Day 749: November 20, 2023
Monday – 4-Day Osaka Solo Trip D3
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| Hineno Station |
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| Time to hop on the train to Osaka City |
It was a chilly Monday morning in the quiet town of Kumatori (熊取町), Osaka, as I set out on an important trip to the Philippine Consular Office to file Kai’s Report of Birth documents. Mr. Toshi, ever the gracious host, kindly drove me to Hineno Station after a hearty breakfast, and we arrived just past 8 AM. Feeling confident knowing my appointment wasn’t until 10 AM, I relaxed—until a small hiccup occurred. I had accidentally boarded the “Regional Train,” which stopped at every station. Thankfully, a quick check on Google Maps reassured me that I would still arrive at the Consular Office right on time.
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| Inside Osakajokoen Station |
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| Osakajokoen Station |
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| The view from the Osakajoshin Bridge |
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| Osakajoshin Bridge |
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| The Philippine Consulate is located in TWIN 21 |
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| The Philippine Consulate is on the 24F of the building |
It was 9:40 AM when I arrived at Osakajokoen Station. From there, I walked briskly to the consular office and made it just five minutes before my scheduled appointment. The Filipino staff, though firm in tone, was helpful and efficient, and the entire process was completed smoothly in about an hour.
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| Detective Conan Bronze Statue |
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| The Backpack Detective Conan Bronze Statue |
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| Osaka Castle Park |
With some time to spare after my consular visit, I decided to make the most of my day by exploring the heart of Osaka City (大阪市). My first stop was Osaka Castle Park, a vast and scenic green space surrounding the city’s most iconic landmark. The autumn foliage was at its peak, painting the park in warm shades of red and gold.
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| Toyotomi Hideyoshi Statue |
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| Osaka Castle's Time Capsule |
At the center stood the majestic Osaka Castle, a historic fortress that symbolizes Japan’s samurai past. I took my time admiring its impressive architecture and the panoramic views from the castle grounds.
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| Osaka Hokoku Shrine's torii gate |
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| Osaka Hokoku Shrine |
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| Miraiza Osaka-Jo |
Nearby, I visited Osaka Hokoku Shrine, dedicated to the legendary warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The shrine’s serene atmosphere offered a quiet moment of reflection amid the bustling city. Just beside the castle, I passed by Miraiza Osaka-Jo, a beautifully restored building that once served as a military headquarters and now houses stylish restaurants and souvenir shops.
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| Sakuramon Gate |
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| Osaka Castle's moat |
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| I bought takoyaki for lunch |
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| Morinomiya Station |
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| Off to the next stop |
From there, I headed to Morinomiya Station and took the subway toward my next destination—the Tempozan District near Osaka Bay.
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| Tanchou |
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| Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel |
It was already afternoon when I arrived at Tempozan, a lively waterfront district that beautifully combines scenic charm with modern attractions. Towering over the area was the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel, one of Japan’s tallest and most recognizable landmarks. Its colorful gondolas turned gracefully against the clear blue sky, offering passengers sweeping views of Osaka Bay, the vast urban landscape, and even Mount Rokko in the distance on a clear day.
Nearby stood the famous Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the largest aquariums in the world. Seeing it brought back memories of my family’s first trip to Japan nearly a decade ago, when we marveled at its mesmerizing marine exhibits together. This time, however, I decided to simply stroll around the area and soak in the atmosphere outside, skipping the exhibits as I had another destination I was eager to visit later that day.
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| Tempozan Park |
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| Mt. Tempo |
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| Summit reached |
Just a short walk away, I explored Tempozan Park, a peaceful green space perfect for a leisurely stroll. Within the park stood Mt. Tempo, famously known as one of Japan’s smallest “mountains.” Despite its modest height of just a few meters, locals regard it fondly as a quirky landmark that adds character to the area. The combination of seaside air, gentle scenery, and relaxed atmosphere made Tempozan a refreshing stop in my Osaka adventure.
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| Minamimido |
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| Shinsaibashi Suji |
Before ending the day’s exploration, I visited Minamimido, a historic Buddhist temple in the heart of Namba, known for its tranquil courtyard and traditional architecture. The vibrant streets of Shinsaibashi Suji soon beckoned, alive with shoppers and tourists, but just as I was about to continue exploring, my phone ran out of battery.
