Blogs from Osaka, Japan, Asia - page 9

I was fortunate to travel to Osaka, Japan for a company business trip. On the flight over, I had a short layover in Honolulu, Hawaii. Only for a bit over an hour, but it was a thrill for me to be there none the less. Upon arrival in Japan, I had to figure out how to get to the city center without any help or guidance from anyone. As I have travelled in Europe on several occasions by myself, I was not really nervous, but actually anxious. I was pretty tired, and I just wanted to get to my destination. After figuring out the train system and having make shift conversations with Japanese employees at the airport and train station, I am on my way. I depart the train station, and I have to then catch ... read more

Wieder etwas früher auf den Beinen geht es heute ins Aquarium von Osaka. Gleich daneben gibt es ein kleines Shoppingcenter, in welchem ich mir etwas zu essen kaufe: Okonomiyaki. Okonomiyaki ist so eine Art japanische Rösti könnte man sagen, schmeckt sehr gut. Nach dreiviertel hab ich dann festgestellt, dass ich eine Okonomiyaki mit Tintenfisch bestellt hatte, ich mag Tintenfisch eigentlich nicht so, aber er schmeckte besser als den Tintenfisch den ich sonst kenne. Daher hatte ich kein Problem damit auch den Rest der „Rösti“ zu geniessen. Gesättigt stehe ich in die Schlange des Aquariums, die Sonne scheint und es ist in etwa 23 Grad. Was für Japaner bereits Grund ist mit einem Pullover herumzulaufen fühlt sich für mich an wie Hochsommer. Halb geschmolzen bin ich an der Reihe, der Preis von 2300¥ ist ziemlich heftig, mein ... read more

We left Hiroshima for Osaka on our last shinkansen (fast train) of the trip. About two hours later we arrived at our guest house in the area near Shinsaibashi station known as Amerika-mura. Amerika-mura got its name as after the war a lot of shops sprang up selling American products such as zippo lighters. The name stuck and there are now a lot of funky restaurants, shops and bars (as well as a few pachinko venues too). After dropping off our bags at the guest house we headed out to grab some lunch. We, strangely, decided on a burger restaurant called Mos Burgers which is a Japanese chain. We ordered our food and sat down at a table and waited until our freshly cooked burgers (teriyaki beef for Scott and chicken for me) were delivered. The ... read more

I decided to visit Osaka on this day, was only a 30 minute or so train ride from Kyoto. This was a very cool place and the weather was perfect. The train station here is very close to the park, it could not be more convenient to access, at least via rail.... read more

So, I have been in Hirakata for four days now, just settling in to on campus living. So far I have been non-stop with adventure, my house mates here don't really seem to want to leave the building but I seem to only be here to sleep. Today they lift our 11 pm curfew so we will be staying out later. Last night we went to an Izakaya where everything cost 280 Yen, I had several glasses of beer which were about a liter each in size. In my first few days I have only learnt a few words, life "fun" and "bicycle". I can also say "more beer please, the cheapest beer". It may sound like I am wasting my time and drinking too much but going out is the best way to meet people ... read more