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.

Osaka - Universal Studio Japan

I decided to join the Countdown Party at Universal Studios. It starts from 31st, 7pm till 1st 2am. But my ticket allows me to stay till 1st, 8pm. That is maddness, who the heck will stay so long.


Before you reach the entrance, you will see a themed shopping mall. Though small, but pretty interesting place.




I got to be Forrest Gump!

Meet Taco, Osakians favourite snack.

The Japanese celebrate New Year's like Chinese New Year. They willdo spring cleaning, spend greeting cards, have a long holiday and plenty of new year food. One thing I learned is that they eat Soba for New year eve, and so we found a soba shop to have the madatory meal.


I reached earlier, thus I went to the outside to snap some photos.




The party started at 7pm and the queue started to form at 4pm. The day was windy and cold, that is how mad the Japanese can get.



And the night started....


Did not take much night pictures cause the camera cannot handle the low light, but let me say it was really beautiful. They still had the Christmas theme and lights were everywhere.

This ride brought me back to the time I went to USA Universal Studios.






The countdown was pretty fun, we started running around to different shows and checking out the specials they had. The Japanese started to queue for good firework seats at 9pm in the cold cold night. We went at 11pm, thus getting a blocked view. I was pretty disappointed with the fireworks, even the Hong Kong Disney had a more extravagant display.

The night was spent queueing up for shows and rides. Best ride is SPIDERMAN, you have to try that if you are going. When the morning came, I just walked around to snap pictures.