Explore // Osaka, Japan

Japan. What an amazing country! I love the country so much that I have made it my personal mission to visit as many Japanese cities and towns as possible within my entire lifetime. 

Having been to Tokyo and its surrounding towns quite a few times, I decided to focus an autumnal trip solely on Osaka and Kyoto. However, this post is dedicated to Osaka as I took way too many photos and ate too much that I have decided to split the cities into two different Explore posts :)

Food, food, food, and more food. I basically ate my way through Osaka with a bit of sightseeing in-between. Being a nature fan, I did not enjoy Osaka as much as the other places I visited in Japan as it is a big city after all. However, I still enjoyed the food and the time spent in the city :)
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Warning: this post may contain images that will trigger hunger pangs and wanderlust. Let's go!

Visit // Osaka Castle

Put on your walking shoes and get ready to explore. Though the castle is surrounded by moats, stone walls and a lot of steps, there are many areas that are suitable for a picnic or a romantic date.

What I liked most about this place is the lush greenery of the park. The Osaka Castle also boasts of an excellent view of the city, however a ticket is required for entry. 

Eat // Osaka Castle

After all that exercise, treat yourself to some simple but delicious food found at the castle. I love udon and I love eggs. Piping hot udon + soft eggs = heaven!

If you are more of a sweet tooth, I highly recommend trying a cone of soft serve. I tried 3 different flavours - pear, matcha and Hokkaido milk - and the cone of Hokkaido milk soft serve  stole my heart instantly.  

Explore // Kuromon Ichiba Market

There is so much to eat at Kuromon Ichiba Market. Besides eating, you can also stock up on your favourite Japanese snacks or buy some fresh flowers, just because.

A short story: I was so excited at the market and purchased several bottles of plum sake and fruit beer for some late night chilling. Unfortunately, I accidentally left the bags of beverages behind after eating a delicious plate of Squid Ink Okonomiyaki. :( It was no where to be found after I retraced my steps back to the store. Oh well, life happens right?

Eat // Fresh Seafood, Okonomiyaki, Takopachi and Kobe Beef

And this is where you trust your nose and just keep eating. Remember to buy small portions and share them with your travel partners! 

I love to taste my way through Japan and its glorious food!

Shop // Minami Shopping District

Located at Namba train station, Minami Shopping District offers a huge range of entertainment and food options. Come at night to check out the different landmarks such as the Glico Man lights display at Dotonbori. 

Eat // Pablo Cheesecake

Calling all cheese lovers! Don't be intimidated by the long line at Pablo because the cheese tart is too good to be missed. You can choose the "doneness" (creamy and gooey or firm) of your cheese in the tart. Best part of this? Every tart is freshly baked!

Go // Cup Noodle Museum

Are you a big fan of cup noodles/pot noodles? At the Cup Noodle Museum, you can learn about the history of cup noodles, view the wide variety of noodles and flavours, and create your very own cup noodles! For 300yen, you get an empty cup to decorate and then proceed to fill with the flavours and ingredients that you like.

If you are hungry for some instant gratification, there is also a pantry with cup noodle vending machines! 

As a bonus, here's a sneak peek of my favourite place during the trip - Uji (in between Osaka and Kyoto). 

Uji is a small city, famous for its green tea.

What I love most about this place is the Uji River that flows through the city and divides the place into two parts. The soothing sounds of water and a backdrop of picture perfect trees makes Uji my favourite city and the place I plan to retire with a cup of green tea in one hand and cha soba in the other.  

P.S The header picture above features the Uji River.

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​Do you have a favourite place for retirement too? :)

​x Min