Osaka
This resilient city is known for food and a laid-back attitude. We flew into Osaka on September 4, 2018, right before Typhoon Jebi, the largest typhoon to hit the area in 25 years. Getting out on one of the last trains from Kansai International Airport (KIX), Japan Rail (JR) West shut down all their rail lines in the region around 11 am. The high winds and rain did extensive damage to the Kansai region. Our hotel kept their guests fed and occupied the 3 lowest floors as the high winds swayed the hotel building and caused the elevators to stop working. We can not commend the hotel enough for the hospitality they provided to their guests while keeping them safe from the high winds and heavy rain. Typhoon Jebi caused the closure of the Kansai Airport due to flooding. While a tanker dislodged from it’s berth in Osaka Bay and crashed and damaged the single bridge connecting the airport to the mainland. Almost 2 weeks after, KIX remained closed prompting us to change our flight back to fly out of Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) instead. The KIX airport is back up and running as of September 21, 2018. That same evening after Typhoon Jebi hit, we were able to survey the damage: from flooding, broken glass, torn sheets of aluminum, uprooted trees and overturned vehicles. The Osaka subway system was running, but with extensive delays. Yet, by the next day, the streets of Osaka started to become normal again, as people and children started to clean up and get back to work and school. The people of Osaka started to clean up their city and almost by the next day, the city already started to look normal. Businesses, schools, and public transportation were all open. We were able to go to restaurants, markets, and many tourist areas. This speaks to the resilience of the people in the Kansai region. To bounce back after such an enormous natural disaster. We will come back at some point to really experience Osaka again. Osaka remains one of the best tourist destination in Japan with their generous nature, laid-back attitude, and affinity for delicious food.
Living:
Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower. MYSTAY
1 Chome-2-1 BentenMinato-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 552-0007 +81-6-6577-1111
Right outside the Bentencho JR and Osaka Subway stations, the Art Hotel is a 51 story hotel renovated in March 2018, complete with restaurants, multilingual staff, and clean rooms. The hotel has easy access to tourist attractions like the Osaka Aquarium, Osaka Castle, Tsutenkaku Tower, and Universal Studios theme park. Even then, getting to Dontonbori, Nipponbashi, Umeda, and other areas is very easy with the two major public transportation systems available outside its doors. Wifi is available throughout the property.
To Eat:
Kuromon Ichiba Market (黒門市場)
A market full of food stalls, grocery stores, fish markets, and other restaurants that can cater to tourists. You can get some really good food and lots of samples. Ranging from quality steak on a stick to ice cream. We got oden, a stew found usually in the cool months of Japan, and it was delicious. You might be able to find the food cheaper elsewhere, but here it’s all in one area for you to try everything.
Izakaya Toyo (居酒屋とよ)
Off the Kyōbashi (京橋) station is an outdoor izakaya worth a trip for its vibrant atmosphere and good food. When you come, you need to order the tuna cheeks. The tuna cheeks are cooked with, I kid you not, a flamethrower and his bare hands for tongs. A sight to see for sure.
Takoyaki Wanaka (たこ焼道楽 わなか)
Some of the best takoyaki we had in Japan. We usually go to the Takoyaki Wanaka Sennichimae location. They cook their takoyaki in an outdoor stall and then you can go down the small side alley to find their seating area behind their stall.
Attractions:
Universal Studios Theme Park
Hands down a fantastic experience that you should not miss if you have the time. From the usual, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, to the absolute must ride Evangelion XR Ride. The Evangelion XR ride is an immersive virtual reality roller coaster ride. It’s just amazing.
Namba Grand Kagetsu (なんばグランド花月)
Home for the Yoshimoto Comedy Club. We didn’t go to a show but it’s SUPER popular. They also have a bunch of restaurants and a gift shop upstairs.
Music:
Song: Ikson – Paradise (Vlog No Copyright Music)
Music promoted by Vlog No Copyright Music.
Video Link:
AloJapan.com