JAPAN, OSAKA TRIP JUNE 2015

Day 0: Friday, 5th June 2015
Had work that day but was glad that it ended earlier than expected so had time to finalised packing and rest a bit more than I was planning to. Dinner that night was Mac, ordered online since we were lazy to cook and since we are going to the airport later that night. While having dinner, watched the SeaGames Opening Ceremony. After the whole ceremony got ready and went out to the airport.

At the airport, we were WOW-ed! The queue to check-in was so long. Took us about half an hour or so to check-in. Then since we had some time, went to get some ice-choco but man the price was steep. There were too much ice and too little choco. After being disappointed with the choco, went to the gate and said our short goodbyes. Our boarding gate was so so far away and had a good walk all the way to the boarding gate.

The plane journey was a tiring one since I had to wake up early for work that day. Watched Big Hero before attempting to sleep. Didn't have a good sleep and woke up with a horror shock. Food was not catered halal for us! Oh no! So we tried to speak to the stewardess about it and they kindly let us have the vegetarian meal but it was not to my taste. Sadly. Somehow managed to get through the rest of the flight and land safely.



Day 1: Saturday, 6th June 2015
Landed at Osaka. Since we didn't really have much during our flight due to the mistake, we rushed to have our first meal. We had Udon at a halal restaurant in KIX. It was so nice that I wished I can have a second round but restrained myself. After the meal, went to find the SIM card vending machine and got our SIM card. Then moved on to get our HARUKA+ICOCA cards. Moving along quickly, went to take the train but there was no seats. Haiz... Stood all the way to Shin Osaka where we change train to get to Osaka station. Went straight to the hotel but got lost somewhere. It was quite a maze down there. Since it's still too early to check-in, we put our luggage at the holding room.

Then we went off to ANIMATE. Not much bought on this first day since quite a number of things are still not out yet. Then walked around the area and tried to find mandarake but couldn't do it on our own so had to ask for directions. We were lucky that the nice lady at tsutaya actually lead us all the way to it. Well not all the way but to a point where it will be an easy walk to the shop. Really grateful to her. Walked around the shop but couldn't find what I wanted so went out of the shop empty handed. Went to the next shop, tora no ana but it was otoko filled so left quickly. Haiz... In the end bought bread and lots of aquarius and check-in to the hotel. Rested for the day.



Day 2: Sunday, 7th June 2015
Woke up at 7am and got ready. Took the train and went to the museum of history first. Spent quite some time there looking at the exhibits and even playing around with it. We even managed to leave a message at the message corner of the museum. We also took the opportunity to collect some stamps. Moving along we went to the Osaka-jo castle garden area and just leisurely walk around the grounds. Before heading to the castle proper we sat down and had a little rest while having some grilled squids and ice-cream. Really like the squids. Yum.

We climbed stairs to the entrance of the castle tower. Then we took stairs up the castle tower. Too many stairs, even inside the tower was all stairs. But the view and the wind at the top was awesome. The place was crowded considering that it was a Sunday. However the atmosphere was awesome. Leaving the castle behind we moved to get to Osaka-jo Hall where One OK Rock will be having a live later that night. The atmosphere there was awesome with all the fans hanging around. There were also stalls selling street food so we indulge ourselves to some BIG takoyaki balls. It was too HOT to eat right there and then. I think I burnt my tongue too. There was also a band performing there and they were not bad. Listened to them a while before moving to the train station to take the train back to the hotel area where we took a ride on a ferris wheel in a shopping center. HEP FIVE!!! The view was awesome from up there and the ride was relaxing.

Then we went back to the hotel to put our things down before heading out again. This time we went to Yodabashi Camera to do Gacha and bought a game or two there. After making our purchases, we head over to the Umeda Sky building where there is an event going on. But the walk there was very long. We tried not to get caught being in the wrong area and went to queue for the observatory. The night view was splendid and we really took our time being there enjoying the view and the night atmosphere. We then make our way back once we are feeling tired and called it a day.  



Day 3: Monday, 8th June 2015
Woke up earlier today since we needed more preparation time. Set out to Tempozan where we went to find the summit, which was pretty flat to us. There was an observation deck above the summit but we didn't go up there. Enjoyed the wind and scenery while waiting for the Kaiyukan to open. Once it is open, we went in and boy was it crowded. Took our time taking all the photos that we want and moved along to not get caught in the crowd. After tons of photo taking went out of Kaiyukan for cruises.

We were lucky that the cruises run on that day since it kinda looked gloomy. The wind that blows while we were on the cruises were awesome! It was summer time so we really appreciate the wind. The first cruise was the Santa Maria Cruise. It's a pirate looking ship, more English looking ship, that took us on a round trip along the river. It was a good way to enjoy the bay area and we even get to see the USJ from the ship. Totally enjoyed this cruise. The second one, The Captain Line, wasn't much of a cruise but a transportation to get to USJ. We bought the round trip from Kaiyukan to USJ. We didn't go into USJ since we didn't have time and we were not really interested in taking the rides there. So we just took picture outside the gate and went to the USJ Walk for some shopping. The JUMP shop there really made me spent money. But it was worth it. We ate TAKOs at the TAKO Museum and drank Moomin drinks before taking the Captain Line back to Kaiyukan.