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| Saint Marc Café |
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| Inside Saint Marc Café |
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| I ordered iced coffee from Saint Marc Café |
Determined to recharge—both literally and figuratively—I searched the area until I found Saint Marc Café – Minami-Kyuhoji, a cozy spot offering not only much-needed charging stations but also a rich, aromatic cup of coffee that gave me the perfect short break before continuing my adventure.
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| Okashi no Depato Yoshiya Shinsaibashi |
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| Shinsaibashi Suji |
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| Inside Shinsaibashi Suji |
Once my phone battery had reached 60 percent, I eagerly resumed my exploration of Shinsaibashi Suji, one of Osaka’s most famous shopping arcades. The street was alive with energy, lined with trendy boutiques, souvenir shops, and food stalls emitting irresistible aromas. My first stop was Okashi no Depato Yoshiya Shinsaibashi, a souvenir shop with a giant KitKat display. It's there that I picked up two unique KitKat flavors, both exclusive to Japan and perfect as souvenirs.
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| Daimaru Shinsaibashi |
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| Pokémon Center Osaka DX |
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| Christmas Pikachu plushie |
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| Pokémon Cafe |
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| Shinsaibashi Suji |
Next, I visited Daimaru Shinsaibashi, an elegant department store that blends classic architecture with modern luxury. Inside, designer boutiques and gourmet food counters offered a glimpse into Osaka’s sophisticated shopping scene. On the 9th Floor was the Pokémon Center Osaka DX and the Pokémon Cafe, a must-visit for fans of the franchise. The store was filled with playful displays, limited-edition merchandise, and adorable plushies that made it difficult to leave empty-handed.
As the afternoon progressed, I made my way to Dotonbori, the lively entertainment district famous for its neon lights, street food, and the iconic Glico Running Man sign. The area was bustling with crowds enjoying takoyaki and okonomiyaki along the canal. I continued to Ebisubashi Suji, another busy shopping street connecting seamlessly with Dotonbori, offering an endless array of shops and eateries.
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| Hozenji |
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| The moss-covered statue of Fudo Myoo |
Before finishing my walk, I visited Hozenji, a small but deeply spiritual temple tucked away in a narrow alley. The moss-covered statue of Fudo Myoo stood quietly amid flickering lanterns, offering a moment of calm reflection in the midst of Osaka’s vibrant energy. The contrast between the peaceful temple and the bustling city perfectly captures the spirit of Osaka, a place where tradition and modern life exist side by side.
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| Tennoji Station |
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| Mr. Donuts at Tennoji Station |
The journey continued as I walked from the temple to Namba Station, then boarded the train at Tennoji Station, picking up some donuts for Karin along the way. I transferred to the train bound for Kansai International Airport, which stops at Kumatori Station. My plan was to catch a bus from there to Mr. Toshi’s residence. However, just as I settled in, Mr. Toshi called to let me know they would pick me up at Kumatori Station for an impromptu grocery shopping trip.
Post World War 2 Interactive Diorama at Icora Mall Izumisano
Our destination was the Icora Mall Izumisano in Izumisano City, where Mr. Toshi showed me the fascinating Post-War interactive diorama on the second floor. It would have been even better if the diorama were expanded into a full museum. While the others focused on grocery shopping, Karin and I took the time to explore the rest of the mall.
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| Mr. Toshi made dinner |
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| Of course, Mr. Toshi and I had a great time with our nightly chat |
We returned home around 7 PM, and for dinner, Mr. Toshi served his signature nabe, a simple yet heartwarming dish that never fails to make me feel at home in Osaka. Post-dinner, Mr. Toshi and I indulged in our customary late-night chats. Before calling it a day, I diligently organized and finalized my baggage, preparing for my flight back home tomorrow.
Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Week 108
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 108
Japan Diaries 4: Day 752
Osaka Hokoku Shrine
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle Revisited 2018
Osaka Castle Revisited 2019
Tempozan Park
Mt. Tempo
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Pokemon Center Osaka DX and Pokemon Cafe
Dotonbori
Dotonbori Revisited 2019
Hozenji
Hozenji Revisited 2023
My Collection of Unique KitKat Flavors in Japan
Japan's Awesome Manhole Cover
10 Things to Do in Osaka City
10 More Things to Do in Osaka City
10 Things to Do in Kumatori
Hokkaido 179
Japan Diaries 4: Summary
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