Day 17: Nara

Previously:
Day 16: Yoshinoya

Nara is located less than an hour train ride from Osaka and housed the oldest and famous Todaiji Temple.  Not only this temple, Nara is also full of historic treasures.  And just a stroll around the park along side with heaps of deer around also quite fun activities to do.  You can also feed the deer as a few snack vendors around sell deer biscuit or known as Shika Sembei.

We heard that the deer are pretty aggressive in here.  At first we didn't believe so as they look so calm and mostly just try to pick on my husband pocket in searching for some snacks.  But a moment later, I saw there was one kid just running around in the park where a deer behind him about the same height with the kid, all of sudden run toward him and strike the kid until he fell then ran over him.  I am sure the kid tummy was very hurt been step by deer that even bigger and heavier than he is.

Feeding time

Pick 'food' pocketing by deer

Todaiji Temple

There is this KFC just in front of Nara station, we definitely would like to check out what specialty they offer in Japan.  Their Wa Fu Chicken Burger was absolutely the winner.  Very very delicious.  A must try.

4 pieces of spicy chicken 260yen each

Wa Fu Chicken burger set

Egg Tart 170yen

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:

Day 17: Shinsekai, Osaka

Day 17: Yoshinoya

Previously:
Day 16: Izakaya in Osaka


Yoshinoya is one of the very famous fast food chain in Japan selling a good range of Japanese cuisine.  When they say "fast" food, they totally mean it.  Once you place an order, the food will come just by just the blink of eyes.  Do not expect a luxury or artistic dishes here.  It's mainly the simple Japanese food served quick yet tasty in a very cheap price.  Moreover, most of them are open for 24 hours.

Chicken Teriyaki 540yen

Grilled Salmon Set 490yen

This the right way to have your raw egg.  Pour your raw egg onto the steamy hot rice then splash some soy sauce on top and give a nice stir then slurrrppppp and enjoy.  That egg will slightly cook as the rice is extremely hot.

Then we stroll around Dontonbori renowned as the busiest place in Osaka.  It was pretty early in the morning about 9 am.  What we saw the other night and this morning was completely different.  Dontonbori was very very quite, empty, just a few pedestrians walk pass by rushing to go to work and a few tourists like us who get up early to enjoy the morning breeze with a nice Japanese meal.

We can take as much pictures as we like and as long as we please, all the billboards have no queue and no need to share with others.

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:
Day 17: Nara

Day 16: Izakaya in Osaka

Previously:
Day 16: Dotonbori, Osaka

Another thing not to miss while you were in Osaka is their favourite delicacy, which is Izakaya.  Small served dished (like nibble) along side with some beers and having a nice chat with friends or couple in the mean time.  This is a pretty common things that Japanese guys do with their friends after work.

The price per dish is generally quite cheap unless you be in the wrong place like touristy place.  So you can actually try a few different types of food without breaking your bank.

A bottle of Suntory Beer

Grilled fish

Stew Beef

Beef Steak

Chicken Karaage 400yen

Variety of Kushiage

The food we got from this shop were all awesome, beers also be a nice accompaniment.  The food came fairly quick and lovely service too.  What a great night that we had.

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:
Day 17: Yoshinoya

Day 16: Dotonbori, Osaka

Previously:

Day 16: Takoyaki Museum, Osaka

If you were in Osaka, your journey will not complete without visiting this famous place called Dotonbori.  The place is full of light, very bright and mesmerising.  Packed with tourists and locals try to take some nice shots with all of these huge giant billboards.  The billborads here are very specials, some even go overboard, not only a flat screen advertisement but it is shaped into their specialty.  Like some of the pictures below..

 

I heard that this most popular "Glico" sign has been removed and replaced with a different billboard.  What a shame!!!

What a cozy place to have your dinner.  Decorated like a traditional Japanese dining room at home in the winter complete with soft cushion and blanket around the low table.  Everything looks the same, even the coat that they provided to the customers as well, the only thing is it is outdoor.

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:
Day 16: Izakaya in Osaka
 

Day 16: Takoyaki Museum, Osaka

Previously:

Day 16: Universal Studio, Osaka

Takoyaki museum is another food theme park in Japan that is good to visit.  I said good but not great.  Good because the shops were cute and nicely decorated.  However, not so great because takoyaki in here is not taste so yummy compared with what we nomrmally got out there or probably it's just us that didn't order the good one.  It's definitely good to visit and have a look as its free entry anyway.  Takoyaki museum is located on the 2nd level not so far from the Universal Studio's main gate and just a few blocks away from Hard Rock's Cafe.

Vending machine to order

This basic takoyaki was yumm... Pipping hot as they just freshly come out from the pan.  With generous amount of octopus inside and toppings.

The next takoyaki that we had is dipping takoyaki, means the takoyaki made from golden-brown kinda soft-textured eggs then dipped into some kind of bland soup.  Interesting idea but is not down to the taste.  It was bland and the texture was funny, it was too soft to dip them in sort of water again.

Takoyaki Museum, Osaka
Opening hour: 11:00 - 22:00
Free Entry

A short walk from Universal City Station of JR Yumesaki line


Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:
Day 16: Dotonbori, Osaka