Hi just returned from another trip abroad. This time from Osaka, Japan. Where I helped to cover the broadcast of the NFL Game from Osaka, Japan. Actually did some site seeing in Kyoto as well.

Welcome back, Greg,<BR><BR>how about a small trip report and pointing at all the faulty information you've received here ? ;-)

Sure . <BR><BR>Actually I think most of the info I got was correct. There are some details people left out.<BR><BR>Weather - incredibly hot! Humidity is almost to the point of raining, and it nevers cools down. Even at night. You are literally soaked within minutes. I don't know how anyone can avoid sweating (kind of a response to body odor comment of one poster).<BR><BR>Clothing - bring lots of shorts (nice ones), nice flip flops (tevas etc..), short sleeved collared shirts, & changes of undergarments.<BR><BR>Food - expensive but worth it. Nothing I ate was done poorly. If you are feeling very adventurous try "Kaiseki". Not sure what I ate but I think one was baby octopus eggs.<BR>Always try the local culture. What's the point in traveling if you don't sample.<BR><BR>Sports - Well I was over there to cover the NFL game, but you must not miss the Hanshin Tigers Baseball Team games. I have never seen anything like it in any sports event I have covered. I opted to sit in the bleacher section even though I had seats behind first base (sample the culture). I am glad I did. People were very nice. To give an example. They have a custom of blowing up these huge ballons with whistles built in (which some young teens handed me a bunch). They release them all at once at the beginning of the 7'th inning stretch. What a sight. 50,000 ballons all at once.<BR><BR>Travel - Kyoto went to several shrines and shogun castles of fame. Apparently this is the only town that was put off limits during WWII because of its art history. Definitely a must. Osaka is nice but all industrial and not much art history.<BR><BR>Plane ride - may I recommend that you get some ambien (sleep aid from Doctor), and noise cancelling headphones if you can afford them (if you are going to Japan you should be able to afford them).<BR><BR>Electronics - Go to Den Den section.<BR><BR>General Ambience - very well kept but older modern sixties style. Reminded me of old James Bond movie, "You Only Live Twice".<BR><BR>That should do it. Fire away if I missed anything.<BR><BR>P.S. Get an international cell phone. It was great calling my Mom and wife from Japan. No delay and quite a shocker to them! More trips to come. Sothern France, Brussels, and Suisse next.

Greg, thanks for the info. I like the way you catagorized it. How many days did you stay there? We have been thinking about going to Japan. $ keeps us away from it. How much did you spend? I guess even cheap service/hotel/restaurant is still good considering what a high standard that country holds.

Thanks Greg,<BR><BR>I was the one making the comment about body odor. Not dying suffocated in body odors at rush hour in the subway was one of the first amazing discovery I made on my first trip. I've been in Japan numerous times during the summer, usually taking part in kendo seminars (japanese fencing). I know everything about sweating ;-) ... <BR><BR>You're right about Kyoto being spared, together with Nara, during WWII. The reason was apparently that a former American diplomat fell in love with the area before the war and was able to persuade the war command that there was little military interest in razing it, whereas sparing it would prove useful to persuade the population that Americans respected the local culture after the war was won. Looks like it worked <BR><BR>There are many experts on the Europe forum, but let me know if there is something specific you need to know about Geneva and the French Alps (that's where I live and work).<BR><BR><BR>xx,<BR><BR>I usually go to Japan on a rather tight budget. Main expense is the plane fare together with flea markets . You can find inns and hotels for as little as Yen 3000/night, regular meals in places the Japanese favor for as little as yen 250 for a bowl of rice topped with sukiyaki beef in a chain like Yoshinoya, etc. If you can accept the usual Japanese standard for budget travel, like "private use of a communal bathroom", $ is not that much of an obstacle to enjoying yourself in Japan. <BR><BR>My usual planned budget is a maximum of Yen 10'000/? 100/$100/day (ryokan 4500 + food 3000 + drinks 500 + local transportation 500 + museums and various 1500), plus plane fare (main expense) and train between main cities (max 7 days railpass).

XX I think Florence can better answer your questions concerning money/budget.<BR><BR>I can tell you that 1000 yen equates to approx. $9.00 US and that the average meal in a good hotel or restaurant is approx. 45,000 yen per person. Other than that I can't be of much help.<BR><BR>I was quite spoiled by the Media credentials I use along with the excellent hospitality of the Washington Redskins & Japanese Gov't. (most of my expenses were prepaid by them).<BR><BR>My stay was only 5 days/4 nights, but I still managed to squeeze in a lot of site seeing. It seems that most of the entrance fees to the shrines & castles were very inexpensive (600 yen was the max I saw). Things tend to balance out there. The baseball game was 1,200 yen. The football game would have set me back $110.00 US.<BR><BR>Hope that helps. I am always a big proponent of travel. I have found that cruising is not my thing since it limits you too much, and seems to be slightly xenophobic. In short if you can scrimp and save. Anything is worth it, as long as your mind is open.