Traveling Around Osaka in Pictures

I finally post something after not posting for two months after taking procrastination to the next level 🙂 This time I will post travel pictures from Osaka that I went in 2017, early November to be exact. I was solo traveling to South Korea and Japan for about 14 days. One of the best days of my life and would definitely do it again in the future, if I have the opportunity. This month is also my birth month so I decided to make an appearance in my on blog.

Okay, so where did I go in Osaka? I only stayed in Osaka for 3 days, after staying for about one week in Kyoto. I regretted I only stayed 3 days in Osaka, but still #blessed it happened. I tried to do a lot of things and eat as much as I could. Besides from going the touristy places, I think I took some pretty cool pictures that deserve some spotlight. So here you go…

Doutonbori

This is the most hectic food district I’ve been to in my entire life. Literally food everywhere! However, it is so hard to get a table in the “great” restaurants. Some of them don’t even accept walk-ins, all booked through reservations. When I was walking in the main way of Doutonbori, I only eat street food where I don’t have to queue a lot and eat it while I was standing. Doutonbori is next to a river, famous for the Glico sign and bringing exterior decoration to the next level.

Welcome to Doutonbori Street, food haven

The famous Glico sign

Best exterior restaurant decoration, only in Japan

Street food in Doutonbori, Takoyaki

Chojiro Sushi Restaurant

Later on, I did some more of walking in the smaller alley just next to Dotonburi and you can find even more restaurants and bars. I finally settled in a sushi restaurant called Chojiro. Chojiro is not in the main street of Dotonburi and that’s why I love it. It’s perfect for solo traveler like me who can sit alone in the sushi bar in front of the chef. Warning, there will some delicious-looking sushi pictures.

The little alley next to Doutonbori, less tourist

Chojiro Sushi Restaurant, Osaka

Three different kind of tuna: Otoro, Chutoro, Akami

Osaka Castle

I think that I will be going to Osaka Castle, but I really want a nice sunset picture of Osaka. Nothing screams “Osaka” more than Osaka Castle. I went there after struggling my life in the subway. I didn’t go in to Osaka Castle because it was kinda too late to go in (they were closing soon). So I just admire the architectural beauty from outside and imagine how pretty it will be during spring with all the sakura.

Osaka Castle + golden hour = <3

Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum

Instant noodle is my thing. And when I knew there’s an Instant Ramen Museum, I will go wherever this museum is. It is actually not in Osaka, but outside of Osaka. I took the JR train, which was so damn confusing. I was on the verge of crying but don’t wanna give up (if you know what I mean right?). I braved myself and asked people (and they don’t speak English) to teach me how to buy a ticket to Ikeda, the town where the Museum located.

Hall of Ramen

The Museum itself is very creatively interesting. Maybe that’s why 90% of the visitors are elementary students. I made my own Instant Noodle Cup that I didn’t get to try because I stupidly left it behind. But I did try other instant noodle that was only exclusively available in that museum. You have to buy it from vending machine, and later you have to recycle as well. The creation of your very own cup noodles is what attracting tourists from all over the world. You can design your own cup, choose your own ingredients and bring it home.

My cup noodles design

Choosing flavors and packaging

Choosing flavours and ingredients of my own

packaged and sealed

Ready to go, your very own cup noodles

Ippudo Ramen Restaurant

After visiting the museum, I was ready to head back to Osaka. It was around lunch time and I passed by Ippudo Ramen Restaurant. I’m not that surprise by this restaurant because we have it in Indonesia as well. Still decided to go try and compare with the one in Indonesia. This one is definitely much better (duh!) and I see a lot of locals eating in here too. The location is very strategic as it is located in between the museum and the train station.

Your happiness of eating this ramen makes us happy – Ippudo

Ippudo Ramen

Abeno Harukas Observatory

I also didn’t plan on going here. I don’t even know this cool building exist beforehand. It was after I visited Osaka Castle, so the sky is still turning on the process of setting. It is 300 meters above the ground and you can overlook Osaka. I think this place is awesome and must do when visiting Osaka. Especially when its transitioning from daylight to night, you can get 3 different views of Osaka. It is quite pricey for a budget traveler myself, but not that crazy expensive.

Osaka, Japan

Been printing this particular picture for postcards

You can see the sea from Abeno Harukas

Osaka night view from Abeno Harukas Observatory

I know I’m missing out a lot because I didn’t go to Universal Studio, the markets and the cool cafes. I wasn’t planning properly on this trip and will definitely go back to Osaka again.

Where I stay

This was the first time I stayed in “Capsule hostel” although it is not exactly capsule-like. Here’s the link to the airbnb page. The airbnb is super clean and give this comfy vibe. I enjoyed my 2-nights stay there. It is not in the center of Osaka but you can always use public transport or rent a bike (which you can rent in this airbnb). It is just couple minutes walk from the nearest subway.

Map Itinerary

P.s.: For those who read until this very end, thank you so much for reading this. And for those whose been coming back to my blog and been reading my blog, love you the most! Sorry I’m not posting much as usual, it is because I’m employed right now and my laptop recently broke (cried and depressed about this for quite some time), therefore less traveling. I will post something travel-related in the future and will work to lessen my procrastination disease. Have a great day! <3