The tour of Osaka goes on! If you are an Otaku (a fan of the Japanese culture of video games and manga) or a Geek, or even both, I think you will like this post. I am a bit of all that, even if I have tempered my ardor with time.

I am not really aware of today’s popular manga but I am still very nostalgic of those which soothed my childhood and adolescence and above all, gave me the inspiration to draw!

This neighborhood of Osaka has brought back this fire in me! Indeed, many compare it to Akihabara, the electronic neighborhood of Tokyo.

Having had the opportunity to see both, I would say that Osaka’s may be more “human” and more suited to doing business. I must say I visited Akihabara in rainy weather which made it more difficult to compare both in good conditions!

Anyway, in this neighborhood, you will find anything that is related to manga: little shops as well as huge stores on 6 to 7 floors packed with books, gadgets, and figurines.

We decided to look for the figurines of our favorite cartoons: Sailor Moon, Creamy Mami, Ranma 1/2, Dragon Ball Z for me and Goldorak, X-Or or Gundam for him!

I had to give some of them up, because I feared our interior decoration would become a bit too “Japan Expo”. But it was really tempting, due to the quality of the figurine’s finish!

Jacket H&M
Teeshirt “Coca-Cola” ASOS (déjà vu ici)
Clutch Aquvii
Cat watch ASOS
Lipstick L’absolu Velours « Velours de Grenade » Lancôme
Flats WhatFor (déjà vues ici)

Along our little tour, many times we have been approached by young girls dressed as maids: the “maids”. Their goal is to bring you inside “Maid Cafés”  where they work. We don’t have time to go in, but through one of their windows (peeping toms!!), we observed somewhat odd scenes.

In fact, “Maid” coffee places are places where you drink coffee (ok not very unusual so far) but also places where you can interact with the waitresses. It is quite odd. Waitresses welcome you by saying: “welcome home!”, then stir your coffee, cut you a piece of cake and laugh with you.

Everything remains very prudish, which is quite contradictory to the sexual tone of the outfit. All the more so as the rules for approaching the “maid” are very strict (no inappropriate gesture, no “hey girl! what’s your phone number ?”…). A real Japanese paradox!

 IMAMIYA EBISU Sanctuary

Along our journey, we stopped randomly in this sanctuary dedicated to the “God of business”.

It was quite funny to watch people pray for their business to work out or their work to be profitable. What is more unusual than this contrast between spirituality supposed to lift up your soul and the purely materialist world: I must admit that during this trip, this paradox has made me often laugh.

 MATSUZAKAGYU Yakiniku restaurant

(1-1-19, Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-city, map: here) 

I give you a last address to ease your taste buds, looking for some tender meat.

We had a good time in there: we are placed in little intimate boxes to taste the “yakiniku” or Japanese barbecue.

Like all yakiniku, it is quite pricy but the beef meat is so deliciously juicy and tender and the reception is very caring. Special attention to “Big sirloin steak” that literally melts in your mouth! (English translation by Daphné)

Previously on MY JAPAN TRAVEL DIARY :
Notre appart à Tokyo
Day 1 : Sumida Park & Asakusa
Day 2 : Namco Namjatown
Day 3 : Omotesando & Harajuku
Day 4 : Ueno Park
Day 5 : Errances gourmandes à Omotesando
Day 6 : Odaiba お台場
Day 7 : Tsukiji market, Meiji & Yoyogi
Day 8 : Tokyo Skytree
Day 9 : Dans le train pour Osaka !
Day 10 : Osaka Castle & Hanami au Mint

Let’s carry on with our Japanese journey in Osaka: this city has almost as much to offer as Tokyo. We stayed there 2 days and a half: Of course, we didn’t have enough time to go deep into the city but for a first, I thought it was quite good. Here are some ideas of visits but obviously, there are many other things to see!

OSAKA CASTLE (大坂城)

Tee shirt Paul & Joe Sister x La Redoute
Lipstick Rouge Coco « Rivoli » Chanel

(1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka Métro : Osakajo Koen)

This castle dates back to 1583 (thank you travel guide!). I won’t be presenting the whole historical background but you must know that due to wars, lightning strikes (real ones!) and fires, it has been destroyed and rebuilt many many times since its creation.

Inside, you can find an armor collection. It is also possible to enjoy the overlooking view of the city by taking the elevator leading to the top.

During our visit, we enjoyed the cherry blossoms and admired a few married couples playing models, right in the middle of this “out of time” place. I also melted when I saw this little ball of fur, making his master so proud.

Cherry Blossom viewing at  JAPAN MINT (造幣局)

(1-79, Temma 1-chome, Kita-ku, Osaka, Métro : Osakajo Kitazume)

Then, we went towards the big path surrounded with cherry trees, right in front of the Osaka Mint Bureau. I thought I had seen already a lot of things in Tokyo regarding cherry trees. Well not enough!

This path, around Osaka’s Mint gathers more than 350 cherry trees and 131 different species. Pure magic.

I even discovered a new species of green flowered cherry tree: have you hear about it? Anyways, if you come across this place in April, it is THE place to be.

 FUKUTARO Restaurant (福太郎)

(2-3-17 Sennichimae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Métro: Namba)

To finish this walk, a stop in one of the best okonomiyaki restaurant of the city (says the receptionist of our hotel).

For those who have never heard of it, okonomiyaki is a sort of pancake/omelette with cabbage and all sorts of ingredients that you can taste at Aki, rue Sainte Anne in Paris, by the way.

Here, you need to line up, of course (don’t forget to put your name on the notepad in the entrance!) but it is completely worth it! I thought the pancakes were way lighter than in France (my only basis of comparison is Aki) and much more stuffed!

Seated at the bar, I let myself be tempted by the negiyaki, a variety of the leek based okonomiyaki. It is delicious, melts in the mouth, tasty, crispy.

I also discovered alcohol free Kirin Beer, (I think I already told you about my alcohol intolerance? make fun of me all you want! .. a sip of beer and my legs get all cottony and my vision gets immediately compromised! ): So… this may seem like a total sacrilege for the experts (like ordering a salad at Mc Donald’s… mwarf !) but personally, it suited me very well !

In any case, I totally approve this address (we came back twice): I am actually drooling just talking about it! (English translation by Daphné)

Previously on MY JAPAN TRAVEL DIARY :
Notre appart à Tokyo
Day 1 : Sumida Park & Asakusa
Day 2 : Namco Namjatown
Day 3 : Omotesando & Harajuku
Day 4 : Ueno Park
Day 5 : Errances gourmandes à Omotesando
Day 6 : Odaiba お台場
Day 7 : Tsukiji market, Meiji & Yoyogi
Day 8 : Tokyo Skytree
Day 9 : Dans le train pour Osaka !