DAY 1 - Kaiyukan

Our first offical day in Osaka dawned and the skies were filled with clouds and precipitation. Yep, it was set to be a rainy day. Thankfully we had the day planned with a trip to the Osaka Aquarium - Kaiyukan. We hopped a couple of trains to get there, and then stood in line huddled under our 108 Yen umbrellas from the Lawsons down the street from our hotel.

I’ve been to the Aquarium before, but this was Abi’s first trip and we’re both pleased to say that we loved it. I know that it has actually been four and a half years since I was last there so I really shouldn’t have been surprised that it had changed so much, but I’ll admit that I was. It’s got to be the best aquarium that I have ever been to, with a tank large enough to house not one but two whale sharks. Though I will indeed admit that my favourite part was seeing the river otters who were being fed when we arrived at their display.

But to get it across, I will share the pictures rather than try to describe it all. 

Afterwards, starved, we headed over to the Tempozan Marketplace to eat and wander the stores. We settled in for okinamiyaki (Japanese pancakes) for lunch followed by Halloween themed Baskin and Robbins icecream. How could you resist something so cute?

Next on the agenda was to head on into Osaka station and check out a number of the large department stores. In particular Yodobashi Camera and Loft where we both added to our stationery supplies. After a little more wandering around the area we decided it was time to head home. Originally on the Japlan was a trip to the Alice Cafe for dinner but the rain was blowing and pouring down so hard we didn’t fancy the three block walk to the venue. Instead we hopped onto a train back to our Osaka hotel to call it quits for the evening.

Arrival in Osaka

We have arrived in Japan.

It all began at 4am on Saturday 21st when I was woken by a phone text message tone. Jetstar had delayed my flight into Cairns (our stop-over before heading to Osaka). This would mean that we would not make out connecting flight.

Cue, panic mode.

I managed to book us on the earliest Qantas flight to Cairns which would get us there in time to make our connection. Yes, I would be out of pocket, but that’s why you have travel insurance. I will deal with that when I got home.

So, a very early phonemail to my travel buddy and we got to Brisbane airport in time to get on our flight.

Arriving in Cairns, we jumped off, checked into our next flight before grabbing breakfast at the Coffee Club. At 1pm we were on our next leg of the journey. 6 and a half hours later we have arrived in Osaka Kansai International Airport. 

  

Sunset in the sky

Next step. Train to hotel. Only problem is that in my itinerary, I had planned travel from the wrong Osaka airport. Domestic instead of International. Lots of umming and ahhing, but we jumped on a train heading in the right direction. A few more hiccups with connecting trains and getting a little lost in subway stations followed. Then came the 7 flights of stairs that we had to lug our suitcases up to get to street level. Hello sweat.

We finally made it to our hotel, checked in and then ducked back up to the Lawson’s market for a selection of 100 yen food for dinner.

There were some issues with connecting our devices to the wifi in our room the last couple nights,  so I didn’t get to post until this morning. So, while I am connect to wifi, it is so much slower than what I am used to at home and it's cutting in and out.

Third time's a charm

It's been quite a while since I last took a holiday and this one has been on the cards for a while. In just under two days I will once again be in the lovely Japan. This time I am travelling with my best friend Abi. It'll be her first trip to Japan and I am incredibly excited to show her around and explore new places together. 

The itinerary is very detailed and very thorough - I just can't help myself. And it is jam packed with excitement. We will be flying into Osaka where we intend to spend a couple days, one which will include Universal Studios before heading to Tokyo for the remainder of our two week trip. There we will be spending four days at the two Disney parks and visiting Harajuku, Akiba, Nakano, Asakusa and a number of other hot spots around Tokyo. 

At this stage, my suitcase is mostly packed and just waiting the last few items to be tossed in on Saturday morning before I head to the airport. So stay tuned to this blog, as once again I will be blogging my way through Japan. 

Only two big sleeps to go!

My Japan Travel Tips

Well, now that I am home, I won't be posting here much more until I decide to make my next trip away. But I thought that I would leave you with a few travel tips for Japan - direct from Tracey and I.

