One advice that was given at the Manoa International Exchange briefing prior to departure was to, "Say yes to everything." This could be taken many ways (we all giggled at the briefing), but it perfectly applied to me when my friend Kenny, who is on exchange at Yonsei University, asked me if I wanted to go to Japan with him and his friends.
I hesitated at first because I knew the costs would be extremely high in addition to the difficulties of booking hotels/hostels and flights during Osaka/Kyoto's Cherry Blossom season. But in the end, I said yes; price wasn't a big enough opportunity cost to make me refuse. In addition, although I've been to Tokyo/Kanagawa/Shizuoka many times (East Japan), I've never been to Osaka nor Kyoto (West Japan).
I booked with Peach Airlines, a Japanese low-cost airline company. The flight was a bit expensive (around $280; price was high because demand was high due to it being Sakura Season), but the flight and service were great.
I hesitated at first because I knew the costs would be extremely high in addition to the difficulties of booking hotels/hostels and flights during Osaka/Kyoto's Cherry Blossom season. But in the end, I said yes; price wasn't a big enough opportunity cost to make me refuse. In addition, although I've been to Tokyo/Kanagawa/Shizuoka many times (East Japan), I've never been to Osaka nor Kyoto (West Japan).
I booked with Peach Airlines, a Japanese low-cost airline company. The flight was a bit expensive (around $280; price was high because demand was high due to it being Sakura Season), but the flight and service were great.
 |  ←Is she trying to hug me or something? |
I arrived at Kansai International Airport at around 6:00pm on April 4. The first thing I noticed was how warm it was in comparison to Seoul (15-18 degrees centigrade vs. 7-9 degrees centigrade). It felt great walking around in a T-shirt.
The hotel, New Oriental Hotel, was located in Awaza, Osaka. The commute to the hotel was very simple (but expensive): I took the Nankai Rapi-t Train from KIX to Namba station in Southern Osaka (1100JPY), then the Sennichimae line from Namba to Awaza (200JPY); commute time was about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
The hotel was relatively cheap (4500JPY per night), but had great service. It was conveniently located by the main train/shopping hubs (Shinsaibashi, Namba, and Honmachi), so traveling to different sites was very convenient. Thanks to Hitomi (Osaka native on exchange in Korea) for booking it for us!
The hotel, New Oriental Hotel, was located in Awaza, Osaka. The commute to the hotel was very simple (but expensive): I took the Nankai Rapi-t Train from KIX to Namba station in Southern Osaka (1100JPY), then the Sennichimae line from Namba to Awaza (200JPY); commute time was about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
The hotel was relatively cheap (4500JPY per night), but had great service. It was conveniently located by the main train/shopping hubs (Shinsaibashi, Namba, and Honmachi), so traveling to different sites was very convenient. Thanks to Hitomi (Osaka native on exchange in Korea) for booking it for us!
| The first full day (4/5) was spent in Kyoto, the former capital of Japan and home to many of Japan's most beautiful historical sites and temples. The air was warm and the Sakura were blooming everywhere:  |  It's been a while since the last time I saw Sakura...感動しました。 |
Our first site in Kyoto was Fushimi Inari Shrine, the head shrine of the Shinto deity Inari, in Southern Kyoto. Many Japanese merchants and companies donated torii (traditional Japanese gates into Shinto shrines) to the temple, which was founded in 711 A.D. It is said that there are 1000 of these torii lining the path up the mountain to the shrine. Several statues of kitsune (or foxes, traditionally thought of as messengers) with keys in their mouths are found in the shrine.
 Fushimi Inari Station |  Entrance of the path to the Shrine |
Entrance of Fushimi Inari Shrine
 The names of the donors who provided funds for the temple |  Oh so foxy |
 In front of the first Torii There were many tsukabai (hand-washing basins) within the temple, in which you could wash your hands, face, and take a sip of water. I kid you not, that was some of the most delicious water I've tasted; crispness with a tiny hint of bamboo. |  Say "HI" guys!  Washing hands the traditional way from a tsukabai |
There were many gift shops around the area, selling goods ranging from mochi to hand-carved chopsticks with your name carved on it. We decided to eat at a traditional Japanese restaurant. My friends ate Oyakodonburi, Soba, and Tempura-don. I, on the other hand, ate Tempura Udon. So delicious:
 Tempura Udon |  Soba |
We topped our delicious lunch by enjoying tofu-based soft cream. It was soft and fluffy, but was firm enough to hold itself in the cone, even when flipped upside down. We all had the osusume (suggested) flavor: vanilla and green tea. The dessert experience was extra-enjoyable as the temperature was warm, the sun was bright, the atmosphere was relaxing, and the skies were blue as ever.
By the way, this was the first out of three sites that we visited in Kyoto on the first day. So stay tuned for more (Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kiyomizudera), as well as Saturday's adventures (Osaka Castle and South Osaka's primary shopping districts Namba and Shinsaibashi)!
Yay for Kimono lady:
By the way, this was the first out of three sites that we visited in Kyoto on the first day. So stay tuned for more (Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kiyomizudera), as well as Saturday's adventures (Osaka Castle and South Osaka's primary shopping districts Namba and Shinsaibashi)!
Yay for Kimono lady:
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