Osaka, Japan (Day 2: Shinsaibashi, Dotonburi)

Shinsaibashi area

On Day 2, we headed to Shinsaibashi and Dotonburi. We stayed here from noon until night time.

Pachinko

It was my first time to see an actual pachinko. I've heard a lot of stories about places like this where customers transact at back-alleys so they can exchange their winnings for real cash (which is "illegal").

(We actually saw one customer exit through the back but we did not follow. After a few seconds, he re-entered from the same exit and left. Hmm...)

Walking around the area

Some parked bicycles along the side streets

After our brief stroll, we ate in one of the Japanese style shabu-shabu restaurants for lunch. A saleslady from one of the shops was kind enough to bring us there. I don't recall the name of the place but the food was great!

Japanese-style shabu shabu beef cuts

We continued to walk further reaching Dotonburi. This place is so alive! Behold...the famous Glico man.

Glico man at Dotonburi

I really enjoyed walking around this busy area. Lots of locals and tourists everywhere. Perferct weather for taking pictures and just enjoying the atmosphere of the place.

Dotonburi

Dotonburi

During late afternoon, we did a bit of food tripping. We tried some spider crab legs and takoyaki. Can't complain if I can have these everyday. Now, that's what you call street food (in Japan)!

Spider crab legs

Takoyaki

Dotonburi is even more alive at night!

Dotonburi

Dotonburi

We ended up grabbing some dinner at a random Japanese restaurant. Food was okay except for the raw baby squid which I really found hard to eat. The taste is quite funky and the texture is very slimy. I will not try this again!

The hard to swallow raw baby squid

To cap off our night, we walked further down and ended up taking the train from the Namba Station.

Piggy in an alley

Still looking forward to the next few days we have in Osaka. So far, so good...

Osaka, Japan (Day 3: Universal Studios Japan)

- Just Another Wanderer