1. Take Japanese Money
Do not believe your bank when they look at you stupidly for taking great wads of cash. Most places in Japan do not take credit cards or travel cards. You need cash. Especially when you are going outside of Tokyo. And finding an ATM that takes your card can be tricky. That being said, most hotels will take credit card - so it can be handy to just book that up so that you have more shopping allowance. :)

2. Take your medication with you
This includes a good supply of paracetamol and ibuprofen. Japanese medication is pretty weak and you don't want to be stuck with a thumping headache and have to try and decipher the packaging (hoping that you get the right one!). And don't forget the head cold medicine, especially if you are traveling in winter. I suspect that the lovely rash I have now is an allergic reaction to the pills I bought in Japan.

3. Travel with someone of a similar fitness level
This may seem an odd thing to say but as someone with a very low level of fitness, it was great to be with someone who was at the same pace. The last thing you want is someone hanging miles behind you or someone charging ahead when you just aren't physically capable.

4. Travel with someone who has the same level of whinge-i-ness as you
My travel buddy and I are very similar, same level and all. Cause when someone else is complaining that their feet hurt, and you are complaining that your calf muscles are on fire, you are a perfect match. I guess this almost goes back to the same fitness level thing.

5. Take your own pillow
A pillow should not make a sound like a sack of flour when dropped to the bed. Our pillows weighed a tonne and kept an awful head shape indentation after use, making rolling over a real pain. Even if you have to sleep on a rock hard bed, a comfy pillow is everything. They are pretty cheap in Australia and light to pack, so I would suggest tossing one in. You can always leave it behind to fit in your shopping to come home.

6. Learn key phrases
I don't know much Japanese, but what I do know is very helpful:
Sumimasen - sorry, excuse me
Arigato - Thanks
I suggest doing a quick google search and learning a couple of things before you go. May make life easier.

7. Take an itinerary
Many Japanese people don't speak English, but they do read it. If you have your itinerary on you, you can point to the English word for where you are trying to go, and someone may be able to help you. It also helps to add maps in both Japanese and English - one for you and one for your helper. My itinerary was such a useful tool for seeking assistance.

8. Same level of Child-like qualities
Especially if you are heading to Disneyland. You don't want a party pooper with you who won't wear minnie mouse ears when that is all you have ever wanted to do. Plus, the kids rides are just as much fun as the adult rides and the lines are much shorter.

9. Space Bags
Perfect for plush toys. If you don't take any, find a 100yen shop. They will save you heaps of room by squishing up your clothing and toys allowing you to fit a whole lot more in your suitcase.

10. Have Fun and remember to take photos.
Why else are you on holidays - to have fun. The photos are to help you remember the good times. Just remember to take your camera charger. Trust me, the battery won't last.

Day 14 & 15 - Home Again

And after over 24 hours, we are home. Well, I am at any rate. We woke up on Wednesday morning and got stuck into packing our suitcases. With extremely full, and slightly overweight bags we decided that we would just head straight to the airport instead of trying to fit in more shopping. It turned out to be the best idea as it was freezing out and snow had started to fall.

So, at 10am we checked out of our hotel. We jumped on the free shuttle bus to Ueno station. From there we proceeded to hike to the Keisei Skyliner station. It's simply a separate station from the main JR and subway rail line stations and isn't linked underground. It's not really that far of a walk, but when you are struggling with three suitcases each and you toss in a bit of snow, wind and water, it makes for an uncomfortable trip.

The Keisei Skyliner then ferried us out to the Tokyo Narita station where we would be checking into our flight home from Terminal 2. I didn't take any photos of the day, but it's a pretty scenic journey out - we were both so exhausted from terrible sleep and illness (at least on my part) that we nodded off for most of the trip. Once at the airport, we proceeded to wait until 18.20 when we would be able to FINALLY check our luggage. Mine was a little bit too much overweight, (3kg) but they took it, I paid the excess and we were ready to wait again for the flight.

We grabbed some dinner and headed out to gate, on the way stopping to pick up some duty free booze. I grabbed a Yamazaki Whisky and another Muscat type of drink made from Japanese Plum (Ume) Blossom.

