Kansai Airport - KIX and Osaka City

When I landed in KIX I didn't know what to expect. I was so excited about everything. It was my dream trip. I even thought I was going to have some problems at the airport since a German business man had some problems with the immigration officer at customs. However, he asked me once "Reason in Japan" to what I replied "holiday". He replied back saying "Welcome to Japan".

It's always convenient to do some research before going to any country and Japan is not the exception. Thanks to my research and some help from my Japanese friend I bought a Kansai Pass for 3 days, although you can buy it for 1 or 2 days too. Where to buy it? At the airport there's no other place you can buy it. Although if you have the J-Rail Pass you don't have to worry. By the way, remember to get your J Rail Pass at the airport as well. I made a big mistake not buying it in Malta and I reckon my transport expenses were 25% more expensive.

KIX - Kansai Airport - Osaka

I know what you're going to say. "But getting the J-Railpass is a no-brain". However, I didn't do it. Anyway, once you get your pass(es) and if you're in my situation were I had to be in constant communication with my Japanese friends. I highly recommend you to rent a mobile. Of course you can get a SIM card for your mobile - but trust me it's expensive.

If you don't believe me check SOFTBANK and you will understand what I am saying. Also if you can write in Japanese like me, then a foreigner mobile is a bit of a problem, unless you have an iphone (but it's quite expensive and a lot of paperwork to get the SIM card). I ended up renting one at the airport and after 3 weeks I had to pay €22.55. Not bad and not that different from what I pay in Malta for using my iphone. The company I rented from gave me this Au KDDI mobile.

Another thing that you have to keep in mind is that nobody in Japan uses SMS, they all use email. If you're into Japanese stuff you might know that already but it doesn't hurt mentioning it again. There's an advantange with having your proper email address whilst you are travelling Japan.

Everyone can reach you from anywhere and most Japanese prefer to email you rather than call you - they are so used to that already. Oh before I forget - you'll have to go back to the old-style of writing a SMS. That is, letter by letter or character by character. Not fun, I know but not everything can be perfect.

From then on everything was great. Train service - not a problem. Figuring out how to get to my hostel at 22:30ish after a 23hrs flight not a problem. Asking people basic questions - not a problem. So far --- amazing!

Later that night I realised I had landed in the place I so much wanted to visit since I was a little kid when I first watched Ultraman.

Here's a short video of my first impressions of Osaka. Of course it's almost empty since it was a Sunday at 22:30ish.  Trust me I was lucky since I was carrying a massive backpack, small suitcase and two souvenir bags. 

Basic sentence for any foreigner:

sumimasen, konbanwa, Hotel XX wa doko desuka?

すみません、こんばんは。HOTELXX　は　どこ　ですか？

I know you shouldn't have any space among kanas but I'm doing it in case anybody wants to copy that. I had to do the same when I learnt Japanese.

Lucky or unlucky I didn't have many people to ask since I landed on a Sunday evening and almost everyone was sleeping at that time. This is gonna be brilliant!