6pm is a night out for this girl in the ‘city of stairs’
OSAKA
Oh my. OSAKA!!! The CITY OF STAIRS. Endless stairs. You must be fit if you live here. I have seen one overweight person in all the time I have been in Japan. It def makes sense.
The population of Osaka is 19 Million. About half the size of Tokyo but still a large city. You can see housing and apartments as far as the eye can see in every direction while riding any train. It is mind blowing to see the amount of housing here, and restaurants. Every street, every side street, every nook sells food. I don’t fully understand but gauging by the fact I still have not seen one person outside a home type property, I have only seen people in city street areas, I am assuming people do not spend much time at home nor do they cook much at home. Every supermarket is full of easy-grab meals and every corner store too.. and all day people are buying these small meals.
The escalators are backwards here though! I learned the system in Tokyo. In many cases, you can choose stairs or an escalator. There does not seem to be much rhyme or reason strangely, in terms of where you walk left or right.. people just walk anywhere it seems. The escalator however has a system. In Tokyo, if you want to stand on the escalator, you hug the left side. If you want to walk up or down a moving escalator, you walk up the right side. For some odd reason, Osaka does it backwards. Standing is on the right side of an escalator, walking up or down an escalator is on the left side.
I have heard a total of one baby crying the entire time so far in Japan. That includes children. Every child I have seen here is happy and content.
I notice too that everyone here in Japan is a fashion plate. You would think with all the walking, people would be wearing orthotic old people type shoes to save their feet. Wrong. Ladies in heels everywhere. Overall, almost every person looks clean and crisp business like, wearing high end clothing.
I notice too that when people are in conversation, the ‘listener’ is attentive and in agreement at all times. In Japan, people nod with an exaggerated nod, including their body nods as well. it is like a mini-bow. Especially in the shops. If somebody buys something from a shop, the clerk walks them out of the store and does a slight bow multiple times to thank them for the business.
Osaka is jammed full of people everywhere, but a far cry from Tokyo. Tokyo was something to behold in terms of sheer volume of people. Every single person with their own agenda. Osaka feels much more like a mix of people, many tourists, more English, a little more chill feeling. I saw the river numerous times throughout the day today so that is different from anything I saw in Japan, and adds a different type of beauty. I am assuming the nightlife is good here, but I could not make it out that late.
Day 7 – Part 2 – Osaka
I got myself back to Kyoto Station to get my bags which I had locked in a locker. First, I figured out on my own, how to purchase a fast train ticket from Kyoto to Osaka at a machine with a long line behind me = PRESSURE to get this ticket fast. I did it!! Check for that.
There are lockers everywhere, and it took me forever to find the B lockers but I finally got them. Check for that.
Bags in tow, I set out to find my platform, my train line, my gate, etc.. I was walking as fast as the locals, even faster. I was catching on to this system!! I got myself to the right company, gate, and platform. I was so proud, trying to ask very few questions and figure everything out on my own. (It did help that Leah got my translator app working on my phone, which I did not have for any of Tokyo).
I then set out to get on this fast train. When it arrived, I was lucky enough to get a seat – with my bigger backpack, smaller backpack and fanny pack with water bottle hanging. There were 4 of us sitting facing eachother in a square, so I had my little pack under my knees, my big pack on my lap, and tried not to move one inch. I made it there, got off the train and tried to figure my way to my hotel.
WELLLLLL… my name for Osaka is the CITY OF STAIRS. OMG.. their train station is ridiculous. The flights of stairs are long and at every turn. Up one flight, down one flight, up one flight, down one flight… I must have walked at least 30 flights of stairs up and down working my way through Osaka Station.
I FINALLY found the South exit. I walked to my hotel, exhausted and sweaty. The lady couldn’t find my reservation. Finally I pulled out my Expedia confirmation number. She said, Oh! That’s the other Kuratake Inn! HUH!?
So this morning I went to the ‘other’ Fushimi Inari? And this afternoon I went to the ‘other’ Kurtake Inn? Got it. You guys use names multiple times so I guess it’s on me to research further. Who has time for that? I asked her, how far is the other one? She said, oh about 40 minutes. WOW.
