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[obachantales]

First Trip To Japan: Osaka 2018

I live only 3 hours flight away from Japan, I grew up in a country where Japanese influence is welcomed. From video games, anime, Japanese food and products, all of them were part of my childhood until adulthood, and yes, I did got into the "otaku" phase at some point, I was obsessed with traveling to Japan until I mellowed down and due to some circumstances, I had to set aside my dream of visiting the Land of the Rising Sun. There were times I thought I might not be able to fulfill my dream until one day, I was able to go, I didn't let the chance slip by. I booked a flight to Osaka on December 2018. I opted for a decent and budget friendly 3 star hotel for practicality, I'm mostly outside anyway, a clean, simple but cozy room was enough.

From Kansai International Airport, I took a train to Namba Station. My hotel was located at Naniwa-ku, not so far from Namba Station, about 10-15 minute walk from there. I arrived late in the evening, as much as I couldn't wait to go out and explore, I had to call it a night. 

Waking up in Japan was one of the happiest moment in my life! After preparing to head out, the first thing I did was visit a Konbini store to buy some drink and snacks. (Konbini stores are like heaven for me.) After a quick chow, I went to Osaka Castle. I think it's a must-visit venue especially for first timers in Japan.

After Osaka Castle and exploring the area, I was famished. I checked around Dotonbori and Ebisu, there were so many great restaurants to choose from, it took me some time to decide which one. I spent hours walking around and shopping, there are endless great finds that you can only see in Japan so when travelling to Japan, it's best to prepare a budget for shopping.

I went back to the hotel in the evening to rest for a bit and leave all the stuff I bought. Although exhausted, I still went to Shinsekai for dinner. 

I read about Don Quijote 24/7 shopping mall online, there's one at Dotonbori, I went back for another round of shopping. I finished by 12:30 AM, I forgot the metro station was closed already, no trips after midnight. I got a taxi, since I don't speak Nihongo, I just showed the address on the business card of the hotel where I was staying and said "sumimasen…onigaishimasu.", the driver already figured out I'm a gaijin, when he replied "wakarimashita", I felt relieved. I'm going "home". Taxis in Japan are very clean, drivers are polite and professional. It kinda made me feel shy to make any kind of noise so I masked the sound of my rumbling stomach with the light, crackling sound of the shopping bags and hoped it goes away fast. >_< Of course I didn't forget to say "arigatou gozaimashita" as I hand the payment before getting off. My first day in Osaka was a lot of fun, I enjoyed every moment! I did thought of visiting theme parks like Universal Studios but I had no one to go with so I scratched the idea and created an itinerary suitable for a solo traveler like me. There's a lot of things I miss in Japan until now especially Japanese products and food, I still shop from Japanese stores, I love the Japan feelz and the good memories I associate with the things I buy from online Japanese shops abroad or local, especially in this pandemic times we are in, traveling to Japan is not as easy BUT while waiting for another travel opportunity to Japan, I allow myself to enjoy something from Japan at least as it rekindles the memories of my experiences in Japan that I treasure so much. Missing Japan? Can’t wait to go to Japan? Why not treat yourself with some great finds from The Land of the Rising Sun!  Check out Discovery Japan: http://www.discovery-japan.me/