The day for our flight from the UK to Kansai International Airport had arrived. My child and I left the house early in the morning and arrived at a regional airport in the UK by train. As usual, we arrived at the airport two hours before departure. Since I had checked in online the day before, our process at the check-in counter was just a baggage drop.
We passed through security and completed the departure procedures before heading to our boarding gate. Security checks seem to be getting stricter every year. In addition to taking off jackets and shoes (if they contain metal) and placing them on the conveyor belt, we also went through a body scanner in addition to the metal detection gate. As long as there are no issues, the process is usually smooth, so I wasn’t particularly worried.
I had seen a few posts on x.com (formerly Twitter) about security lines stretching outside the building at this airport, but since our flight was early in the morning and it was the off-season, it went very smoothly.
From UK Regional Airport to Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam)
The flight from the UK took off on time.
The moment the plane leaves the runway is always exciting. The UK cityscape gradually shrinks as the plane rises, and we break through the clouds into the open blue sky. Flying above the clouds really feels amazing.
During the approximately one-hour flight, a light snack was served, and before I knew it, we had arrived at Schiphol Airport. Since I’m used to long-haul flights of 11 to 12 hours, I didn’t feel tired at all from such a short flight. Thinking back, many years ago, I experienced a 7-hour flight to Hawaii from Japan several times, and I felt quite fatigued. However, now I can confidently say that a 7-hour flight is “a piece of cake.”
Stopover at Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam)
It had been 6 years since my last visit to Schiphol Airport. The spacious terminal has many interesting spots. Due to the airport’s size, moving between gates can take time, but there are many souvenir shops along the way, especially those selling colourful tulips and related items, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The resting areas have plenty of USB ports and charging stations, making the wait comfortable even for several hours. There are also many dining options, and the Heineken bar, famous in the Netherlands, caught my attention.
On the way to the boarding gate, I was a bit surprised by another security check. It was expected that I would be asked to take off my jacket and place it on the conveyor belt, but I was also asked to remove the hoodie underneath. Since I was only wearing underwear underneath, I refused, but the male staff instructed a nearby female staff member to check me. When I explained to her, “I’m wearing only underwear underneath,” she understood. I couldn’t help but wonder what they would have done if I had actually removed my clothes and shown them my underwear.
From Amsterdam to Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Our second departure was at 13:00, leaving Amsterdam and heading for Kansai International Airport.
This flight didn’t have the same emotional significance as the one leaving the UK, but the moment of take-off was still special. Personally, I think I could experience it over and over again without ever getting tired of it. This flight was delayed by about an hour, but since we didn’t have any scheduled plans after arriving in Osaka, it wasn’t an issue.
As usual, I enjoy looking out the window, so I took in the beautiful view. This plane didn’t have traditional window shades but instead had buttons that allowed us to adjust the brightness. The reason for the delay was explained as a plane change, but it seemed that the new plane was a better one. I was happy with the feature that allowed me to fully darken the windows or lower the shade halfway to enjoy the moon or sun in a magical way.
Throughout the flight, several meals, snacks, and drinks were provided, and it was a very comfortable flight.
Arriving at the closest airport to USJ
Finally, we approached Kansai International Airport. Since the airport is built on the sea, it is unique in that just before landing, it looks like the plane is about to land directly in the water. My child jokingly said, “Are we going to splash down?” but it really felt like we might!
The plane landed safely, and after completing the immigration procedures, we followed our original plan and headed to Universal Studios Japan (USJ) by train.
Kansai International Airport (KIX) to USJ
Although I had researched how to get to USJ from KIX by train beforehand, once we boarded, I became uncertain about whether the train was heading to Nishi-Kujo (西九条). So, I asked the station staff and cleaning personnel for confirmation. Thanks to that, we were able to continue the journey without worry.
As mentioned in yesterday’s itinerary, we transferred once at Nishi-Kujo from Kansai Airport Station (関西空港), and arrived at Sakurajima Station (桜島) near USJ. The “La Gent Hotel Osaka Bay,” which we had booked, was about a 5-minute walk from the station.
Due to the flight delay, we arrived at the hotel after 14:00. Since check-in started at 15:00, we opened our suitcases at the end of the lobby, organized the necessary items, packed away the things we didn’t need, and left them at the front desk. Then, we headed straight to USJ.
Twilight Ticket at USJ
We arrived at USJ around 14:30. Since the hotel was nearby, there was no rush to leave. We bought a discounted “Twilight Ticket” that allowed us to enter from 15:00.
It had been 11 years since I visited USJ with my children in 2013. The park had changed a lot, with new attractions like Harry Potter, Minions, and Super Mario.
I accompanied my child while taking photos and enjoyed the new areas.
The End of a Long Day
After departing from the UK and barely getting any sleep, the long day finally came to an end. We had dinner out and returned to the hotel around 21:00.
we picked up our suitcases at the front desk, chose some amenities provided in the lobby, and headed to our room. Both the hotel and the room were clean and comfortable.
My child took a shower and quickly fell asleep. I finished organizing our luggage and confirming the train schedule for tomorrow before finally ending the long day.
