Japan: Day 8

(Look at that souvenir bag! He could fit in it himself, if need be).

Our last day in Japan! I will end with a few closing remarks and the remaining traveler reflections from the trip. 

Some had a slow morning and enjoyed breakfast views from the 15th floor...

while many went out early to complete last minute shopping and explore Osaka further. 

(Ms. Ruch really liked this bucket hat, but alas, it was too big. 😓)

Ms. Ruch and I grabbed one more round of Milk tea and then got our last taste of the street food from Osaka: Kobe beef sushi and a Kobe beef sushi rice bowl.

If I could give one piece of advice about eating street food: trash cans in public spaces in Japan are not a thing. In many places you'll be hard pressed to find a trash can even in a bathroom (the indoor mall we went to had them, and the subway stations, maybe, scattered far and few between, and the airport, but NONE on the street). So, then, my pro tip is to eat the street food next to the vendor you bought it from, and give them your trash when you're done. They frown upon you throwing trash away at a vendor's stand that you did not buy anything from, so just chill for a few minutes, enjoy your delicious snack, then give what's left from your purchase back to them when you're done.

Some things you will see from the street, however, are umbrellas. I've been wanting to get the transparent umbrella everyone uses here that they get from the store fronts and convenience stores, but I didn't want to carry it the whole trip because they are not small and take up so much space. But now I have one!

Jessica, Diego and Michiyo took one last groupie before saying goodbye. Thank you, Michiyo, for keeping us organized, safe and for handling all the logistics. You were awesome!

I will close with the remaining traveler interviews. My question was: what was your highlight or favorite place/moment on the trip?

JACK: The Onsen and the top of Mt. Komagatake that we took the gondola to get to.

HENRY: The shrines and temples were my favorite part. The architecture was really cool and surreal.

TYLER: Getting jumped on and attacked by the deer. I got a hole in my shirt from one of them!

MS. RUCH: The "chaperone meetings" at the end of the day when we just laughed and recalled funny moments from the day. I think I gained some abs from laughing on this trip.

MR. NEWTON: Petting the deer at Nara Park, and watching other people (specifically "Melissa Rush") get attacked by them.

MR. PRODAN: The walk from the Kasuga Taisha shrine to Todai-ji Temple. I enjoyed the scenery and the deer that we passed. Also, loved the Osaka street food!

MS. CARR: Either Lake Ashi and the drive through the forested hills OR the Arashiyama district of Kyoto. And Prodan's giggles. 

MR. VIDOSIC: The bus rides. I laugh harder during our bus rides on these trips than any other time. Along with Prodan, enjoyed Osaka street food.

VIDOSIC, NEWTON and PRODAN's Lowlight: Marisa/chunky plum/tastes bad/what is this?!? 

We are at the airport about ready to board our first leg to San Francisco. See you soon!

~Ms. Carr