Japan DIY - The Arrival......Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo

The very 1st thing to do when u got down to Japan, be it at the airport or rail station....is to look for the ever helpfull "i" i.e. Tourists Information Centre! The "i" is where u will get all the helps in your entire travel in Japan....cheap accomodation, transportation, what2do lists, where2go n so on....the best thing about Japan "i" is..there r multi languages staffs here :-)

For me, my 1st destination is to the railpass exchange counter at Osaka Int'l airport to exhange the rail pass into bullet train ticket take me from the airport to Osaka city.

My railpass allowed to board all JR trains as well as the bullet trains except for one, the 'Nozomi' bullet train, which is the most fastest in speed amongst all the others.

Accomodations is Japan is never a problem even if u have not make any pre-booking. There r many different types from Ryokan, Guest House, Rest House, Hotels. Backpakers Lodges etc etc...and there r almost everywhere located in and around the main city areas. Almost all of them charges base on per person per night rate. Some of the budget chain hotels where I stay in Sapporo do provide normal curry-rice breakfast and dinner.

    

                        

One of the most recommended and convenient ways visiting Kyoto is to purchase a 1day tourists attraction bus fare at the Kyoto "i" in the train station. The fare allow unlimited rides stopping at almost all the main temples/shrines attractions in Kyoto. Never ever get up to any of the local bus as it will takes you round the city and you will ended up wasted awful lots of times on the bus instead of touring the main attractions.

Among some of the world hearitage sites that worth a visit are; Helmeiji Castle and The Golden Pavilion [kimkujee].