After a long but uneventful day of flying, I’ve arrived in Japan and have managed to find my hostel in Osaka, despite the very confusing maps and lack of street names or numbers anywhere. Who’s impressed?
So, first impressions of Japan: The train system is great, the weather is good, and I’m surrounded by shopping malls. Haven’t had time to see much else just yet.
More after a night’s sleep!
Map system
Heya! It’s great you were able to post so quicly! Japanese maps can be very confusing and it’s very easy to get lost, but it’s part of the cultural shock fun! :) Thankfully, I found the Japanese very helpful, and often when I got lost – which happened at least once or twice a week – a total stranger would kindly walk me to a place I reckognized. Just remember to thank them with an ‘arigatou’. They will be so happy you took the trouble to learn a few Japanese words. :)
As a side note, the main boulevards and highways actually have names, but not the little streets. The block numbers and house numbers don’t help much because they are not placed in a logical numerical order for Westerners… I think the order has to do with the order in which the houses or blocks were built or something…
Osaka has a really cool covered market if you can find it. I’m glad to read you like the train system. If only my Dorval bus was half as punctual as their trains! I miss Japan!!
I can’t wait to read your next post!
Mata ne!*
Marie
*= (rough approximation) Until next time!