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Osaka is famous for its friendly locals and hearty traditional cuisine.

I was amazed at how friendly people were, especially during customs. I, as you will notice during my travel, seem to be a little out of luck, spilled pomegranate juice on my passport, and my passport picture got washed out right before I landed in Osaka.

The story started when I was connecting to my Osaka flight at San Francesco’s airport from Newark. (try to get direct flights, little expenses but hella worth it) I had 20 minutes before my flights depart, I was starving, and I needed something to drink/eat. So I went to get something from a store in the airport, the first thing I saw was a pomegranate juice. I bought it then headed right back to the departing area; did not even open that bottle! So I just placed it in my bag and got on my flight. I was asked to put the bag under the seat because the plane was too tight. (buy business next time) When we landed, I picked up my bag to take out my passport, opened the first page; it was wet, and my picture got washed out. I almost went into a heart attack or had a stroke. I was not flying with a US passport, so I had to obtain a visa with my picture. I felt a little clammer. So when it was my turn for the immigration check, I explained what happened to the officer; he took me to a room to check on my passport/visa. I was treated with respect, offered to have a seat, and drink water. In less than five minutes, I was out. I never felt more blessed in my life. I was so thankful, and my love for God and this country grow even more significant with each day I spent there.

I later met with the rest of my travel mates (it is crucial to travel with other people when it is your first time in a country), and we headed to the hotel to rest and have lunch.

We went to a hotel called Hotel Plaza Osaka. It was a lovely hotel. it was located very close to the subway, and near lots of love hotels, LOL. (Love hotels are when BF & GF who are not allowed to live with each other until marriage spend nights together in away from their parents) at least, you get to experience different areas of Japan.

The subway was extremely easy to follow; use your google maps to locate somewhere. The machines were all in Japanese, which scared the hell out of us; each train is color-coded, and each station was also written in English to help tourists out.

We went to Dotombori, it is like the NYC Time square, but the Osaka version, most shops in dotombori close at 10 pm. When you try to take as many pictures as you can, eat locally, go to an arcade, and use photo booths. (you will be surprised and just so happy, I swear!)