March 26, 2017
It was our second day
in Osaka after late night landing at Kansai International airport and first day
for exploring Osaka. We got up so early before 5 A.M because we knew the
waiting area would be crowded soon. After making sure our phones were fully
charged we took turn to go to lavatory to wash our face, brushed our teeth, and
changed our clothes. We decided to not taking a bath tough I read some blogger
said there were some bathroom available for showering at KIX but I met a
student from Bandung who came to Osaka for seminar and she told me about the
shower which cost approximately 100 thousands rupiah for fifteen minutes. Okay,
Let’s forget about showering I told them. We had to consider the additional
money we had to spend on the locker at Namba station. While some of us did so,
the others prepared breakfast. I forgot to tell you this small accident
happened to Mrs Angelina. So we slept at the second floor of KIX. Our sleeping
area was closed to two convenient stores, Family Mart and Lawson. The night
before we had instant egg soup, instant rice, and salted fish Miss Nisa brought
from Indonesia. Miss Angelina decided to have clam soup and guessed what? I
think she was poisoned or allergic maybe…She kept vomiting and almost showing
signs of dehydration.
 |
| Our dinner sponsored by Family Mart |
Back to our morning at KIX, we bought some instant foods
again at the Family Mart and had breakfast together at the FLOOR, yes you are
right….we had many people starring at us. Actually there were some restaurants
already opened that morning but you know, none of them offer Halal food. So we
skipped the restaurants.
 |
| Yes we are medical team on the floor |
After finishing
breakfast, we started to look for Tourist Information center to buy OSAKA
AMAZING PASS (OAP) which was recommended by some travelers including EXID in
Battle trip. We found it at the first floor and it was just opened so we didn,t
need to stand in too long queue. A receptionist was assigned to us and the
first question he asked was “Dari
Indonesia Ya?” (Are you from Indonesia?). He successfully surprised us with
his Bahasa. He was tanned tall man so I thought he came from seaside area of
Osaka or Malaysia. “Kok tahu? Anda
darimana? Malaysia?” (How do you know? Are you from Malaysia) I asked him
back. “Bukan, saya juga orang Indonesia?” (No, I’m an Indonesian too) He
answered. Okey, we were taken back because first eventough he had tanned skin
he didn’t really look like Indonesian, second we heard Japanese accent in his
speech even when he spoke Bahasa, Third we never expect Indonesian working in
Japan. It turned out he came from Bali and had been working in Japan for four
years so he didn’t have Bali accent unlike my friend who still sounds so Bali
even when he speak ini Banjarese, Javanese, and English (Sorry bro Ocha).
Mr. Made, the
Indonesian receptionist helping me to buy six OAPs and six Airport Express
train tickets. There are two types of OAP you can choose, one day or two days
OAP. One day OAP cost 2,500 yen and 3,300 yen for two days OAP. By having OAP
you are free to take Osaka subway and city bus. You are also free to enjoy 35
sightseeing spots. For further information you can go to https://www.osp.osaka-info.jp/en/about/whats.html.
While for transportation mode we
chose to take Airport Express Train which brought us to Namba station as one of
the biggest station in Osaka. It cost 920 Yen one way for one person. The train
made 12 stops and took more than one hour to reach Namba. There is another
faster type of train which is called The Rapi:t
Airport Express takes only 34-37 minutes but of course more expensive. For more
explanation about these two you can visit
https://www.osakastation.com/the-nankai-airport-line-the-airport-express-rapit-services-for-kansai-airport-namba/
 |
| Ready to explore Osaka |
Finished with our OAP
and Train ticket we got to buy SIM card for internet connection. It was a long
complicated process. There were a lot of SIM card and WiFi counter but none of
them offered good price for us. Renting pocket WiFi is out of consideration,.
The daily cost is lower than prepaid SIM card but they asked for deposit as big
as 40,000 yen. I know we will get that money back when we return the router but
it also means we have less money to carry around Japan so it’s a big no no no.
After so many walks here and there we decided to buy a prepaid SIM card
provided by Docomo NTT from a vending machine also with the help of locals. As
I remembered it cost about 2,700 yen for seven days Internet only service with
maximum 500 MB data usage in a day. Well, it’s enough to find a route. Being
angel without wings she was, Mrs. Angelina lent us her OPPO F1s phone because
as long as I know, SIM card in foreign country won’t work in dual SIM phone if
you don’t take out the another SIM card.
Another disaster hit
us my dear reader. When I visited Korea last autumn, I could withdraw my money
from global ATM machine with my BRITAMA green debit card. It worked very well in
Seoul. So I confidently relied on my debit card as it was also mentioned in
many travelling blog that you can withdraw your money in any 7/11 ATM. But…it
didn’t work. My debit card and other green debit cards were rejected by the ATM
machine. Holy crap ! we only had 24.000 yen per person for this 9 days trip in
cash and some rupiahs. We already collected our food allowance to Miss Nisa
15,000 Yen per person. Thanks God, Miss Anna blue BRI debit card could be
processed and we got 5.000 yen more into our wallet. Fiyuhhhh….we were saved.
