Japan for the first time since the pandemic. I spent the first night in Fukuoka at Fukuoka Hana Hostel. The following day, I flew to Osaka with Peach Aviation and based there for the rest of the trip. I initially planned on taking the bus from Fukuoka, but I ended up flying because of an affordable flight.
I spent my first night in Osaka in the city’s most affordable, quality, and high-rated accommodation, Backpackers Hotel Toyo. I have seen this accommodation a lot of times when I planned my previous Osaka trips, but I only stayed here for the first time on this trip. Join me as I share with you why you should consider booking today’s hostel of the day feature, Backpackers Hotel Toyo, on your next trip to Osaka, Japan.
Backpackers Hotel Toyo is a hotel or hostel for budget-minded travelers. The property offers affordable, accessible, and comfortable accommodation options in the expensive city of Osaka and the country of Japan. The hostel is nestled in a multistory building in the quiet area of Nishinari Ward.
It has been operating for years, and it has maintained its good-quality accommodation. Backpackers Hotel Toyo is rated highly on booking websites such as Agoda (8.3/10), Booking.com (8.2/10), Hostelworld (8.7/10), and Traveloka (8.9/10). These ratings are as of early January 2024, based on over 7,400 reviews across all 4 sites.
Location & Access
Backpackers Hotel Toyo is located at 1 Chome-3-5 Taishi, Nishinari Ward, Osaka, Japan 557-0002. It may be a bit of a walk from the bustling Namba and Shinsaibashi areas, but it is close to Shinsekai, another popular area in Osaka. It is 2 minutes by foot to Exit 2 of Dobutsuen Mae Station of the Midosuji Subway Line, 3 minutes by foot to the East Exit of Shin-Imamiya Station of the JR Loop Line, and 5-10 minutes by foot to Shinsekai. It is approximately 40 minutes from both Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka Itami Airport (ITM).
The property is in a relatively quiet neighborhood but is practically near everything. It is 5-6 minutes away by subway to Dōtonbori, Namba, and Shinsaibashi; 20 minutes away to Universal Studios Japan; 30 minutes away to Nara Station; and about 45 minutes to an hour away from Kyoto Station.
The hostel is also near convenience stores, restaurants, and izayakas. Its location is perfect; it is an easy 10 out of 10.
Room Options
Despite being a budget accommodation, Backpackers Hotel Toyo only offers private Japanese tatami mat rooms with shared toilets and showers. They have four room types: a Japanese-style single room without air conditioning, a Japanese-style single room with air conditioning, a Japanese-style twin room, and a Western-style twin room.
The non-air-conditioned rooms come with a fan during the summer season. The single rooms came with a small monitor, clothes hanger, and curtained windows. The twin rooms also come with a small refrigerator. All guests have access to communal shower rooms and toilets. Room prices per night vary per booking platform.
Here are the hostel’s rates (back in April 2023) if you book with them directly: Single room without air conditioning (¥1,700 per night), Single room with air conditioning (¥2,100 per night), and Twin room (¥5,000 per night).
I booked my stay with Agoda and only paid ₱823.91 for a night in a Japanese-style single room with air conditioning. I got assigned to Room 212, which was near the far end of the second floor. The room came with a tatami bed, comfortable sheets, and a pillow. It also had a small monitor, hangers, and a small dust bin.
Guest Facilities & Amenities
Free Wi-Fi Access – Hotel Toyo provides wi-fi access to all its guests.
Communal Lounge Areas – The property has two communal lounge areas on the ground floor, one near the reception and one near the kitchen and dining area.
Outdoor Terrace – The hostel has an outdoor terrace on the rooftop floor. It is a designated smoking area and clothes drying area.
Desktop Computer Access – Guests can freely use the desktop computers for whatever use they need them for.
Shared Kitchen & Dining Area – The hostel has a shared kitchen and dining area complete with kitchenware and utensils.
Shared Shower Rooms & Toilets – There are shared toilets per floor. Shared shower rooms are on the first floor. The shower rooms have complimentary shampoo, conditioner, and liquid soap.
