About two weeks after I arrived from the US, I already have a Japan trip planned out together with my mom and my brother. It's a 6-day trip in Osaka with side trips to Kyoto and Nara. Our plan was to go to Nara on our first day, one whole day for our Kyoto trip and one whole day for Universal Studios Osaka. The other days would be spent exploring Osaka.
Our airbnb was conveniently located near Osaka Castle and we were lucky that our room has a fantastic view of the castle!
We met up with one of my aunt's students, Akiko-san, who graciously accompanied us around Osaka.
After my brother spent most of his yen buying gundam (the gundam store was our first stop), Akiko-san took us to Dotonbori for lunch!
We had lunch at this family-owned restaurant called Mizuno. Their specialty is okonomiyaki and it took us almost an hour in line before we could get in. Don't get me wrong, the wait was actually worth it! The line only proves the place is popular among the locals.
Sadly, I just realized I didn't take a decent picture of their okonomiyaki, I was so hungry I only had time to post it on snapchat.
We went to Daimaru Umeda right after lunch to check out the Pokemon Center! My brothers and I love pokemon. Being there reminded me of all those pokemon episodes we watched and pokemon games we played using our GameBoy Advance! I don't know the recent generation of pokemon but it's fine as long as I know Pikachu. Hahaha. Actually, I love Pikachu so much I bought a Pikachu pillow!!!
My mom and Akiko-san were tired from all the walking around Dotonbori, we had a quick chill time at a cafe.
Look at my latte with that bunny on it!
We went straight home after our coffee break. We actually didn't know that there's a festival going on that day. We only asked Akiko where can I try a yukata and it turns out, I can borrow her sister's yukata and wear it during the Tenjin Matsuri!
The Tenjin Festival (天神祭, Tenjin Matsuri) of Osaka is ranked as one of Japan's top three festivals, along with the Gion Matsuri of Kyoto and the Kanda Matsuri of Tokyo. The festival started in the 10th century and today takes place on July 24 and 25 every year. The main celebrations are held on the festival's second day, July 25, including a land procession and a river procession with fireworks. (via Japan Guide)
Look at all those beautiful Japanese girls wearing yukatas!
We met up with Akiko's mother, whom we call Okaa-san (mother), and Akiko's daughter, Yuna, at our airbnb. Okaa-san helped me put on that pretty pink yukata.
Helping out little Yuna put on lipstick!
Yukata!
We watched the fireworks from our roof since we didn't have time to walk to the park where it's being held. This photo doesn't do it justice. I swear the fireworks are better than this!
The night ended with me eating my favorite Japanese desserts, purin (pudding) and Japanese cheesecake!
Our next day was dedicated to a trip to the Tempozan Ferris Wheel!
We went to the mall near the ferris wheel where we looked for a place to have lunch. We found this place full of small restaurants selling delicacies. They also have free tastes of their product!
We ended up eating at this tonkatsu restaurant!
Here's to all the delicious food in Japan!
We looked around all the shopping streets including Ebisubashi-suji, Shinsaibashi-suji and Dotonbori!
Say hello to the giant crab!
We spent a great deal of time and money at Don Quijote! I think I bought all the different kinds of Pocky they were selling. I love the coconut flavored ones!!
Akiko-san brought us to this ramen place for an early dinner. You pick out what you prefer in your ramen using this vending machine! We picked out the regular ramen with extra pork slices!
They'll give you a sheet of paper which asks you what your preferences are. They ask how hard you want your noodles, if you want your ramen to be spicy, etc.
I love the ramen at this place! I've been to a lot of ramen places at home but this ramen place has a different type of broth and it's really yummy. I finished everything in my bowl!
Since we live near the Osaka castle, we decided to go there on our last day, before we go to the airport for our flight. Even from this distance, it already looks so majestic!
Majestic.
They have a fee going up the castle which is 600 yen.
Empty streets which means...
Had a little fun shoot right there!
Here's to our Japan trip!!! I'll be back for more!
Labels: Japan, Travel
