Destination
We walked in without a reservation, which I wouldn’t recommend. The host had to check her book pretty carefully before finding us a spot, and I’m glad she did. We ended up in a small room overlooking the interior entrance, not the river view some of the other rooms offer, but it had a quiet,...
We got reservations here and took the train out from Osaka. The place was easy to find. Upon entering, we immediately noticed only 10 counter seats arranged around a single teppan grill. The setup felt immediately familiar — like sitting at a sushi bar, except instead of watching a chef work through fish, you’re watching...
This felt less like a traditional exhibit and more like walking through a park that just happened to come alive at night. You moved through it at your own pace, following paths that opened up into different sections of the garden, each one holding its own installation. It was not a single destination but a...
Hozenji Yokocho was a nice contrast to the Dotonbori crowds just around the corner. Quieter, more traditional feeling. The alley itself has that worn, old Osaka character to it — stone lanterns, moss-covered statues, the kind of narrow path that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back a few decades. Wabi Sabi fit right into...
A small soba shop that felt easy to miss if you were not looking for it, but worth slowing down for once you found it. It was a great spot when I wanted something on the lighter side, a break from heavier meals without feeling like I was compromising on flavor. The soba was the...
A classic spot right in the middle of Dotonbori, surrounded by the neon lights and constant movement of the canal below. It felt like stepping into something a bit more composed and traditional compared to the energy outside. I booked a private room in advance and ended up with one overlooking the river, which made...
If you’ve been to a local noodle shop in Japan then you must be familiar with the vending machine system. You go up, put in your money, make a selection, get the ticket, hand it to the person behind the counter and wait for your meal. That’s all pretty standard for food that’s pretty decent....
Today for lunch we wanted to venture out and try some legendary sukiyaki. The version we get in the states isn’t as refined as what you get in Tokyo. The quality of meat is higher, the service was impeccable, and having it dipped in raw eggs was supposed to be heavenly. I don’t think that...