Autumn in Japan: Visiting the land of the rising sun

It all started with a light conversation between a friend and I in the beginning of 2017. 'We should totally go somewhere together, just like last year when we met in Bali,' I said. 'Yeah. Totally. What about Japan?' 'Oh, Japan sounds nice. If I somehow manage to save up enough money (which normally totally fails) I don't see why not.'

A few months passed and we never really talked about that plan anymore. 

Then come the time for all airlines' travel fair: May. Thinking this was the perfect time to buy tickets with discounted price, we decided to follow through on our plan. We would find a return ticket to Osaka, Japan. And so we did. We separately purchased return tickets for our getaway: October 20 - 28, 2017. Everything happened so quickly, and all form of communication was only through LINE as we live in 2 different countries. 

We spent the next few months planning our itinerary, buying all the entrance tickets and bus tickets we needed for the trip, and casually living our lives separately. Without our realizing it, October came, and this somehow impromptu trip still felt unreal. At least until I hopped on that Cathay Pacific flight that flew me to Hong Kong alone, then to Kansai International Airport. 

Japan, here I come.

Day 1

Juanda Int' Airport - HKIA - KIX

I dragged myself to the airport in the morning, met my friend in HKIA, then flew to KIX. We arrived roughly at 9 PM. We were greeted by rain upon our arrival, but I didn't mind. Miraculously, without the help of internet connection and Google Maps, we found our hotel. I was surprised to see how tiny the room was (like, it was only the size of a queen size bed, only slightly longer), and we barely had enough space to put our (or my) big suitcases, but we managed.  

Day 2

Universal Studio Japan - Gudetama Cafe

It was another rainy day in Osaka. I wish the sky had been more forgiving. We spent almost 12 hours in USJ, where I went cray-cray with my Minions addiction (I spent nearly $200 in one souvenir shop), rode an almost nauseating 3-minute Harry Potter ride only after having lined up for almost 4 hours, and took more than enough pictures and selfies. Let's say we were over the moon. Then I wasted no time and went to the cutest cafe on Earth: Gudetama Cafe.

I LOVE Gudetama. My mission in Japan was to find as many Gudetama goodies as my suitcase would allow, and boy was I successful. In Gudetama Cafe, I was intoxicated with too much Gude feeling. I felt like I needed to buy every single item they sold; everything looked too adorable. I didn't care much about the menu: the food was expensive and the drinks were over priced. We ordered just one drink, and I indulged myself in that dreamy Gudetama land. If you love Gudetama, then visiting this cafe is a must. 

Day 3

Shitennoji Temple, Osaka Castle, and overnight bus ride to Tokyo

It was still raining, even harder and windier than the day before. Little did I know it was because of typhoon Lan that had been around Osaka for a few days. My umbrella couldn't withhold the strength of the wind, and I had to accept the fact that it was time to let go of that umbrella I had had since I was in junior high school.

On this particular day, I didn't like the rain as much. My shoes were soaking wet, and thus walking felt extra uncomfortable. We visited Osaka Castle, but we couldn't get inside as the place was closed due to typhoon. Later that night we struggled to find the bus stop where we were supposed to catch an overnight bus to Tokyo. In the middle of rain and powerful wind, we walked and we walked. We stopped and asked for directions countless times before finally arriving at the right spot. I still remember how relieved we were to be at that bus stop, despite all the mess that was ourselves. 

Day 4

Exploring Tokyo's hot spots: Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku

Unlike Osaka, Tokyo's weather was way friendlier. For the first time since we stepped in Japan, we didn't have to take out our umbrellas. I didn't realize how I had missed the sun until I saw it that morning we got off the bus. 

One thing I found challenging in Tokyo was its train and subway lines. The map was incomprehensible to first-time travelers to Japan like me, and figuring where and what train I had to board made my head ache. Thank God for Google Maps. Without it, I think I would have gotten lost somewhere in the middle of Tokyo's concrete jungle.  

Anyway, after arriving in our second hotel, which was way more comfortable, we cleaned ourselves up a bit to go to downtown Shinjuku. I parted ways for a few hours with my friend, and I went to find a small vegan cafe all by myself. I had a quick bite of delicious vegan cheeseburger which was a bit too salty for my liking and walked to Starbucks to grab a Starbucks' Tokyo tumbler. All the while I tried to take in all the busy Tokyo vibes and sincerely hoping I would one day return to this place. 

We made our journey to other parts of Tokyo like Shibuya, where I finally saw the legendary Hachiko statue, and Harajuku, where we shopped for a little more. Tokyo was somehow very different from Osaka. Tokyo was the epitome of Japan's modernity. Japan that doesn't slow down, Japan that doesn't show its mellow side easily.  

Day 5

Tokyo Disney Sea, and another bus ride back to Osaka

On the last day in Tokyo, we headed to Disney Sea. After seeing the massive size of USJ, I didn't think I would be that impressed with Disney Sea, but I was wrong. I grew up watching, reading, and enjoying all products of Disney empires. Of course I fell in love with this place right away. Since it was October, it was time to celebrate Halloween, and in Disney Sea, everything screamed Halloween and it was magical. 

I adored the view, the grand architecture, the music, and every little thing I saw before my eyes. One day was definitely not enough to explore this place. By 6 PM I was already exhausted, and the sore on my feet didn't get any better. Going from one place to another in Disney Sea proved to be no easy task. Furthermore, my friend and I didn't meet any Disney characters in costumes. I was so bummed.