Took the ferris wheel at Tempozan and ate ice-cream from Baskin Robbins. Rested while enjoying the view and sweets before heading back to the hotel to call it a day.



Day 4: Tuesday, 9th June 2015
Woke up really early and got ready to leave for ShinSekai. Tried to find the haunted abandoned house but we were too scared to see it directly. It was actually hidden behind the buildings so it wasn't as obvious to the eye. But if we had climbed some stairs, I think we will be able to see the building more clearly. But didn't want to risk anything so left the area to go to the tower within ShinSekai area. It wasn't that high but the view was great as it really showed us the whole of ShinSekai and guess what, the haunted building can be seen from there. Oops. Spent quite some time there looking around and took a picture as well. Went down to the shop area and bought a lot of Glico stuffs, mainly to eat there. Tee hee.

Then we walked a long long way to Tennoji Station. Had to climb a slope too... Once at Tennoji was trying to find the animate cafe. Looked around but couldn't find it until we climb the overhead bridge and WOW it was just right there next to us. Since the cafe is not opened yet, we shop at the Animate shop below. We were really lucky that we managed to get into the cafe without having the need to have a reservation. Usually to get into the cafe really needs reservations and usually it's packed to the brim. So we were thankful to our lucky stars that we managed to get in without much trouble. Took pictures of the cafe area and really ate a lot there. All of it are sweets and drinks since we can't take anything else. But it was a good time spent there. Wishing we can have more chances at Animate Cafe.

Then went back to Animate shop and bought a lot. Even went to the shop near the cafe to find my DJs. Then went from one book store to another to find my DJs. Went to Denden town and Namba. Visited Madarake, K books and Tora no ana. Managed to find most of my DJs and was very happy about it. However I totally broke my bank that day.



Day 5: Wednesday, 10th June 2015
Woke up and got ready. Went over to Namba Parks to buy tickets for a movie. First time watching a movie in Japan. It's a scary movie stage at FujiQ Highlands haunted house. Really want to go there and experience the haunted house. After buying the tickets headed over to Zepp Namba and took picture there since OLDCODEX will be having their live there that weekend. Really sad couldn't see them.

Walked over to Dotonbori to shop and shop and shop. Ate food, took pictures and went into a paper printing musuem where we sat down to do some colouring. Really took our time at Dotonbori before heading back for the movie. Bought popcorn and drinks and a little snack. They gave us a nice cute tray to put our drinks and popcorn and in the theatre there was a table next to each seat for us to put the tray. Awesome. The movie was great. After the movie went back to Dotonbori to find Mandarake.

I also visited a nice little shop called Alice on Wednesday. It's a nice little shop that has Alice in Wonderland fantasy goods. It was awesome and bought cute little bottles that look like the potion that Alice drank in the story. But had no bottle opener so had to go to TokyoHands just to buy one. But it was worth it.

P.S I had a little stomach trouble that day. Went in and out of Mandarake to heal my stomach since in the shop the aircon was making my stomach to react. Tried to find a toilet but it wasn't easy. Finally found a hotel that I could use the toilet and after was able to browse the shop in peace. Was lucky to find the hotel. ^_^



Day 6: Thursday, 11th June 2015
Woke up later since we are only going around the hotel area. Went out to Animate for a last chance to buy whatever we wanted but since it was still to early we had a stop at the nearby cafe for a nice breakfast. Ate pancake with ice-cream. I know it's early in the morning but couldn't resist it. Bought a lot of things and then moved to Johnny's shop. Was able to enter and was on high spirit. It's usually not easy to get in. Bought the shop photos to our hearts content. Even bought their light stick! Then moved to buy my VEGA! There was an offer for a name tag but because it will take some time so I couldn't get it since I will be flying off soon. SAD. But nonetheless got my VEGA and was happy to have it. Bought lunch and went back to hotel room. Put everything down and ate lunch before heading out again to the Grand Front Osaka to walk around. Bought a few things at Uniqlo and Tokyo Hands. Then found some food for dinner and went back to the hotel to pack and get ready for the flight the next day.



Day 7: Friday, 12th June 2015
Last day in Osaka. Woke up early to double check packing and relaxingly eat breakfast and got ready. Check out and headed over to KIX but it was damn early. Had to spent hours at KIX since we reached there around 1-2pm and had to wait till 8pm to check in and enter the gate since flight is only at 11pm. So we took an limited express instead of the express to waste a bit more time. Didn't get a seat until after half way through and wow we got onto the wrong carriage and had to go through the carriages and even exit one to enter another so that we won't go to the wrong place. At KIX we ate UDON and laze around. Since our SIM card still had data unused, used it to watch videos and all. While waiting ate some bread, drank and snack. Then because we have been lazing around for a long time, the airport security came up to us. We chatted and all. It was an interesting encounter. We chatted for quite some time and it really surprises me and how she could understand my broken Japanese. I need to improve more. After all that wasting of time, we finally checl in and off we fly back to SG.


Overall was glad that nothing bad happened and we were safe throughout the journey. Praying for a safe one for the next trip as well. May we go there safely and come back safely too.