Japan photos of my visit
I came to Osaka, Japan in Jan 2023
1/07/23
When I was getting ready
for my trip to Japan, I was making sure I was ready; I had packed my bags, got
my PCR test result, got my passport, saved up a lot of my money, and ready to
go.
That day came when I got
to the airport in Phoenix to Seattle. I think I had a 6-hour layover, so I
just relaxed at my gate, waiting. I tried to go to the currency exchange,
but it was closed and didn’t open until 9 am. But my flight was at 7 am, so
that would be a miss.
It was interesting to see
how quiet and almost empty the airport is when it’s nighttime. I don’t know if
there was ever a place in SeaTac to sleep in for a few hours, so I just had to
rest in a chair at the gate.
1/08/23
By 6:30 am rolled around, I was told I needed a visa. I was upset and very worried. I didn’t think I need
a visa just for traveling for a visit even for just a week. And truly, you
don’t need a tourist visa for a week in Japan.
I was literally feeling
sick and worried I was not going to get on the plane. After several minutes of
uncertainty and them going about, “You need a tourist vias…” Then later they
said, “Ok, you can go to Honolulu, but you’ll have to talk to the embassy there
and it may be months before you can get a visa.”
Talk about absolute
baloney! So I went on my flight anyway. To think I almost decided not to go out
of anger and hopelessness, but I’m glad I decided to keep going. That feeling
really scared me how close I was to that point. I hate to imagine what would
have happened if they were wrong and all my plan, I worked so hard on was
ruined by that lie!
I was feeling sick and
shaken, worried I will never go to Japan and that everything was a huge bust
despite everything I’ve done; all that research, the planning on where to go,
the budgeting and more all for nothing! I even tried to see about the visa, but
the websites were telling me I don’t need it if I’m just visiting, not going
for work, or studying abroad. I had asked the flight attendant if I needed to
have a visa. She told me I do not. So that took a huge relief.
When I saw Honolulu for
the first time, I had to admit it’s very beautiful in the air. When I landed, I
was getting ready for my boarding. The staff there asked for my PCR test
result. I showed them my screenshot of the results. It wasn’t good enough
because I needed to have more information such as the time as well as the date
and the method of how the test was done. That feeling of sickness and fear came
back again. But they were being more helpful that they allowed me to have my
flight moved to the next day so I can find an urgent care to redo my PCR test.
Never been to Hawaii
before, so I had no idea what I’m doing. But I was doing whatever I can. So, I
looked for an urgent care and was taking the bus. The bus system here is awful
as with Seattle and Phoenix’s bus system. For instance, I was waiting for the
next bus that should take me to the urgent care. It would take me 30 minutes to
walk there from where I was at and yet the bus wasn’t going to arrive for a
while. Especially since it said on the google maps that the bus, I was waiting
for left earlier but I never saw it come. And when I got to my destination and
what do you know? The bus I was waiting for arrived at where I was getting to get
there as well. God damn.
Despite being January,
it’s very hot and humid. Certainly not a place I would want live in. But I got
to admit it would be a nice place to visit for a vacation someday. Beautiful
things to see, the food to try and many more. But I didn’t want to spend too
much time enjoying myself, I was racing against time to find the urgent care
and get it done.
When I was trying to get
the PCR test before I was set to board the plane, I was not aware that you need
to have information like your name, the method of the testing, time and
date, the result which should be negative to be allowed to go to Japan, and
probably what the place you went to get the test maybe. Because when I went to Walgreens,
I got my test done there. I thought the screenshot of the result and my name and date were enough, which I asked at the Walgreens at. They
claimed it was enough. Liars.
The urgent care I was
going to was closed, so I was ticked. So, I tried to find out exactly where I
was supposed to find it. Considering it’s getting nighttime, all urgent cares
are closing except for a few. I visited the ER because Google Maps said they do
PCR tests. The guy in front of the Emergency room told me he thinks they don’t
do PCR test but gave me a visitor’s pass to talk to someone. I met the lady who
is a nurse who told me they do but we don’t know what the billing will be and
they don’t know when I’ll get the result.
She pointed to the doctors
of Waikiki that does this for people who are going to Japan (Betting this
wasn’t her first-time people asked about that), so I got to the doctors of
Waikiki which wasn’t too far (It’s an island, you can drive full three hour
circle around it and I know because I checked with google maps), and luckily
they don’t close until midnight and they can get me my result in 45 minutes. So
I was told my pay will be 310.
