The bullet trains stop at Shin Osaka station. From here you can take the Midosuji subway to Osaka/Umeda station and beyond. Or a JR line to same station. Going through the station, gifts and foods are available for purchase. An eki bento kiosk sold a variety of different bentos. Here we have rice with octopus in a clay pot similar to those used to catch octopus.
Simple to complex boxes offer any array of foods, meats, and vegetables
Characters adorn other bentos. Maybe meant for kids...maybe not.
At Osaka station, you can hop on the Osaka Loop Line. Much like the Yamanote in Tokyo, its circular course tkaes you to many of the local attractions like Osaka Castle, Tennoji, and the line that connects to Universal Studios japan. Around the station is a number of shops liek Yodobashi and entertainment centers like HEP 5 with a ferris wheel
After checking in, Dotonburi is within a reasonable walk from the hotel. It is basically 1 subway stop away on the subway. One of the iconic sights is the Glico ad along the bridge.
Referred to as Japan's kitchen, there are a number of restaurants in Osaka and it seems like alot of them are centered around this area. and they are unabashed about how many restaurants they have. Many have glaring sized signs exhibiting what they have to offer.
This intersection gets the most foot traffic. The large Kani Doraku restaurant leads people on to the bridge where an iconic picture of Osaka is snapped time and time again.
The shops stretch out to the east. they also strecth out to the west and past Midosuji Blvd
Turn around and the familiar electronic billboards light up the back of the buildings. since the last time I was here, the Glico sign was changed from neon to an LE billboard with changing backgrounds.
Beyond the bridge, a shotengai leads north towards the Shinsaibashi Subway station.
Boat cruises along the river can be boarded in front of the Don Quijote store.
Since I seek out the different Kit kats, I could not help by see the mystery gift bags on display in DQ. usually these bags will contain goods higher in value than what they are sold for. Having seen and tasted most flavors of Kit Kat sold in stores and Chocolatorys i didnt think there would be anything I havent seen. However, they may have licensed goods in addition to the chocolates.
A large dragon announces a ramen shop. In all the years I have seen this place, I have yet to try their ramen.
Osaka is known for yakisoba and okonomiyaki. But the favorite snack that people will line up for is tako yaki. Balls of molten dough with pieces of octopus. Drenched in sauce and green onions with shaved bonito dancing atop. This seemed popular and at 500 yen for 9 pieces, seemed like a bargain.
This was dinner this night along the canal. As mentioned, these are served hot and the runny middle is very hot and can burn the inside of your mouth. Molten, I kid you not. The heat and steam soften the often crunchy outside into a gooey mess of takoyaki and sauce..
