Exploring Osaka’s Incredible Views, Food & Aquarium | Japan Travel Vlog

Exploring Osaka’s Incredible Views, Food & Aquarium | Japan Travel Vlog

We’re on a train ride from Kyoto to Osaka the third largest city by population in Japan just behind Tokyo and Yokohama It is called the “Kitchen of Japan” due to its history as a major port city and commercial hub where food products were stored and distributed to merchants We have arrived in Osaka and in our hotel building is a highly rated unagi (eel) restaurant Our table has a nice view outside, the atmosphere is calm and classy and the staff are very warm and helpful At lunch time, there is a special bento set that features a variety of small dishes along with an unagi bowl Of course we also ordered another bowl with a large portion of unagi Everything is delicious especially the eel which is tender and full of flavor Whenever I think of unagi, I think of this place At a nearby dessert place, we are picking up some tarts to bring back to the room True to its name, all of the desserts are fruit-based This hotel offers a spacious room in a quiet location that’s still very convenient and within walking distance of Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori We even have a view of the temple next door There tarts are gorgeous The fruits are very fresh and provide a refreshing taste that balance the creaminess of the tarts The menu is different for dining in at the cafe versus ordering takeaway but we can highly recommend the takeaway desserts We’re on our way to the Tempozan Harbor Village to check out the aquarium, ferris wheel, and surrounding area Hey pufferfish! What a cute Lego giraffe sculpture for the Legoland Discovery Center here The aquarium has an interesting design where you ride the escalator up to the 8th floor and then spiral down floor by floor around a large central tank The route starts with the tunnel-shaped “Aqua Gate” where you can see smiling stingrays from below Next is the “Japan Forest” area which has otters When the aquarium first opened it was the largest public aquarium at the time Spectacular colors on this mandarin duck Look at how much its wagging its tail Must be really thirsty and enjoying drinking that water This South American coati is so cute Looks like the penguin on the left is picking a fight and the one on the right wants none of it so it’s pretending to fall asleep Oops dropped it Oops dropped it again Almost… Almost… Ahhh nom nom nom Don’t mind me, just passing by Hey, what are you looking at? Is it hanging out in the hot tub? And now for the gachapon roll of the day It’s a seal! An interesting fact is that the color of the Tempozan Ferris Wheel provides a weather forecast for the next day with orange indicating a sunny day, green meaning a cloudy day and blue forecasting a rainy day So it looks like it’s going to rain tomorrow There’s a lightshow at nighttime outside of the aquarium Stopping for a quick snack at the mall next to the aquarium The taste is average, but the prices are pretty affordable Can’t resist taking a ride on the Ferris wheel with the wheel and the city lit up at night it provides both a beautiful view and a romantic atmosphere This 112 meter Ferris wheel opened to the public in 1997 and was the tallest Ferris wheel at the time The ride lasts 17 minutes and you can see the Osaka Bay, Mount Ikoma, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge the Kansai International Airport and the Rokko Mountains Note that out of the 60 cabins on the Ferris wheel 8 of them are see-through There’s a separate line for these see-through ones so on a busy day this can lead to a longer wait Lucky for us there wasn’t much of a wait at all Holiday times in Japan are a spectacular sight Generally starting in November, and as early as October in some places winter illuminations start popping up across the cities This one near our hotel displays an array of colors that brighten up the night How can you not get into the holiday spirit when surrounded by these magical lights Quick stop at Sushiro for dinner This is our favorite conveyor belt sushi shop offering good quality sushi at an affordable price What’s your favorite conveyor belt sushi chain? We’re taking a quick stroll through Dotonbori before heading to bed The buildings are covered in neon and LED signs that really bring out the nightlife character of this area This Don Quijote is a popular discount store open 24 hours with a wide variety of products Sipping some milk tea and enjoying the night It’s getting pretty late, so most of the stores are closed and the streets are relatively empty This ramen chain is open 24 hours though We’ll be back to Dotonbori during the daytime to check out the sights Time to start off a day of shopping and food with a bowl of ramen You can watch the noodles being freshly made from outside the restaurant This is one of our favorite ramen chains in a very convenient location right on the main shopping street This small coffee shop doesn’t have much indoor seating but sipping on a hot latte while listening to the rain is quite soothing Their ice cream latte is a must try for those with a sweet tooth Japanese ice cream has such a creamy texture that goes along so well with the bitterness of coffee There’s a ton of Chiikawa merch and restaurants in the Parco department store at Shinsaibashi Time for the gachapon roll of the day Oh it’s just a tiny worm… Can’t hide our disappointment, but that’s just how it rolls sometimes Getting a bit hungry and looking for a light dinner so we stopped at a cafe on the top floor The wagyu rice bowl is covered in a delicious demi-glace The French toast is nice and buttery The sandwich has crisp veggies giving it a clean taste If you’re not familiar with Chiikawa it is a Japanese manga and anime series that is really popular in Japan and Asia The story and characters are very relatable and heartwarming The title of the manga literally translates to “Something Small and Cute” If you