So, I paid them, I had
more money so I know I’m good. And I made sure they gave me the paperwork. They
said they could send me an e-mail, but I don’t trust the e-mail considering I
had trouble already with the Walgreens’ result I got anyway. So, considering I
had until the next day before my flight, I booked a hotel that is just
literally behind the doctors of Waikiki office. So, I got the room for the
night and slept in.
1/10/23 Japan time 1/09/23
US time
I was up bright and
early, despite my flight being at the afternoon. So, I decided to just head to
the airport. When I got there, the same lady at the airport checked my
paperwork and said that this is the one they need, so I was good to go. So, I
got to my gate. I did try to find the currency exchange but there was no one in
the booth and I had no idea how I’m supposed to get Yen. So, I decided to try seeing
if I can get it in Osaka.
It was a 10-hour flight,
so I took few naps as I could, tried to watch some movie on the screen they
have for us on flight. I did watch sing 2, which isn’t too bad but not my
thing. I just watched out of curiosity and the fact it’s a very long flight.
Then I watched Dune, which isn’t too bad. I did notice the passenger next to me
was watching this Korean movie which I don’t know the name. it’s about this
south Korean student having difficulty with math and had this north Korean defector
who teaches him. Mostly I just stare at the flight on the map showing us how fast
we’re flying, how far we’ve gone, how long it’ll be before our destination. I
was so excited that I was finally going to be in Osaka! I just wished it was
during daytime so I can see it. But it was nighttime, so you can’t see
anything.
When I was heading to Osaka,
I was told to write on the two small forms which is a customs declaration, I
think. I write down my information, what I was bringing in, then number of the
flight, the duration of my stay, where I am staying at, and my passport number.
And all I gave them was my passport, my PCR test, the boarding pass, and my two
forms. I was able to finally be in Osaka. I was mentally freaking out in
excitement, like a kid going to Disneyland. But I was calm.
1/11/23 Japan time 1/10/23 US time
So, we got there, we had
to go through long way through the hallway, going through security checkpoints and
when they asked me where I was staying at, I told them and even showed my hotel
with the address and number. I was worried I won’t have the room when I get
there considering that I was supposed to be there a day earlier.
I was worried too if I
chose a different hotel because I didn’t get my hotel, I was staying at that
Japanese police would consider it suspicious. Of course, I think that’s a bit
silly considering I can tell then I was meant to be at the hotel but they told
me I couldn’t get a room so I had to stay at another one and they would
understand. But luckily, I got my room.
As I had said earlier, I
was trying to get money exchanged, but wasn’t successful at home. Most of the
internet research showed bitcoin or places that don’t do currency exchange. I
had been to triple A insurance building; they told me they don’t do that
anymore but with my Triple A I can save money on hotels or something. So, I may
take up on that next time. I went to the bank I don’t use, Bank one America,
but I had to have an account, but I don’t and I didn’t want to just open one
just for that. That’ll be silly. I thought I saw one in the mall, but I don’t
see it anymore. I’m willing to bet it’s gone because people don’t use them. The
airports I had been at during my flight didn’t have it, except Osaka’s Kansai
International Airport has some of theirs open. Thank goodness, I have no idea
how I would get any currency at that point.
After having been through
all the security checkpoints, I found the currency exchange and I waited in
line. It was interesting to see people with different currencies being
exchanged for Yen. I had over 220 US dollars in cash and exchanged it. The
money they gave me was over 28,000 yen. That is pretty much how much it is. I
went to find the train station that should take me to my hotel. I got to the
teller, though it’s my first time and I’ve never done this before, they were
helpful and I was able to buy the ticket, which is 1,080 yen.
When taking the train, I
did not know that at some stop, the subway would disconnect some cars and only
some would continue up ahead. So you would have to be at the right car that’ll
take you to the stop you want.
Considering that it was
my first time being there, I have no idea how to use transportation. Even when
trying to watch videos on this and figure it out, it’s like “information
deleted.” I was able to get onto the train to my hotel. They told me that my
room is still there and I should just pay for my room then. It was about 18,000
yen.
I did not get myself a
pass or a prepaid card like suica, Or a SIM card. But by next time I will. I
did get a prepaid card but on the last few days. I will most certainly get the
SIM card and Japan rail pass next time, especially since I plan to return to Japan
again one day. Possibly in Tokyo, I am not sure yet.
Here are my thoughts.
When I was in Osaka, there are some things I would like to say. It is a very
beautiful city. There are of course quite a lot of graffiti and trash, but of
course I do see some cleaners that come to pick up trash. I often heard how
Japan is very clean and all, which may be true for most of Japan, I don’t know
or that since things aren’t looking so great for Japan. There’s a lot of things
I do not know, so don’t take it out on me.
