Osaka - Shinsekai

I stayed near Shinsekai, a place known to have lots of fried versions of yakitori. But the first food I tried was the giant Tacoyaki.


Dinner was Okonomiyaki


And the sinful fried munchies

This was pretty good, the sauce was had a touch of miso taste.

Flea market...

A very run down looking zoo.


Another theme park which was closed during the holidays

Another tower...



This is Belkin, you are suppose to lick its feet for luck.


No, this is not a pet....they are selling it for food.

Shiogi, Jap Chinese Chess.



Different sized balls.

Old school pachinko.

I went for some Oden on a cold cold night near my hotel.


I met a nice Japanese fellow who was an Ex heavy weight champion. Spoke with him and he treated me to some sakae and more oden.

This is the Boss who is a very friendly guy. Chatted with him for about an hour while he worked.

Before I came to Osaka, my teacher was saying the people here are more friendly. But we actually met really sucky service which made my friends really pissed about Osaka. Coupled with their bad driving and riding habits, it was very un-Japan. Maybe we are too pampered with the excellent robot like service in Tokyo, maybe they forgot what Singapore was like. But I don't like to judge people just by a few small incidents. My patience was rewarded when I spent a few hours at the Oden shop. I met some friendly Osaka people whom seemed so much more human then the Tokyo people.