9 DAYS - OSAKA 大阪 - 26 OCT TO 4 NOV 2019

26 Oct 2019 Sat - Arrival and Dinner
This is my first trip to Japan and I am loving it.
The Japanese are meticulous as for the first time of all my travels, I was asked to complete the full name, address and phone number of my hotel on the arrival card. Who remembers but luckily I had it on print. I was curious why a queue was forming at the customs exit and realized that the customs officer meticulously collected each declaration form and thanked the passengers. Good work attitude.

We went up to 2nd floor to buy the Icoca cards from the JR vending machines. Transactions for purchase and topups were a breeze as instructions in English were clear and precise. Each card is 2000 yen (500 deposit + 1500 value)

The airbnb was conveniently located just 3 minutes from the Nankai Namba Railway station. It was fairly high tech as entry to apartment building and flat was by passcodes using the automated keypad. It was newly built in Dec 2018 and was clean and equipped with all facilities needed for short stay. But there was no elevator or lift at the station's exit. We had to lug our luggage to and from the train's platform

We walked over to Yoshinoya for our dinner.

The beef was tender and flavourful with rice. Cost was Y468 and Y598 respectively + 10% for eatins

27 Oct 2019 Sun - Kuromon Market 黒門市場

Kuromon Market was about 10 minutes walking distance from our airbnb. We entered by the rear not the main entrance which is near the Nipponbashi subway station.

It was about 10am when we arrived and only a handful of tourists were mingling around some stalls. We took our time looking around and by 11am we were jolted by the sight of the crowd. The market was packed. Queues were everywhere picking up freshest of seafood offered by the wide array of stalls. Prices were not cheap.

At the famous Sanpei stall, we paid Y1,500 for 1 huge BBQ prawn, Y700 for 2 fresh oysters and Y3,000 for a sashimi set. For eat ins, tax is 10% while take outs is 8%.

27 Oct 2019 Sun - Dotonbori 道頓堀

In the evening, Dotonbori was crowded with people taking pictures doing the famous glico running man stance. There are numerous eateries and restaurants suiting to each personal preference and budget. You will not go hungry.

Kani Douraku Dotombori Honten is a super popular crab restaurant which is easily recognized by the giant moving crab on its shopfront. There are different meal sets and the most expensive is dinner set of Y12,000

This guy stood frozen in time in this stance for about 5 min. It was fun watching such street performance.

27 Oct 2019 Sun - Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street
千日前道具屋筋商店街
Walk under this bold red sign and you will enter the 150m long Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street aka Kitchen Street lined with shops selling cookware, kitchen utensils and restaurant supplies. It was about 10 min walk from our stay

In the midst of the street, we found a supermarket A Price and we bought large sweet crunchy apples for Y410 and sweet juicy persimmons for Y410.

Namba Walk is an underground shopping street that was always crowded. The Namba area was itself a maze with many directions to the different subways. We found ourselves lost as we could not get to the exit leading to our airbnb.

Namba City

To break the smell, we headed for dinner at Jikaseimen Kineya 自家製麺杵屋 at basement 2 of Namba City. We scanned the QR code and could see the menu in English for our order. Otherwise the menu is in Japanese.

Noodles were more than the ingredients which make the dinner very filling. It cost Y750 and Y780. After the carbo, we were energized to find our way home. And we did. So happy.

The Japanese are innovative. This is a automatic carpark located opposite our airbnb. We witnessed the whole process whereby the red car was waiting in the circle on the ground and the attendant was manning the system from a sheltered kiosk on the right. The system was moving the parked cars in a rotational formation until an empty slot was found. Then the car moved in.

28 Oct 2019 Mon - Kaiyuan Aquarium 海遊館

We walked about 20 minutes to the bus terminal which is located near the IOIO Building. We took bus number 60 to Kaiyuan Aquarium which was about an hour's journey. You board from the rear and pay in front when you alight. Something different from our bus system.

The admission fee is Y2,300 and discounted at Y2,000 for 60 and above. The aquarium is smaller than expected but it was a joy to see 2 sunfish, the deep sea snow crabs and the emperor penguins.

They have an area where you can touch the sting rays and the nurse sharks. I grabbed the opportunity and come away amazed that the skin of the nurse shark was sandy not smooth as it appears. The experience is most memorable.

We had late lunch at Ganko Japanese Restaurant on 3rd floor of Tempozan Marketplace which is located next to the aquarium. Both are set lunches for Y1,078 and Y968

28 Oct 2019 Mon - Kohyo Supermarket

From our stay, we walked 30 min to a Kohyo supermarket. The timing was just about right as they were having 20% off some fresh produce. We bought 2 cuts of wagyu beef and some vegetables. The beef is really tender.

Bean sprouts @Y26 and Dou Miao @Y98

4 piece bread loaf @Y98 and 10 eggs @Y158

Egg and toast

29 Oct 2019 Tue - Ikeda Instant Noodle Museum 池田

We took the Midosuji subway from Namba to Umeda (Y230) and transfer to the Hankyu-Takarazuka Express (Y270) alighted at Ikeda station and walked about 400m to the museum.

The station timings are precise as shown on the digital panels above the platforms.

This glass box on the train platform is actually a designated area for smokers

We were shut out as the museum was closed on Tuesdays! Disappointed we walked back to train station area and discovered the 100 yen shop, 2 supermarkets, convenient stores and eateries.