I was not sure what I
could do when it comes to buying street food or stuff from convenience store as
there doesn’t seem to be much in a way of outdoor seating. This because I did
not want to be rude when eating and walking. From what I heard it is considered
taboo. So basically, I just take them to my hotel room.
I was at the 7-eleven
which was just few blocks from the hotel. What I had gotten myself was a sandwich
that has egg slices with chicken and teriyaki sauce in it. It sounds weird but
is delicious. And I had myself Tuna mayo Onigiri, rice ball, and it is also
very delicious. Two bags of cookies and a soda. A total of them cost a little
over 1,000 yen. Which is basically 8 or 9 US dollars. If I was buying stuff like
this in US 7-11, it would probably be 12 dollars and it might not even be
filling.
The way to my hotel was
in an alleyway that a car can drive through. The Hotel was an old building. I don’t
know exactly how old. My room was on the fourth floor. Interesting considering
how number 4 was considered a bad luck.
I took the elevator up
and as the door opened, the hallway was dark. Really, really dark. I was like,
“oh great, creepy atmosphere, I’m going to die by some spooky ghost, right?” my
fault for watching too many Japanese ghost movies. I thought humorously enough,
“Well if I do die, at least I get to die in Japan! It’s only my first night and
I’m already killed by a ghost!”
The doors are so short, but
I didn’t have to worry about hitting my head. I’m not that tall, just about
5’7”. In my room was a tiny little room that is the size of a walk-in closet. It
had a futon on the tatami mat. There’s cupboards and closet where you can hang
your clothes. A tv was there, but I didn’t really watch anything on it. Interesting
thing too is that a power outlet on the wall by the door doesn’t work, but the
outlet behind the tv does, so I unplugged the TV used my charger there instead.
(I did plug the tv back in after I was finished with my stay, I’m not a monster).
The walls were peeling,
and the cupboards has stains on it. The room was ice cold. It’s winter time, so
of course it’s cold. It’ll be more concerning if it’s summer time and the room
was ice cold. Spooky.
1/12/23 Japan time
1/11/23 US time
I was up early in the
morning, which I decided to venture to the Tennoji Temple. I honestly didn’t
know what I could do there. I just looked around the grounds, I didn’t want to
touch anything or go into places I’m not supposed to. So I just looked around a
bit. I saw some people come to an entrance where a statue is and other things
were and bowed just at the entrance before entering a building. I don’t know
what it is all about, so I just decided to leave. Many people were coming in as
it was just practically opening. But feeling like an idiot foreigner, I just
left. I just decided to keep walking, saw some cemeteries, I think.
I saw a bunch of school
children heading to their school, which I know this because they had their
backpacks and greeting their teacher as they came for their class.
I found myself walking
far north when I thought I was heading back down south. I managed to get back
to the hotel, no problem.
I figured that since the
room was very cold, I asked the hotel owner if I can get an extra blanket.
Considering the language barrier, it was a bit of a challenge (Yes I was
learning Japanese but I am still poor at it, leave me alone). So he said he’ll
get me another blanket.
In my room, I had to
charge my phone. I was going to head off to the Osaka castle next. This is when
I decided to take the bus over there. It cost 210 yen to ride. You get in the
back door, ride to your destination and go to the front and pay and then get
off. I knew that when we get on a bus in the US, we get in the front, pay and
then ride. Kinda backward, which is funny. Imagine the trouble you’ll be if you
ride to your destination and didn’t have enough coins.
It is amazing to see the
castle in person and up close, I just snap a lot of pictures as I can. The park
is free to walk around in. The castle itself cost is 600 Yen. I ventured around
the grounds before getting to the castle itself, saw that a side of the castle
stone wall had some damage which I think was told that it was from a WW2 air
raid.
Inside the castle was
mainly a museum, history of the war and historical figures. I didn’t want to
butcher the history of the place, so I would just leave that alone. I had
gotten to the top of the castle, where you can observe Osaka all around you. After
I was finished with my tour in the castle, I decided to head out to get some
ice cream from the vending machine.
As I sat down on the
bench to eat, I noticed a sparrow that perched right across from me, eyeing me
and my treat. Even though it was obvious it wanted my treat, I couldn’t help
but feel like this was Kyle in the form of the bird. It flew right onto my side
as well, which I never had any bird do that. It could very well be used to
humans. I noticed two more of them, so I figured it has to be Kyle and his
brothers. A pigeon did come by. I didn’t think of this then, but now I thought
of it as Carlos, the annoying neighbor in my old apartment in Seattle, Cal Mor
Circle apartment, “stop begging for treats, you’re disturbing your neighbors.”
