Japan Series- Vol1: A Return two decades in the making (Osaka Arrival Guide and Kansai Itinerary)
Some trips stay with you. My first visit to Japan in 2005 was one of them. After 20 years of plans, near misses and cancellations, I finally made it back a few months ago with my wife in tow this time. This post kicks off a Japan travel series covering my visit to Japan again after two decades, including experiences across Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Uji in the Kansai region, along with a detailed itinerary and practical travel tips. In 2005, I was fortunate to be part of a young delegation from India picked to participate in the UN organized Children’s World Summit for Environment. This event hosted about 600 kids and teens from all over the world in Toyohashi, near Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture. This was the first time I’ve been to any country in Asia other than India, my home. Naturally, this trip was full of culture shocks and many firsts for me as a teen with raging hormones- Chopsticks, Sushi, Japanese Wadaiko drum shows, Shinkansen (Just knew it as Bullet Train back then), 4-star hot...
