Two Days in Osaka: Hokkyokusei Shinsaibashi Honten Omurice, Dotonbori, Mizuno Okonomiyaki, Osaka Castle, Afternoon Tea Love&Table Fruit Mille-Feuille Cake, Blue Bottle Coffee, Shabu-Shabu
After experiencing Kyoto One-Day Trip and Nara One-Day Trip, we will return to Osaka on the third day and stay for two nights. Since we need to catch a flight back to Taiwan on the last day, we will try to fit most of the itinerary into the first day in Osaka (morning from Kyoto ⮕ Osaka) and the second day.
Hokkyokusei Shinsaibashi Honten
🔗Early in the morning, we traveled from Kyoto to Osaka. By the time we arrived, it was almost noon, so we chose a famous omurice restaurant. Hokkyokusei is a well-known, long-established restaurant located in the Shinsaibashi area of Osaka, founded in 1922.
The interior decor retains the style of the Showa era, creating a warm and nostalgic atmosphere that allows guests to experience rich traditional Japanese culture. Compared to the surrounding modern buildings, it is very unique, making me feel like I was back in Kyoto 😎. However, because it is so famous, we had to wait almost an hour to get a seat during lunchtime.
My impression is ~ well ~ it's just omurice.
During these few days in Japan, I noticed that many stores offer both tatami and chair seating, but we were always assigned to tatami seats. Not being used to sitting cross-legged, it was really uncomfortable. I'm very curious, are Japanese people okay with any seating option? Or can you specifically request a chair seat from the staff instead of a tatami seat? 🤔
Shopping
🔗Next, we strolled around the Shinsaibashi area and nearby department stores with a laid-back attitude (actually, this trip was planned by my wife, so I just followed along and ate XD). The main goal was to visit a few stores she wanted to go to and some department stores.
On the way, we came across a construction site with a very clean cement truck operating nearby. It was so clean that I had to take a picture, as I've never seen such a clean cement truck in Taiwan.
Heading to Dotonbori
🔗Next, we headed to Dotonbori to experience the entertainment and food district before sunset. Spanning between Shinsaibashi and Namba, it stretches along the Dotonbori River (道頓堀川, Dōtonbori-gawa). This is one of Osaka's most iconic tourist destinations, featuring a vibrant nightlife, a plethora of restaurants, and numerous eye-catching neon signs.
美津の(Mizuno)
🔗
This is a famous okonomiyaki restaurant located in Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka City. Founded in 1945, it is one of the representative old shops of okonomiyaki. This restaurant is renowned both domestically and internationally for its traditional yet innovative okonomiyaki and has been listed multiple times in the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand, attracting many food lovers.
Address: 1-4-15 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka City
When in Osaka, you must try okonomiyaki. Due to its popularity, we had to wait in line for quite some time. Although I'm not a big fan of mixed foods, I have to admit the taste was quite good.
As for the appearance of the food, it's a matter of personal preference 😎.
Dotonbori at Night
🔗By the time we finished eating, it was already evening, and the crowd was growing. It felt like a cleaner and larger version of a Taiwanese night market.
In Taiwan, I always find too many signs to be an eyesore, but in the small streets of Dotonbori, they seem quite characteristic.
Fresa Inn Osaka Shinsaibashi Accommodation
🔗In the evening, we chose to stay at Fresa Inn Osaka Shinsaibashi. It was my first experience with the very narrow city hotels in Japan, where opening a suitcase would block the door and the bathroom. No wonder recently in Taiwan, suitcases that don't need to be fully opened have become popular. 🤣
Breakfast Experience at McDonald's
🔗As a frequent visitor to McDonald's, I had to try the Japanese McDonald's. The area around our accommodation was filled with various restaurants, and McDonald's was very close by. Before heading to Osaka Castle in the morning, we stopped by to get some takeout. But why is there a limited selling time for McNuggets!!?
What I noticed is that the staff at McDonald's in Osaka are very precise in their work, ensuring every action and packaging is done perfectly. As someone who is usually very impatient, I should learn from them XD.
Osaka Castle
🔗
After getting our food, we realized that eating on the street is not common in Japan, so we stayed in the restaurant to finish our meal before heading out. We took the subway to Osaka Castle. You can see Osaka Castle from the outer area, and I found this angle very beautiful.
After entering through the main gate, we reached the front, where many people were taking photos, making it difficult to find a moment to take a picture alone with Osaka Castle.
Since we had other plans, we didn't intend to visit inside Osaka Castle, so we just took a walk around the surroundings.
Afterwards, we returned to the city and noticed a modern building near Osaka Castle, which turned out to be the Osaka Police Headquarters.
Afternoon Tea Love&Table Fruit Mille-Feuille
🔗As someone who doesn't like sweets, I tried HARBS, but since I didn't choose a popular flavor, I thought it was just okay. However, I truly recommend this place. I've never had such delicious fruit mille-feuille before, although I haven't tried others before either. 😎 But this is a dessert shop I would definitely want to visit again.
Blue Bottle Coffee Umeda Chayamachi
🔗Afterwards, we visited Blue Bottle Coffee. Unlike Taiwanese coffee shops that focus more on interior decor, this shop features a newly renovated interior with floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing you to enjoy the outdoor scenery.
Shabutei Nishiumeda Branch
🔗For dinner, we wanted to eat something we often have in Taiwan, so we chose this nearby Japanese shabu-shabu restaurant. Taiwanese shabu-shabu is likely introduced from Japan, but the way of eating and seasoning is completely different. It's also rare to see staff handling ingredients directly at the round table.
However, Japanese ingredients and seasonings seem to be simpler. Interestingly, they all have yuzu sauce. After finishing the meal, the staff helped cook udon noodles using the original broth, which was very delicious.
Conclusion
🔗After dinner, we walked back to our accommodation. Although it rained a little, the weather was very comfortable. The streets of Japan are really suitable for walking. Although Osaka doesn't have the classical charm of Kyoto or Nara, its modern architecture and Japanese cuisine are very satisfying.
Alvin
Software engineer, interested in financial knowledge, health concepts, psychology, independent travel, and system design.
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