Legal and lovin' it
On Saturday, I followed the letter of the law. I left the country and came back. My reward? The Korean government allows me to stay another 30 days. Although Japan was generous enough to let me stay through July (90 days), I only visited for five hours. After flying into Kansai airport, I hopped on a train for an hour ride to Osaka. I got some advice for a spring makeover ...
The conductor, a white-haired, white-gloved man, kept rhythmically raising his right hand and pointing forward. It worked: the train followed right behind his gestures.
Osaka Castle was beautiful. A very peaceful area, surrounded by gardens. Osaka is the Chicago of Japan. It's big and well-known in the region, but will always be the second-city.
After this, I took the subway to the Apple store in Osaka. I managed to get there, with only having to ask people for help about six times. I've now ridden the subway in New York, Chicago, London, Paris, Washington, Boston, Philadelphia, Seoul and now ... Osaka. And, I have to say, (with Washington a close second), the Seoul subway is the best. Fast, clean, frequent and -- the best part -- all signs and announcements are in English as well as Korean.