Osaka

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...

Thanks to numerous delays on our flight, we arrived to our hotel in Osaka around midnight. That didn’t leave too many options for food. I should have taken into account the long train ride from the airport. It was close to an hour on the express. Still it would have been late and I was starving. So...