After finishing all
the business at the first floor including activating the internet card by the
help of Tourist Information Center receptionist we got back to second floor
since the train platforms were located there. We walked trough corridor with
artificial cherry blossoms to mark the beginning of spring which appeared on
Battle Trip so I didn’t waste chance to take picture. I didn’t fell to much
difference of mine and EXID’s pictures (joking ). I have this tendency to take
“Same place, Different time” pictures whenever I visit those places where Kpop
Idols came to. This pictures were two years apart.
 |
Girls Generation, 2018 Buahhahahahaha
Do you see my bag, do you see my bag, It's hella big and hella thick (BTS, mic drop) |
 |
| EXID 2016 |
We finally arrived at
Namba station and next step would be finding coin locker. There were a lot of
coin locker all over Namba station. As I remember there were 300, 600, and 700
yen locker varied by the size. We could put 2 medium size luggage in one medium
locker so each of us only need to pay 350 yen. The locker only accept 50, 100,
500 coins and 1000 bills. Don’t worry you can always find bill exchange machine
nearby.
Our first journey in
Osaka was started by visiting Shintennoji temple which is located near shintennoji-mae
station by Midosuju Line. Some blogger didn’t recommend this temple but somehow
I wanted to visit it because I read about Gokuraku-Jodo Garden and it was stated
that the garden would look amazing during peak season of cherry blossom. They
were 100% right about the garden. The good part was the fact that we could get
into the temple and the garden for free by showing our OAP.
 |
| In front of Shintennoji temple |
 |
| Captivated by the beauty of Cherry Blossom |
 |
| WaRNet( Wanita Rada Nekat) Team |
 |
| We know we look cute |
 |
Gokura-ku Jodo Garden
|
 |
| Gokura-ku Jodo garden |
 |
| How can they grow so big? |
After enjoying
beautiful view at Shintennoji temple we continue our trip to the port side of
Osaka. We were so excited to ride on Tempozan Giant Ferris wheel located close
to osakako station and kaiyukan aquarium. You have to pay 800 yen unless you
have OAP. Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel is one of the world’s largest ferris wheel.
The wheel soars 112.5 meters into the air with diameter 100 meters. It took 15
wonderful minutes to finish the ride. As I remembered NCT 127 had fun riding
this ferris wheel in “NCT live in Osaka”. We got down from ferris wheel
platform and went into Family Mart for late lunch. Tuna onigiri was our only
choice. It’s quite difficult to find Halal food in Japan. We prayed Allah for
our food.
 |
| Good picture eventough my legs are shaking |
 |
| Yes sir...me too. For the sake of this blog.... |
 |
| We had similar reaction boys |
 |
| This picture was taken with me kept screeming "Don't move, stay still!" |
 |
| Happy..... |
 |
| Osaka from Tempozan Ferris Wheel |
Few meters away from
Tempozan Ferris Wheel we found Osaka bay cruise Santa Maria. Again, we got it
for free by OAP. This 45 minutes long sight seeing actually cost 1,600 yen.
Some of the tourists said it was boring but I loved it. Being able to see most
of famous site at Osaka bay plus meeting the pirates of the caribbean and some good
looking “oppa” were so amazing.
 |
| Yeah...you are always busy with your camera |
 |
| Tempozan Giant Ferris wheel is just behind us |
 |
| I met captain Jack |
 |
Some of them just woke up from their black out
|
 |
| She has a hidden motive |
After such tiring
rides, we decided to find our accommodation, a private room we found in AirBnB.
It’s located quite far from the downtown closed to Imamiya station which was so
hard to find, too hard that I couldn’t remember how we find it. We had to pick
our luggage at namba station before. Right after dumping my luggage at our accommodation,
I headed to Umeda Sky Building with Miss Nisa and Miss Anna a.k.a nyai. We left
the other three because they looked like about passing out at any moment.
Taking Midosuji line to Umeda Station was an easy deal but to find Umeda Sky
Building was another story. Fortunately we met a good guy name Matsumoto who
walked us to the building. This is a part of Japanese hospitality that I
respect. When we asked for direction they won’t hesitate to walk us there even
if it’s far.
The reason why I
wanted to visit Umeda sky building were first it serves you beautiful view of
Osaka at night and second because Wanna One visited this place in one episode
of Wanna One Zero Base. I was obsessed to see Wanna One lock by myself. The later made my other two friends became furious. Hahaha, I got ya…..
 |
| Umeda Sky Building |
 |
| Wanna one at Umeda Sky Building |
 |
Japanese people call the observatory deck as Kuchu Teien
|
 |
| Osaka Night view |
 |
| Wanna one lock |
 |
Umeda Sky Building legendary elevator
|
 |
| Too tired to be true |
 |
| Thanks to Mr Matsumoto for taking us here |
We got back to our accommodation
very late and very tired. The next day will be another tiring yet beautiful
day.
Komentar
Posting Komentar