Day 10 - Kobe to Osaka

As fate would have it (again) we woke to relatively clear skies after a couple of days of less-than-ideal weather here in Kobe. As it wasn't possible for us to check into our Osaka apartment early, there was no point in us getting up early. When we finally did arise, we packed up, cleaned up and headed out the door to Kobe Station. 

However, our final trip to Kobe Station wasn't without drama. About a third of the way in, one of our old suitcases broke around the wheel assembly, rendering it unable to be pulled. This is an old bag, and I'd say probably one of the highest pulled-kilometres of any luggage in the world. So Kyle had to carry it the rest of the way to the station.

Waiting for a train at Kobe Station...

...and our train arrives.

In our original plans, we were going to take the Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka Station (Shin = Shinkansen), then catch a JR Rail train to Osaka Station, which is near our apartment. I'm thinking you are probably as confused as we were last year, having not realised that there is Osaka Station and Shin-Osaka Station, and they aren't near each other. However, some smarty amongst us suggested that we catch a regular train between Kobe Station and Osaka Station, sure it's slower, but it's a lot less stuffing around, so that's what we did. In the end, the journey took around a half-hour, which is not long at all. Oh and by the way, there's also Kobe Station and Shin-Kobe Station as well.

When we arrived at Osaka Station, we placed our luggage into the station's luggage lockers, including the now broken suitcase and then had lunch at a great little restaurant close to Osaka Station and had Ramen Noodles, Chicken Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken) and Gyoza. I must say, we are getting better at our sign language when ordering  meals at restaurants with no English-speakers. But we are always quick with a konichiwa or and a arigatou gozaimas.

Lunch.

We then split up for a few hours; Maureen and I went on a mission to find a replacement suitcase, while the boys had a whirlwind shopping outing. With suitcase in hand we all met back at the luggage lockers and headed off for a leisurely 10 minute walk to our Osaka apartment. 

Some of the vista on the way to the apartment; these are the Hankyu Kobe and Hankyu Kyoto train lines above us.

Our apartment. Not sure what that mural's about.

The apartment is great, well-appointed and much more spacious than the others we have stayed at. It has all of the usual mod cons including the Japanese Electronic Toilet...I don't think I have mentioned those yet, even though they are everywhere. 

The Japanese Electronic Toilet, sometimes called Super Toilet, and commonly known in Japanese as Washlet (Woshuretto) or as warm-water cleaning toilet seat (onsui senjō benza) is by far the most advanced type of toilet in the world. They contain a dazzling array of features, including; seat warmers, bidets and bum washers (technically they are a feature called anal hygiene) to name a few. Some even play music designed to reduce the chance of your bodily motions being overheard by others close-by. A cool feature is a tap on top of the tank that allows users to conserve water by washing their hands in water destined for the next flush. However, the technology is mostly in the seat, with these rating in price between US$600-1200.

The toilet in our apartment. The males had better not miss with their aim, lest they get themselves electrocuted.

After unpacking, resting and getting ourselves settled, we walked to the nearby Subway Station and caught the Subway to Namba Station so we could check out Dōtonbori.  Dōtonbori is a popular tourist destination within Osaka and sits alongside the Dōtonbori Canal. Whilst it was originally a theatre district, it is now home to literally thousands of restaurants and gleaming electronic billboards. One of the most famous is the Glico Man, which is seen as a symbol of Osaka. It has been in its location since 1935 (albeit in various forms and updates over many years). Here's some pictures from around Dōtonbori:

A view of the Dōtonbori Canal from the Ebisu Bridge.

The Glico Man billboard.

It was certainly crowded in the main Mall at Dōtonbori. 

We had a great dinner at Taco Hachi Restaurant in Dōtonbori, eating Okonomiyaki (Japanese Savory Pancakes), Takoyaki (Ball shaped snacks made from wheat flour filled with diced Octopus), Yakisoba (stir-fried Soba noodles) and Sobameshi (Japanese fried rice) all of which were delicious. Oh and 'yaki' means cooked. We then headed out for some shopping and I managed to pick up a cool aircraft book...crazy huh?

Okonomiyaki being made.

The Takoyaki were delicious.

Cooking our Okonomiyaki

Takoyaki being made in front of the restaurant.

We then caught the Subway back to Nakatsugawa Station, went straight to the apartment and turned in for the night.

That's it for today's blog, we have two more whole days to go in Osaka.