Mhy Stories

So this is Part 2 of my travel posts about Japan. 

It was night time when we landed at Kansai Airport in Osaka, Japan. Of course, I didn't know where to go but my good common sense told me to just follow the rest of the passengers ehe. We entered the airport, walked, we continued to walk, boarded a shuttle, got off, walked some more, took the escalator until we reached the immigration point. The airport was not busy that time, as it seemed kami lang ang dumating na flight that particular moment. That means hindi mahaba ang queue at hindi ma hassle.

A friend-relative told me that immigration officers at Kansai Airport are kind, polite and courteous. I proved that to myself. During my turn, my bag was checked and when the Japanese officer saw a metal stick inside my shoulder bag, he seemed to ask me a question, but only for a few moment. I suddenly saw his face brightened with a smile as he made a gesture that the stick will be used for self-photographs. (O btw, in my travels in Osaka I saw some signs banning the use of selfie sticks inside train stations, for safety precautions). I said yes to him while smiling, and we both laughed. Just in case there were doubts as to the real intentions and reasons of my visit to Japan, I guess the selfie stick that time would speak to my rescue that I came to Japan for sightseeing indeed :-).

After clearing customs and immigration processes, I headed to the JR Ticketing Office to get my passes that I have reserved online two days before my arrival in Japan. It's a good thing that the ticketing office was still open when I got there. I queued, presented my email confirmation to the staff and  was issued the passes which I had used for my entire duration of stay in Japan. Thinking about my next itinerary, I asked for the schedule of trip to Nara the next morning. 

After that, I felt some hunger pangs that I went around checking for some food shops inside the airport. Most of the shops were closed though. At the second floor, I saw Lawson, which is one of the leading store chains in Japan along with the likes of Family Mart and the ever reliable 7-11 (do I sound like a 7-11 fan?gee!). But I didn't check inside the store. There was also Mc Donald's but told myself, oh no, no please, not here in Japan haha! I headed to the dining court and I saw this food stall which is open 24 hours (the name of the store is Sukiya, and I came to only notice and know about it just when I was flying back home ehe). So there I ordered my first ever meal in Japan: the Gyūdon, a Japanese dish consisting of a bowl of rice topped with beef and onion simmered in a mildly sweet sauce which was on a discounted price of 290 yen from its original price of 390 yen.

At 290 yen, this is sulit!!!! O btw, this is not my own photo :-(

After that, I surveyed a place where I can get some rest before heading to Nara the next day. Based on the information I got beforehand, one can actually spend the night at the Kansai Airport. At the second floor, near the Police Station and Lawson, and at the area beside KIX Lounge, there are a number of benches where one can just lay down while waiting for flight or simply spending the night before setting out the next morning. I saw that many travelers spend the night here. Most of the benches were occupied though, with people sleeping on them already, or with bags/luggage on them - a sign that the benches are already taken and not anymore available. With luggage, bags and things left unattended, I thought to myself, it is safe here on this part of the world ehe, otherwise, people would not leave their things behind. From going around, I saw unoccupied benches and there I laid my things. I realized my back was aching from carrying my things. ouch! And felt the relief that finally I could take some rest. The electrical outlet near my bench allowed me to charge my iPad which was almost going battery empty then.

Most of the benches were occupied Sorry. These benches are taken

Yay! I found my place on this earth! At the second row haha!

Somebody left her pair of boots. ehehe.

Sleep seemed to be elusive that time though, namamahay ata ako haha! I was, well, so often checking on the clock hanging at one of the posts near my bench. I was thinking to catch up with  the first JR Train bound Nara. I also began to get conscious about time, taking note of the time difference between Manila and Japan (Manila, one hour behind). I was at that state when I finally felt my eyes were getting heavy so I decided to unplug my iPad and catch up some sleep. I woke up around 5:00 AM, and bought my first ever coffee at Sukiya at 100 yen. I enjoyed my coffee then prepared myself for an adventure at the beautiful and quaint city of Nara.