🚄 Japan Day 15: Farewell to the Group and Start of My Solo Journey

📍 Location: Hiroshima → Osaka

👋 Saying Goodbye to the Group

At 8:00 AM, I went down for breakfast. Some were already there, and others arrived later. Today was the day everyone would go their separate ways. Saying goodbye to such a great group was really hard, we'd been living, eating, and traveling together every day. You grow close when you share so much. We hugged, said our goodbyes, and I realized I might never see some of them again since most live in different countries.

🚋 To Hiroshima Station and JR Pass

I left the hotel pretty early, around 9:00 AM, and took the tram to Hiroshima Station, I wanted plenty of time. On the tram, I said goodbye to a few group members traveling the same way. From here, my solo journey in Japan officially started.

The first thing I did at the station was head to the JR Ticket Office. I had purchased my Japan Rail Pass beforehand but needed the physical pass. I showed my passport and paperwork, and everything went smoothly. The clerk even helped me reserve a seat on the Shinkansen, Japan's high-speed train. Even with a JR Pass, you need to make seat reservations for these trains, so that was a huge help.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Have your passport and paperwork ready when collecting your JR Pass.

• Don't hesitate to ask for help, staff are usually very kind and helpful.

• Make seat reservations early, especially on busy routes.

🚄 Journey to Osaka Bay

I took the Shinkansen from Hiroshima Station to Shin-Osaka Station, then transferred to a couple of local trains. The two trains I had to transfer between arrived at the same time, so I had to run across the platform, but luckily, it was just across the track, and I made it.

Because I left early, I arrived at my hotel around 11:00 AM. Check-in wasn't until 3:00 PM, so I asked if I could leave my luggage, they had storage and said yes. There weren't many shops nearby except for a FamilyMart and another grocery store, where I grabbed some food and potato chips.

I was completely exhausted and didn't feel like sightseeing while I waited. I sat outside FamilyMart, ate, relaxed, and called my mom to chat. Later, I bought some lunch for the next day and wandered around a bit until it was close to 3:00 PM. By then, there was a long check-in line, but eventually, I got my room key.

🏨 The Hotel

The hotel was La'gent Hotel Osaka Bay, which cost 4,749 NOK for four days and three nights, including breakfast. I chose this hotel even though it was pricier because I wanted some alone time and relaxation—and it's close to Universal Studios Japan, which I love.

The room was big and nice, with a large bed, a fridge, and a decent view. The bathroom and shower were excellent.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• If you need to recharge, spending a bit more on a comfortable hotel can be worth it.

• Baggage storage before check-in is common in Japan, just ask.

• Staying near Universal Studios Japan is perfect if you plan to visit the park early.

😴 Rest Day & Summary

The rest of the day, I did absolutely nothing except relax, watched movies, napped, and ate. My body needed the break.

All in all, it was a sad, boring, but necessary day. Saying goodbye to the group was hard, but I was proud that I managed to navigate alone, take four different trains without getting lost, and collect my JR Pass without issues. No technical problems, no wrong turns, just a smooth day. I was a little bored but grateful for the downtime. By the time I finally checked in and settled into my hotel room, I felt recharged and ready to continue my adventure.

💡 Extra Tips:

• Don't overplan right after a group trip, you might need a rest day.

• Call family or friends if you're feeling lonely, it really helps.

• Be proud of the small victories, like navigating public transport or checking into a hotel on your own.