Osaka
My first time to Osaka. There was a 30 min. delay getting off..but just an hour and a half from Incheon to Kansai Airport. I get off the plane and wait for the Airport limousine bus at number 5 gate.(1300 yen) I have to buy the bus ticket by myself(luckily there were some people around to help)
The bus doesn't stop at my hotel so I have to get off at Herbis and walk to JR Osaka station(near the post office) and ride the shuttle bus to the Rihga Royal Hotel. I was a bit shocked by the service...i guess there's no place to put the luggage so I had to carry it inside(by myself;; I noticed no one had any luggages.. I guess everyone's going there for birthdays or weddings or stuff)
Anyway I arrive at the hotel in about 10 minutes and check in. (To my surprise the hotel had a firm no tip policy! Hurray! I'm always unsure about giving tips..since in Korea we never tip.. I guess Japan is the same)
Shinsaibashi
After I arrived at the Kansai Airport, I immediately went to the hotel, dropped my bags and headed straight for shinsaibashi.
This is definitely the mecca of shopping in Osaka! My first impression was..it is huge...and clean! The first think I saw was the huge LV building..I know Japanese women love their labels but this place is really big!
I just started walking along the street...dropping by shops and kiosks... you can find anything ..from traditional green tea to high fashion. The best places to eat are located at Totombori... I ate the takoyaki and also tonburi.
I really love Osaka...the people are really friendly and they say osaka is really famous for their foods...so anywhere you eat you can't fail
one thing that's inconvenient is the location. of course they have shuttle buses from JR Osaka station and Yodoyabashi station.. but the airport limousine bus doesn't stop here.
The guy at the information desk was really kind and thorough. He booked us the 1 day tour of Kyoto.(Unfortunately they were all booked in osaka so we had to go to Kyoto, he was really kind to write us notes to give to the taxi driver etc)
Also the bar on the top floor is really cool.
you can see the skyscrapers and the view of osaka city.
They provide all the essentials...bathrobes, shampoo, toothbrush, tea, and free water!
The price for 2 nights(twin room, including breakfast) were 45,000 yen.
If you're looking for the most logistically friendly hotel I recommend Herbis or Hotel New Hankyu Osaka.
