Julio Moreno of California U.S.A.

34.  Featured Traveller 
 Julio Moreno

English Teacher : Traveller

California USA

"Seeing the world, one world heritage site at a time"

It is with great pleasure to introduce a Mexican-American friend from Los Angeles, California who teaches English in South Korea. Julio was born in Mexico. He moved to the United States with his family at a young age of 3.

Flag of the USA

Aside from Mexico, South Korea and the United States which are destinations he has lived in, he explored other countries and has travelled to Canada, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Italy, Vatican City, the Netherlands, Japan, Taiwan, Macao, Hong Kong, Peru and Indonesia and hopes to one day visit his top five of his dream destinations, namely, the Maldives, Palau, North Korea, India and Antarctica.

Julio admits he is a penny pinching accountant when it comes to travel, and according to him, it is not about getting the cheapest thing, it is about the best value. He continues by saying that he knows few people who are as thorough with planning and budgeting as he is. "Let's start with planning. I plan everything, including bus schedules, special activities, quickest routes, best things to see, things to eat, etc. Then, once everything is planned, I keep the plan in my back pocket. It is like my own personal guide book, but I am by no means tied to it. If I find something better, I am definitely willing to change plans", he adds.

As of this writing, Julio is due to be back from his third trip to Japan. It is a week of discovering Tokyo and its neighbouring cities. On his return, I am pretty sure he has many more stories to tell about this country. Meanwhile, let's join him in reminiscing his experiences with the friendly people of Osaka and its neighbouring cities.

Connect with Julio and read more about his Travel World Heritage by following him on Facebook.

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My favourite place that I have visited is Japan, so I would like to run you guys through why I think it is such an awesome country.

First and foremost, my idea of a perfect destination is kind of an illusion. I want to find a place that is unique by developing independently of the outside world, but at the same time welcoming of outsiders. Imagine being a traveller in those old medieval movies (minus the bubonic plague and all) where you arrive in a new town and someone offers to show you around, despite being a complete stranger. Japan is the closest to that in my opinion. It is built with its own agenda of weird and unusual trends by our standards, yet it is very much welcoming to visitors.

Downtown Osaka JAPAN

In September of 2012, I took a trip to Osaka with the intent of visiting the World Heritage Sites of Kyoto, Nara, and the Horyu-Ji temple. By my third day, all of the locals I had met had been overly polite and helpful. Maybe it was because I had just come from Italy (yeah I said it), but I was impressed. When I arrived at Nara, a 70-year old woman named Keiko approached me and asked if she could show me around. She insisted that she didn't require any money and just wanted to kill some time. It turned out, her husband was a biologist studying the area, and she had to tag along.

Where is Osaka?

Where is Osaka?  How can I go to the city of Osaka from Kansai International Airport?

Small Bridge in Osaka Near the CastleNan

These are the two questions that I will answer momentarily. But first, I want to tell you that the city of Osaka is a city that is full of life.  I find it modern and business-like.  Subway stations are almost always crowded especially Umeda Station which is at the centre of many businesses and tour establishments.  There are so much to see in Osaka.  That must be the reason why you are directed here to my blog.

To make your entry to Japan convenient and your stay comfortable, I am giving you ideas on how to go around Osaka.

The city is situated in the Kansai region of Japan’s main island of Honshu.  The third largest city by population after Tokyo and Yokohama.  Come to Osaka through the Kansai International Airport which is about 50 kilometres away from the city centre. Upon arrival, you will be on the 2nd floor for Immigration Formalities. Then you will have to go down to the 1st floor for Baggage Claim, Customs Inspection, and Arrivals Lobby.  The International Arrivals Gates are both the north and south ends of the terminal. These are convenient places to arrange to meet friends and family.

You can take a bus, ferry, or taxi from the airport to the city centre but the most practical means of getting to Osaka is by train.  All trains leave from the Kansai Airport across the road from the arrivals hall.   

Take the Japan Railways (JR) or the Nankai Railways.  

By Japan Railways (JR)

"Haruka" limited express trains (tokkyu) connect Kansai Airport with Tennoji Station (30 minutes), 1760 yen by unreserved seat, about 2100 yen by reserved seat) and Shin-Osaka Station (50 minutes, 2470 yen unreserved, about 2800 yen reserved).

Rapid trains kaisoku connect the airport with Tennoji Station (50 minutes, 1030 yen) and Osaka Station (70 minutes, 1160 yen). The ticket prices here are good at the time of writing.  

The cost of Japan Railway Pass has been changed and will be effective March 8, 2017. If you are headed to Japan during this period, click all the new information in the link
For more news on Japan Rail Pass, click here. This update was made by this blog today, January 9, 2017.

By Nankai Railways:

"Rap:t" limited express trains (tokkyu) take 30 minutes and cost 1390 yen (all reserved) from Kansai Airport to Namba Station, while express trains (kyuko) do the same trip in 45 minutes and for 890 yen.  For more information on Nankai Railways, click here.

By Bus
Airport Limousine buses leave for various destinations throughout Kansai from the 1st floor directly outside the arrivals hall. The cost is slightly higher than the train, but the buses go directly to some major hotels and can be faster than the train for some destinations (eg. Kobe) in good traffic.

The bus is also the only practical option for connecting to domestic flights from Osaka's Itami Airport.

By Ferry
Kaijo Access run directly to Kobe's airport. Ferries run roughly every 45 minutes and take 29 minutes one way (¥1500). Via the ferry, shuttle bus and the Port Liner AGT line, Sannomiya (central Kobe) can be reached in one hour.

By Taxi
Taxis are very expensive. Going to Osaka will cost you a minimum of ¥16,000, while reaching Kyoto will rack up closer to ¥32,000.

If you are in the country for the first time, my advice to you is to take a taxi going to your hotel.  You don’t want to be waiting for long hours for the next bus or train for your connecting trip, right?  There is a challenge that you as a traveller will face ~ the language barrier.  Communication is a bit of a problem although you will see the effort of the locals in trying to help you.  Most of the time, I cannot see and feel this as a problem at all because of the gesture and expression of local's genuine hospitality.  So, I want you not to worry about the money, you only do this on your arrival.  Once you are used to the roads, you may start using all their transport facilities available throughout the city.

Now that I have given you the way to Osaka, I would advice that you arrange with your hotel for your next day sightseeing tour of the city. Familiarize yourself immediately and upon arrival.  Feel free to visit my blog again about the city.  Next series, I will be giving you all the information based on my tour, thereby giving you the  “must see places in Osaka.”

From the desk of: 

Freddie Miranda

A blogger and a Canada-based freelance writer. He shares the value of his travel experiences and discoveries with his friends and fellow travellers. Share your passion, join and visit him. Send a message @ fromatravellersdesk(at)gmail(dot)com.