A possibly relatively short post on the things we did in Osaka (Day 1).

TIPS

Osaka has a different vibe from Tokyo  (naturally), even though they are both developed and populous cities. For one thing, I actually saw reasonably priced grocery stores out in the open in Osaka. The people may also be a little less tourist-friendly, but they’re not bad! Promise. 

Day 9 

TRANSPORTATION OSAKA STATION

Osaka Station is also really big –like, seriously. I’m not sure if these shots were taken in Osaka or Namba or Nankai or whatever, but I am sure that getting one place to another was a long walk, we passed by so many side stores, bakeries and even a gallery or two.

CULTURE Osaka Castle

Rainy day, but mostly worth it. Not many can say they’ve had the experience of taking photos against a blurry castle, while wearing white pants muddied by the ill-timed downpour!

.

FOOD Gyumeshi

Lots of no-brand not-franchise (do these modifiers make sense) food shops offer a specific sort of experience: order your food via vendo, present your ticket at the counter, sit down on any one of the vacant seats facing the kitchen itself, and wait. That’s it.

Gyumeshi — rice + sliced beef + onion. And maybe some other good stuff.

.

CITY LIFE SHOPPING FOOD Minami – Namba/Shinsaibashi Area, Dotombori

From the big stores to the real food stops, this area in Minami has it all. Or something like that.

Super special shoutout to the kind people in that one Tourist Info center –somewhere in the second or third floor of a high-end store, tucked away from all actual tourist interaction!

.

FOOD Kyusyuyatai-Torao

And that’s it for the day, folks!

xxx

 I. Credits and Love
II. Japanese Quirks, Signs and Life
III. Tokyo: Part 1
IV. Tokyo: DisneySea
V. Tokyo: Part 2
VI. Hikone Interlude
VII. Kyoto
VIII. Osaka
IX. Osaka: Universal Studios Japan

xxx

xxx