Osaka Day 1: Exploring Dotonbori

Finally it's happening! The trip that we had planned since last year which we had to postpone due to an unfortunate typhoon Jebi in Osaka last year which resulted in flight cancellations, our long-awaited Osaka trip is finally happening! 

Even though it was sad for us that we had to cut short our trip this time round from 8 days to 6 days, we were happy as we were in time for the cherry blossoms season! We also managed to get cheaper airfares for a little less than $400 per person!

Having wanting to reach Osaka earlier, and being cheapskate to want to save on buying meals on the flight which is an extra $20+ per pax, we decided on a redeye flight and transit at Kaohsiung International Airport. Our flight was at 6.10am, and therefore, we had to reach Changi Airport at around 4am for check-in and collection of our WiFi dongle.

It was a 4 hour flight to Taiwan, and we touched down at Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) at 10.20am.

It was our first time taking transit flights, and we were kind of unsure about how it works. After our experience, it was actually quite simple. We had to go to the transit gate where the immigration officer checked our names against their list, and pass through a round of security check before making our way to departures via an escalator.

We were then given a transit pass which also acted as our boarding pass, where we had to return upon boarding.

At KHH, we managed to give our legs a stretch and got ourselves a drink and some sandwiches to tide us over for the rest of the flight.

While queuing and waiting for our sandwiches, I was still quite anxious and paranoid that we might accidentally miss our flight if we took too long.

We bought take away and ate while waiting for the call to board. Although we are still in Taiwan, the waiting area ceiling decorations somehow made me feel like I'm already in Japan.

After another 3 hours flight, we are finally touched down in Kansai International Aiport!

We had pre-purchased our ICOCA card, Nankai Airport Limited Express Ticket, and One-day Osaka Amazing Pass from Klook which we had to collect from a HIS counter after passing immigration. Oh boy, the queue was quite long but having all these tickets in hand also helped us to save a great deal of time in purchasing.

We had to go out of the terminal and cross the connecting bridge for Nankai line. Cold wind hit us as we lugged our luggages across. We had to head to the ticket office to exchange our limited express train ticket to Namba. As planned, we managed to get tickets for the next earliest train at 5.05pm.
(Train comes every 30 minutes)

Vending machines! One of the best inventions for convenience! Love how Japanese vending machines have hot drinks in the cold weather! Time to make use of the coins that we have, though we had trouble differentiating the coins from each other.

Pigg's Choice: Royal Milk Tea (his must go-to drink when he comes to Japan),
Good choice as its warm and doubles as a heat pack

My choice: Qoo Apple (which I kind of regretted as it came out super cold!) 

Waiting for our train to come at the platform, no need to worryabout the crowd as our ticket have allocated seating 

Our train arrived! And we left Kansai Airport station punctually at 5.05pm.

Enroute to Namba Station! We stored our luggage at the back where there are even locks for you to security. There's even tourist information featuring places of interests, maps and discount deals in the seat pocket in front of us.

Digging Japanese trains! Clean and efficient, with comfortable cushioned seats with lots of legroom.

With our ICOCA card (similar to an EZ link card), which has a stored value of 1000 yen and 500 yen deposit. The card lasts for 10 years, so  its a good investment for future Japan trips! 

The limited express pass skips several stops which brings us to our destination in 40 minutes, which is also the last station: Namba! 

Excited us at Namba station, I could not resist playing the Gachapon machines and got this cute side dish pouch (which I used to store my earpiece) for 300 yen. The price is not cheap but oh well, how could I resist the kawaii-ness of Japan

Namba station is quite big and confusing for first-timers as there are several connecting train lines. But thankfully for Pigg (as I sucked at directions and map reading), we managed to find our hotel, which is just directly opposite Namba City shopping mall, and in close proximity of Namba station

We would be staying at Hotel S-Presso, a newly built 4-storey hotel (with no elevators) for our first two nights in Osaka. We were glad that our room is on the 2nd storey, but luckily the front desk helped us with our luggage when we checked in. Our room is quite small, but enough for a short stay, for the price of $68 per person per night, the location is fantastic. 

The security of the hotel is quite good too, the main doors are automatically locked after 11pm, and guests are given a PIN code for access. The front desk operates till 10.30pm, therefore, the hotel would not be suitable for late flights which require 24 hour check-in. 

After putting on our heat tech and dressed in comfortable clothing, we were ready to explore Dotonbori, a 15-minutes walk from our hotel.  

Passed by Ebisu-Bashi on the way to Dotonbori

So crowded! So much shopping to do! 

Finally found the famous Glico Man sign! Hoardes of tourists standing at the bridge for the gram. 

Smart us went downstairs so we can take a nicer picture from the front

Typical tourist shot but we had to do it

Strolling down the busy streets of Dotonbori, lined with restaurants with huge food replicas and neon signboards

We decided to have dinner at Mizuno, a popular okonomiyaki restaurant in Dotonbori. We had expected the queue but decided to join in anyway as Okonomiyaki was on our must-eat list in Osaka. 

Pigg went to get Takoyaki for us to eat while queuing in line. We saw people queuing for this takoyaki stall: Kukuru at Dotonbori. 

Pigg getting his first bite of the Tako balls, to our disappointment, it was quite soft in the inside, which feels quite runny and undercooked. 

Oh well, it was enough to tide us over during the wait, till we finally entered the restaurant, a cozy 10-seater bar seating layout, where we get to watch our okonomiyaki get cooked in front of us.

Hangers were provided for us to hang our coats and jackets behind, as the restaurant was quite warm while eating. We ordered the two persons set which have a yamaimo-yaki and modan-yaki (topped with noodles). The special thing about Mizuno is that their batter is made with yam, which tasted not as cloying. 

 Modan-yaki, topped with seaweed powder. I prefer the okonomiyaki as the noodles tasted a little overcooked for my liking.

Overall, I would say my okonomiyaki experience is quite good as I am able to witness the entire process on how the chef skillfully constructed our meal. From the skilful beating of eggs to garnishing the okonomiyaki before serving it to us. 

As the restaurant was really popular, turnover was important to them, even we also felt paiseh to stay on after finishing our meal. They also practiced the passive-aggressive method to chase us out by placing tissues and toothpicks in front of us when they saw that we are almost done with our meal. However, I could say that their service is still not bad as our drinks cost were waived off as we gave up our original central seats to move to the corner seats to make way for a group of 5 pax.

 After dinner, we continued exploring Dotonbori and also Don Qujiote (where I recced the items that I want to buy when we return from Kyoto! Always saving the shopping to the last leg of the trip) 

We came by this area where a lot of people queuing, we were curious why and we realised that there was actually a live camera where we could see ourselves in it. It was so amusing and we decided to snap a picture of it.

 The good thing about Dotonbori is that it opens till late night, around 11pm. With lots of food options, arcades and drugstores which females would shop till they drop! There are even some stores that would open till midnight.

We successfully concluded our first day in Osaka with a shot of their intricate pothole of Osaka Castle before heading back to our hotel for a good night's rest!