Quick trip to Osaka

This past weekend I took my first ever trip solo. It was a long weekend here in Japan because of 体育の日 Taiiku no Hi (Health and Sports Day) so I decided it was about time I take a trip to a bigger city. In short, Osaka was not what I expected... in a good way. The streets were clean, and it didn't have that smelly garbage smell that most North American, European, and Chinese cities I've visited have. All I could smell was karage this, or sweet baked  that. Despite the large crowds of people around Namba where I stayed, the people in Osaka didn't have that rushed, aggressive, get-the-fuck-out-of my-way attitude they seem to have back home. 

The Highlights


Highlight number one

The highlight of my trip, although it may sound rather drab to some, was actually the time I spent at the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living. Lets face it, as I get older I'm developing a true love and interest in interiors and living spaces. You can bet I'll be the first creeper to peek inside your window when you leave the curtains open with the lights on at night...but I digress. The museum basically consists of a life size replica of Osaka's merchant and residential quarters during the Edo period. The best part was that this was an interactive museum where visitors can actually walk around and inside the houses and shops and handle most of what can be found inside. What's more is the available option to rent wear traditional yukata while exploring old Osaka (something I will 100% be doing when I return in the spring with my Mom and Grandfather... whether they like it or not heheh). I loved every last bit of this place, from the beautiful materials used to build the homes, to the genius idea of having the lighting change based on weather and time of day... once again I bring you back to the RPG reference I made a few posts ago.

Highlight number two

The shopping. While I love the act of finding a treasure I truly love, I actually hate the process of shopping itself. That is until I hit up a few Osaka malls and department stores and found treasures and goodies at every turn. Why can't shopping in Canada be this wonderful? Perhaps its for the best...

Among the many places I was able to window browse, and of course make a few purchases, Doguyasuji (full of kitchenware), and a small little stationary shop just across the street from my hotel called U Arts that sold a tone of cat-related stationary and paraphernalia were my favorite finds.

The Downside

Downside number one

I made it to the Floating Garden Observatory at Umede Sky Building to catch a night-time view of the city from above. This in itself was not a bad thing. The view itself was absolutely stunning. What I didn't realize is that this was clearly a place for couples, and in fact Osaka has a reputation of being Japan's city of romance. I was the only solo wanderer in sight. Everywhere I turned there were happy couples, laughing, smiling, embracing, etc. And while this kind of activity would normally make me spew my lunch all over the carpet. This particular scenario in relation to my situation, hit a soft spot and made me feel like a lonely weirdo. That said, I didn't enjoy a lovely desert in the cafe as planned and booked it for a disappointingly not-so-good "banana fantasy" street crepe that I somewhat-enjoyed alone in the comfort of my hotel room. 

Downside number two

I tried to return to that cute little stationary shop I mentioned earlier to make a few purchases, but didn't make it back before closing (it was a Sunday after all). I will definitely be making a return trip.



As I was leaving Osaka I was overwhelmed by an intense sense of love for the city. I didn't want to leave, and for the first time I missed Toronto. That said, when I got back to Kumano and took a nice long walk along the Shichiri Mihama Beach, this feeling vanished just as quickly as it sprung upon me. I'm beginning to think there's nothing a little ocean-side stroll can't fix.