Japanisce
I have always wanted to live in Japan. I had several attempts in applying for work as a teacher but I came to the point that I wasn't really ready hence I aborted all the preparations I made to work in Japan as an ALT.
Since I set aside my dream to live in Japan, I tried to learn other skills to make use of my time. Then came Jaja's consistent prodding to check booking details for Japan and her news about cheap air flights delighted me but not my pocket since that time I am still looking for a job.She was able to book her flight in November 2015 while I lamented on that opportunity. I took it as a sign to try vacation not to pursue work. I promised Ja that if there's another opportunity to join her in the trip, I'll work hard on it.
Came January 2016, I got good news from my previous work that my back pay was released and luckily, the same flight that Jaja has booked was available. I didn't waste time and sought her help to book mine and I paid it via LBC. Coincidentally, I saw Joyce too and that would be another story :)
It was also the month that I got offered a job and from there, Ja and I would meet every Saturday to study the details we need for our 7 day vacation.
Oh, I even skipped Lee Minho's Fan Meet at Trinoma and
SM Megamall :) to plan our itinerary well.
We started listing down requirements like certificate of employment, bank certificate, passport picture, NSO birth certificate and other documents that are helpful in presenting that we can afford the trip and have the intention to return to the Philippines.
We tried to save money on transportation by checking the places we could visit using different passes.
The most difficult to prepare is the itinerary since it must be planned according to budget. We read in a blog that if you'll stay for a week, your pocket money should be at least within the range of PHP 35,000-50,000 with consideration on places to visit. Most of the temples are closed on Monday and some have admission fees.
Most bloggers rate Tokyo as expensive that there was one who said that P34,000 for 4 days is already a huge feat.
Though we'd like to visit Gifu, the itinerary that we submitted included 3 days in Kyoto , 3 days in Osaka and one day in Nara-Kobe-Himeji.
We applied for visa in May at Reli Tours Agency located at SM Megamall. The agency representative studied our documents and asked a few questions which made me really nervous because I don't really want to mess up that interview. If you are going to apply on a weekend, make sure that you visit the agency early since there are lots of applicants.
We used the application form we got from Travel Expo but found out that there is an assigned form for each agency hence we have to rewrite our details on the form given by Reli Tours.
The pic below shows the form that we got from Travel Expo which is inappropriate :) so visit the agency for more information.By the way, there are discounts offered during Travel Expo for visa application fees which we ignored and it was during the Japan visa application that we realized we should have grabbed it.
Jaja and I were told that we'll get our visa after 7 days. The rep from the agency will call but two weeks have passed and we didn't get any call that Jaja decided to call up and inquire.We were asked to drop by the agency and we literally cried upon learning that we got 15 day visa, not bad for our first travel to Japan.
Came the departure date, I was accompanied to the terminal by mo brother, Ian.
After checking in the baggage, Jaja and I waited at this gate terminal.
Aboard the plane,we go...
on cloud nine :)
We finally arrived at KIX, Kansai International Airport.
We're busy trying to connect to the airport's wi-fi hence we skipped taking pictures at the Immigration :)
The first train ride we had at the airport after we passed the immigration.
Jaja and I planned to buy all the passes we need at the Kansai Tourist Information office but there was a queue so while waiting we hover over the maps and brochures on display. The place looks like a library, very organized. We're undecided whether to take the bus or the train that time passed by that we didn't have much time to ask the representative on the information center when our turn came. We crammed also in checking the route of the address we're given hence we missed taking pictures. We also missed checking the offers of JR railway which we read on brochures. The exciting part was when we ran to the ticket station, resolve which route to take at the same time figuring out how to use the machine and there was a long queue already behind us plus I struggled to insert the money and was amused to receive the change in coins.The best part of that train chase was being helped by two beautiful police officers on how to use the ticket on the machine and they even bid good bye with a wish for us to enjoy our trip.
We were so careful in switching platform in Tennoji at the same time were very busy observing locals do their routine.
This is the second train we rode to reach Osakajo-Kitazume. We're headed to our very sweet and kind host, Jeanette, my friend since high school.
Our night didn't end smoothly because we got off the train early hence we're on the wrong station. Instead of dropping off at Osakajokitazume, we stepped off at Osakatemmangu. Good thing that we just need to ride the train again on the same platform.We were helped by a hardworking old man. Imagine, it's past eleven in the evening and he's still working. He's sorting out trash when we asked him to help us and he dropped what he was doing to accommodate us even if he doesn't speak English.He's an angel!
I was surprised that the train stations have huge billboards like this.
There are even magazines and brochures.
This is where you insert the ticket. You also have to get it and insert it again on your last station/ destination.
This ticket displays the cost of the trip, from Kansai Airport to Osakajokitazume. In some stations, there are small envelopes that you can use to prevent the ticket from being crumpled.
Welcome to Osakajokitazume...The train station is so clean and quiet, it's almost twelve midnight.
Since we changed platforms twice and we were carrying our luggage up and down the stairs, we were so happy when we saw the elevator, unfortunately on the last station which is our destination :)
Check our luggage :)
So calm and serene at 12mn that we kept on crossing the street to get some pictures. At this intersection, all the vehicles would stop whenever the traffic light turns red.
The first Japanese friends we met at Lawson. We asked their help to call our friend, Jeanette since we arrived at the airport at 9pm and trains would close at 10 pm we were not able to secure wi-fi device. We're so lucky that they dropped by the convenient store and they even gave us their raffle prize too, Pocky.
We're so excited to tell Jeanette how our day was that we kept her up 'til 2am. On our first mornight in Japan, Jeanette gave us an irresistible meal treat.
So this is Japan!Oishii :)
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