A Feast for the Senses: The walking and eating continued as we arrived in Osaka, a city known for its vibrant food scene, bustling shopping districts, and lively energy. We’re not big shoppers, so we skipped the luxury shopping streets but made one very important stop: the Pokémon Center. Creating hundreds of little monsters is clearly a brilliant business model, resulting in endless merch and collectibles that we couldn’t resist admiring.
Bopping Around Osaka
For our final dose of joyful chaos, we spent our evenings wandering through Dotonbori and Shinsekai (“New World”). Dotonbori feels like a carnival or a massive night market, with its glowing neon signs, lively crowds, and endless food stalls selling local favorites like takoyaki (octopus balls), yakitori (meat skewers), and candied fruit—especially strawberries—in seemingly endless quantities. The streets are also lined with casinos, capsule toy stores, claw machines, and even a ferris wheel. The canal adds to the ambiance, giving some sense of calm despite the chaos.
Shinsekai has its own unique charm, with streets lined with towering Billiken statues, symbols of good luck. The vibe is distinctly retro, while also having over-the-top decor (think gaudy plaster sculptures of food and sumo wrestlers).
We underestimated the beauty Osaka has to offer. The Osaka Castle Gardens rivaled the serene beauty of the Imperial Palace Gardens in Tokyo, and gazing at the magnificent Osaka Castle itself was a highlight. We strolled along the beautifully curated walking paths around the castle, soaking in our final glimpse of Japan’s autumn colors before heading into summer weather in our next destination (Thailand).
Universal Studios
As a very generous Christmas gift from Kim’s parents, we had the incredible opportunity to spend a day at Universal Studios Japan. The park was full of highlights, from thrilling roller coasters to immersive 4D rides and live shows.
Harry Potter World felt like stepping directly into the pages of the books, with its intricate details and magical atmosphere. Roaming the streets of Hogsmeade and exploring the halls of Hogwarts was nothing short of incredibly. Yet somehow, Super Nintendo World managed to top even this. The craftsmanship and attention to detail were mind-blowing. Every corner of the park was filled with surprises, and words can’t do it justice—it’s truly something you have to experience for yourself.
Eats & Drinks
Our Tokyo hostel host told us there’s a saying about Osaka: “Kuidaore,” which roughly translates to “eat until you drop.” Naturally, we took this as a challenge.
• Takoyaki: These fried octopus balls, covered in a sweet sauce, kimchi, and fish flakes, were a favorite. The creamy, soup-like interior was especially satisfying.
• Taiyaki: We opted for the adorable fish-shaped waffle filled with sweet potato. Not only was it delicious, but it was also almost too cute to eat.
• Yakitori: There are a variety of skewers with grilled meat, fish, and vegetables. We tried one, but we found the portions a bit small for the price—maybe it’s just an Osaka specialty we didn’t fully understand with our big appetites.
• More Ramen: Over two weeks in Japan, we had ramen seven or eight times, exploring miso, spicy, chicken, curry, and Japanese-style broths. Considered us new ramen experts.
• More Sushi: Beyond conveyor belt sushi restaurants, we took advantage of local market options, even indulging in sushi for both breakfast and dinner one day. It was a glorious day.
As our time in Japan came to an end, we found ourselves slightly stressed about planning our final meals, knowing we’d miss the incredible flavors and quality of Japanese cuisine. It was a bittersweet goodbye to a country that had filled both our bellies and our hearts.