like cute things, we highly recommend giving it a watch Now back on the streets and braving the crowds to finish off the night with some dessert in Namba This place specializes in elegant evening parfaits that pair well with wine or cocktails As a cafe meant to be visited at night this place is perfect for those looking for an after-meal dessert with a whimsical touch Super cute bear-themed decorations Some of them may be alcoholics though The parfait is so intricate and eye-catching that it’s hard to take the first bite Not just pretty but a delicious combination of a wide variety of ingredients With a menu that changes with each season we would definitely come back to try the new unique creations When in Japan, you always have to end the night with a quick stop to the konbini to pick up late night snacks On the way to Shinsaibashi for food We saw this shrine that had a quiet and peaceful atmosphere Quite a contrast from the modern buildings surrounding it Lunch is at a restaurant that specializes in rice bowls We ordered one of the recommended bowls which is topped with 4 different cuts of beef This place is a step above beef bowl places like Sukiya and Yoshinoya So good we had to come back a second time We might be back here in a bit but first a boat ride down the Dotonbori River This 20-minute ride takes place on a small boat with 9 seats As it only goes up and down the canal the main sights are the many store signs on both sides Look, it’s the famous Glico man sign which displays a runner crossing the finish line This character was introduced as part of a marketing campaign for their signature product, “Glico Caramel” The original version of the sign actually showed the runner crossing the finish line while holding a piece of Glico Caramel in his hand The sign has since gone through many redesigns and updates but remains as a symbol of Osaka The unique octagonal building in the back is a live music venue in the heart of the city As the canal ride is not narrated it is a peaceful ride during the day It may be interesting to ride at night to see all the signs lit up along with the frenetic energy that is Dotonbori at night The Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel stands outside Don Quijote and is the only oval-shaped Ferris wheel in the world It is decorated with a giant figure of Ebisu, the deity of commerce next to Don Quijote’s penguin mascot, Donpen There are 32 four-seater round cabins on the Ferris wheel Wait… is this an open-air ride with no glass on one side!? Friendly wave goodbye from the staff as the cabin spins 180 degrees to give us a view of the Dotonbori River Oh big sigh of relief For a second there, we thought the ride was going to be open-air with no glass in front and were about to have mini heart attack Unfortunately the window is quite scratched up so this ride is not the best for taking pictures but the views are still nice in the bright sun The cabin has a window on the front and the back so you can see both sides of the city Anyone notice that the chef is spinning around? It was an enjoyable 15 minute ride to see Osaka from another angle If you’re wondering why this dragon is crying at the ramen shop it’s because the tip of it’s tail has been chopped off! It had always been in the airspace of the neighboring store but no one really cared until the neighboring store was bought by a new business who wanted to expand to a second floor After a lawsuit was made and won by the new business the dragon’s tail was unfortunately chopped off Where does this well-decorated alley lead to? Oh looks like there’s a shrine right in the middle of Dotonbori! It is believed that splashing water over this Buddha statue will bring good luck We picked up a goshuin while we were here as a record of our visit Hello kitty A few stray cats are always hanging out at this temple So stay on the lookout and you’re sure to find one This dragon at another location of the ramen shop looks perfectly happy as it still has its tail but the store has shut down Looks like Spiderman is getting hungry as well Takoyaki are fried octopus balls that are one of the iconic street foods in Osaka Look at them being freshly made out front What’s great about this restaurant is that you can order a variety box with takoyaki topped with 4 different toppings This allows you to get a taste of everything without having to make multiple orders and stuffing yourself full Well deserving of its mentions in the Michelin guide Of course we have to feed the addiction and get some boba This store features a series of unique Hokkaido milk tofu smoothies that we have never seen before These tofu smoothies have a unique texture and are not too sweet Really delicious and a must try for anyone who likes these types of drinks but are looking for something different We then head over to the Namba Parks mall Not in the mood for coffee right now but note that this Schoolbus Coffee chain serves both delicious coffee and cookies Department stores and malls in Japan generally have a rooftop garden This one at Namba Parks is featuring a shimmering grass field which makes for a great photo spot Even without the winter illuminations the rooftop area is a great place to relax and get some fresh air Time to head over to Shin-Osaka to catch the Shinkansen but first making a quick stop to grab a snack for the ride By the way, the knit bags from Japanese brand Ball and Chain are super cute and are eco-friendly and feature beautiful embroidery 551 Horai is a famous Osaka-based Chinese restaurant chain that is very popular with locals There’s nothing unique about the pork buns but they are good and affordable Also picked up a sukiyaki bento for the ride Couldn’t resist when it features omi beef the oldest of the 3 major wagyu beef brands in Japan Really tender wagyu beef topped with a soft onsen egg for a perfect ending to our trip to Osaka Thank you for joining us and please subscribe if you would like to follow along on more adventures

