Japan is a combination of something new and familiar. The people were nice and helpful (even if we usually had to resort to sign languages) and the weather was a bit friendly. It only rained a few times during our stay and the weather had allowed us to enjoy out trips before drenching us during late afternoons.
First stop: Osaka - commercial and industrial center of Japan.
The Cebu Pacific half fare promo was the catalyst for our trip. It was a big saving for us and gave me an excuse to justify to myself the cost of our trip. The discounted airfare was only Php 6,417.64 per person for a round trip ticket inclusive of tax!
Our flight landed on Kansai airport, about an hour away from Osaka's city center. There's a tourist friendly Kansai Pass that was budget friendly for our 3 days stay at Osaka. We checked in at Chisun Hotel near the Shin-Osaka subway station. our 3 nights stay at the Chisun Hotel costs us USD 223.72.Details of the room are:
Room Type : Twin
Free High-Speed Internet
Non Smoking**
2 Single Beds
The toilet has a separate shower room and a hi-tech toilet bowl that amazed me! Users can even have background music while you do your thing. :D
Although there was free WIFI in our room, we didn't have a laptop with us and my mobile didn't work in Japan. So I had to resort to using the prepaid PC in the lobby. Every 10 minutes costs JPY 100!!!
Some of the popular tourist spots in Osaka are the Osaka Castle, Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Tempozan Market, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.
Although entrance to castle grounds is free, there's a fee to enter the castle - JPY 600.
Mother and I did not dare ride the ferris wheel.
Dugong in the Osaka Aquarium. Entrancs to the aquarium is JPY 2,000.
On to Kyoto, famous cultural center that was once the capital of Japan.
We originally planned to tour as many castles in Kyoto but we we're so tired of our tour the day before that we slept in late. Nonetheless, the trip to Byodoin Temple was worth the 2nd day of tireless walking.
As a bonus, we also went to Hongwan-ji temple near the Kyoto tower.
Then on to Nishiki Market for some shopping and met a fellow Filipina as well. A funny story with the Filipina, she asked my mother if I was working there and tried to referred me to the "bar" she was working at. DO I really look like a bar girl?! Hahaha.
Welcome to Universal Studios Japan
The train to USJ have it's own train with the train's design depicting some of the rides and shows. I was expecting it to be like Hongkong Disneyland, where in the train had statuettes in it of Disney characters and Mickey Mouse style window but it wasn't like that. It was an ordinary train with just the design outside.After alighting from the train, there are a stretch of stores and restaurants before the USJ gate.
It was raining almost the whole time we were in USJ but we still had a blast! The rides and shows were spectacular and we enjoyed every ride and show we got.
Space Fantasy ride is not for the fainthearted, Spiderman ride will make you a bit dizzy. Jaws, Back to the Future, and Waterworld were so real like, it seemed you were watching the actual filming. But Terminator was the best! Even just waiting in line and we couldn't understand the actor's words (she was speaking in Japanese), we we're already entertained! Being Arnie fans didn't hurt either. And to top it off, the Live Rock and Roll show was groovy!
See a video of the Waterworld show.
Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland was so big that we were not able to tour the entire place! There was 7 different sections inside the park and we were able to go to all sections but not really explore each one. It was a good thing that I had friends who were frequent visitors of the park and they planned our itinerary for the day. We were able to avail more rides than usual because there was less people that day due to the elections and my friends took as many fastpass as they can for us.
The Pirates of the Caribbean ride should not be missed by Johnny Depp fans. Seriously.
Disney meal
Picture with 2 cosplayers in Tokyo Disneyland.
They were thrilled that someone asked to have a picture with them.
Yokohama and Tokyo
This post has been long enough so just a few more stuff to consider for your own Japan tour.
Cheapest bus I found from Osaka to Tokyo was at JPY 4,900. Departure was from Osaka Umeda Plaza Motorpool and arrival was at Yokohama station west exit, in front of Tenri Building (In front of Aozora Bank). We stayed in Yokohama since my good friend Pia offered her apartment to us so that we can save on accommodations while in Tokyo. And she lent her iPhone to me as well! Her iPhone was very helpful, with the WikiMap-like app that helped us a lot.
Ippudo Ramen near Yokohama station - simply divine.
Shinkansen (bullet train) ride - expensive but something to try at least once in your life.
Akihabara - for the geeks in all of us.
And finally, enjoyed my night out with Astrid and Ramil! They treated me in one of the very nice restaurant in Tokyo and I had a taste of Wagyu beef (very delicious!) and hot sake! Afterwards, we went to a gay bar (waiters were wearing G-strings) where I had my first taste of Corona bear with lemon! Then on to a club for a night of partying!!!
