Japan, Favorite Place on Earth

This is the 2nd time I visited Osaka, though this was a shorter visit than before. The last time I went in Osaka was back in July 2013, with my previous company. This time I was allowed to extend my stay and go to Tokyo.

We stayed in Hilton Hotel, the location was nice. Shopping malls, train stations, coffee shops, restaurants are nearby. I stayed there for 2 nights, I went to Tokyo on the 3rd morning, exhausted because of Universal Studios and no sleep. But it was all worth it, I got some sleep while I was riding Nozomi Bullet Train from Osaka to Tokyo. From Hilton Hotel, the Osaka train station was a walking distance but it was raining so I had to call a cab. then from Osaka, I took a train going to Shin-Osaka which was 10 minutes away. From Shin-Osaka, I waited an hour for my scheduled bullet train trip going to Tokyo, travel time was approx. 3 hours.

It was thrilling traveling alone in a non-familiar place where people hardly speak English. I tried to stay awake during drop offs on stations. It was really nice to see the beauty of the provinces, there were mountains up until you see buildings and feel that you're getting near the city. The city where I found great memories 11 years ago (2004).

I stayed in Adachi-Ku with my aunt, uncle, and cousin. We drove days and nights in Tokyo, it doesn't matter what time it is. there are restaurants and shopping centers and spas that are open until...I'm not even sure if they are open 24hrs.

We drove to Shibuya to see Hachiko, it was late midnight and people there are everywhere like it was still 6PM. Of course,

I wouldn't forget to go back to where I first fell in love with a street, I came back to Ochanomizu. It was a place where music stores are everywhere. Sadly, it was not like 11 years ago, where you see bands walking with their gears, streets are loud and guitars are literally everywhere. I stopped by some shops and bought some for me and my drummer brother. We almost bought a telecaster type guitar, I'm not sure if it was Fender though it looked customized. I didn't bother to hold it and take a picture because I already decided not to buy it, and it breaks my heart.

After roaming and reminiscing, me and my aunt left Adachi-Ku and stayed in Fussa. We shopped and drove around. And man, have I told you I'm a thrift shop junkie! I can spend the whole day just looking for Home-use items. We also shopped inside U.S. base, too bad my timing wasn't perfect because there was a sale after I left Tokyo. We also pub crawled, and this time I felt more homey, as there were more Americans than Japanese, so it was easier talking to anyone.

Right now, the only countries I've been to was Japan and of course Philippines. And still, Tokyo's my favorite place on earth. That's why I want to travel more and see if I will still have those butterflies when I'm in other places.

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Matured me visiting Osaka, Japan

Why did I mentioned ‘matured’ to describe a guest from an underdeveloped (I was about to use ‘third world’ to describe my country. But after I researched, I found out that there are people considering Philippines as not a third world, maybe a level higher than that. But I will not discuss about that here) country to one of the most established country in Asia? 

I first landed my feet in Japan way back 2004; I was still in High School. My mom used to do this surprise trips for herself when she was younger, well actually it was me and my dad who were being surprised at that time. We got there through Philippine Airlines, it was my first time to ride a plane and so I did funny things like pressing a lot of buttons I see there. It was a very memorable moment, first time I’ve been to Disney Land (though I was having a bad day because of migraine), first time I went to Ochanomizu, Tokyo; I almost drooled literally because of the music shops around. The food and people were great. If there’s one thing I don’t like about Japan that would be the scary feeling that all this Asian mostly Japanese horror films are almost real because I was right there living in a house same with the movies. Haha. And so, I really hoped that I would go back there someday, until my current company gave incentives to the whole office and planned an international trip. The original plan was to go to China but then during the planning there was flu spreading or at least there was news that there is indeed flu in China so my company decided to change it to Singapore. But most of my office mates had already gone there and so Japan became the theme and everyone was so excited! I am shocked because when it was still China I decided not to come, and yes, Japan is my deal breaker that time.

I literally had no sleep before our 7am flight. The only time I get to rest my eyes was during our fly. 4 hours is travel time, but I had to stretch and stretch my legs so I napped for roughly 2 hours. 

Itinerary:

Day 1:    Arrival at Kansas Airport,

              Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

              Osaka Castle

              Lunch and Dinner at Dotonbori

Day 2:    Universal Studios

              Lunch at Universal

  Shinsaibashi shopping

              Dinner around New Otani Hotel

Day 3:    Kiyomizudera, Kyoto

  Tōdai-ji, Nara

  Lunch at The Buffet Style Sara, Kyoto

  Dinner at Ramen house in Dotonbori

  Free time-shopping

Day 4:    Free time- bike around

              Departure

We stayed at New Otani Hotel

I thought I will not enjoy this trip as much as I enjoyed going to Tokyo 9 years ago. I actually felt like not going back, it’s some place you can feel more than home (without your loved ones). I feel safe, comfortable, even if I’m just reminiscing I still feel like dashing through clouds while sipping cold drinks.

If ever given the chance, I would live there.