Japan Part V : Osaka

We have one final night together (Molly goes home tomorrow… sob sob) and we are spending it in Osaka. So another train journey, this time four hours which is actually nice to relax and look out the window or post on social media!

We arrive in the afternoon and are staying in a great location right in the heart of Dotonbori and beside a shopping area called Shinsaibashi.

The view from our hotel:

We walk around and it’s sensory overload. There is so much to see in the way of people, shops, buildings and the smells of different food is amazing – so much choice. I wasn’t expecting such a cool place and would have loved more time here.

We ramble around taking it all in and then stop for a pre dinner cocktail:

I wonder what goes on in this establishment!!!

Anyway back to our night…… It’s time we had some Kobe beef. We’ve reserved a table at a really nice restaurant, not too far to walk to, but when we get there they tell us we are at the wrong location. Megan is ready to get directions and find our way there [side bar: Megan is great with maps. She’s been the chief map reader on this whole trip and has been a superstar in getting us around], but the waitress/host tells us she will take us there. She actually walks with us for ten minutes and brings us right into the restaurant. She says they do it all the time!

So having been handed over to the new place, we are shown to a private dining room (it’s a popular thing in Japan), with a grill in the middle where the waiter/chef will cook our meat. All the cuts of meat we try are delicious

Our waiter is from Indonesia and is living in Japan for a year learning the language. He is really cute and chatty and we have great fun with him.. selfie called for!

After more rambling around and random stops….

… we find a crazy little bar that fits about six people. We order some drinks and get chatting to the locals. The barman, who fancies himself as a bit of a cowboy, is well impressed that the girls are from California and that we’re singing along to his American tunes.

We have a few drinks, great chat and are happy to have stumbled upon such a quirky spot.

Osaka has been a short stop but great fun was had. Adios!