Arriving in the early morning after countless hours of traveling and having to wait until 3:00 for your hotel room is like running a marathon only to find the finish line has been moved another mile down the road.
But we made the most of our time by arguing over the map and insisting on different directions on the subway. How to use a new subway system is even more confusing when you can’t even read the letters.
We walked along the river. We tea and pastries. (Surely you aren’t surprised!)
Then on to the Umeda Sky Tower. Not only is the view stunning, but the Star Trek architecture is incredible, with futuristic walkways and glass escalators and also beautiful open spaces.
Osaka is a large, modern, bustling city with tons of character, and nowhere is that more clear than in the Dotonbori neighborhood. Walking through it felt like stepping inside an arcade game—towering skyscrapers flashing with multicolored lights, giant 3-D cows, crabs, and dinosaurs jutting out from the buildings, happy techno music pulsing through the streets, and the irresistible smells of okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) and Wagyu beef skewers drifting through the air. It was wild, chaotic, and wonderfully fun—people of all ages from all over the world just out enjoying themselves. What a great evening!
Marsh Travels 