I have arrived at my second destination of my trip around the world: Osaka in Japan. The country has intrigued me ever since I saw these super weird Japanese game shows on tv. I figured a country with tv shows like that, must be worth a visit.
So far, I have not been disappointed in terms of weirdness. Stepping into my hotel room, I find in front of me a range of neatly lined up slippers and a sign that tells me shoes are forbidden in the room. This was also the case in Yangon so, pre-trained, I automatically take off my shoes and put on a pair of slippers. I walk over to the desk and I find a leaflet with hotel information. The first page covers general information: emergency exit, guest room information and …. hang on, what do I read? Darn, there are two types of slippers. Room slippers and bathing/spa slippers. Looking closer I realised I picked the wrong ones.
After correcting my error I continue reading the leaflet. Pages two and three (!) are covering Bathing Room Rules and Etiquette. That’s an awful lot of rules to remember. I also read that the Bathing Room is opened from 06:00 – 09:00 hrs and from 15:00 – 25:00 hrs. Probably a typo. Or is it? Turns out it is perfectly normal in Japan. It means open till 1 am.
The Japanese really seem to have a thing for cleanliness. The hotel room is absolutely spotless (wearing the right pair of slippers helps). Also, the toilet comes equipped with a sophisticated looking panel where you can set the temperature of the toilet seat and of the water. You might think “why would my number 1 or 2 care about the water temperature whilst being flushed?” but it is not about the flushing water. No, no, no. It is the water that will spray your private parts after the work is done. Spray/soft/bidet, you can even set the water pressure, nozzle position or, in case of a particularly smelly disposal, activate the power deodorizer. Contrary to how that sounds, the air will not suddenly be filled with cherry bottom, sorry – blossom, scent. Instead, the air you just let out, will simply be sucked up and passed through a filter. Yeah, it blew me away too.
Speaking of cherry blossom, to end on a less weird note, it is spring in Osaka and I was hoping to see Japan’s famous national flower in Osaka Castle Park during my visit there this morning. Apparently I arrived one week too late; there were only a few blossoms left. Still gorgeous though.
You just got to love the cherry bottom…hihihi…lovely to read you, it makes those distant places even warmer and easier to connect to than the nontheless gorgeous pics…great great mementoes…Enjoy your travels and continue to be surprised, gobsmacked, humbled, and totally in awe!