Osaka: What we learned today

Well, the first day wasn't easy but really interesting. After struggling to find the train to Osaka from the airport and how to get tickets for it, it wasn't too easy to find our way out from Osaka Umeda, the huge main station. But since we only found signs to an "Exit West", the decision was made to take this one. 😄

The check-in at our hotel wasn't different to any other hotel in the world. But finding a way to Osaka Castle was a bit of a challenge again. Google maps apparently does not show the correct locations of bus stops and bus intervals are only 20 to 30 minutes. So you need some time to get to your destination. And how do you pay public busses? Wasn't easy to find out because there were no (correct) instructions anywhere, even not on the internet - imagine that! Solution: There are fixed prices (very cheap) for each bus ride, no matter how far you go. You pay with your PASMO "passport" (how they call it, actually a plastic card) at an RFID terminal at the driver's door when you leave the bus. Quite easy if you know what to do...

Vending machines are literally everywhere throughout the city. You can buy water with all kind of flavours, ice cold coffee (no recommendation from my side!), tea (not tried yet) and snacks of course.

To be continued, time for some rest now.