Couch Surfing Success in Osaka, Japan

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My entry into my couch surfing host's guestbook

Stop the presses! I am a couch surfing convert. I know, I know, I can be snobbish and a bit of a wimp when it comes to "roughing it". I turn my nose up at hostels and "budget accommodations" but for this trip to Japan I figured to either go big or go home. Couch surfing isn't revolutionary but it's not anything I envisioned was for me, for one, I typically travel solo and as woman I have personal safety concerns and  two, I don't like everybody. LOL This may not come as a surprise to many of you, but random people usually annoy me.

It was clear that my host has a Star Wars Problem: This is his Storm Trooper Costume on display in the sitting room

So why couch surfing now? Until fairly recently I thought couch surfing was only for hippies and broke gap year students. As I began socializing with more people who travel as a lifestyle, I learned that people from all walks of life and interest host and surf. Some of the best people I know swear by couch surfing, holding the concept in high regard and swear by it. It's free, it's global, and it gives instant access to a potential friend in your destination city. I thought Japan would an excellent opportunity to try, given the overall cost of visiting and how much Japanese culture differed from my own.

My gracious host and camera assistant, Masaki at the Osaka Castle

My host Masaki is an excellent example of a couch surfing rockstar. He has only been hosting for a year and has opened his home to dozens of both solo travelers and couples from all over the world. I knew I would be in good hands because his couch surfing profile was filled with tons of recommendations and kind words. He happened to have a day off on Wednesday and took me on a tour of Osaka. 

Here are some pictures from the day.

Osaka is MASSIVE, we spent a lot of time walking and taking the subway (and taking pictures of strangers)

Osaka Castle

Piping hot Octopus Balls, I ate a disproportionate amount of octopus while in Osaka.

Bird man at the castle. I found it ironic he wears a germ mask but handles flying rats

The Glica man seen from Ebisubashi Bridge in Namba

Dotonbori area, where people come for the best food in Osaka

Dinner time, more octopus and a pancake thingy with cabbage and egg, and noodles which were the bomb.com

After dinner we burned some calories singing karaoke into the night. It was a great time and worthy of a post

Having Masaki as my host gave me access to a side of Osaka I would have never seen on my own. Although we did the  tourist things, I wouldn't have ventured down streets like these or gone where locals go

This morning as I was packing up and prepping for Kyoto and I started crying. I was so overwhelmed that a perfect stranger invited me into his home, showed me around his city and asked for nothing in return. (yes, snobs do cry! :)) I am touched and in a way changed by Masaki's generosity. I plan on couch surfing for a bit in Tokyo and in the future, I warn all future host, you have a lot to live up to.

 Arigato, Masaki !!!

Have you ever tried couch surfing? Would you? Why or why not? 

For more pictures throughout the day check out my Facebook fan page. Also I have a contest going on sponsored by LUXE City Guides. Be sure to enter.