Osaka

Osaka is a fun city to visit if you love to eat. Well known for their takyoyaki and okonomiyaki among other regional specialties, you’ll never go hungry in Osaka. A few days should be enough and could even be done as a day trip from Kyoto.

The Shin-Osaka Youth Hostel is pretty good. It’s very clean. Make sure you try the pastry called “Shoe cream.” It is divine. Also, the angel-hair spaghetti in Japan was fabulous.

It’s a beautiful city. I especially loved all the museums and the Osaka Castle. The night scene is standard Japanese. It is quite interesting, but those who aren’t used to that sort of thing (bar-girls pulling at you to their bars or whatnot, or if you are a lady, bar-boys pulling at you to etc…) might take offense. Just like any Asian city the way they look at foreigners might not be so kind, but then I’ve run across plenty of people willing to go out of their way to help me, it’s life I guess.
An old man for some reason approached me and exlained to me the history of the Osaka castle, and I’ve never thought the place had such a rich background. Of course, he was talking in Japanese and I in English, but we basically understood each other, strangely enough. Even if you don’t speak a word of Japanese the places are international and helpful enough to get by without problem.

Oh, and the city is so clean! Years of living in New York city made me insensitive to what a infestated mess cities can be, but those Japanese cities certainly put my home to shame, at least in terms of cleanliness! (and Osaka’s not even a clean city by Japanese standards!)

One of the more culturally interesting sight was Osaka’s rush hour. People everywhere, and everyone, men, women, and children (but not the old folks :)) dressed in semi-identical black suits. Even during the night time it’s not hard to see dozens after dozens of ladies wearing the same thing that happen to be the fashion of the times. Well, at least most of them are dressed nicely.

If I have one complaint, it would be about the eateries in the city. While there are quite a few decent places in the city, try to avoid tourist attractions and surrounding restaurants. They are usually overpriced and generally not worth it. Be prepared to spend a fortune if you plan on dining out everynight. Though even corner convenience stores sell sushies in Osaka, for incredibly cheap price. (and don’t worry. They are safe. Just not as good as masterful hand-made sushies that cost a fortune!)

Family’s hometown—so next summer—college apps right now boo. My Uncle lived there for many years and I never see him because he is always hanging around Japan doing business so it will be nice to see him.

On July 1 I can click, “I’ve been there!”
Although I have already, just years and years ago.
But I’m going again. It’ll be magical!!

Osaka Palace is amazing! And the sakura (cherry blossom) trees are beautiful in springtime!

i have been to Japan twice as an exchange student with my school. It was amazing and i ate a lot of rice because i dont really like fish but anyways just be prepared for some wicked heat it is soooo hot there

Osaka is a really interesting place. I stayed in possibly the worst neighborhood for a day and walked around through parts of Osaka the rest of the day. It has many interesting things to do, and I saw a lot of interesting people and things. If you’re in Japan, go to Osaka.

Osaka’s Amemura is fun in the daytime, but it’s even greater at night, when there are thousand small bars and pubs down in cellars and up in the second and third floors. And nothing beats drunken okonomiyaki!

Two weeks in Osaka and Tokyo; about a week in each. Not nearly enough time.

Last memory of Osaka? Watching rain come pouring, drenching down from out the window of a Hankyu train car in the first leg of our journey to Kansai Airport.