I honestly forget the
time frame when I went to the Onsen (Even my journal I wrote was confusing) But
I went to Radium Onsen, one of the place that allows those with tattoos in
(Even though I have no tattoos).
For those who do not
know, you first take off your shoes and place them in a locker which has a
wooden block that locks it. You take the block with you inside. There are two
doors, one for men and one for women. You go into one, you pay the person 410
yen. Then you take off your clothes in the locker room that is just behind you.
Place everything inside the locker, including the block you have. You take the
key that locks the locker and keep it on your wrist. You then step into the spa
area and shower first. There’s a vending machine that dispenses stuff like soap
and whatnot. Then after you shower, you get into the spa and soak up.
After you’re done, you
dry off, put your clothes on, then go get your shoes and go about your day.
1/13/23 Japan time
1/12/23 US time
I had decided to visit
the Tennoji Zoo, which is very close to my hotel I was staying at. It wasn’t
too big but not too bad. When I got to the hyena, it looked at me with surprise
like, “Whoa, I didn’t expect to see a human!” Never mind that he or she saw
humans all the time.
I went into the bird
habitat, which of you have to be cautious with birds pooping on your head. Thankfully
it didn’t happen, and I manage to go through with no problem.
I had used a squat toilet
there the first time. I tried it out to see if I can do it with no problem. No
problem, of course.
I have then gone to
Tsukenkaku tower, which is almost like Seattle space needle, but different. It
has an elevator and when you go up, it has interesting effects like you’re
transporting back in time. Which of course you are led to the museum of the
time when the area in Osaka started out around the tower. There is a slide,
that seem to take you from the top of the tower to the bottom. I did not try
because I wasn’t sure if I’ll fit. I’m too big as a foreigner.
After that, I went down
to find a place to eat. So I found a tiny little restaurant that sells
Okonomiyaki. I was lucky because as I sat in to wait for my meal I ordered, it
started getting crowded. Few people had to be turned away because it’s too
full. I had my first Okonomiyaki and it was absolutely delicious! The guy next
to me decided to order another one. I don’t blame him, it was so good. I did
thought about talking to him, but he’ll probably doesn’t speak English and
maybe doesn’t want me talking to him for all I know. I only spoke to the lady
working there, “Sumimasen, Mizu kudasai.” Which is excuse me, I want some water
please.
I decided to venture
around the shopping center around the tower I just visited.
There are at least three
shopping centers in Osaka I visited.
Shinsekai, which is where
I was at that time. It’s a famous place for foodies and has interesting things
to see and go to.
Tenjinbashi-suji shopping
center is a shopping center that stretched several miles straight. It’s full of
all kinds of shops and restaurants.
And Shinsaibashi-suji
shopping street, which is the same as the Tenjinbashi one; long straight line
of shops. Both of these places have many alleyways that have little shops
around the area too. It’s like shops within shops and in every literal nook and
cranny. I bet some thought, “a dark alleyway just beside the Shinbashi-suji?
Perfect place to open shop here!”
Of course, after the
Okonomiyaki lunch, I decided to head back to the hotel to rest. I did go back
out to lawson to buy a new towel because the one I used for the onsen was still
damp and cold.
There are three conbini, convenience
stores; seven-11, Lawson and family mart. All are great to get some snacks and small
items.
1/14/23
I went to one of the
shopping street. I forget which one it is. I have decided to be adventurous and
try a coffee shop. I don’t know what I was ordering, but I decided to get a tea
with matcha ice cream on top of it. The tea was bitter but the ice cream makes
up for the bitterness. After that, I went to ride a subway. I had trouble
trying to figure which direction the train will go, because I had gotten on the
one that took me the other way I was not heading to. Now this time I was trying
to be careful.
I have found a vending
machine that gives a cake in a can. I found out about it on Instagram and
wanted to try it out. I was lucky to find it in Osaka because there’s few
places that has that. I got the one that’s chocolate and strawberries. It is
delicious.
I ventured around the
shopping area. I do remember trying out the Burger king place, which they have
many different stuff than what we get in the US. I got myself hot dog and onion
rings. And it is true what they said too that if you order large drink, you get
the small size, which is their large. I did thought after getting the cup,
“Wait a minute, I ordered large… oh right, this is their large. Silly
American.”
What really sucks is that
I don’t know every time frame for everything I’ve done there, because I
remember that down south from my hotel is a raised platform over the
intersection that loops around. Nobody walks across that intersection below I
think, people go up to cross over.
