Japan Trip 2015: Day 2 in Osaka (Osaka Castle, Shinsaibashi, Amerikamura, Dotombori)

Osaka Castle, former villa of shogun Hideyoshi Toyotomi

My second day in Japan kicked off by walking from the apartment to Shinsaibashi Station, which is just a slow 5 minutes walk away. I know it sounds dreary, but there's lot in store for today!

Shinsaibashi Station

That's because the first itinerary of the day is to visit Osaka Castle! We're getting off at at the Morinomiya Station, on the Nagahori Line, so do take note if you want to get here by subway too :)

Destination: Morinomiya Station for Osaka Castle

It's a beautiful and clear day out that Monday morning (apparently Kuala Lumpur was really hazy during that time frame) and we just couldn't get enough of the cool and fresh air until we came to a halt.

Clear and blue skies at Osaka Castle Park

Right up in front of us was this huge flight of stairs! Well, in Japan, you'll have to do as the Japanese do. Start that engine and rev up!

Dense forest in Osaka Castle park

After a short walk through some dense forest, we came to a open area where we walked further till we reached a moat which surrounds the castle grounds.

Moat that surrounds Osaka Castle

After another bout of walking, we saw something from afar. Ahoy! The beautiful Osaka Castle is spotted!

Osaka Castle from afar

We walked heading towards the castle (notice I'm gonna say this often in this post) and came to a open area where there is a food store cum souvenir booth is located opposite the entrance to the castle.

Food store just opposite Osaka Castle entrance

Matcha and chocolate ice cream at 350 yen

I had a matcha and chocolate soft serve ice-cream here (350 yen, approximately RM12.50) and my travel buddies took the opportunity to rest their legs too. 

Osaka Castle entrance

Food trucks in the open area just in front of Osaka Castle

After that, we walked past the entrance till we came to another open area where the atmosphere was like a carnival. Food trucks and souvenir shops galore!

The Osaka Castle was just in front of us here and we couldn't wait to enter it. But before we did, we had to pay 600 yen (approximately RM21) for the admission fee. At this point, I decided to treat 100yen as equivalent to RM1. Otherwise I won't be able to part with all the yen I have brought with me! :P

Osaka Castle admission ticket at 600 yen

After the ticket counter, we proceeded to an area where we had a choice to queue to take a lift straight to the 8th floor observatory (super long queue, no way I'm gonna wait) OR take the stairs up (no queue AT ALL). Why oh why??? The obvious answer is to take the stairs up 8 floors since we were pressed for time... but don't say I didn't warn you!

After 3 floors, breathless, panting and with throbbing legs (I'm so unfit I tell you) we had to take a breather by going around the floor while looking at the exhibits. At least there was something to do while catching our breaths. But I digress, because I couldn't think straight already. For future climbers, please do take a rest every floor. You will thank me for sure :D

After countless steps, and floors (I think I lost count, my legs were like jelly) and also thinking how did the shogun Hideyoshi Toyotomi ever lived there without any lifts, I managed to reach the 8th floor. I practically held the banister like an 80 year old when I reached the top. Probably that's why the other Japanese tourists were looking at me funny :/

Osaka city view from 8th floor observatory

I couldn't wait to open the doors to the observatory outside, and the cool wind that whipped my face was a huge welcome after the stuffy staircase!

Osaka city view from 8th floor observatory

The observatory allows visitors to see Osaka city from 4 different angles, and I guess that's the view that greets the shogun every morning as he wakes up. Beautiful views of the city from all angles. Suddenly climbing 8 floors up seemed so worthwhile!

Osaka city view from 8th floor observatory

We got a bit lost trying to find our way out, so we headed towards the nearest subway station, Osaka Business Park, after much asking for directions from old ladies manning some food stall (note to self: find some young chap for directions next time!).

Crossing the river to Osaka Business Park

Along the way, we met a nice lady walking her son back from pre-school, and gestured to us to follow her to the station. Although she did not enter the station, we appreciated the effort and time she took to guide us on her way elsewhere. The Japanese hospitality knows no bounds!

Udon for dinner at Yoshinoya. Yup, that's a Pablo cheesecake in the background all right!

Next, we headed back to Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade for a closer look (you know what I mean) at the shops. It's madness here I tell you! After shopping and dinner at Yoshinoya, we walked across the street to Amerikamura, which is the American town in Osaka. 

Evil pumpkin at Big Step Mall, Amerikamura

Once you enter the area, suddenly the shops and atmosphere feels so 'American'. Even shopkeepers here are able to speak good English, though they are mainly of African descent. 

Starbucks in Amerikamura all ready for Halloween

Thanks to some kind soul, we were directed to Dotomburi since we wanted to get a night shot of the famous Glico Man signboard at the Ebisu bridge.

The famous Glico Man signboard at night

The nightlife around the Glico Man signboard is exceptional! Millions of signboards lighted up in all directions, you wouldn't know where to look first. 

Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade view at night from Ebisu bridge

Kani Doraku restaurant in Dotombori

Puffer fish (fugu) restaurant in Dotombori

Takoyaki restaurant in Dotombori

All I got to say is you should soak up that moment, take some awesome pictures (with the Glico Man of course!) and don't forget to stroll around the whole area with your heads up! The memory will last you a lifetime as it had for me.

That's all for Day 2 and do stay tuned for my upcoming posts!

Day 1 in Shinsaibashi, Kuromon Market, Namba Walk and Namba Parks Mall.

Day 3 in Kyoto Station, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Tenryu-ji Temple, Seiryo-ji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Groove.


The author is living her dreams. Osaka is a food paradise, but what does Kyoto has in store? Geishas... perhaps?

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