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We stayed in Apartment Hotel 11 Namba-Minami Ebisucho-Eki Mae, which is in a very well placed animated district called Namba, just in front of Shinsekai.
I highly recommend this place, A 30 m² apartment with a wet room, and is very well placed all you need is just outside your door.
We arrived late after a long road so we decided to rest for a bit, after a brief rest we went out and explored the surrounding, but to be honest it was difficult to leave this amazing accommodation.
We walked around Shinsekai and ate the famous Japanese curry.
The evening was chill so I decided to plan our next 3 days around here.
As we have done every morning since our first day in Japan : we go grab breakfast at the 7-Eleven : my favorite is clearly a mango smoothie, coffee and a new snack to try everyday. It was a little morning ritual during our 3 weeks there : simple, quick but always surprising. (Shout out to onigiris)
Then we go discover the city : Osaka castle (Osaka-jō), built in the XVIe century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It's one of the most important castle in Japan, as much historically then symbolically. It has been rebuilt many times.
Around the castle is also very mesmerizing : an amazing park, almost empty in the morning with the sun already high in the sky without any clouds. There is obviously some joggers and tourists but still makes for a quiet atmosphere very soothing especially for such a big city.
Walking around, we can discover little sanctuary's, red Toriis and some different point of views on the castle. Around the castle there are sakura trees even when off season they are still beautiful.
On the way back we ate in an 100 yen shop : simple and effective snack after the walk.
However, this is how we travel : we have our own rhythm : we get up earlyish, have breakfast and walk around. Then after lunch, we come home to chill before going out later. This is how we do it : slow traveling, Taking our time, listening to our body, Were not trying to see everything. We prefer savoring the moment instead of checking boxes.
After a break, we head out again, trying to find some hidden temples hidden between buildings and little shops. Away from all the touristic areas : this is what I love with slow travelling, finding hidden gems.
At the end of the day, after some shopping, we ate some udon in a little restaurant around us and then we came back home for sleep.
We booked tickets for Universal Studios Japan without really wanting to go. We are not very keen on theme parks in general but we wanted to try it to see. But I guess it really depends.
We arrived early around 8 am it was already very crowdy but it was alright, not as bad as everything I read online to be honest.
First deception, Nintendo zone, you need an early reservation for the access and you only have an hour in a schedule, unfortunately, our time was so late that we had to miss it.
About the park in general, it looks nice of course but overall we did not really like it. The best was the shopping for us lol. I won't say the park is bad or disappointing because it just our taste, we just don't like theme parks, it was expensive so we regretted it a bit.
Of course it's only our experience. we were still very happy about our shopping and next time we just won't try something which doesn't look appealing to us. Travelling is also learning what we like or not.
After resting in the apartment, we went out to the center of Dōtonbori, the most famous district in Osaka.
We were looking for souvenir shops, having street food snacks (obviously) and contemplating restaurant facades, they are all very original. (Personally the big crab was definitely my favorite)
All the streets around were very crowded but this district is very nice to walk around, it's animated, colorful, full of life and it's really the heart of the city.
I did not want to leave Osaka after seeing the famous Namba Yasaka Jinja, a very impressive unique temple, famous for its massive lion head. It's definitely a place to see.
Walking around, I had the chance to see some hidden temples, more discreet but as soothing. I also stopped to get a coffee in a little corner, very calm, away from tourists.
Before coming back home and packing my luggage ready for the train station for the next stop : Hiroshima.
It's a big city but did not feel like it, Osaka is special, charming and feel homely very quickly. I would definitely come back in Osaka on our next trip to Japan.
👉Thank you for reading me
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Ana from New Escapade
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Tokyo the city that never sleeps fascinates and amazes in equal measure but people often think it costs a fortune well good news! whether you're traveling on a budget or simply love finding great deals, Japan's capital is packed with many cost free experiences.
