[Osaka-Kansai Expo] Going to Osaka with a 1-year-old 🐙 [Going to the Expo by boat ①]
I'm Aki-chan, and I've been collecting information and looking forward to the Osaka Expo since before it even started.
I planned to go to the Expo twice in total, in May and June, before it opened. There is already a lot of information out there about going to the Expo with children, but I will summarize how to enjoy the Expo, including accommodation and transportation.
This time, the main focus is on going with children, the Dorsett Agora Osaka Sakai, and the Expo cruise ship.
Schedule
3 days and 2 nights
(Expo on the 2nd and 3rd days)
Accommodation
Dorsett Agora Osaka Sakai
Transportation
Travel from Aichi to Osaka by car
Day 2: Expo cruise ship (Sakai Old Port → Yumeshima)
Day 3: Car (Maishima Expo P&R Parking Lot, using Maishima E)
The main goal of this Expo trip was to go to the Expo by boat. I decided I absolutely had to go by boat from the moment it was announced as an Expo shuttle. Why? Because isn't there something vaguely romantic about boats? As someone who has actively taken ferry trips, sightseeing boats, and yakatabune (houseboats), I conveyed my passionate desire to enjoy the boat travel as part of the Expo experience, and my husband chose the hotel. Since no information about the boats had been released even by late March, we booked the hotel first and then reserved the boat after the information was released. As for the Expo's two-month-prior lottery, we booked mainly for the afternoon because we didn't know how long the boat ride would take, but it turned out to be a good thing for traveling with a child.
We stayed at the Dorsett Agora Osaka Sakai.
The Dorsett Agora Osaka Sakai we stayed at this time is a new hotel that opened around the same time as the Osaka Expo, and you can go directly to the old Sakai Port pier from the hotel's 2nd floor.
It was like an extension of a business hotel, but the rooms were new and clean. There was some inconvenience because the plumbing was a unit bath, but since it wasn't a trip where we spent a lot of time in the hotel, it was within an acceptable range for our family. Higher-grade rooms have larger plumbing areas, so if your children are a little older, it might be better to upgrade.
On the first day, after checking in, we walked to the Noah Dolphin Dome to see the dolphins and had dinner at Aoi Napoli Umisoba. The pizza was delicious and I highly recommend it!
Personally, if you aren't going to the Expo by boat with your children, I recommend Risonare Osaka!
Heading to the old Sakai Port pier
Even though you can move directly from the hotel's 2nd floor, there are many stairs on the route. Because a ramp is installed at the edge and you have to go around and around many times, even though you can see the pier, it takes quite a long time to get there.
The number of boats is limited, so it's safe to leave early so you don't miss your boat.
Time to board!
When you arrive at the pier, you can have your photo taken with Myaku-Myaku and the Myaku-Myaku boat. We were able to board without folding our stroller. We were guided to park the stroller in the space right next to the entrance. It was very helpful that we could park it without folding it this time as well.
The inside of the boat is just full of Myak-Myak!
When it departs, the official theme song echoes through the boat, We're going to the Expo now!! it really gets you excited!
My 1-year-old son was overjoyed, saying "There's Myak-Myak!", and at this point, I already felt so glad we took the boat!
Travel time
Sakai Old Port → Yumeshima Pier (Expo Venue)
Departing at 09:00
Boarded the boat.
9:00-9:30 (Boat ride)
9:30-9:35 (Transfer to shuttle bus at Yumeshima Pier)
9:45 Arrived at West Gate
Passed through the West Gate and entered by 9:50
I think the shuttle bus travel time might vary depending on the number of passengers, but on the day we boarded, there were about 15 groups at a glance, and we were the only ones with a stroller. There were two shuttle buses parked at Yumeshima Pier, but everyone fit into one bus.
I was prepared to wait for the next bus if we couldn't board without inconveniencing others, so I was very surprised that two buses were provided. We were at the very end of the line and were able to board with our stroller still unfolded.
The staff at Yumeshima Pier were all very kind and helped us load the stroller. I was very touched by their thoughtfulness, such as having a second bus on standby with a ramp attached just in case it was full and we couldn't board.
Also, when the bus departed, all the staff at Yumeshima Pier waved us off; that was the most memorable moment with the Expo staff. It was a moment where I truly felt, 'The Expo is amazing! I love Osaka!'
As a result, we were able to spend our time from the hotel to the Expo entrance without getting tired and stress-free, and I really think it was a great decision to take the Expo cruise ship.
As an aside, moving with a stroller on the train on the way back was too difficult, so I regretted not taking the boat back as well.
It seems that discounts for the return trip started in July, so for those interested in traveling by boat with children, I would also recommend taking the boat for the round trip.
Boat travel from Old Sakai Port to Expo shuttle
Points to note when traveling with children
Risk of boat cancellation and lack of alternative transportation
→ [Our family's countermeasure] Use the Sakai Expo P&R parking lot by car and take the shuttle bus from the parking lot
The shuttle bus from Sakai Station is almost fully booked the day before, so reservations are not possible, meaning you have to change to a car or train.
If you take the train, you will arrive at the East Gate, so there is a risk that you won't be able to enter with a West Gate admission ticket as of July. We decided that taking a car for West Gate entry was the only option.
Considering the risk of cancellation, our family drove from Aichi to Sakai.
Need to plan the schedule according to the boat time
→ Make reservations for the afternoon slot instead of first thing in the morning
At this point, the boat schedule has been announced, so I don't think it's a major problem, but since there is a possibility of delays for the boat or shuttle bus, I think it's better to make reservations with plenty of time to spare.
There was no information available at the time about traveling by boat from Sakai with children, so I was full of anxiety. I would be happy if my experience could be of help to someone.