ANA Hotel Osaka

... ended up dropping the money to ride the green-car for the Shinkansen (basically the first-class for the express-train) because I didn't want to sit in a smoking car for 4 and a half hours. All in all it was a pretty cool experience. A little more roomy than the normal Shinkansen (which is already very nice) along with free drinks!

Upon getting to Kyoto, Jack picked me up with his friend who was there for the afternoon, and we walked ...

... Osaka is definitely known for food and we have not been disappointed. We immediately went for the Kansai specialty of okonomiaki (Japanese pancake). Washed down with some shochu, our okonomiaki meal was excellent.

Our travels also took us through a very exclusive part of Osaka with many upscale shops such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, etc... I was asked if I would write in this blog something that would make fun of these establishments. At the time I said that I ...

... at Steak Ron, delicious Sakuyaki at Hariju and more helpings of takoyaki/okonomuyaki/yakisoba.

S teak Ron
1-10-2 Sonezaki Shinchi, Kita-ku | Umeda, Osaka

Hariju
1-9-26 Nishishinsaibashi Chuo-ku Osaka

Takontetsu (Pizza Ball House)
1-9-20 Maru Bldg Umeda 1 Chome

... spend with them.

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NIGHT #2:

Our second, and final, night was spent with Haruna, a 21 year old college student. Her loft apartment was very small, but she graciously hosted us. We were very thankful. She gave us a guided tour of the old city, plus threw an autentic takoyaki (octopus balls - no, not those kind!) party for us! How's that for native flare! We enjoyed talking about travel, language, music, and ...

... nsen bullet tr*in ride from Yokoh*m*. She escorted me to Lemon House guesthouse in the he*rt of Os*k* in Chuo-ku. The pl*ce w*s perfect! Not * hostel, but * short to long-term dormitory with rel*tively che*p weekly *nd monthly r*tes.

There w*s * sm*ll commons *re* with TV *nd free internet (*lbeit SLOW).

My sm*ll 10' x 12' room conrt*ined * cr*mped b*throom, * mini-kitchen with single-burner stove *nd fridge, plus two bunkbeds. It w*s quite "cozy" for the four of ...

... kyytiä koko ukko lähti samantien vyörymään taaksepäin ja valtavan kolinan saattelemana kaikki hotellin esitetelineet nurin ja äijä selälleen lattialle! Onneksi ei käynyt pahemmin, mutta aivan hirvittävän nolona mies oli ja pyyteli anteeksi aiheuttamaansa häiriötä. Enemmän meitä kyllä hävetti, että oltiin annettu painavat laukut hänen kannettavakseen. No, seuraavaksi mennään huoneeseen ja siellä ei olekkaan kuin yksi tyyny ja yhdet ...

... in Osaka had to be the time when we wanted to try out Okonomiyaki (japanese pancake/omelette/pizza kinda thing). We entered the shop and got assigned a table (way in the back) by the friendly yet non-english speaking staff. The table had a hotplate so apparently you were supposed to cook the thing yourself...Eventually the combined efforts of half the diners ...

... the dorm arrives later. Zarin is Canadian and traveling through South East Asia. When she goes to brush her teeth, Frank nervously reveals it is the first time he has slept in the same room as a member of the opposite sex. Frank's mixed slumbering cherry popped, I head north again exploring the market area north of Kowloon. Lots of little streets full of stalls selling everything genuine and otherwise. It makes for good haggling and I pick up a few more gifts for those back ...

... serve any rice! I think their meals are for people who are getting drunk, it seemed to mostly be fingerfood :P We're finishing off our relaxing day today drinking cheap booze and talking **** in the hotel room. Our JR passes did arrive by the way, and we have exchanged them in - so tomorrow we're going to Kyoto and Nara on reserved seating to make good use of our tickets! For now, we'll relax. A nice holiday indeed! Oyasuminasai ^-^

For some reason, I hear a lot of americans say Kai-yo-toe. I'm no expert, but from what I can read from the Japanese spelling, it's Kiyo-o-toe. Whatever. Ash and I stumbled our way to K's hostel in Kyoto. I don't mind naming names cuz this hostel was da-bomb. It was so clean and the staff so friendly. Also only a 7 minute walk from the JR station, so go visit them. We used our ...