I saved Osaka city for the last post because it was our ‘homebase’, so to speak. That being said, be prepared for a longer post - and all the places we were to around the city. We stayed in Higashishinsaibashi (Eastern Shinsaibashi), just a stone’s throw away from the main shopping area in Osaka. Here’s a glimpse: Shinsaibashisuji & Dotonbori We stayed near Shinsaibashisuji the first time we came here in 2016. Fast forward two years later, I brought my parents, neighbours, and cousins to the same place. Very much like the main shopping street of Central Osaka, Shinsaibashisuji is a line of shops and branches of restaurants leading across the river to Dotonbori, another popular area among tourists. On top of the many clothes, accessory, and shoe shops, these two places are lined with snacks and gifts as well. Some of the places we enjoyed were: Disney Store It was nice to walk through this place - since this trip didn’t include a visit to either DisneySea or Tokyo Disneyland. If you’d like, you can buy tickets to the two parks on the second level as well. 2 Chome-1-23 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo, Osaka Tsutaya Ebisubashi A 24-Hour Bookstore on Dotonbori, spanning five (5) levels and a basement. Grab a drink at the Starbucks on the first level and have a seat on Level 2 with a book. If not, each level has a specific category for your reading needs (that is, if you can read Japanese). One of my favourite places to head to in Osaka. 1 Chome-8-19 Dotonbori, Chuo, Osaka PABLO Shinsaibashi Speaks for itself, doesn't it? Also, note - there are two branches along Shinsaibashisuji itself - one where you can buy takeaway tarts, and the sit-down restaurant. Another note: Remember to check out their seasonal specials and branch exclusives! 2-8-1 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka The Second Best Melon Pan Here’s a statement of confession: I regret not getting one of these the first time I came to Japan. Here’s another statement of confession: I regret not getting two of these when I came back again. Like the less greasy, more heavenly version of the Po Lo Bun, Melon Pan is one of the most iconic foods we know from Japan. Located in a food truck along the Dotonbori shopping street, get in line early or fight the long queues! 1 Chome-4-19 Dotonbori, Chuo, Osaka Kinryu Ramen It’s not difficult to spot this place - just find the dragon. I knew I wanted to eat Ramen, but with so many noodle places to choose from, and with such a large group - the parents just wanted somewhere convenient to eat. No matter, the Ramen here was still a warm bowl of comfort amidst the cold weather - and one thing I was super grateful for: NO PORKY TASTE / SMELL. (One of the reasons behind why I cannot get used to Ramen here is the strong meat aftertaste or smell in many tonkotsu-based Ramen places.) Kinryu only has 2 items in the menu - Tonkotsu Ramen, and Tonkotsu Ramen with extra meat. Take your pick! 1-7-26 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka Eggs N’ Things According to my cousin, the potatoes here can send Anime wind onto your face and through your hair. While looking for breakfast places that could fit up to 7 adults, I came across Eggs N’ Things, which was a straight road down from where we were staying. Founded in Hawaii, Eggs N’ Things serves Western / Hawaiian-style breakfasts - sweet and savoury. Eggs N’ Things serving sizes follow the American portion, so if you’re not a big eater in the morning, I suggest you either give this a miss or come in for lunch. Also, note that you might have to queue for the Shinsaibashi branch. Nishishinsaibashi 2 Chome-10-2-CriceNikko, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Kuromon Market A holiday without a visit to the destination’s markets is kinda like a wasted opportunity to see how the locals live. Located in Nipponbashi, this market was a ways from where we were staying. Despite that, it was rather straightforward to get to the moment we knew where to turn. Filled with stalls selling produce, snacks, fresh seafood, cooked breakfasts, and many more to choose from, Kuromon market is an ideal place to head to if you’re thinking of a Japanese breakfast but have no idea of what you’d like to eat. Personally, I recommend any stall selling Yuba Doughnuts, Oden, or Croquettes. And the lady selling grilled fruits on a stick - that one’s a winner. Note: 2nd regret of the trip and possible excuse to return to Kuromon Market again - I DIDN’T TRY BLACK VANILLA ICE CREAM. /writes note to self for when I return 2 Chome-3-2 Nipponbashi, Chuo, Osaka Umeda Together with Shin-Osaka, Umeda is one of the most bustling city centers I’ve been to. The only difference? Shopping in Umeda just has that many more options. These were the places we touched base with in the middle of the bustling city center: Umeda LoFT Ever since I went to the huge LoFT in Shibuya, I knew it was going on my list of permanent to-visit places whenever I return to Japan. Apart from their huge range of lifestyle products (AND different from Tokyu Hands), LoFT is also distributor to some of my favourite stationery brands - Hobonichi and Kokuyo, just to name a few. Also, I finally got my Nintendo Switch from here. 16-7 Chayamachi, Kita, Osaka Pokemon Center Umeda Also, what’s a visit to Japan when you don’t visit the Pokemon Center? It’s on the 13th floor of Umeda’s Daimaru Building, sharing the floor with a Uniqlo branch. While not as big as the main store in Ikebukkuro, Tokyo, Umeda’s Pokemon Center still gives you that jump into your childhood with familiar tunes piping through the speakers, and colourful pokemon in various forms and functions. Daimaru Umeda, 13F Momofuku Ando Cup Noodle Museum We’ve seen this in various videos on the Internet for a while now. Also, Cup Noodles is the embodiment of childhood MSG memories. With that in mind, we made our way a little out of the city area, towards an area known as Ikeda. Set up to give recognition to the father of the instant noodle, Momofuku Ando, the museum covers almost every product Japan had to contribute to the cup/bowl noodle trade, together with how this product came about. It was crowded by the time we got there, so the fam decided to skip out on getting the custom Cup Noodles. However, do give it a shot if you decide to head down for this - it’s ¥300 per plain cup, before you add all your desired toppings. Again, another reason to return! 8-25 Masumi-cho, Ikeda-shi, Osaka # So that’s our Osaka Homebase adventure post - stay tuned for the coming and last post for this series - Universal Studios Japan. Again, check out posts for this trip under #Osakejiak18 or here.
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