Then, on our way to some kind of steamboat ride, we saw a familiar face: Donald Duck. We instantly shrieked and ran towards him, only to be stopped by one of the employees. Apparently, what we thought to be the entrance wasn't the entrance. Thus, we made it a mission in life to take a picture with Donald that day, so soon after we got off the steamboat ride, we went looking for that photo spot. The sun had set and all the lights were lit up. I had to admit the view was even more stunning in the evening. Together, my friend and I stopped every few meters to immortalize the scenery, while trying to figure out the spot to see Donald. The map wasn't much of an assistance, and Disney Sea looked so different at night. But we made it anyway. And though we had to wait for approximately 40 minutes for our turn to take a picture with the duck, we were very content. Prop to the man behind the costume, as he effortlessly entertained people with his best Donald Duck's impersonation -- it was very convincing. Our trip to Disney Sea was complete with a picture with Donald Duck. 

Later that day we went on another overnight bus ride. This time, the bus was very luxurious. The seats were big and comfortable, and I literally passed out the whole 9-hour ride. It was the best sleep I had had in Japan. 

Day 6
Meeting docile deer in Nara

Osaka finally showed its bright side. The sun peeked shyly through the clouds, and my newly-bought umbrella was of no use. After recharging for a while in our small hotel room (it was a different hotel from our first day. This one was slightly bigger), we went our merry way to Nara, the land of deer. 

Apparently, Nara has a deer mascot named Shikamaro-kun, and he was uber cute and everywhere. People sell Shikamaro as keychains, magnets, t-shirts, foods, and even footwears. Nara was scenic and serene. I loved interacting with all the deer, although I was sad every time I saw the male deer's chopped antlers. 

People thought deer at Nara are generally treated well, but it isn't all rainbow and sunshine for them. In Nara, deer meat is a delicacy, and people even sell tickets to tourists to see the forced and gory chopping of deer's antlers. I tried not to think about those gloomy sides of Nara too much, and just felt glad that at the very least the deer can roam freely without a care. 

Day 7

Visiting Kyoto and Arashiyama

On the seventh day, I was actually almost at my breaking point. With every passing day, the walk became longer and the break shorter. I still tried to enjoy the walk, thinking this was a once in a lifetime experience. We hit Kyoto just to go to the famous Fushimi Inari Temple to see the 1000 red gates where many couples have their pre-wedding photos taken. Today was also the day I had an excruciating hike just to visit Kiyomizu-dera. Every staircase triggered me, and the magnificent sight from the temple didn't do much to brighten my mood. I guess I had had enough with temples around this time. Things got better after I left Kiyomizu-dera, though. A visit to the Bamboo forest and Zen Garden in Arashiyama successfully recharged my already depleting energy. When I saw the rickshaw puller (?) with their super muscular thighs, charging like a storm pulling customers in their rickshwas through the roads, always friendly and smiling, I felt my pain was nothing and childish compared to them. 

I guess Kyoto felt the most Japan among other places I visited, and it was fun to see this more traditional side of Japan. Still, it was unfortunate that due to our limited time, we didn't see much of Kyoto itself.

Later that day, we had a big dinner in Osaka as we visited dotonburi to find the Glico man. We tried okonomiyaki, udon, and takoyaki. Oh wow, it was too much for just 2 people.

Day 8

Shopping in Osaka

It was our last effective day in Japan. Our original plan was to go to Gifu and Oyada Maple Valley, but I succumbed to my body screaming in exasperation. My friend could see I had no mood and energy left to make another 4++ hours trip to Gifu, so we spent our last day in Osaka, doing what might be the easiest thing to do in the world: throwing our money away in Shinsaibashi shopping street. 

Instead of buying fashion items and accessories, I spent most of what's left of my money on more Gudetama items: more key chains, more small plushes, more figures, until there wasn't anything else I could buy that would fit in my limited luggage. I learned from my previous trip to Korea that I shouldn't hold myself back too much from buying things I want, especially when I still have enough money to spend. So I did exactly that. I saw things I liked, I buy them. And I had no regrets. 

Our last night in Osaka was relaxing. I was still tired, and I missed my dog so much, but I enjoyed my day. Osaka then had already felt familiar. The commute back to our hotel was simple now that we had gone back and forth so many times. We didn't have to consult Google Map to find our way anymore. We had made Osaka our new home. 

Day 9

Going back to reality

I had different flight schedule with my friend. I had to leave early in the morning while her flight was in the evening, so I left alone to the airport. As I walked by myself that day at 4.30 AM, carrying what must be the heaviest suitcase and duffel bag, to the nearest train station that would soon take me to the airport, I felt a bit blue, but grateful at the same time. I was glad we made it through without any major problems; I was delighted to see a small part of Japan that previously had only existed through pictures and movies; I was relieved that my body still stayed intact in spite of all my muscular pains. I was blessed. 

PS: I did another last minute shopping in the airport shops, trying to spent every last Yen I owned. After all, you only live once. 

On the plane, I was delighted to see the vegan food I ordered. While I was in Japan, I didn't get to be full vegetarian. I ate mostly plant-based food, avoiding the meat as best as I could, but my food wasn't vegan. That's for sure. The most vegetarian food I had was ironically on the plane. I was thankful that Cathay serves vegetarian/vegan food, and they were decent. 

Final Note

Prior to this trip, Japan had only been a dream. A faraway place that seems beyond my reach. Therefore, I will forever treasure this memory of Japan I have, for as long as I can, at least until the day I stepped on this country again. ありがとうございました, Japan.