My First International Trip: Japan

This post captures the meaningful memories of my trip to Japan. As it was my first time going abroad, there were many things I didn’t know, such as how to fill out the customs declaration form, how to book a hotel, and how to take the public transportation. Fortunately, Japan is a traveler-friendly country, and Osaka is a popular tourist city where travel tips can be easily found on the internet, therefore, these issues were ultimately addressed. I traveled around Osaka and the surrounding areas for 5 days. Here I will share some interesting things that happened during my trip. I hope you enjoy it!

Subway transportation

Honestly, the subway system in Osaka was much more complex than I expected. In China, each station usually has only one type of route, but Japan is different. The stations in Osaka often have multiple routes running simultaneously, which can be quite overwhelming at first.

A useful tip for taking the correct subway is to check the timetable on Google Maps. If you board the subway at the precise time, you’re highly likely to be on the right one. And, it is a special feeling when you take subway(or maybe railway), as the image shows.

City imprint

I have traveled 4 cities in this five days. Even though these cities are very close, they provide the different feeling. Osaka is a very vibrant city, with every street offering its own unique charm. Whether it’s the bustling shopping districts during the day or the neon lights that shine brightly at night, this city is always full of energy.


I noticed that the billboards on the buildings have a sense of design. Even though there are many billboards of different shapes and colors, they blend naturally into the surroundings.

And the Mario area at USJ lets me relive the childhood memories. Before 2008, when my father bought a computer, one of the most enjoyable activities for me was visiting my classmate’s home to play on the ‘XiaoBaWang’ gaming console. Games like Mario, Street Fighter, and Contra were an unforgettable part of my youth. Although I didn’t try some of the entertainment facilities, like roller coasters, because I was a bit scared, I’m still willing to give the recreated scenes a perfect score of 100.

In contrast, Kyoto is a more traditional city, with many temples of various style, such as the famous Kiyomizu-dera Temple. As a man who is a deep fan of the “Ke Nan” anime, this is a place I must visit.

Besides, torii is more commonly seen in Kyoto, which is a traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine. The presence of the torii gate serves as a reminder to visitors that passing through it means entering the sacred domain, and from then on, all actions and behavior should be carried out with special care.

Fushimi Inari-taisha in Kyoto has thousands of such torii, each bearing the donor’s name. And some torii are built deep in the mountains or on the sea. Visiting these places to discover such torii seems to be an interesting travel activity.

And Nara is a natural city, where deer can freely roam and walk on the streets. It’s fascinating how the deer in Nara bow to ask for food! That’s definitely a unique and polite behavior compared to some of the monkeys in domestic tourist areas, which can be more aggressive. It really adds a special charm to the experience!

The day I visited happened to be the Nara Yamayaki Festival, but since I hadn’t researched it in advance, I returned to Osaka after seeing the deer and missed the chance to witness it firsthand, which was a bit regrettable.

Finally is Kobe, which is a chill city known for its Kobe beef, beautiful harbor views, and relaxing atmosphere. A small incident occurred at Suma Beach where I accidentally lost my AirPods. Using the location tracking, I pinpointed the last two meters but still couldn’t find them. Later, I discovered that the administrator had picked them up and locked them in a safe (luckily, they were still emitting a faint signal).

Local specialties

Ramen is a kind of food that you must try. Japanese ramen noodles are very chewy and come with a richer variety of toppings, such as chicken, pork, eggs, and vegetables. The broth is also very distinctive, with a rich flavor that leaves a lasting impression (though it can be a bit salty). Additionally, sukiyaki is another dish I particularly enjoy. Back in my home country, I couldn’t understand why beef hotpot was paired with raw eggs, but in Japan, replacing sesame sauce with sukiyaki sauce made it much more reasonable.

Of course, there were some disappointing foods, such as Takoyaki. Although it is very unique, the taste was quite bad and overly salty, not as good as the improved versions in China.

Other pieces

Thank you for reading this far. Wishing you a wonderful day!