My first impressions of Osaka |
Click here for Part 1, i.e. the adventures in Tokyo from 2019/09/04-09/10, if you didn't read the respective post yet:
Special Post: My first time in Japan, Part 1 - Tokyo
And this is the Japan vacation's Part 2 where my brother and I were in Osaka from the 11th September to 17th September 2019.
Without further ado, up to the adventures which my brother and I experienced in Osaka:
Day 8 (2019/09/11)
By the express train Shinkansen, we moved foward from Tokyo to Osaka. We arrived at 12:30h at the station and took a taxi which brought us to our hotel. But not a hotel from the chain Candeo Hotels but from the chain Toyoko Inn.
The first dinner in Osaka: Cheese Pizza |
Day 9 (2019/09/12)
For our first adventure in Osaka, we went to one of the main tourists' areas, Dōtonbori. We took part on a boat cruise on the river nearby the Dōtonbori bridge. Really cool in an unexpected way!!!
After the cruise, we moved forward to another quarter: Shinsekai, a further tourist area
Later the day, we ate in the Café-Restaurant Vitti for dinner. Therein, I've eaten Okonomiyaki for the first time of my life. It was sooo delicious!!!
Day 10 (2019/09/13)
The Kaiyukan, the best aquazoo I ever visited. |
A vanilla-ramune soft ice cream |
In the in-house cafe, I ate a soft ice cream with vanilla and ramune flavour. Everyone who tried a ramune flavoured food or beverage can relate with what I'm referring to. So, why is ramune not (that) widespread here in Germany too?!
Then, we went to the Tempozan Market Place, something like a light version of a mall. There is also a store selling Pokémon-merchandise too but it ain't a Pokémon-Center. However, I bought therein two plush figures: my favourite Pokémon Mewtwo and my favourite Eeveelution Umbreon.
The pirate ship Santa Maria and the Tempozan Ferris Wheel |
After that cruise, we went to the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, a ferris wheel also being located at the Tempozan harbour. From that ferris wheel, you have a magnificent view too.
All in all, the Osaka Bay (including the Tempozan harbour, along with the tourist attractions) is definitely a must-visit for everyone who is in Osaka for vacation. It's really worth it!!!
Day 11 (2019/09/14)
The Osaka Station City |
There is also an outdoor area, in the 10th as well as in the 11th flour from which you have a good view too.
Later that day, we eat in the Pakistan restaurant Ali's Kitchen for dinner. I was ultra impressed and the restaurant owner's kindness is top-notch!!!
By the way, it was the first time I've eaten Pakistan dishes - and I would like doing it every day.
Osaka Castle |
On that day, we went to the famous Osaka Castle which was built during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1603), i.e. the era of the three country unification pioneers. That castle was built within the lifetime of Hideyoshi Toyotomi who had handled Japan's military expansion and who was the 2nd of the three unification pioneers.
Of course, we entered the castle itself too and from above, you have also a magnificent view.
Even the castle walls' quality is remarkable in view of the fact that they were built within an era long before the Industrialization which began just during the Meiji period (1868-1912). And they're still intact to the present day.
Above: The road train Below: The boat |
Later, we ate once more in the Cafe-Restaurant Vitti for dinner. And this was delicious again!!!
The bentô box from the store BIC Camera |
One more time, we went to the place Dōtonbori. At first, we went to a nearby BIC Camera-branch where I bought a bentō box. And this is a special one where you can attach the enclosed chop sticks. Moreover, you can put the divider in any desired position
Then, we went to the cafe Shitamachi no tokei dai where we ate parfaits. I chose the ramune parfait. As already mentioned, I love the ramune's sparkling flavour. Thus, it's not surprising that the ramune parfait was the superlative culinary delight of the century!!!
Subsequently, we participated on the boat cruise of the Tombori River Cruise again and it was so exciting like the first time.
Vegetarian corn dogs from Dōtonbori |
- Cheese Dog (mozarella cheese), chosen by myself
- Cheese Potato Dog (mozarella cheese with potatoes), chosen by my brother.
So delicious!!!
Later the day, we ingested our last dinner in Osaka (and logically our last dinner in Japan) at Ali's Kitchen. It was definitely the right decision ingesting therein the last meal in Japan.
Then, we packed our back because one day later, our return to Germany was due.
Day 14 (2019/09/17)/Last Day
After a short breakfast, we took a taxi which brought us to the airport Osaka-Itami. From there, we took an airplane at 11:00h to Tokyo-Haneda where we arrived at 12:15h. Then again, we took a further airplane for our return to Germany. That flight lasted 10 hours and 50 minutes. We arrived at 18:15 (Central European Time) in Germany.
Two days later, I've entirely recovered from the jet lag.
Conclusion: The Japan vacation was the best vacation I ever had. It's really astonishing how much adventures you can experience within two weeks.
Of course, I wanna go to Japan again. I miss Japan so much.
PS: If you wanna see more pictures, videos and story highlights from the Japan vacation, please visit my Instagram account: @jakushi_zakuto
PPS: As culmination for this two-parted blog post, I show you a beautiful picture from Dōtonbori at night which I haven't posted on my Instagram but I don't wanna withhold from you:
Dôtonbori at night (photo taken 2019/09/15) |