Orlando to Osaka the long way!

Journey to Japan - April 3 to 5 

Summary: We leave home early Wednesday to fly to Dallas, then fly to Narita, Japan, arriving Thursday afternoon, sleep over at the airport hotel, fast train from Narita to Tokyo for a heart racing transfer to another train bound for Osaka, long bus ride from train station to Osaka Airport Hotel.  Travel thrills galore.

dinner at crew cafe

Dick and Leslie Holloway traveled through Chicago via Japan Airlines and we flew through Dallas on American Airlines.  We met at the airport hotel in Narita.  Comparing air service, we agreed that both had great beds and service, and the Holloways had the best Japanese food.  For dinner we discovered a small cafe in the hotel basement used by the airline crews … what it lacked in ambiance it made up in speed, low cost and taste (except the miso soup, which was not that great).  I had fried tofu over rice with a big fried egg on top (pictured).  Wonder what I said to deserve that.  The beginning of food adventures too.

The hotel was hosting a conference of attractive young Japanese men and women crisply dressed in black business attire.  Friday morning we came down for breakfast and watched as about 100 of these young people stood in lines at attention for a lecture, responding in chorus now and then.  When their bus came they pealed off in orderly lines.  The examples of discipline and restraint just beginning. (Not on our part, of course.)

Not knowing exactly how to catch the bullet train, we arrived about an hour and a half early.  We relished the clean station and the extraordinarily polite and helpful police and security staff. I saw one of the white gloved officers rubbing his glove over the railing like a teenager with his first car, and cleaning crews carefully shining everything.

After so many years of traveling to exotic places, we always wonder what the toilet facilities will be like. We met our first Toto with the electronic controls at the side and HEATED SEATS!  A very strange feeling.  The traditional ladies toilet comes with instructions to 'face the hump.'  No suggestion as to what to do with your pants while doing that.

Once in the spotless and comfortable train Dick said, "Why can't our great country make a train like this?"  Smooth and quiet we sped past dense housing and some rice paddies, and we ate lunch bought from the rolling cart.  Steve and I had typical Japanese fare, sold in cute Japanese style boxes, with rice balls, sauce, fruit and mystery veggies marinated or pickled. Surprisingly tasty. 

Waiting at the train station

constant cleaning

Train security 

After about two hours to the Tokyo station we got off to change to the Osaka train --which, by the way, leaves in 16 minutes.  It's a huge station but not to worry, we will be met at the landing by an All Japan Tour (AJT) person.  Oops, no person at the landing? We start schlepping our bags following most of the people and on the second escalator the AJT guide quite miraculously finds us. No way can we make it through that maze in the time allowed. Well, we make it to the right landing but the guide puts us on the wrong train.  Hurry, get on this one… grab the bags, jump off, run across the landing… we made it by seconds… the train started moving before we found our seats.

The scenery from Tokyo to Osaka was more of the same: dense housing and become more and more commercial.  In Osaka we were met by the bus driver who guided us up and around the various levels, but, unlike in India, he carried nothing.  We were fine on the flats, but the stairs were awkward.

train food

After an hour on the totally amazing Japanese highway, through Osaka and out to the Osaka Airport  (built on land claimed from the inland sea) we arrived at the Nikko Kansai Airport Hotel.  For dinner Dick craved more sushi so the four of us ate at the Japanese restaurant in the hotel. Dick ordered the full meal which started fine, had a low point with some dark slimy strings of goo with a floating quail egg.  He said the small floating egg yolk made it look like a one eyed owl.  Leslie wouldn't even look at him eat it, let along taste it. He thought the meal ended too soon, but maybe not. Expensive and not filling, but pleasant and a fine way to start.  Tomorrow we meet the group to begin the real tour.

kids reciting in parking lot

Really clean cab with lace!

Just the beginning of great gardens - this in the Tokyo airport hotel!