Complimentary Water Refill – The property provides complimentary water refills to those who need to fill up their water bottles and tumblers.
Complimentary Morning Coffee & Tea – Hotel Toyo provides complimentary coffee and tea from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Complimentary Public Bath in Neighboring Hotel – Guests also have complimentary access to a public bath in a neighboring hotel. Please ask the receptionist if you want to check this out.
Vending Machines – There are two vending machines found near the reception booth. These vending machines have beers, coffee, soft drinks, and water.
Video Games, Consoles, & Boardgames – There are video games, consoles, and boardgames in the first-floor common area that guests can borrow and play with.
Ping-Pong Room – Guests can also play ping-pong in the ping-pong room on the 6th floor.
Laundry &Ironing Facilities – The laundry and ironing facilities on the first floor can be used for an additional charge. Please approach the receptionist if you want to wash or iron your clothes.
Luggage Storage – The hostel can keep your luggage before check-in or up to 10:00 p.m. after check-out. After 10:00 p.m., the luggage storage fee costs ¥300 per night, unless you have an upcoming booking within the next 2 weeks.
Long Reception Hours – Hotel Toyo’s reception is open from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Guests arriving beyond 11:00 p.m. need to contact the property before check-in for instructions on what to do.
Bicycle Rental – The property offers bicycle rentals for those who want to rent one during their stay.
Hostel Shop & Merchandise – Hotel Toyo has a small shop that sells trip essentials like razors and adapters. They also sell hostel merchandise such as shirts, tote bags, and even postcards.
Multilingual Staff – The hostel staff can speak in Japanese, English, and Chinese languages.
Secured Hostel Areas – The property is equipped with a 24/7 surveillance system. There are security cameras in the common areas and in the hostel communal areas.
Hostel Experience
I had a quick but valuable stay at Backpackers Hotel Toyo. I only stayed there for one night, but I already know why this property is highly rated by its guests.
Backpackers Hotel Toyo leads the game with its affordable and valuable price point. For less than ₱850 per night, the guest can enjoy a private room with a traditional tatami bed and air conditioning. This low nightly private room rate is rare in a first-world country like Japan.
The property does a good job of keeping their communal showers and toilets clean and well-maintained. They also provide bath amenities like liquid soap, shampoo, and conditioner. The hostel may not serve any food, but it boasts complimentary morning tea and coffee and free water refills for all its guests.
The hostel vibe is fun and social. Guests easily mingle with other co-guests. They can easily find mates to join and go around the city with. Lastly, I find it nice that the hostel showcases and sells their merchandise to their guests. The hostel takes pride in their accommodation and offers souvenirs for those who want to remember the fun experience they had on the property.
During my stay, I noticed some areas in which the hostel could further improve. First, the place is already starting to show its age. Everything still works fine, but you can see that the place has been there for a long time and might need some renovation in the medium term.
Second, the hostel might need to monitor the cleanliness of the communal areas more. The living, kitchen, and dining areas were not so clean during my stay. There were leftover plastics in the living room and other misplaced stuff in the kitchen and wash areas. There is a big chance that these were left by other guests, but I believe the hostel can implement stricter measures to prevent this from happening.
Lastly, the property does not have lifts. Travelers who bring large suitcases or big luggage need to carry them up to the upper floors if they are assigned on the upper rooms. I know this can be out of the property’s control, but I am putting it here for future guests to see if this will be a factor for them or not.
Overall, it was a lovely stay at Backpackers Hotel Toyo. I will surely be back at this property for its price, location, and vibe. I hope you can consider staying in this affordable, valuable, and high-rated Osaka accommodation.
For any questions or booking-related inquiries, feel free to reach out to Backpackers Hotel Toyo on these platforms:
Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.
Last April, I went on a quick trip to Japan for the first time since Fukuoka in October 2019. I did not make any concrete plans on where to go or what to do since I revisited the same places I had been to a few years ago: Osaka and Nara.
