Throughout the flight the video monitors on the plane displayed the moving map showing our progress from Seoul to Osaka. Based on that map, it appeared as though we were landing in the middle of the water of Osaka Bay. Since it was dark out, I couldn't see anything of our approach - it was black below us. I could see the lights of the city on the shore, so it definitely felt like we were about to land in the bay. Then the runway lights appeared below and we were on the ground. This morning I pulled up the map of Osaka on Google Earth and Kansai International Airport actually is its own little island in the bay connected to the shoreline by one long bridge.
The host hotel for the Symposium in the Rihga Royal Hotel - connected directly to th


My room is decent size. I love that they provide comfortable cotton kimono robes. I've included a couple of pictures of my room - the kimono is neatly folded on the bed (by housekeeping - not me).
I'll add some photos of the rest of the hotel area later today.
All for now. Please post any questions or suggestions of what you would like to hear about the trip in the comments.