Day 17: Shinsekai, Osaka

Previously:
Day 17: Nara

Shinsekai is known as a dangerous neighborhood in Japan.  This image derives from the fact that there are lots of homeless living in this particular area and especially in the south side, the prostitution is quite open as police control the area with one-eye-closed.  However, it wasn't pretty bad when visit Shinsekai.

Beside all of those bad reputations, Shinsekai is actually a great place to visit as they have lots of restaurants to choose from and 'Kushikatsu' is definitely one of Osaka's best known specialties is served right here.  Kushikatsu is a skewered dish, battered then deep fried.  They offer a great range from chicken, meat, vegetables, banana, cheese to ice creams.

Then they also have Tsutenkaku Tower, which is built to imitate the Paris' Eiffle Tower.  Also here is famous with the Spa, a large number of pools with European and Asian themed floor. 

Stew Quail Eggs

Fried Squid Leg

Varieties of Kushikatsu: Tuna, Chicken Tight, Quail Egg, Pork Rib, Cheese, Sweet Potato, and Chocolate Banana

The thing that makes Shinsekai even more spooky is this 'women only' carriage.  This area is the only place we see that have a separate gender carriage in Japan.  It is good though to prevent something bad happen.  However, the reason behind this carriage exist make this place even scarier.


Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:
Day 18:  Tokyo Station Hotel, Tokyo

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