I booked my ticket in November 2022 when Cebu Pacific Air offered a ₱1 base fare sale during 11.11. I flew in via Fukuoka, and then I took a domestic flight to Osaka afterwards. I stayed in Osaka for 6 nights and decided to just go around the city and the nearby cities for the rest of the trip.
This post will be different since I will not talk about where you should go or what you should do in these cities. I will only share random photos of the places I have been on this trip. Spoiler alert! I still saw some cherry blossoms in Nara. Enjoy!
Osaka
Dōtonbori
Hozenji Yokocho
Kuromon Ichiba
Shinsekai
Nara
Todai-ji Namdaimon
Tōdai-ji Chumon
Nara Deer Park
Kōfuku-ji Chukondo & Kofuku-ji
It felt surreal visiting Dōtonbori again after a few years. It also felt amazing to see the world-famous cherry blossoms for the first time in x years of going to Japan.
Thank you for joining me in today’s photoblog. I hope you stay tuned for Japan-related content in the future. I hope you can also visit and follow my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram! Thanks again and see you in the next one.
In April 2023, I flew to my favorite country, Japan, for the first time since the pandemic. I thought I was just in time for the cherry blossom season, but Sakura started early this year. I saw a ₱1 base fare ticket to Fukuoka from Osaka a few months ago and decided to grab this low fare to visit Japan again.
Upon arrival in Fukuoka, I stayed only for a night and decided to fly to Osaka the next day and base there for the remaining 6 days. Between these 2 cities, I flew with one of Japan’s biggest low-cost airlines – Peach Aviation. This Peach Aviation flight MM 158 from Fukuoka to OsakaKansai is today’s flight report feature. Read on below as I share details about this future-proof and efficient Japanese domestic flight.
Peach Aviation Limited, operating as Peach, is a Japanese low-cost airline based in Osaka, Japan. The airline was founded by All Nippon Airways and Hong Kong-based private equity firm First Eastern Investment Group on 10 February 2011. The airline was initially named A&F Aviation and rebranded to Peach on 24 May 2011.
The airline had its first domestic commercial flight to Sapporo and Fukuoka on 1 March 2012. It also marked the first flight by a Japanese low-cost airline in the country. It flew its first international route from Osaka Kansai International Airport to Seoul Incheon International Airport back on 8 May 2012. The airline has launched several domestic and international routes through the years and has become one of the biggest low-cost carriers in the country. In 2018, All Nippon Airways, its parent company, announced the merger of Peach and another low-cost carrier, Vanilla Air, with Peach as the surviving entity.
Today, Peach flies to 37 destinations within Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Thailand. It has bases in Osaka, Naha (in Okinawa), Tokyo Narita, and Sendai. The airline operates an all-Airbus A320 fleet. It expects deliveries of Airbus A320neos and Airbus A321LR (long-range) aircraft in the next few years. On 24 April 2023, the airline celebrated an important milestone as it flew its 50millionth passenger since it started its operations.
Peach sports a unique livery consisting of pink, purple, and white color schemes. As far as I am aware, the airline does not have a loyalty program. It has a monetary token called Peach Points where these points can be used to pay for Peach flights, add-ons, and government taxes.
Peach is a low-cost airline. The airline offers basic airline fares at low and affordable prices. Any other add-ons and services availed of such as check-in baggage allowance, seat selection, and inflight meals are paid on top of the basic fare.
I booked my one-way ticket 2 months before the intended flight date and paid ¥8,260. I availed of the airline’s Simple Peach basic fare and bought a 20-kilogram check-in baggage allowance as an add-on. My local credit card issuer charged me ₱3,559.50, including the foreign currency transaction conversion fees.
I believe the total fare price is reasonable considering it was for a flight during the peak Sakura season and it was booked 2 months before the flight.
Travel Requirements
The airline staff only requested a valid identification card during counter check-in. They specifically asked for my Philippine passport during check-in. Apart from the confirmed airline ticket and valid ID, the airline staff did not require any other requirements to board this flight.
Before The Flight
3 days before the flight, Peach Aviation sent a flight email reminder. They sent a pre-flight preparation checklist and tons of information about check-in and bag drop procedures. They also offered more add-ons such as additional baggage allowance and seat selection.
