Blogs from Osaka, Osaka, Japan, Asia - page 18

Caught the train to Osaka today (very big and extremely busy) the main thing we wanted to see was the umeda sky building. First we went to the underground market (takimi koji), this was done like a japanese market at the beginning of the 20th century. Then we explored the island garden-island forest, which were really nice considering they were in the middle of the city, before heading to the very top of the building (the floating garden observatory). This place was really cool and definately a lot better than Kyoto tower's observatory even though that is good to. We ended the day with a visit to Osaka castle and a nice relaxing pint at the pub.... read more

So I had quite the exciting and full weekend for the most part. It was fun!! We didn't have school on Monday either, which made it even better. It was Respect for the Age day, or something like that. Not really sure. But anyway, I will probably split it up into two entries because both days that I went and did something were quite long!! So anyway, Friday night... not a whole lot of new things going on. Though apparently, Otosan came back that night! He must have come back very late. Okasan waited up for him, but both Mai-san and I went to bed. I got to meet him in the morning though. He was very nice! He's a company employee... I believe. Apparently, he works strange hours and goes on a lot of trips ... read more

So on our first official day here in Japan...we don't just stay at the dorms and sleep of the jet-lag like everyone else. Our butts are up by 8:30...and we are off to Osaka by 9:00. I really don't understand how anyone can come to this country w/o speaking Japanese. We had to ask all the time where certain places were. So first we had to get on the bus..to head to Hirakatashi eki. We had to make sure we got on the right bus. hehe! But everyone was really helpful. So that was like a 10 minute bus ride. Then at the train station...yeah..we had no idea how to buy s stupid ticket. So we had to ask...again. Which btw...super easy. So we are on the platform....having no idea which train to get on...and each ... read more

Taka jest wlasnie Osaka, brzydsza i zakompleksiona siostra Tokyo. Jest tu rowniez pelno neonow, pelno ekranow z reklamami, pelno krzyczacych ludzi. w osace zagubila sie gdzies ta uprzejmosc, ta grzecznosc japonska. tu juz nie wszystkim jest przykro, nikt nikogo nie przeprasza (dosc europejskie miasto, pod tym wzgledem). Wszyscy ciezko i dlugo pracuja, godzina szczytu to 21-22, w Tokyo ok 19. w Osace nikt nie zwraca uwagi na bunt, na indywidualizm... tu juz wszyscy sa tacy sami, za dnia ubrani w pracownicze mundurki, a wieczorami przepoczwarzaja sie w cuda nie z tej ziemi. ale w cale to nie jest pozytywne! faceci wygladaja jak metroseksualne monstra, ale juz sa bardziej pewni siebie, czuja sie sexy i na wiecej sobie pozwalaja! dziewczyny przepoczwarzaja sie w japonskie Britney Spears - to juz jest kicz, a nie zabawa z moda. Im ... read more

If you live in Kansai, there's no excuse not to visit Osaka. Saying that, it took me 3 months before my first visit, and I was quite surprised by it. Although it is a business town, a bustling hub for visitors -both international and domestic, everyone I met there was really friendly, and uber-fashionable. In Osaka, it is easy for me to feel daunted by the tall, towering buildings, the immensity of the city sprawl, and the solo traveller factor. The people's attitudes do help with combatting this, as they are always ready with a willing smile, but you always know you're alone in a big city. This visit, however, was not solo! Danilo was with me, and I wanted to show him the sights of Osaka - though I hadn't (and haven't) seen them all ... read more