I was down to last few
thousand yen, and I wanted to get more yen. I tried to use my card, but it
doesn’t take. I wasn’t sure how to get more. And I did some reading online and
realized I could use my credit card. And voila, I got yen. I decided to get
10,000 yen, which is about 77 US dollars. So in total I had 38,000 yen at that
time. And good thing too because I decided to get the suica card and get my
subway train ticket for ride to the airport.
I went to an underground
subway tunnel which there are many shops and restaurants too. I did try out one
of the restaurant there. And I say this because I wasn’t sure if I went on that
day or on the last day which is the 15th before flying to South
Korea.
I also decided to use a
laundry mat to clean my clothes. I found one that is not far at all and is
behind my hotel. And because of my having watched too many Japanese horror
movies, I kept expecting to see ghostly apparitions in the laundry mat.
Especially since I was doing this late at night. If I told Japanese people
this, they would probably roll their eyes, ‘You Americans are so weird and
funny!” I would have agreed.
1/15/23 Japan time
1/14/23 US time
I got up and have many
hours to spare before I have to be on the plane. But I decided to go on the
train over there anyway because A) I don’t want to get on the wrong train and
end up elsewhere and miss my plane and B) I want to be on my plane on time. As
much as I would love very much to stay in Japan, I don’t want to get in trouble
for missing my flight. Of course, even if I did and explained, they would be
understanding and help me. I would be in real trouble if I chose to
deliberately refuse to leave and overstay my welcome. I have no desire to do
that and I really don’t like it when people overstay their welcome either,
So I went to the station
to purchase my ticket and went to the checkpoint to get through. There was lots
of trains all in their station ready to have people board. I wanted to make
sure I was at my correct train. I asked for help. So I was pointed to the train
I was to take. I went to the platform and few times I stood in line, I found
that this was the women’s only car. So I moved down more to the ones that isn’t
women’s only.
So I got onto my train
and then head to my airport. I really wish I didn’t have to leave, and I wish I
had not got on so I can do last minute enjoyment there. But oh well.
At the airport, I was
very early and since I had time, I was able to look around the airport and
tried McDonalds there. I tried out their samurai burger. Really, and it was
delicious. I don’t usually go for McDonalds anymore, but I must try this.
So by the time I got
ready to board my plane. It’s a short flight considering how close South Korea
is to Japan. And after that, it’s a 23 hour layover. I thought about what I
would need to do at that time. And just like when going to Japan, I had to fill
out two customs forms too. This time it’s just a layover and I’m transferring
to another flight.
When we got there, it
wasn’t the same as when boarding into Japan, but still a long line of going to where
you need to go. I wasn’t sure where to do, so I just go wherever others are. I
was in line one time when I was asked if I was transferring to another flight.
I said yes and I was pointed to another area that’s for transferring
passengers. So I went over there.
I never knew before that
the airport has a sleep lounge there for passengers that are staying for a long
layover like me. So I went to the sleep lounge and slept.
1/16/23 Japan Time
1/15/23 US time
I got up bright and
early, I wasn’t too tired. I got currency exchange for Won, Korean currency. I
have both Won and Yen currency now, which I am still currently keeping for
later.
I tried out some food in
the airport. I forget what it was I got.
I never had to worry too
much about finding outlet to use in Japan to charge my phone, but South Korea
has a different outlet. Thankfully though there are some outlet I can use in
some part of the airport. I had a charger that had several outlets to use for
charging. Some people decided to use my charger to charge their phone. I didn’t
mind because there’s plenty to use and it’s hard to find outlets.
And there’s an
interesting thing I noticed too at the airport was some reenactments of Korean
royalty dressing up and marching through the airport every hour or so. I don’t
know what it was all about anyway.
After that, I got onto my
plane back to the States. It was nighttime of course and we were flying over
Japan. I just played the thought in my head that they’ll land in Japan again
announcing, “We’re taking a short detour to allow Tim to go live on Japan.” I
know. It’s just a feeling like I was being taunted by the airline flying over
Japan, “well you’re not gonna see this again for the time.”
1/16/23 US time
So now I got back to the
state, Washington state that is. Nice to see a familiar area. I wish I could
just venture around Seattle again but I gotta get back home anyway.
So after all that, I got
to be in Japan finally and I can’t want to return.
10/12/23
As I am writing this,
finally finishing this, I wondered about what I can do to go for my next trip.
This time I heard we don’t need to have PCR test again, I think. I hope the
next time I do go I wont get that scare from them with, “You need vias!”
Especially since I checked again that, no you don’t need a visa if you’re
staying less than three months or going there for work or study!
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