At the time of the flight, check-in procedures are only done at the airport at least 1.5 hours before the flight. Recently, the airline has introduced flight check-in procedures through its official mobile application.
Aircraft & Flight Information
This Fukuoka to Osaka Peach flight MM158 utilized a 7.4-year-old (at the time of the flight) Airbus A320-214 aircraft. This plane, delivered to the airline in November 2015, is registered under JA817P. It has 180 seats in an all-economy class 3 x 3 configuration.
The flight took off from Fukuoka International Airport at 6:13 p.m. and touched down at Kansai International Airport in Osaka at exactly 7:00 p.m. The flight only took 47 minutes and arrived 5 minutes ahead of schedule.
Ground & Airport Experience
Domestic flights out of Fukuoka International Airport depart from the Domestic Terminal. This is the airport terminal connected to the Kūkō Line of the Fukuoka City subway system.
CHECK-IN
Check-in for domestic Peach flights opens 90 minutes before the scheduled time of departure. Passengers first check-in through the check-in kiosks, line at the counters for document check, and drop bags for weight and security checks at the bag-drop counter. Seats are assigned automatically unless availed of for an additional fee.
This unique check-in process took me less than 5 minutes to finish. Add to that, the ground staff at the document check and bag-drop counters were nice and accommodating. It was an easy, quick, and efficient check-in process. Well done, Peach!
PRE-DEPARTURE
After check-in, I lined up and took some time to pass through security. I walked to our assigned gate, Gate 2, and noticed that the noticeboards included the expected flight delays in the smallest timeframe (10 to 15 minutes).
The Gate 2 pre-departure area had enough seats for all the people in our flight. It even had workstations for those who wanted to do some work while waiting or those who needed to go into a meeting before catching a flight.
BOARDING
The ground staff announced the pre-boarding reminders at 5:30 p.m. They started boarding passengers at 5:35 p.m., 20 minutes before the scheduled departure.
Passengers assigned to seats A and F in rows 16 and above boarded the plane first. They were followed by all passengers seated between rows 16 and above. Next, passengers assigned to seats A and F in rows 1 to 15 boarded the plane. They were followed by the rest of the passengers. One quick note – all boarding announcements were made in Japanese and not in English.
The crew closed the cabin doors at 5:55 p.m. The boarding process was finished in 20 minutes. It was quick, orderly, and efficient. The plane pushed back at exactly 6:00 p.m.
Inflight Hard & Soft Product
SEAT FEATURES
This Fukuoka to Osaka Peach flight was operated by an all-economy-class Airbus A320-200 aircraft. The plane has 180 economy seats configured in a 3 x 3 arrangement split in the middle by a single aisle. According to SeatGuru, all seats (excluding the exit row seats) have a seat width of 17 inches and a seat pitch of 29 inches.
I got an aisle seat (4C) for this quick flight to Osaka. Each seat features an industry-standard leg room, a foldable tray table and a seat pocket with the aircraft safety card, air sickness bag, inflight magazines (both in English and Japanese) and an inflight digital service information sheet. Each passenger also has access to individual air vents and individual reading lights.
INFLIGHT SNACKS
Peach does not offer complimentary snacks or meals onboard. Passengers can purchase snacks, meals, or drinks onboard through the inflight digital service. Unlike other low-cost carriers, the Peach cabin crew does not go around the plane and offer snacks to the passengers. They only go to the passengers once food orders made through the inflight portal are served.
They offer a wide range of snack and drink options at reasonable prices. I did not avail of any food or drink service during this flight.
INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
Like most low-cost airlines, Peach Aviation planes do not feature personal entertainment screens. They provide inflight magazines both in English and Japanese.
The airline also has an inflight portal where passengers can browse through various entertainment contents such as airline original videos and other variety shows. The portal’s shop offers souvenirs for those who want to buy some and transportation tickets for those who want to take the bus from Kansai Airport to Umeda. The portal also features a moving inflight map that shows real-time details about the flight.
INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY
Peach did not offer in-flight Wi-Fi on this short flight to Osaka. Passengers can connect to the onboard connection only to access the inflight portal and not to use the internet or messaging applications.
LAVATORY
I did not get the chance to visit the lavatory because the flight was a little under an hour.
Cabin Crew Service
Unfortunately, I did not have a direct interaction with the cabin crew on this flight. I saw them only during boarding, before take-off and landing and during disembarkation. At least, they made sure that everyone followed the protocols during these times. Overall, the cabin service lack personal touch from the crew.
Disembarkation & Baggage Claim
The aircraft touched down at Kansai International Airport at exactly 7:00 p.m. and taxied to Terminal 2. We got off the plane through the tarmac and walked quite a distance to the baggage claim area. We got our bags after a few minutes and headed to the free shuttle bus to Terminal 1 / Kansai Airport train station.
The arrival experience was almost like our Jetstar flight from Sapporo to Tokyo Narita back in February 2018.
Flight Experience
I had a fun, interesting and unique flying experience with Peach Aviation. I believe some of the Japanese way of doing things are different from what we are used to, but they totally make sense. I found their systems quick, efficient and future-proof.
This flight had some notable points. First, the check-in process was unique but quick and very efficient. The whole process took me less than 5 minutes and that included checking in via the kiosk, having my documents checked with the ground staff and surrendering my check-in luggage for a weight and security check.
Second, Fukuoka Airport announced every possible delay on their flight noticeboards. They announced the expected 5-minute delay. Impressive! Third, the boarding process was, again, unique but made everything run smoothly and quickly. I noticed that it is only in Japan that they board A and F passengers before anyone else. This specific process works and makes boarding faster.
Fourth, Peach Aviation’s inflight portal is something else. It is future-proof and a nice additional feature for a low-cost airline. Another airline that comes to mind is Scoot, with its ScootHub. I hope the other low-cost airlines in the region develop their own inflight portal. I seriously think this portal makes the inflight experience a lot better.
Lastly, the fare I paid for this flight (¥8,260 / ₱3,559.50) was worth every single penny. The airline offered an affordable fare during the peak season and delivered an excellent flying experience.
Moving to the other side, I personally think the airline can improve some parts of the flight. First, they can add more contents and options to the inflight portal. Currently, the entertainment options are limited to airline-related videos and some variety shows. It would be nice to have full movies or television series in the options.
Second, I hope the airline can also incorporate English announcements both during boarding and during the flight. They can continue making the announcements in Japanese, but I hope they can also add some English parts for the important ones. Lastly, I personally felt the lack of cabin crew touch on the flight. I may be saying this as someone who is used to the Southeast Asian kind of inflight hospitality. The cabin crew service still affects the overall flying experience.
Nevertheless, it was still an excellent flight with Peach Aviation. Will I fly them again in the future? Definitely. It would be interesting to see if other Japan-based airlines follow the same processes. I wonder if All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Airlines (JAL), Air Do, Jetstar Japan and other local airlines do the same thing. I hope I can fly all of them in the future.
To my fellow aviation geeks, here are some additional information about this domestic flight to Osaka:
Airline: Peach Aviation Flight Date: 14 April 2023 Flight Number: MM 158 Route: Fukuoka, Japan (FUK) to Kansai Airport, Osaka, Japan (KIX) Duration: 47 minutes Seat Numebr: 4C (aisle seat) Aircraft: Airbus A320-214 Aircraft Registration: JA817P Engines: 2 x CFM International CFM56 Engines Age (at the time of the flight): 7.4 years old Delivered: November 2015
This sums up my first-ever flight with Peach! Have you flown Peach in the past? How was your experience? Will you fly Peach soon & or by any chance have questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to share your experiences or post your questions in the comments section below. You may also send them via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.
Thank you for joining me in today’s Peach flight report. I hope you can also check out these flight reports as well as my previous flight reports with Cebu Pacific Air, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Vietnam Airlines and Air France. All other previous flight reports can be found under the Flight Reports category. Feel free to check them out. Please look forward to more flight reports in the future.
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