Hakata Ippudo 博多一風堂

This popular ramen shop is located about 50m after the crossing. You will see the crossing after you exit from the train station. The noodles were al dente and the soup flavourful.

Spicy ramen for Y1,199

Classic ramen for Y825

Bite size gyoza for Y462

We had a fruitful day shopping even though we missed the Noodle Museum.

At the Okino supermarket, we bought a bunch of 15 purple grapes for Y598. Sweet and juicy with aftertaste of wine in mouth.

The vegetables were also fresh at Y108 and Y88 respectively

At Daiei Supermarket Woan Point, we chanced upon the Grade 5 wagyu beef and did not let it pass. The beef melts in the mouth.

30 Oct 2019 - Wed - Minoo Park 箕面公園

The air here is definitely fresher and crisper. The place was not crowded and the 3km (about 1hr) walk to the waterfall was relaxing. Our mind, body and soul were rejuvenated as we trekked deeper into the park. Along the way, we found small crabs waving their one arm. A stick insect camouflaging with the roots of a plant. And a praying mantis trying to blend itself to the green surrounding.

We had a 15 min foot spa near the entrance/exit of the park which was free. The hot spring water was soothing and healing to the tired feet especially after the 6km walk.

Most of the shops that line the route to the waterfall sell these maple leaf tempura from Y100 onwards. As we just needed to sample it, we found a shop near to the foot spa on our way back to the entrance that sold a packet for Y50. The deep fried paper thin leaf tasted crispy and sweet.

Walking around the Minoo neighborhood, we grabbed some snacks at a 7-11 and found SPECIAL CHOICE selling wagyu beef!

We bought 200gm each of the wagyu beef cut at Y550 and Y700. Total was Y2,646 with 8% tax. The beef were extremely tender

31 Oct 2019 - Thur - Kizu Market 大阪木津卸売市場

This market is about 15 minutes walk from our stay. Compared to Kuromon Market, this market is less touristy with lesser crowd. It is a local wholesale market with a wide array of fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables to offer. Activities start from 6am and taper down by 11am. The best time to go and buy off their ON SALE products in baskets. Prices are slightly cheaper than those in Kuromon.

Fresh scallops at Y800 and live abalones at Y1,000

Prawns at Y500

Lotus roots at Y100

Sweet potatoes at Y300

Broccoli at Y200

Bunch of 45 green grapes for Y1,500

Sweet, succulent, crunchy.

The size of 1 grape is larger than the thumb

There is a ODA supermarket in the area.

Frozen crab claws at Y1,420

2 piece pork loin at Y437

Juicy pears at Y398

31 Oct 2019 - Thur - Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street 天神橋筋商店街

Tenjinbashisuji is the longest shopping street at 2.6km. This neighborhood has numerous shops selling groceries, clothes, shoes, books, medicine, snacks and sundries. We took the Sakaisuji line from Namba to Tenjinbashisuji Chrom 6 station for Y230

Shops in Chrome 3 and 5 sell cheaper clothing and shoes.

The hair saloons are spacious. Hair cut for adult is Y1,400

Taikyaki - Red bean at Y200 and sweet potato flavor at Y180 Yummy

31 Oct 2019 - Thur - Midosuji Street 御堂筋

It is a 4 km and 44 m wide street that connects Umeda and Namba areas. It is famous for its autumn foliage whereby about 800 gingko trees lined the street and the illuminated ginkgo trees at night is picturesque. But we were a little too early for the lightup.

Midosuji Street during the day

Midosuji Street in the Night

Walking along Midosuji Street, you will not miss the Namba HIPS which features a rock climbing wall on its facade.

1 Nov 2019 - Fri - Osaka Castle 大阪城

We took the Sennichmache Line from Namba to Tanimachikyuchome Station and transferred to Tanimachi Liine alighted at Tanimachi Yonchome Station for Y230.

We entered the park through the Otemon Gate at the park's southwestern corner and exited via another gate reaching Morinomiya Q's Mall in near proximity to the Morinomiya Subway Station

Large stones were used in the building of the castle

Fall is coming! Some of the trees have turned golden and maroon.
Beautiful contrast to the greens

At Morinomiya Q's Mall, we had lunch at Freshness Burger.

Mushroom burger at Y720 with coffee set

Spaghetti in miso sauce at Y590

At Frest Supermarket, Morinomiya Q's Mall,

Huge fresh round cabbage for Y88 only.

Popular snacks

Korokke @Y60 each

Red bean, Green Tea and Brown Sugar Mochi @Y68 each

Chocolate Mochi @Y151 and Vanilla Ice Cream @Y140

Clam Chowder soup @Y208 and 2 piece bread at Y105

2 Nov 2019 - Sat - Osaka Kizu Market

We could not leave Osaka without making a final trip to Kizu Market

We bought 3 bunches of green grapes as gifts for family costing Y4,500

It was nicely packed into a box for ease of carry

Fresh tuna cut @Y660

Fresh shellfish set @Y500

3 large prawns @Y500

1 Snow crab @Y1,280

2 cuts of beef, 200gm each of Y550 and Y650

Total Y2,920

Bean sprouts @Y48 and tomatoes @Y78

2 Nov 2019 - Sat - Gram

We walked by Gram which is a cafe about 10 minutes walking distance to our airbnb.

After looking at the strict rules as shown in the black board, we almost let it pass as we need to order 1 drink item and wait at least 30 min for the pancake

We were glad we gave it a try as it was almost time for a tea break at 3pm.