I popped some head cold pills before jumping on board our flight, hoping to knock myself out. Unfortunately, things went down hill from there. I got about a collective three hours of sleep on the flight. Stuffiness, cough and nausea hit me, culminating with a hunt for the courtesy paper vomit bag at 4am.

The flight landed in Cairns after 7hours and 15minutes on board at 6am. We collected our suitcases and made our way through customs, thankfully without any problems. I cannot stress enough that if you have something DECLARE IT! Much better to declare something that you didn't need to than to get caught not declaring something because you weren't sure. Case and point - my fur earmuffs. The fabric is so soft, I would be surprised if it wasn't real fur, but I just had no idea.

We then hopped on over to the Cairns Domestic Terminal (outside in the humid north Queensland heat) where we had to wait to check in our bags. Once that was done, we waited some more in the lounge area before we were allowed to board our flight - at 9.45am. Yes - a whole 3.75 hours later. Grrrrr.

Once on board, all I could think about was getting home to shower and change into some clean clothing instead of the clean-ish yet horribly rumpled dress that I was wearing. It was another trip of fighting off the nausea. I had the jerk in the seat in front of me push his chair back into a recline, giving me no room (why seats even recline on a 2 hour flight is beyond me), but he must have overhead me speaking to the flight attendant that I wanted ice to settle my stomach after throwing up on the last flight, because almost instantly, his chair popped up. So, note for those out there who need more room - threaten vomit. It's amazing what will happen.

Then we were back to Brisbane. My wonderful father came out to pick us up. We jammed our suitcases in my car and home it was. I jumped straight into the shower to wash my hair and take care of some deforestation.

Tomorrow, the unpacking continues. But I have never been more happy to be in my own bed. If only the itches would keep themselves away - because yes, to top it all off, I have had an allergic reaction to something and am now covered in the most lovely red bumpy itch. Argh!

Day 13 - Ueno Zoo & Puroland

I woke up for the morning feeling better than the previous day - a real accomplishment with a head cold. I now believe I was in some sort of euphoric haze where I willed away my illness so that I could have a great last day in Japan.

In specific, to head to Ueno Zoo, were there are some truly amazing animals. The first surprise of the day was the price. At 600 yen, the zoo is a very cheap day out. But when we arrived we were directed to a separate window where the attendant asked to see our passport. In the end, our tickets only cost us 480 yen each. We headed inside where we got to see the lovelies on display. Including two Giant Pandas, flamingos, red pandas, gorillas and a lot of native Japanese animals.

I guess the only note I have is that if you are used to Australian zoos, you may be a little disappointed. Ueno Zoo is closer to how Aussie zoos were about 20 years ago - lots of concrete and a good number of the enclosures need quite a bit of work. But all the animals seemed okay and the newer enclosures were fantastic - take for example, the gorillas and pandas. I guess, it is just a matter of them bring the zoo to a higher standard bit by bit. As it was there were a few enclosures that were closed for renovations. It seems to me that Australia is just a bit above in this area, but by no means does it mean that the Ueno Zoo isn't awesome.

Afterwards, we made the journey out to Puroland. It is a theme park put together by Sanrio - the creators of Hello Kitty. As you will see from my photos it is incredibly pretty and cute inside. There are however a couple of let downs. If you are going to go, I would suggest going in the morning instead of the afternoon as there were a few things that were shut down that we could not do because we were there later in the day. Also, you will want to pay for the full ticket. There isn't much to do inside without the rides, shows and other activities.

Well, aside from the shopping. We both bought a few really neat things - Hello Kitty things, but on the whole there weren't any specific items the we had not seen anywhere else, and really Hello Kitty is all over Japan - just walking into a 100 yen shop, you can get a whole heap of Hello Kitty stuff. The only other comment that I have is that it's a theme park that isn't really for adults. I would suggest that the target age group is 4 - 6. The little ones there seemed to be having a great time. At any rate, I was happy to go, happy to shop and take some photos.

We then started the trip back to our hotel. We did get a little side-tracked in Ueno with dinner at the Ueno hard rock cafe, but we made it home to start the arduous task of packing our suitcases.