Soooooooo….. BACK TO THE STATION I WENT AGAIN!!!! Another 2 trains and a walk when I finally arrived and he said I cannot check in for another 1 hour 45 minutes. I asked him if I could sit in the front chair. He said, no we will be cleaning there until then. This was a small area. I looked at him, he must have had pity on me because he said, let me call to ask. (All of this said through a translator on an app). He came back to me to say that I could have my room in about 20 minutes. Maybe I looked like I was going to collapse from all the stairs I had done.
I got to my room, had a bath and got in my bed and on my laptop. First normal bed and room I have had to myself since I left home. So lovely. Got a lot of work done. Walked across the road to a shopping mall, picked up an 8 pack of tuna sushi, edamame beans, and a 2L of water for $5. Back in my room for a late night work zoom (early at home). Grateful for a comfy quiet room and bed! Oh and I wore a dress to the mall tonight, first time out of my Japan outfit!!
NOTE: So far, every place I have stayed has laid out a robe or pyjamas and slippers to wear during my stay. It has been the most wonderful treat, I love this so much! I packed super light so I only had one small sort of nightie so it has been amazing to get into comfy clean pyjamas at each stop. How thoughtful of you Japan!!
Day 8 – Oct 24
I got up to a free breakfast included at my hotel, which was a FULL dinner. Rice, curry beef, salad, miso soup, etc.. An English woman made a few comments to me, so we sat together to eat. She is originally from Osaka, been living in Vancouver 28 years. I found it interesting; she said she cannot go to Tokyo, she gets scared with the amount of people there. It got me thinking, what if you were born here and you struggled with anxiety? How would you cope living in a city like Tokyo? No reprieve anywhere. I did see a young man sitting on steps beside a stream in Kyoto yesterday, sort of hidden from people. It must be difficult here to find ‘alone space’.
On my train downtown, more English. We started chatting, the 2 guys were from Germany and Spain, both I.T. guys living in Switzerland, here on a work / holiday. We all went to Universal Studios. I did not go in, I just walked around City Walk. It was very similar to L.A.
I wanted to go on the huge ferris wheel by the water. I tried to make my way there. Why does MAPS cause me to walk in circles!? I did a full square crossing every side of an intersection, decided to start walking one way… finally asked someone, he said I had to go back. I went all the way back to City Walk! Waited there for a long time and realized the next bus was not coming for another 50 minutes!! I decided to take the ferry. I walked down to the ferry, stood in line, finally got there and they take CASH ONLY. I had decided to leave my wallet at home today because I needed to bring my phone charger so I needed the space. I took only my Visa today and my bus pass. She said, cash machine in hotel. Which was back again, which would have me walking back probably now the 13th time past this hotel. I decided to give up.
I took a train to Dotomburi. But on the way there, I stumbled across a different market. And designer shops, again. Every neighbourhood here has all designer shops. How does every place here stay in business? I stood in line to go into Hermes. Why not?
The lady told me it is a 30-40 minute wait to be able to talk with any staff. I asked if I can just walk through. Yes.. beautiful store. I went to a few other stores such as Gucci, and others. Then went down to the bottom floor where the restaurants were. I needed to find one person who would charge my phone for me. Imagine finding this in Japan, no outlets anywhere!
I found the guy!! I cannot say his name here, it was super long and difficult to say. But he placed me at the end of a bar WITH A PLUG!! He was the owner of the restaurant and super helpful. I sat there for prob an hour and a half, working, charging phone and eating. (yes I am still working every day while I’m here). I had pear wine with sparkling water, so good. Pear wine is big here. I had noodles, and oddly that little place was the best meal I had in Japan. 5 STAR ***** lunch!
I went through yet another MASSIVE designer mall… 9 stories high of shop after shop. It is not for believing. Made a couple of calls while walking through, nothing like working while walking through designer malls in Osaka, lol.
Finally, I wanted to get to Dotomburi. I had it in my calendar to go to the nightlife there this night. And here I sit, in my hotel room typing this at 6:40pm. These long days do not leave much pep for any type of night life.
Dotomburi was cool. I was looking to buy some chicken balls with sauce… I asked the guy if the sauce is spicy. When he started talking, I realized he was American. We started chatting, he is from Illinois. He was telling me that much of their staff was from all parts of the world. He said, this guy over here is Spanish. I asked why there are so many Spanish people in Japan, and where are they all from? He yelled over to the other guy and said, “Alex, where are you from?” The guy said, Paraguay. I said, PARDON?? So now of course we had a full conversation .. one guy American, one guy Paraguayan.. this was too much. Being that my parents are both immigrants from Paraguay, tho they met in Canada. His sister even lived in Loma Plata for a year where I still have cousins living today. Wow!!
