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September 5, 2015October 4, 2016

Osaka, And First Japanese Culture Shock

This post is part of a series called Japan 2015-2016
Show More Posts
  • Osaka, And First Japanese Culture Shock
  • Hiroshima and Miyajima
  • Returning to Japan Later in the Year, and Learning the Hostel Business
  • Temple Living on Mount Koya
  • Visiting the Old Capital City of Kyoto
  • A Short Visit to Hida Takayama
  • Climbing Mount Fuji
  • Tokyo, Japan
  • Autumn Colors in Kyoto and Nara
  • 2 Months of Living in Osaka
  • Following River Plate at the FIFA Club World Cup
  • Ikoma Sanjyo Amusement Park
  • Short Trips to Kobe and Takeda Castle
  • Nara Dreamland – Abandoned Amusement Park
  • In Review: 88 Days of Backpacking and Living in Japan

Despite being travel-weary after 15 months of traveling, arriving in Kansai Airport (Osaka) from Taipei was a much-needed shock to my system. Things that caught my attention: how elegant people dress (especially the women), how efficient and on time the trains are, how people are very respectful despite the streets being very crowded, and how good the food is.

I remember walking from the train station to my hostel on the first night, and smiling as I saw these small back streets with people eating in small restaurants. For some reason that filled me with joy and gratefulness that I was on this long journey around this world.

Japan is also not as expensive as it used to be. The yen has lost a lot of value in relation to other currencies, and things there (especially the food) are quite affordable.

Osaka, Japan
Osaka, Japan
Osaka, Japan
Osaka, Japan
Shinsaibashi, Osaka
Shinsaibashi, Osaka
Osaka, Japan
Osaka, Japan

I stayed a few extra days in Osaka waiting for my JR Rail Pass to arrive. Unlike most other travelers, I dislike the whole planning and research process before a trip. Because of this, it wasn’t until the day before I boarded the plane to Japan that I realized that the Rail Pass had to be purchased outside the country, and that it would take a few business days for them to mail it for you. Luckily I was able to find a travel agency that was able to rush deliver the pass to the hostel I was staying in Osaka. Getting the pass saved me at couple of hundred US dollars in transportation costs.

I originally intended to fly in and out of Tokyo, but my favorite football team (River Plate from Argentina) happened to be playing a friendly cup in Osaka), so I changed my plans and flew into that city instead. I was worried that I would not be able to get a ticket, but there were plenty of them left at the stadium on match day. River Plate ended up winning the match, and I started to seriously consider coming back to Japan in December to watch them play the FIFA Club World Cup, when they might play against Messi and FC Barcelona.

River Plate vs Gamba Osaka, Suruga Bank Championship
River Plate vs Gamba Osaka, Suruga Bank Championship
River Plate vs Gamba Osaka, Suruga Bank Championship
River Plate vs Gamba Osaka, Suruga Bank Championship
River Plate vs Gamba Osaka, Suruga Bank Championship
River Plate vs Gamba Osaka, Suruga Bank Championship
Posted in Travel, Photography, Round The World Trip, Asia, Japan
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kevinstravel

Rough race and not the result I was looking for. W Rough race and not the result I was looking for. Was targeting a sub 2:55 but finished in 3:31. It felt hard from the start and had stomach issues later on. Still proud of the effort and finish.
2 more days 2 more days
Tiruchirappalli, India. January 2018. Tiruchirappalli, India. January 2018.
Tiruchirappalli, India. January 2018. Tiruchirappalli, India. January 2018.
Tiruchirappalli, India. January 2018. Tiruchirappalli, India. January 2018.
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