10 Days in Japan: Osaka Day 3
Following a nice breakfast of gyudon, chicken thighs, and vegetables, I left the hotel to explore Dotonbori in the early morning before my tea ceremony class. What makes Dotonbori so iconic isn’t just the energy – it’s the signage. These massive 3D advertisements have been part of Osaka’s identity since the 1930s. The giant mechanical crab, the enormous blowfish,
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the moving dragon, these aren’t just signs – they’re landmarks. Each restaurant tries to outdo the others with bigger, brighter, more elaborate displays. The tea ceremony class is about to begin, and I’m the first one here. After the class, I decided to take a long walk and see where it led me. Exploring a local supermarket, checking out the refrigerated items and the meat section. It’s fascinating seeing how differently food is packaged and presented here compared to back home. Osaka Castle was built in 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of Japan’s great unifiers. He wanted something that would intimidate his enemies and inspire his allies. The original castle was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times – wars, lightning strikes, World War II bombs. What you see today is a 1997 reconstruction, but it sits on the same stone foundation that Hideyoshi built over 400 years ago. Standing here, you can understand why he chose this spot. The view, the position – it commands everything around it. After resting up a bit, I walk back to Dotonbori for some food. That’s something that has been missed on this trip. Takoyaki – octopus balls. Molten lava covered in green onions and mayo. You will want these guys to cool off for a bit before you burn your mouth. Takoyaki was invented right here in Osaka around 1933 by a street vendor named Tomekichi Endo. It started as ‘radio-yaki’ – named after the newest technology of the time – but originally used beef as the filling. After World War II, octopus became the standard ingredient. Now it’s considered Osaka’s signature street food, and you can find takoyaki stands throughout Dotonbori, each one trying to perfect their own version of these perfectly round, crispy-outside, gooey-inside balls. Melonpan is calling me, or mocking me. I fail to resist the melonpan and purchase a green tea ice cream melonpan sandwich. Pan is bread in Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. And as far as I am aware, there is no melon in the melon pan – it’s called that for the shape. Dotonbori had maybe two trash cans from what I saw. Be prepared to carry your trash around until you can find a bin or toss it back at your hotel. Travel Tip #8: Be prepared to carry your trash. Don’t be that tourist. This isn’t your home or your theme park. I casually make my way back to the hotel. I leave tomorrow for Kyoto. That trip will only be about 30 minutes. I would love to see this area in the rain. I’ve been here for days and I only seem to miss a light rain. There’s something magical about seeing these narrow lit alleyways at night the way the neon reflects off the wet pavement, how the sounds change, how the whole atmosphere becomes more intimate and cinematic. I haven’t had this much ice cream in years. There’s something good and different about the ice cream here that isn’t the same back home.
My Third Day in Osaka: Tea Ceremony, Takoyaki, and Castle Views | Solo Japan Travel Vlog
Another full day exploring Osaka! From early morning walks through empty Dotonbori to learning the art of Japanese tea ceremony, this day had it all.
🏰 What I Did:
Early morning Dotonbori exploration (those giant 3D signs hit different in daylight!)
Traditional Japanese tea ceremony class
Local supermarket discoveries
Osaka Castle visit with incredible city views
Evening food hunt: trying authentic takoyaki (octopus balls)
Melonpan ice cream sandwich adventure
Learning about Japan’s “carry your trash” culture
🍜 Food Highlights:
Traditional gyudon breakfast, molten hot takoyaki that nearly burned my mouth, and the perfect combination of warm melonpan bread with cold green tea ice cream.
🏯 Historical Moments:
Exploring Osaka Castle and learning about Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s 400-year-old vision for this incredible fortress that still dominates the city skyline.
💡 Travel Tips Learned:
The unique Japanese toilet-sink combo system, why you need to carry your trash around (there are barely any public bins!), and how Dotonbori’s legendary signage has been part of Osaka’s identity since the 1930s.
This is my first time making travel vlogs, so let me know what you think! Are you planning a trip to Japan? Drop your questions in the comments.
📍 Locations Featured:
Dotonbori, Osaka Castle, Local supermarkets, Traditional tea ceremony venue
♫ Music:
Shinkansen Thoughts by COCAMELODY (at Pixabay)
Japan Trip by Nerdyboyz (at Pixabay)
Kyoto Dreams by Dreams_ (at Pixabay)
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