Osaka, I love you

Hi, I’m back.

2017. 22 years old. first time to live in a city and alone.

I was full of life and adventure when I first move in. Until reality happened, I struggled a lot during my first 3 years, had my ups and downs, felt happiness, sadness and all in-betweens. I almost gave up because I felt like I don’t belong in here. I thought this city is too big for a small town girl like me. I had nothing but my dreams, hope and faith that the universe put me where I am supposed to be.

2021. 26 years old. contented.

I don’t know what changed but one thing I know for sure is that finally, I am embracing the life I have. I was living in my past where I didn’t realized how blessed I am and how I am robbing the people who wants to know me just because I am scared to trust. The only constant thing in our life is change. It’s either we learn how to go with the flow or go against it and drown. I met genuinely people, fell in love with city, move in knowing zero names and probably one day, leaving it knowing hundred names.

My greatest adventures happened here. I was able to laugh, cry and grow. Osaka will always have a place in my heart. Who knew that a small town girl like me will be able to survive this big, loud and fast-paced city? As the saying goes, our fate is already destined even before we were born.

Kobe Port 2021

Exploring Osaka

The whole transition of being a student to working was not easy but the only thing I love about it is the salary because it means, I can finally fund myself for all the travels I’ve been dreaming about since I was young. It’s always been my dream to travel the whole world. I don’t mind spending all my money in exchange of the experiences and memories I will make to every places. My first stop was Osaka, Japan I chose it cause I really love food. We all know that Dotonbori, Osaka is famous for all the food streets and night markets. Not to mention I heard from the locals, Kansai people are really fun to be with.

Some of the foreigners think Japan is just a dream destination in Asia due to the stereotyping that everything here is expensive. But trust me, coming from ‘half-local’ ‘half-tourist’we can make ends meet if you’re streetwise. I did a lot of research and read blogs about Osaka beforehand. I got a lot of information with the help of internet and came up with a ‘game plan’ on how to cut-off possible expenses. For two days and one night, I only spent 30,000yen or Php14,000 including accommodation, foodtrips, ‘omiyage’ or ‘pasalubong’ and train tickets. So what are we waiting for here are the adventures I had in Osaka, Japan.

Day one

This is a Ramen shop along Shinsaibashi-suji street. This meal is consist of kimchi, fermented bean sprouts, soup and juicy beef meat. Also served with rice for only 1,000yen.

We arrived in Osaka-Namba Station at around 10AM, almost lunch time for Filipinos we’re so hungry and just tried the first restaurant we found. But no regrets, it was awesome! I was really in Osaka cause everything is delicious plus it is really cheap. Though, the ojisan who cooks the food is kinda aloof I don’t know maybe cause we’re all foreigners that’s why, but no big deal. His food is really yummy. If I had the chance, I will be back at this ramen shop.

The famous cotton candy at Totti Candy Factory. Photo grabbed from @geeeliiiiic instagram.

I’m not fan of sweets and desserts. It’s nothing special for me the colors are just there for the design. I thought it has different flavors each color but no. You can choose from 3-4 colors, 4 colored is the most expensive. I don’t know how much cause I didn’t bought it. But yeah, it is cute for instagram. lol

Photo taken from Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

So after satisfying our stomach, we went to Kaiyukan. From Namba Station to Kaiyukan, if I’m not mistaken it only costs 240yen. The entrance fee is 2,300yen including this Sta. Maria cruise ship sightseeing. The sea always makes me happy cause it reminds me of my homeland where seas are everywhere. It makes me feel home. But yeah, it was chilly day when we went there. Winter plus the cold breeze, can you imagine? lol

The famous Pablo cheesecake. Photo grabbed from @geeeliiiiic instagram

My friends says all the good things about this. So my expectations was really pretty high. She actually said if I tasted Pablo ‘cheesecake will never be the same again’ but my expectations was not met. Yes, it is delicious. But I was expecting some kind of ‘magic’ lol I don’t know maybe just because I’m not a sweet tooth.

After the foodtrips, we went to Sam and Dave bar. I went to music festivals back in the Philippines and attended band gigs, but it was my first time to go to an actually bar and it is in Osaka, one of the big cities in the world! Yes, it was fun and the experience was great. You can lose yourself and forget everything but it’s draining. I know it’s not for me. I didn’t liked what I saw. All I saw was empty souls looking for temporary comfort and warmth from the people who they barely know. Poor souls. But I don’t care that’s their life, after all I was there only for the experience. The most fun part of this bar experience is the drunk moments of my friends. I will forever remember it, too funny!

So yeah, our first day in Osaka ended at 4am. We really make the most out of the time we have. We pretty much did everything on the first day. I’m so exhausted but happy.

Day two

THE BEST RAMEN EVER! located at Dotonbori Street

I don’t know the name of the ramen shop but it is really famous. They have four branches in Dotonbori Street, one of their branch has 4 floors! If you see a 3D dragon holding a ramen bowl this is it! For only 990yen, I tasted the best ramen ever in my entire life. I swear! Also, the takoyaki along Dotonbori Street, I didn’t managed to take a photo of it. I don’t eat Takoyaki but after trying it, Takoyaki will never be the same again.

Dotonbori Street is a real food haven. You can also buy ‘omiyage’ ‘pasalubong’ here for your family and friends. There are many gift shops to choose from. But I must say, everything is so delicious and fucking good! I love Dotonbori.

Umeda Sky Building before the sunset

The Observatory deck of Umeda Sky Building at night

We got here at 2:00PM, pretty early cause we had nothing to do on our second day. We almost did everything on our first day. It has ¥1,000 entrance fee quite cheap also. We had to leave at 6:00PM to catch our train bound to Nagoya. When we’re leaving Umeda, we’re surprised how long the queue is. I suggest to come early cause most people come late afternoon.

Umeda Sky Building has chain love locks. You can buy the chain locks there. I don’t know how much, didn’t bother to ask cause I don’t have a lover lol. Also, you can take a picture in the deck and the background is the chain love locks. Romantic isn’t it? Sometimes life will slap into your face how single are you. Right? Life is a bitch. lol

This was our last stop and definitely my favorite part of the whole Osaka trip. I love the skyscrapers, skylines, view, sky. It makes me feel so tiny and realized the world so vast to confine ourselves in one city. It feels like the world is telling me to go and explore more ‘I will wait’. The view is really breathtaking and jaw-dropping. Japan architecture never fails to amaze me. I love the feeling of being at the top of world. If you take a look at it, you can see how endless Osaka is.

Oh Osaka, I love you now. Thank you 2016

Tip: You don’t need to study or speak Japanese cause everyone can speak english here. I’m surprised cause in Nagoya, nobody can’t (based on my experience lol)

xoxo