Week(end) Two: Osaka

Locations: Umeda Sky Building, Tempozan, Namba

For my first solo excursion in Japan, I chose to stay closeby and explore the city of Osaka. Downtown is only a 20 minute train ride from the station by my apartment, and most of the sights are easily reached by the cheap and extensive metro system. However, since most historical sites (like the castle) are especially attractive during autumn foliage, I decided to save them for my weekend excursions in November. In this trip, I visited only indoor/urban attractions.

My first destination was Umeda Sky Building, not far from the central transit station in Osaka. It's an impressive building best known for its rooftop terrace with views over the city. It definitely didn't disappoint!

Umeda Sky Building may not be the tallest, but it's still an impressive structure

Rooftop view towards Toyonaka and further inland

Rooftop view towards Osaka harbor, and Kobe further along the coast

Osaka isn't actually too dense with skyscrapers; though 3 times bigger than San Francisco, its skyline isn't nearly as impressive. However, the entire city area is very dense and has an urban feel, unlike the sprawling suburbs found in a typical American metropolis

Escalators from the 35th floor to the rooftop go across the middle gap in the building

Apparently couples often go up to the top of the building and leave a heart lock on the railing!

A small "forest" park right next to the Umeda Sky Building

Afterwards, I took the subway to Tempozan, one of the many small islands in Osaka harbor just off the main coast. Tempozan is a small coastal stretch of local tourist attractions, featuring a giant ferris wheel, a small bustling marketplace of restaurants and shops, and the famous Osaka aquarium. After a lunch break in the marketplace, I spent the next 3 hours exploring the vast aquarium, best known for its enormous 4-story central shark tank with two whale sharks.

A brief, people-less moment in Tempozan

The huge Osaka aquarium (a lot of which consists of the giant shark tank)

The path through the aquarium starts at "sea level", with this adorable river otter habitat

Ye olde anchovy tank (a must for any respectable aquarium)

It was difficult to capture the color of the reef tank; just imagine it being a lot more dazzling than this

Giant four-story shark tank, containing... lots of sharks. And rays. Basically, fierce lookin' stuff.

Even a tank of this size seems just barely enough to contain their huge whale shark

Aquarium guides specifically via DS. Heck yeah!

Derp?

Can't leave Japan without a hug from a Japanese spider crab!

Okay but the spider crab habitat is seriously terrifying to look at

Masters of hypnosis, eaters of dreams and happiness

But then a seal pressed up against the glass from above and gave a silly smile, so happiness returned!

The sun was starting to set as I exited the aquarium, so I hurried over to the ferris wheel to catch some views of Osaka city bathed in orange. Surprisingly, despite it being sunset time on a Sunday night, there wasn't any line at all.

Looking out towards downtown Osaka from the top of the giant ferris wheel

Apparently some cabins include a snuggle buddy...

Sunset over Osaka port

I spent the rest of the evening in the Namba area, the main dining and entertainment center of Osaka (the other "center" being the area around Umeda central station). I made the stupid decision to not orient myself as I exited the enormous Namba station, and simply follow the general flow of people. After 15 minutes of walking through a multitude of subterranean walkways, I finally passed through one of the several dozen exits out of the "station".

My destination was Dotonbori, a canal-side street filled to the brim with shops and restaurants, considered by many to be the heart of Osaka. I knew that Namba station was south of the canal, so I was hoping the main flow of people was heading north towards Dotonbori. Unfortunately, the ENTIRE neighborhood near Dotonbori turned out to be a massive shopping district, and I quickly became lost in a sea of people walking in every possible direction.

Finally, after a full 60 minutes of aimlessly walking around, I found myself on a bridge over the canal. Exhausted and hungry, I let myself be stopped by a pair of waiters advertising for a shot bar, and struck a deal with them. If they could suggest and direct me to a nearby ramen restaurant, I would return afterwards and reward them with my patronage. This plan succeeded, and afterwards I used my regained energy to further explore the area and locate the Space Station video game bar, operated by an American. Fortunately, my sense of direction proved to be better this time around, and I was able to finish my day with a few games of Super Smash Bros Melee!

The canal by Dotonbori at night
(thousands of swarming shoppers are seen crossing the pedestrian bridge)

I didn't take a photo from the video game bar, so have this google image of it instead.

Overall, my first solo excursion in Japan: a resounding success!