Join us for 3 days of travel in Osaka, a city nicknamed “the Kitchen of Japan.” We’ll be viewing spectacular marine life in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, seeing incredible city views on top of the Tempozan Ferris Wheel and Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel, taking a peaceful boat ride through the Dotonbori Canal, and experiencing dreamy winter illuminations in the city. Along the trip, we’ll enjoy an exquisite unagi meal, beautiful night parfaits and fruit tarts, the best beef steak bowl, ramen full of umami, ice cream lattes, and Osaka’s famous takoyaki octopus balls.

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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:28 Day 1 Start – Unagi, Fruit Tarts
02:29 Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
05:56 Tempozan Ferris Wheel
06:50 Nighttime Illumination, Dotonbori at Night
08:18 Day 2 Start – Ramen, Coffee, Shinsaibashi Parco
10:24 Night Parfaits
11:33 Day 3 Start – Namba Jinja, Niku Gekijou Beef Bowl
12:08 Pirates of Osaka Canal Ride
13:45 Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel
16:28 Dotonbori Daytime – Hozen-ji Temple, Takoyaki, Tofu Smoothies
18:45 Namba Parks Garden Illumination

Places Visited:
Chikuyotei Minamimidoten
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GzgjzuuLQPGAYaVK6
FRUiT hanafru
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7pvh3vtFQya7g5V57
Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pmTxsvsEhVjtzbi67
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/B99Khc3Ubinm7H4F8
Taiwan Shokumi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eaw37FVmrqjXBa8k6
Tempozan Ferris Wheel
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XVXso3rkE3yNQaon8
Sushiro Shinsaibashi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PJGyWyq5uxy25Gw7A
Dotonbori
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FNWLLCdW8nRfoh9m9
The Ramen War Senba Shinsaibashi Branch
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WWDgbnDwsvZdSDTg8
Mill Pour Coffee
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aEda1yuXGU1aLMuYA
CHIIKAWA LAND Shinsaibashi PARCO Store
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1HG3TEzzQCYGq1Kq5
Kamino Coffee Shinsaibashi Shop
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CXikw8ptGBCdeW3F9
7-Eleven Osaka Midosuji Hommachi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5LhioZJP2Es3w4rYA
Yoru Pafe Senmon Ten Number Kuma
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WJvQxeDnpMKEMEsz6
Namba Jinja Shrine
https://maps.app.goo.gl/TiaKtLRoVL9PuRnA8
Niku Gekijou Shinsaibashi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cD5WB9ShLV8WfsUh6
Pirates of Osaka
https://maps.app.goo.gl/beaFRGcuixXuGNnY9
Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qZDhCR56jq6hXzi46
Hozen-ji Temple
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fgeQRViWihC7CDeMA
Takoyaki Wanaka Dotonbori
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fGDJkn22rSvCX5bPA
Urban Cova 高茶
https://maps.app.goo.gl/94ScCDP99Xb1vB9g7
Parks Garden at Namba Parks
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WijT33U5ge8hfrMy9
551 Horai JR Shin-Osaka Station Central Gate Shop
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2mrRWKVu2ux7jY4k7

Music Credits:
Summer Escape by SAKURA BEATZ.JP
Tiny House by のる
旅の始まり by ゆうり (from Yuli Audio Craft)
Chocolate Syrup by 龍崎一
Holy and Bright by 龍崎一
あとの祭り by yuhei komatsu
夜明け前のコーヒー by しんさんわーくす
Cognac Evening by MFP
Warm Light, with You by のる
Breath from the Sea by のる
Fly With Me by EuGenius & VikA | https://www.eugeniusmusic.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Yubiwa by のる
Please Please by SHUNTA

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