How to save Money in Osaka

Konichiwa! 

Hello everyone! So if you're reading this, that means that you're kinda interested or am going to Japan/Fukui like me! I was thinking, how may this blog actually help you in anyway. If I were to write diary entries, I will (probably) bore you to death and after all, each person goes through their own experience and I definitely aren't going to bombard you with mine. 

So what's the most important to students? HOW TO SAVE MONEY!

Here are some of my tips to save money and make the most of it (of course enjoying the process too!)

1. Fly budget.

Cmon, Singapore is so near to Kansai Airport (Osaka), and its just a mere 5 hours away. So budget is really the way to go! I took Scoot that flew me directly to the airport with no transfer and it was pleasant, cos I was sleeping the entire trip! HAHA.

But really, fly budget. Baggage is 20kg for check in and hand-carry is 10kg which is more than enough. Well, trust me, I am an overpacker and I brought 28kg worth of stuff over!

2. Buy Osaka Day Pass

To fully explore Osaka using the cheapest way possible, buy the Osaka Day Pass! I got mine from Klook.com (a Singapore website, so it's trustworthy). 

Link: https://www.klook.com/activity/1323-amazing-pass-osaka/?krt=s20&krid=6a791d04-51da-40a1-6cfe-c7cd9bed93cf 

Double check to make sure you get the Kansai pick-up, cos (duh) you're picking up from Kansai Airport. HAHAHAH. But anyway, the benefits of this pass is that just for $38, you get entrance to multiple attractions and use of the Metro (train) all day!

Just get the two-day pass! Trust me, it's worth it.

The only thing is that you really have to chiong (rush) for all the attractions to make the pass really worth it. I did around 3 attractions a day (which to many, it may not seem like its worth), so if you have more energy than me, GO FOR IT! 

3. Buy All Day Train Pass from the ticketing machine.

Go and watch any Osaka video on youtube (e.g., Kimdao) and you can easily learn how to use the ticketing machines. Don't worry, they have the English option so it's really easy to use! Anyway, an all day train pass for a week day is 800 yen and for weekend is 600 yen. Super worth! A single trip if you wanna travel far may cost around 500 yen. So a day pass is a must!

4. Shop at Shinsaibasi and Namba! 

If you're into the shopping for cosmetics and eating tons of reasonable priced food, come here! HAHA. I'm lazy to explain the glory of this place cos for the 6 days I was here, I came here everyday to eat! HAHAHA

The tip is if there's people in the shop, it's bound to be reasonably priced and delicious! They have ramen shops everywhere! So it's a must try! 

Tonkotsu Ramen

This is the three types fish don. OMG, YES this is the bomb! Fresh sashimi on nice warm rice, coupled with a beer (or a drink if you're not into alcohol). Yes, their alcohol is the best! There is the Asahi, Kirin, Suntory beer which I totally enjoy! What's best?! It's priced only around 120-800 yen! Supeeerrrrrrrrr cheap compared to Singapore! 

Lastly, this is to die for! Ever tried takoyaki in Singapore? Nope, because you only tried real takoyaki when you have this! You just have to look around in the area and there are tons of amazing food! 

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The takoyaki literally melts in your mouth and the octopus inside the real juicy and sweet. Nothing like what we have at home! Trust me, I'm a foodie. HAHAH. Ok, don't trust me. Eat it and you'll know!

Lastly, in order to ensure that you know you're in between Shinsaibashi and Namba, you have to take this picture! I don't really know what it means, but everyone was doing it so I did too! 

In summary (lol, like writing composition). But anyway, prepare your feet! Cos saving money means walking! And walking means you don't miss any little nook and cranny of the city cos there are many hidden gems! 

5. Have breakfast at the convenience store.

Once you have done your research about Japanese food (yes, I'm talking about food again cos by now you should already know, I love food!), you will know that Japan's convenience stores are the best! From cold food to hot food to finger food, whatever you want, it has! 

These are my favourite:

The first of course has to be hot coffee latte cos the weather here is much colder than Singapore! Especially when it rains and the wind blows (my, my, it's really cold!) This only costs 100 yen which is like amazing! Where can you find a good cuppa coffee at a dollar.  

Another you must try is their bubble tea! This is the coffee flavoured bubble drink, they also have the milk tea flavoured one! Both are exceptionally delicious!! The bubbles aren't like your ordinary bubble tea bubbles. They are more of jelly bubbles that have a slight crunch to it! Oishi des! 

The convenience store is really a one-stop wonder. I literally eat dinner here if I run out of options to eat late at night! HAHHA

6. Go outlet shopping!! 

Go only if you're into the branded goods and whatnot, because outlet shopping here is not too bad. Of course if you want to get great steals, you should go to Genting/JB outlet shopping because of the exchange rates. But its not too bad here too! 

Go to the Rinku Premium Outlets! (don't bother going to Mitsui outlet, I was bored to death, almost wasted an entire morning there). 

Link: https://www.premiumoutlets.co.jp/en/rinku/

How to go? It's easy! 

Go to JR at Namba. Head to the JR ticketing station and ask the station master for the Rinku Premium Outlet package. It's 2010 yen that includes the train fee and a 1000 yen shopping voucher! So you definitely have savings there! 

7. 108 yen Diaso!!!!

So if you need anything like the basic necessities, head on to Diaso! There aren't many that I saw but definitely one in between Namba and Shinsaibashi. You have to find it in one of the alleys (so be patient!)

108yen is super worth! Around SGD $1.50? But do look out for some price tags as there are things sold for 200 yen - 300 yen. So if there isn't a price tag, its 108yen! 

And that's about it for saving money tips in Osaka!

I will continue with more posts regarding Fukui, so read on!