It has been said that with the money you earn, you should go out and see the world. Experiences cannot be bought.

I have never been abroad. I would like to have new experiences and see the world. Where have they been?

Many people travel to Japan. What makes it so special? Let's find out!

Embark on a journey of self-discovery, where every step is an opportunity for growth and understanding. Embrace the unknown with open arms, for it is in the unfamiliar that we truly find ourselves. Let us venture forth together, unburdened by expectations, and allow the world to unfold its wonders before us.

The advantage is that you can go anywhere you want, without having to follow a tour guide to places they want you to go.

However, the downside is that you need to do your own research, prepare everything yourself, including accommodation, attractions, food, and transportation methods.

However, there is a downside to this advantage: (Will this be confusing? ^^) We will know the details of our destination in great detail, even down to which bus route to take and how many minutes it will take to get there. (If we don't know, we'll get lost 555)

I did some preparation before going, but due to my busy schedule, I didn't have time to research. Fortunately, a kind-hearted senior took pity on me and lent me a travel book. I'll just use this book and make a rough plan, a very rough plan.

Let's get started.

The first day, we departed from Don Mueang Airport in the morning. We took a direct flight to Kansai Airport, which took approximately 6 hours. We arrived at around 5 pm, which is 2 hours ahead of Thailand time.

Upon arrival.

The first challenge is transportation to the accommodation. Japan has a complex railway system with various JR lines, private lines, express and local trains, and a multitude of ticket options, including day passes, travel passes, and top-up cards.

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Due to the lack of information, we spent a long time standing in confusion in front of the JR Office. The queue was also very long. In the end, we bought a JR Pass, Kansai wide area pass, because we had to go to Kinosaki Onsen, a town famous for its hot springs, which is quite far away (about the distance from Bangkok to Rayong).

The ICOCA & HARUKA card is an express train card, meaning it is a fast train that only stops at certain stations.

Who would recommend buying this card? It's more worthwhile than buying a round-trip airport ticket at a cheaper price. You get an ICOCA prepaid card for making purchases, similar to a 7-Eleven card in our country, where you need to top up the balance, but you can tap it for almost everything in Kansai, from train tickets to minimarts to vending machines.

According to the plan, take the train from Kansai Station to Tennoji Station, which takes about 40 minutes. Then take the subway to Shin Imnimamiya Station, which is one more stop. The accommodation will be right there, so it's easy.

However, real life is not that simple. 555

Upon arriving at Tennoji Station, where I had to change trains, I was completely clueless as it was my first time there.
I had no idea which exit to take or which direction to go. The train stations in this city are like underground cities, vast and complex with numerous lines and platforms.

Unsure of the way, we decided to ask the station staff for directions. Despite our limited English, we managed to communicate and successfully exited the station. Consulting Google Maps, we realized our accommodation was nearby, so we opted to walk. However, our luggage for a 10-day trip, consisting of two large wheeled suitcases per person, proved to be a challenge as we dragged them along.

The weather is cold, around 15-17 degrees Celsius with wind.

It was around 8 pm when it started to get dark. (I stayed near Shinsakei in Pantip, which is said to be a degraded area in Japan with homeless people around.) However, as Japan is a country with a highly disciplined population, it is safe and clean, so the atmosphere was relaxed and there were no problems. (If you are staying in this area, you can rest assured that there will be no problems.)

This photo was taken near the front of the accommodation.

A 20-30 minute walk brought us to our accommodation. Check-in was smooth, and our room was on the 5th floor. Unfortunately, the hotel lacked an elevator. However, the room was comfortable, clean, and affordable. I would recommend Hostel Zoo.

After storing our luggage, we were ready to explore the Shaisakei district at night.

This area was once the center of Osaka's old business district, before the development of the Umeda/Namba area (near the Glico Man sign, a popular photo spot).

It has now become more of a post-work gathering place for office workers.

Let's take a look at the pictures.

We will return here again later, during the day, as there is still the Shinsakei Tower that we have not yet entered. And we need to return to the train to go back to the airport.

After strolling and taking photos around the area until late, I returned to my accommodation to prepare for the next day's journey to Kyoto, a World Heritage city steeped in Japanese civilization and history. It reminded me of Ayutthaya in Thailand.

Day 1 concluded successfully, with everyone arriving safely.

The journey was filled with new experiences, including getting lost a few times (haha). The food was different from what I'm used to, and the language barrier presented a challenge. I met new people and had conversations, some of which were easier to understand than others. It was strange, but we managed to communicate despite speaking different languages. ^^

An essential tool for independent travel is the Google Maps application.

The primary modes of transportation in Japan are trains, buses, walking, and cycling.

The accuracy of public transportation arrival times in Thailand is impressive, down to the minute. Google Maps displays precise arrival times and allows users to calculate fares and choose departure times, offering unparalleled convenience. If you haven't already, give this app a try. It's a one-stop solution for all your transportation needs.

Don't worry if you're traveling on your own.

In Japan, Thai tourists are everywhere. You'll hear Thai almost everywhere, from people queuing to buy things to those staying in hotels.

See you tomorrow, Day 2 in Kyoto, on a mission to find cherry blossoms. / Thank you for following us to the end.