So I know I haven't written in a while, so I figured I could shed some light on what's been going on lately. My GF just left after staying with me for 3 weeks, and we did a lot. We traveled to Kyoto and Osaka and saw a lot. It's sad to have someone you are close to leave after you just had so many experiences together. I know it sounds lame but it's true. Osaka is a great city. It has a lot of things that Nagoya has but more of it. It also has way more sushi restaurants which is key. I wish I had applied to a job in that area but I guess everything worked out in the end. Nagoya is a little shopping-heavy but is very laid-back which I like a lot. Kyoto seemed very "Old School Japan." There were Geishas (and some Gaijin Geishas which got stares). I highly recommend going there for a couple days but you would have to go there for 3-4 days to see everything. Sooo many temples.
We stayed at a friends place in Osaka (me and the GF met him studying abroad) but we had nowhere to sleep when we got to Kyoto. We seriously walked everywhere and even the crappy places were booked. We had remembered our friend say that "Love Hotels" were nice and not what you would expect for hotels basically designed for sex. It was huge but affordable, with a built-in radio system, a huge bed, a Manga library, a sofa, refrigerator, humidifier, jacuzzi, shower, full bathroom with heated seat etc.. all for 8000 yen (total). The funniest thing were the red lights that you could dim for full effect. All you needed was the '70s porn music and you were all set. I would recommend going to one for an evening stay if you are in the same situation traveling in Japan, but you can only sleep in the room after 10pm (yeah you can't make reservations) and you need to be a male-female couple. If you are a gay couple you might get turned away. We were actually turned away twice, and we didn't realize why until we read our travel book that some of the Love Hotels don't like catering to foreigners. I don't know why; we are paying customers. That and the sketchy part that the door locks you in until you call the front desk to unlock it takes away a high recommendation. I would only use them in times on emergency... but it's one of those things you can probably only get in Japan. They are so organized it's scary... I think they are catching on in Europe. No chance in America, unless maybe in Vegas.
As far as travel to these cities go, there are many methods to get you there and back (Bullet Train, Kintentsu Train, Bus etc. but after trying them all, booking a bus ride in advance is the best; it takes longer but it's pretty comfortable and half the price of the Bullet Train. If you wanna get there sooner, take the Bullet Train, but as soon as you get to the station immediately book a Bus trip home. I was so glad I did that. That's all I have to say right now, I'm kind of tired.. there are just so many things to write about but it will have to wait.
