Immersed in Urban Wonders: My Epic Day of Exploration in Vibrant Osaka

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Time to check out!

I was so happy I had to get to sleep inside of Universal Studios, literally in the City Walk. I had a great sleep after a long day at the park today, and now it was time to have a break day from the parks, and explore Osaka, the third largest city in this country.

I went out for coffee first, before the official check out. My flight to Hong Kong was at 5:30 PM, so I had time to check some spots, come back, get my suitcase and go to airport.

After I got my coffee, I went to 7-Eleven to have some breakfast, and then went into the Universal stores to see if I could find any souvenirs. I did not find anything interesting, but at least I got to see a whole section dedicated to Takoyaki, which was in my list of foods to try during this trip. I had to come back later.

I did a Covid Test in my room, since up until that previous days Hong Kong was still requesting one, but the information online was not clear. I still did id and marked it and fortunately it was negative.

I checked out from my hotel, The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan, left my suitcase and went out explore City Walk for a last time. Then I took the subway to Osaka, not before I had to change some local currency to buy more tickets. Fortunately, they had those Currency Exchange machines with a very decent exchange rate.

I got to Osaka Station, the most confusing train station I had ever been. Just the day before I had wasted valuable time trying to get into the subway from here to Universal. It is a maze, literally.

My goal was to visit the Umeda Sky Building. I was surprised on how much development and construction was happening in this area. It looked wonderful what was already built. On the way from Osaka Station I saw a Starbucks, and even tho I had just gotten a coffee, I knew I needed one of these fancy Straberry Chai Frapuccinos I had seen in the previous days here in Japan.

While I was drinking the delicious beverage, I finally made it to the weirdly shaped Umeda Sky Building.

The entrance was around 11 USD (¥ 1,500) but you could go almost all the way up without paying any money. The fee is for the observation deck in the very top.

But paying to go up was worth it. The views were stunning. Osaka was looking cute from up here. The weather also helped a lot, as this was one of the first sunny days in this trip.

The Yodo River was giving the bast face, and now I could see why this was the third largest city in this very populated country. I could not see its end in the horizon.

The best part of the experience, besides the views obviously, were the escalators. They would go from one side of the building to the other, above nothingness. It was scary but beautiful at the same time (?).

Back in Tokyo I did not have luck to eat in the Pokemon Cafe (spoiler alert), so I was curious if they had one here. They did have a Pokemon store in the Osaka Station, so I walked back there after the Observation Deck, and after asking directions to multiple people I finally found the store.

The place was fine but there was no food, I got a couple of souvenirs and left. My had the time constraint of the flight later that afternoon.

So I took the train to the Osaka Castle, one of the biggest attractions in this city. Despite the confusion in Osaka Station, the rest of the stations were very clear, and I was able to ride the subway perfectly.

After a short walk through a very nice park full of restaurants and stores, I finally made it to the Castle. It was beautiful just like in the pictures, and I was lucky enough to still see the cherry blossoms this late in the season.

This sixteen century landmark was gorgeous from beginning to end, and the good news is it was free! You only had to pay if wanted to go into the castle itself. But the line was long and I had seen and walk enough of the surroundings. The temperature had increase so much by this time of the day that I got myself some ice cream from a very well located vending machine next to the tourist area. There were bathrooms as well around there.

My next stop was Dotonbori. I was able to take the subway on the other side of the castle, and then transfer to get to this vibrant neighborhood. I had marked a couple of places fot eating but let’s see what they were, the reviews were good at least.

I got out of the underground mall, and the market was just marvelous, I could stay all day here exploring all the stores and restaurants. I definitely have to come back some day.

I was looking for ramen and the place I marked on Google Maps had the longest line. I had a Michelin star, so no wonder why it was booked and busy. Time was against me so I picked another option very closeby: Dotombori Kamukura Sennichimae. They had an ATM-like payment option where you would pick the ramen you wanted and pay there. I got the combo with gyoza dumplings for 945 Yen, approx. 7 USD. Very cheap.

What I was not expecting is how huge this ramen was. OMG. But it was the most delicious ramen I ate since probably the one in Vietnam. I devoured the thing tho, I did not let the size of the plate scare me. But now, I needed to eat the gyoza as well.

Can they give the Michelin star to this restaurant? Because everything was so yummy, and the service was impecable.

I finished my food, and even full I went out for a walk around Dotonbori, it was crowded and full of locals and tourist. It seemed like at night it was going to be even more full as well.

I had to hurry up a bit. My flight was in 4 hours so I decided to go back to the hotel to get that promised Takoyaki at Universal Studios Japan, and then go to the airport.

The texture of the Takoyaki was weird, and I was still kind of full, but I still ate all the pieces. I went back to the hotel, got my suitcase and looked at the City Walk one last time.

I had to take 3 trains to make it to KIX, but I was positive I was going to make it on time, even though it was rush hour.

I finally made it to the Kansai International Airport (KIX), and it always amazes me how they built this in the water. This piece of land is sinking and before it was terrible: The sink rate fell from 50 cm (20 in) per year during 1994 to 7 cm (3 in) per year in 2008.

Time to go through customs and to my surprise there was an emigration line, a little bit long. I started to get worried but I have time left. While doing this line I saw this New Yorks and thought Everywhere I go I see his face.

I finally made though and after buying some food and water, we finally departed on the way to Hong Kong. I got to use all the last coins and bills I had from Japan, as I usually do in any airport while leaving the country.

The flight was 4 hours long and I used Hong Kong Airlines. They served a snack midflight that was unexpected but very welcomed.

Despite having coffee during the day I was able to take a nap and 4 hours later we were arriving to Hong Kong.

Immigration was very fast thankfully. And now I just wanted to sleep. Another park day was coming the next day, but fortunately that park opened at 10 AM, so I could sleep in a bit. I stayed in the airport, in the Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong. Since I was going to be here a bit more than 24 hours, it was better just to be close to those gates.

The room was OK. I remembered staying here before when my Hong Kong Airlines flight got cancelled in one previous RTW trip, and the airline relocated us in this hotel for the night.

But the next day was decisive, I got to finish completing my Theme Parks, the main topic of this RTW.