Midnight Driver 21: New Years in Osaka

On the 1st day of this year, a friend of mine was kind enough to spend 3 days with me down in Osaka. It took almost 3 hours by train from Nagoya which isn't too bad, especially since the train seats have heaters to keep your feet warm from the freezing snow outside.

Osaka was a lot quieter this time around. In fact, it wasn't much different compared to Gifu that day because everyone has gone to the Shinto temples and do their hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year).

We got off here first:

A(nother) giant Ferris wheel

There are way too many Ferris wheels in Japan, every 'big' location in Japan have one, not that I'm complaining or anything, but you rarely see them in Australia.

Here we are, Osaka Aquarium! One of the biggest in the world!

I didn't take many pictures because I was so bewildered by how beautiful the displays were, that I forgotten about taking photos.

All the creatures in there were super active, seals constantly swimming up and down, dolphins playing with hoops and drinking water, penguins jumping in and out of the water. It beats the heck out of going to the zoo to see animals lying on the couch 10 meters above your head.

Japan is truely Japan, I don't exactly know what this is (since I don't have a DS) but apparently you can link it up to each display and it will display some sort of guide or information easier for the kids to understand.

There was also a tank where a shark twice the size of me and a bunch of stingrays and other fish are housed. It was bloody insane!!

This was a special room where they display the tiniest creatures. It was my first time seeing a seahorse in real life! They are darn quirky!! Oh, can't forget the lobsters the size of your finger!

I wanted to see this fish so bad, but they only have a picture of it = ="

-----

Next stop

studios!

Wait, is this Tokyo Disneyland? it looks almost like it.

Christmas decorations are still up! The Japanese love their Christmas

There wasn't many rollercoasters, mainly simulations, oh and people lining up, loads of them!

Simulations may not sound too exciting for some, but the technology and the performances they have are beyond imagination. Your wear 3D glasses to see real actors perform with 3D projectors. It's wild!

Dinner time! The burgers here taste very Western, recommended if you miss home.

7:30pm, it's parade time!

My 5 year old camera is no longer of any good use, even my cheap Japanese phone does a better job. Man I need a new one, fast.

It's NOTHING I've ever seen before, everything is covered in lights, each float has it's own speakers projecting music and sounds, and they even have moving parts!!

Time to head back to the hotel! Again, it's a side of Osaka you don't normally see

and this isn't late at night, its just 9pm!!

-----

Now that's a lot better!!

We spent most of my time on the 2nd day in my favourite store in Japan

Yodobashi Camera!

Then, we headed over to

Pokemon Center! It was insanely packed!

This was the line to the register! it went from one end of the store to the other!

This bento is clearly not for eating, who would dare eat something so darn cute!

...and of course, I did my job!

I might have gone a little overboard though lol.

-----

Final day, it has to be... you know it...

Namba!

Last time I came I didn't have enough time to go here, also because it was raining.

Doutonbori!

Here we go, the famous giant crab!!

...and now there is also a giant octopus

Takoyaki (Octopus balls [see picture below]) stores everywhere!! People lining up in almost every store, as if they will never eat something quite as delicious ever again in their lives. Nope, it's true, it was fantastic! You can't beat the takoyaki here, they're soooo good.

Seeing this photo makes me want to go back already.

Going all the way to Doutonbori would be a waste if you don't come here

but wait, what's there to see?

The giant Glico Neon Man!!

Before leaving, there is one place I had to go...

this enough of a clue for you?

NMB48 Shop of course!

-----

It's that part of the post again, time for purchases!

Advance-ticket for AKB48's new documentary! I actually got this a few weeks back, it came with a free photocard, and it was Mocchi!! omg worst luck = ="

Purchases from the Pokemon Center!!