Osaka, Japan
Arrival in Kyoto:
After spending our first jet-lagged night in the outskirts of Osaka (close to the airport), we headed for Kyoto. The train system in Japan is fantastic. From our hotel, we walked a few blocks to the nearest station and within a few minutes had our route planned out, tickets bought and on a train (which are always on time). As we sat there watching the endless city drift past, I started absorbing my surroundings. Japan was surprising already. It was raining lightly, and although foreign, crowded and awash with multimedia from all directions, it felt safe, organized and apparently more civilized than what I’ve grown accustomed to in North America.
Some initial observations that stood out:
- People actually form queues to board a train (what a concept!)
- People always stand on one side of an escalator when they’re not walking – allowing people in a hurry to pass effortlessly.
- everything seems to talk in Japan – from the garbage cans, to the escalators, to the sake vending machines.
- The recorded voice talking seems to be the most cheerful Japanese woman on the planet.
- There are vending machines everywhere (never more than a block away in any direction) and most of them seem to sell beer and sake. I guess they don’t check ID!
- Most people suffering from a cold or flu where hospital masks.
- Most of the fashion adds feature people of non-Japanese decent.
- Fashion appears to be a huge part of the culture here (men and women).
- We are severely underdressed!
- I already want to move here.
After arriving in Kyoto, we headed straight for our Ryoken (traditional guest house) to check in and drop the bags. Unfortunately the map we had wasn’t all that detailed, and the area we were staying had no English on the street signs. Here was our first real taste of Japanese courtesy and hospitality – we stopped at a family grocery store where no one speaks English, and after a few minutes of charades and phone calls, we had our Ryoken host coming to get us and guide us the final few blocks. I think the locals got a good chuckle out of us, and after energetic bows and pats on the back – apparently very happy to have crossed paths with us and success in our arrival!
The Ryoken was a cozy little space with a small room and a couple of futons on the Tatami mat with little else. Shared bathrooms (and bath complete with bath water), and a super friendly host that could speak English enough for the essentials.
Woo-hoo! Kyoto in spring awaited outside – so we didn’t stay long.
