20 Jan 2012
Its raining while waiting for the taxi. Depart to Osaka at 8.20 am with mixed feeling. To be honest I'm scared and anxious. I do not know what to expect. This is Japan where people do not speak English, same like China and I'm on solo trip. I pray hard for good, throughout this journey. Will be staying at the airport hotel, Kansai before heading Osaka the next morning.
21 Jan 2012
Waking up to a nice weather. Breezing cool weather with a bit of sunshine. That's why I love winter. I hardly have headache. I can't really slept last night. Waking up few times, worried I over slept. I have to pinch myself that I'm really at Japan alone, figuring out my way.
Everything is on the dot. Shuttle bus leave at 9.06 am heading back to the airport. Finding my way to the JR station to purchase one day pass of 2k yen. Journey to Osaka is about 55km. Its a bit different from Korea. Inside the train, people do talk and sleep. Not too much hook up to their gadget. Or perhaps its still early Saturday morning :-)
I think I have to be more relax and calm. Be okay to make mistakes a long the way. I have to trust myself. I'm gonna be fine, kan. Not forget to have fun. Otherwise bercuti pun stress.
Today itinerary @ Osaka - Umeda Sky Building, Osaka Castle and Osaka Museum of History then heading kyoto.
10.30 am
22 Jan 2012
Oh wow.. what a day it was yesterday. A bit of struggling to find my way. I was soo confused - changing trains at the train stations. People here are fast. Each time I exit from the train, I have to move to side to set my bearing otherwise I got pushed or I'm blocking someone else. Trains are not interconnected like Seoul. They have a lot of operators and at some station you do can change lanes. Like us Putra and Star. You have to exit and buy new ticket.
To add more difficulties, some of the train makes announcement for the next station in Japanese only. Aduh. I cant find any map inside the train, only advertisement. I was a bit panic but managed to identified from the language.
I arrived Kyoto station at 5 pm. Changed train from JR to Subway. I brave my heart through the rain. Dark, wet and cold, i can't help to felt a bit sorry for myself.
9 hrs capsule hotel should be 5 minutes away from Shijo station. But I'm lost, perhaps I'm taking the wrong exit.
Finally arrived. I'm grateful to find a stranger that actually on his way to the same hotel. Lucky me kan. He even willing to shared his umbrella with me all the way to hotel. We walked and we talked in the rain. Tokyo businessman he is, first time in kyoto.
That's yesterday. I still have to pinch myself now and then. I'm having a moment here.. not sure what it is. Serendipity, I think.
Finishing my last sip of Starbucks, while waiting for niskishi market to open. I'm too early :-) Today plan niskishi market, gion - hoping to see giesha, Hanami-Koji area, Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park all the way to Kiyomizudera Temple. Long way to go :-)
7.20 am
23 Jan 2012
Last day in Koyoto. Will be going to Fushimi Inari Shrine before taking JR Airport Express Haruka at Kyoto Station heading Kansai Airport (75 mins 2980 yen). Flight depart at 4.55 pm.
I had a good day yesterday. Pleasant surprises. Turns two strangers into friends. They are from Korea and Tokyo. I'm grateful to have them here. Betul :-) Its like spending time with your good friends. Enjoying the comfort of having someone in the new place, experiencing the journey together.
The hotel that I'm staying -
Anteroom Hotel is excellent. Its easy to find from Kujo station. I was a bit worn out yesterday. Penat betul. My feet are damn tired. Arrived when its already dark. The moment i stepped in, I love it. Great ambiance, design and style. . They even give me fresh warm towel while waiting. Waking up very early today enable me to relax in the hot bath tub. Rasa lega. Kaki dan bahu dah sakit :-)
Despite all these struggle that I had, I want to give 5 star to the people here. They are extremely helpful, courteous and friendly. Their willingness and effort to help me despite the language barrier are like.... I don't know. I'm speechless. Sungguh. It makes the struggle bearable and less painful.
I have to make a move now. Today gonna be a great day. I hope :-)
9.40am
Safely arrived home. It was a great trip actually. A different kind of experience. I learnt a lot of things about myself and Japan. Somehow, Japan has restore my faith in people. I couldn't ask for more. Okini / Arigato Japan. You have been kind.
I have checked Japan from my travel list :)
Edited with relevant photos :)
Location : Japan,
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