Osaka🇯🇵

Osaka Review: A Lovely City That My Heart Wants to Return to Over and Over If we were to talk about the cities in Japan that I like the most, Osaka would definitely be at the top of the list because it has a unique charm that is lovely, bright, lively, but also warm at the same time. The more I try delicious food, walk around, and see the smiles of the people here, the more my heart feels strangely comforted, making me want to put Osaka in my suitcase. ⸻ Start the trip with the smell of hot takoyaki. As soon as I got off the plane at Kansai Airport, I felt like I had entered a new world full of cuteness and authentic Japaneseness. Here, we took the Nankai Line and got off at Namba Station, which is an area full of lights and laughter. Walk into Dotonbori Street, where the neon lights are flashing brightly. There is a Glico Man sign that everyone has to take a picture with. It can be said that it is a landmark of Osaka. And what we were most looking forward to was "takoyaki", a round, hot ball with a bouncy squid filling that anyone who eats it will exclaim "wow". The first bite is full of happiness. The aroma of sweet sauce, mayonnaise and dried fish makes your mouth water. I have to say that I want to eat it again and again. ⸻ Okonomiyaki that is so delicious that I have to tell others. The next thing you have to try is the okonomiyaki or delicious Japanese pizza. It has cabbage, pork, seafood and cheese that melts in your mouth. Topped with a special sauce and mayonnaise that go together incredibly well. We sat at a small shop on the side of the road. The staff were kind. They also taught us how to eat it deliciously like a local. It felt like eating home-cooked food filled with determination and love. ⸻ Universal Studios Japan: A dream world that never gets boring. If you like theme parks, this is heaven for all ages! We went to the Harry Potter zone, which is decorated realistically like you were actually in Hogwarts. We walked around Hogsmeade Village and drank some cold Butterbeer. The Minion Park zone was so cute that it almost melted. There were dancing minions for us to take pictures with. The Super Nintendo World zone made us feel like we were in a Mario game. There were rides and fun activities to play all day long. The rides here are so exciting and fun that we laughed out loud without any shame! ⸻ Shopping to our hearts' content at Shinsaibashi and Tenjinbashi-suji If you want to shop for cute things, stationery shops, trendy cafes, or authentic Japanese souvenirs, Shinsaibashi is the bustling shopping street lined with shops all the way to Tenjinbashi-suji Station which is the longest in Japan at over 2.6 kilometers. We stopped by a stationery shop that sold cute notebooks, colorful pens and cute stickers that made our hands shake. We bought so many souvenirs to take back to our friends and family. ⸻ Cute cafes filled with warmth While walking around Osaka, we came across a cafe with a theme of cats, dogs and Minions that was decorated so cutely, the snacks and drinks they served were so delicious that we almost didn't dare to eat them. Sipping a hot latte with soft bread, looking at the cozy atmosphere of the shop With soft music playing, it felt like we were at home even though we were so far away. ⸻ Osaka Castle: A calm amidst the hustle and bustle After the hustle and bustle of the big city We visited Osaka Castle which has a long and beautiful history. The castle stands tall in a large garden, giving it a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for a relaxing walk. We liked the photo corner around the castle, with big trees and small bridges as the background. It looked like something out of a Japanese fairy tale. ⸻ Kuromon Market: Heaven for Foodies This market is a fresh market with a variety of fresh food. We tried grilled scallops, Japanese sweet eggs, and big strawberries that were so sweet that we had to buy some to take home for our family. The atmosphere in the market was lively but not too chaotic. The shops were clean and the staff were very helpful, making shopping fun and memorable. ⸻ Night view from Umeda Sky Building Another impressive view from the Umeda Sky Building is another impressive view that you shouldn't miss. The view of Osaka at night is full of twinkling lights like a magical world. Walking on the open Sky Walk makes you feel like you're flying above the city. There's a cool breeze and the sound of your heart beating fast because of excitement. It was a peaceful time but filled with happiness in my heart. ⸻ Traveling is convenient and easy like playing a game. Using an ICOCA card or other prepaid cards is super convenient when traveling. Just tap the card and get on the train. The trains in Osaka are punctual and have clear English signs. It helps us to feel at ease when traveling and not get lost. Traveling here is like playing a fun and never-boring board game. Because each station has cuteness and interesting things for us to discover. ⸻ Impressions from the people and culture What impressed me the most was the friendliness of the people of Osaka. Whether it's the smiling restaurant staff, the helpers on the train, or even the uncles and aunties who greeted us warmly. Even though my English wasn't very fluent, everyone tried to help. And their cute gestures made us feel like we had many more friends abroad. ⸻ Cute souvenirs that are easy to find Before going back, don't forget to buy souvenirs such as Japanese sweets, KitKat chocolates with strange flavors, cartoon models, or cute stationery from Don Quijote or Loft because there are so many to choose from here that it's dizzying. We got a notebook with a cat pattern and a sweet colored pen as a gift for our friends. Everyone was very impressed! ⸻ Ending with a full heart Osaka is a city that makes us want to come back again and again. Because it is not just a big city, but a warm home with cute and delicious food, kind people, and small corners that make our hearts swell every day. If you want to experience the cuteness of Japan with sincerity and full of smiles, Osaka is the final answer. ⸻ #Osaka #TravelJapan