Part 2 : Osaka
If Kyoto softened us, Osaka woke us up. Louder, warmer, more playful—a city that wears its personality openly. We spent five days here, and no two days felt the same. Temples and neon, snow and street food, chaos and comfort, sometimes all at once.
This is how Osaka stayed with us.
🏮 Things we saw 🏮
One of our first days took us to the iconic Katsuoji Temple, home of the adorable Daruma dolls. Although we visited near the end of the year and many dolls had been moved for the annual ritual, we loved the ambiance. The stamp rally was an unexpected highlight! We spent a long time playing “spot the daruma”—they were in the most unlikely places, even on an exit sign. It felt playful, grounding, and oddly satisfying.
Another day was spent ticking off the classics: Osaka Castle, Shinsaibashi street, and an evening in Dotonbori. Neon lights, crowds moving in every direction, and the iconic Glico sign glowing above it all. It was busy, loud, and unapologetically Osaka.
We also wandered through Americamura, a surprising highlight. We spent hours scouring vintage stores filled with funky, unexpected finds, marveling at the blend of American and Japanese culture. It felt expressive and youthful—a sharp contrast to Kyoto’s restraint.
Then came Koyasan—easily one of the most memorable days of my travels ever. The tram ride up the mountain felt magical, slowly pulling us away from the city. Then the snow started—a full blizzard, and my first time seeing snow fall. Wandering through Okunoin cemetery with its tall trees and headstones covered in pristine white, while sunlight filtered through the branches, felt sacred. Warm hot chocolate, kind villagers, and a quiet that will stay with me forever.
We wrapped up at Universal Studios Japan. While Nintendo World was pure fun, I was there for the magic of Harry Potter. One of my favorite moments was watching my husband turn into a little kid again, running around with pure excitement in his Mario hat.
🍜 Things we ate 🍜
🥩 Gyukatsu Motomura: A revelation. Perfectly cooked beef, rich and indulgent—it completely changed how we think about comfort food.
🍢 Shinsekai Street Food: Eating kushikatsu and Kobe wagyu skewers standing shoulder to shoulder with strangers. The flavours were bold and unapologetic.
🍸 The Underground Find: A hidden cocktail and dessert spot where we had parfaits and wine in a moody, intimate space. Unexpected and unforgettable.
🍋 The Nightly Ritual: Ending the nights with Konbini highballs, lemon sours, and a new unique Japanese snack every single day.
☕ Things that filled our cup ☕
👺 The Treasure Hunt: Spending hours spotting tiny darumas on sacred grounds.
❄️ Mountain Magic: That unexpected snowfall in a town we never expected to love so deeply.
🍄 Pure Joy: Seeing my husband’s inner child shine through at USJ.
🍻 Savoring the Indulgence: Learning that meals are just as satisfying when eaten standing up or squeezed into tiny, loud spaces.
✨Things we accidentally fell in love with✨
🚃 The Chuo Line: Can one fall in love with a metro line? Apparently yes, if it’s the only empty one in a busy city.
🏮 Tiny Eateries: The intimacy of squeezing into bar stools, shoulder to shoulder with locals.
🎢 The Variety: How every day was a new world—from ancient mountain temples to neon streets to theme parks.
🐶 Doggies : Seeing a bunch of tiny doggies lined up like the darumas behind them.
👟 Tired Feet, Happy Souls: The feeling of hitting 20,000 steps and loving every single one of them.
🕊️ Things that followed us home 🕊️
🌨️ The First Touch of Snow: The memory of undisturbed, pristine white—quiet and unforgettable.
🎡 The View from Above: Looking down at USJ from the high rides at sunset, seeing so much happiness under a pink sky.
💥 A New Rhythm: The reminder that joy doesn’t always arrive softly—sometimes it’s loud, colourful, and full of movement.
Osaka surprised us in the best way. Where Kyoto felt measured and gentle, Osaka felt generous—with flavour, feeling, and moments we’ll talk about for years. We came for the hustle and bustle of city life, but we left with memories of snowy shrines and unending food.
And then, just like that, it was time to move on. Our next stop was Tokyo—faster, bigger, and a world of its own.
That’s for Part 3. Stay tuned!
Ever wandering,
Mira ⟡