I even had a FaceTime with Jado in Dotombori .. we started on Snap but I tried to turn the camera around for him to see the sites when he said press on the bottom, and I instantly became an animated man on the screen.. we both could not stop laughing, I had to hang up and call back on WhatsApp it was too weird but I snapped a pic haha.
Thankfully, my hotel was not too far from Dotomburi and I remember the reason for choosing this one. Tho I did not realize I’m actually in a totally different city called Sakai.
Day 9 – Oct 25 – Part 1
Leaving Osaka, of course not without incident. I went early, knowing I must catch a subway first from Sakai to Shin-Osaka (not to be confused with Osaka). From Osaka, my express train to Hiroshima.
Leaving my hotel, I went to put all dirty towels in bathtub for service people as I always do to make their life a little easier. I pulled my blanket back to be sure I got everything, and there was my passport in my little pouch under the blanket. How many close calls on a trip like this as there are so many things to remember every moment of the day.
While checking out, I asked the front desk girl .. how could I purchase some of your pyjamas that you offer at this hotel? She said, oh sorry.. we do not sell them. I asked, which brand are they? So I could find them online, I loved them and would wear them all the time. She said, oh, no brand.. just our hotel brand. Then we were interrupted by some ladies who had been on my hall super loud and rude all night and morning. We made a few comments to eachother as they were not Japanese, I told her how wonderful Japanese people had been while I was here. As I walked out, I said, alright so there is no way I can pay you for a pair of those pymamas? She said, one moment. She went to the back and came back with a plastic bag, said shhhhh… and passed it to me. What? Wow… she passed me a pair of the pyjamas I loved. I asked her for a photo since she was so kind.. photo below. I thanked her countless times, I will cherish my grey no name brand Sakai / Osaka pyjamas.
Made it to Shin-Osaka on the right train. I got to the right platform for my express train and boarded the 9:05am train instead of the 9:08 train. Every train is sold out and usually they sit for a few minutes while people board. I walked on as soon as it rolled up and it almost immediately started moving. Every seat was full, including mine. Long story short, I boarded the wrong train, 3 minutes early. How would I know they would not wait 3 minutes, when that train had exactly the same stops as mine? I plunked myself onto an empty seat at the back and a sweet couple with children looked at me and asked to see my ticket. They kindly explained, I could exit at the next stop and board my train 3 minutes later, which I did. Again, someone in my seat but thankfully he was a teenager sitting in the wrong seat. Here I am, on an express train to Hiroshima.
PICS BELOW:
The view from my hotel bed .. loved it
Not sure if you can see but at the bottom of stairs it says Central Exit with an arrow up, and the top of the stairs shows the same sign with an arrow down the stairs. So maybe this is the reason I get lost.. sign confusion!!
My line up to get in to Hermes.. this girl is explaining it is a 30-40 minute wait to talk with any staff
Inside Hermes
GUCCI shoes anyone?
Restaurant owner who let me charge my phone while having pear wine spritzer and a noodle dish
This was my favorite meal in Japan lol
Strolling through Osaka .. busy everywhere!
I stumbled on a KARAOKE studio, rented a room to sing for 30 minutes for $3.20.. 5 stories of rooms of people belting it out mid-day.. crazy. They serve you drinks, food, whatever you like
More strolling
Left of photo Illinois. Right of photo Paraguay guy trying to become a musician in Japan because he can work part-time in Japan to make ends meet and try to launch his other career
Not sure if the photo is proper on this page, see me on the screen up top waving to Jado while on a call with him
Dotombori, WOW
Every side street totally packed
The famous running man of Dotombori, he has been in this square for 40 years and everyone takes their photo like this in front of him so of course I did too
Waiting for the sun to go down to see more lights as I was fading and needed to go home
Just another street
Just another street, all packed to the gills
When I accidentally pressed something on my FaceTime with Jado, I became this in one second… we both could not stop laughing so hard, I snapped a pic and hung up, called back on WhatsApp.. .too funny
Random tiny side street on walk home.. the side street activity is ENDLESS.. could never ever see it all in one lifetime
