(Light Japanese music plays)
With a population of 8.7 million people, Osaka
is the third largest city in Japan, but the second most populous, only behind Tokyo.
Unlike Kyoto, which is a historic city, Osaka is modern and commercial.
However, compared to Tokyo, it felt drastically smaller.
But, also a place where people took their time a little bit more.
None-the-less, Osaka stays true to many of the characteristics that Japan is known for:
crazy arcades, modern subways, wild shows, and a bustling nightlife.
So come take an adventure with me through Osaka, Japan.
So I'm here at Tsutenkaku, one of the highest points in Osaka.
For 700 yen you can take a trip up to get a birds eye view of the city.
On the very top they have this statue of Billiken.
It looks like a baby, but it's actually sort of this God, and if you rub it's feet.
It's supposed to make you very rich.
So... ugh.
I rubbed his feet.
On the bottom they have this guy performing with a monkey
(Noises from show)
(Laughs)
So I'm here at the Shinsekai Market at a wonderful restaurant called Malecatsu.
I got some Takoya, which is some fried Octopus.
It's a little bit like Shrimp, it's soft, but it's got a little crunch to it.
And, they put this really tangy, sweet sauce on it.
It's really good.
Mmmmm.
I'm all done.
(Noises of Go Carts)
I think I just saw a real life game of Mario Cart
To hop on the subways here in Osaka, you'll have to pick up an Icoca Card.
My buddy convinced me to get one with Hello Kitty.
But you can actually pick up cards with a variety of pictures, and pick the one that
you like.
These can be loaded up with value.
The subways here are not only very efficient, they're clean, and they're very friendly for
anyone who speaks English.
Want to see my favorite thing in the subways here?
(Train Sign sings jingle)
That little jingle is so catchy
So if you are a fan of video games, anime, or comic books, the place you that you want
to go to is called Nipponbashi.
It's got some of the craziest arcades I've ever seen.
One was six floors, and each floor had a different theme.
So the first floor was prizes, the next one was music based games.
The next one was fighting games.
I got my Super Saiyan on and played a little Dragon Ball Z.
(Music becomes upbeat funk)
So right now I'm walking down Dotonburi.
Now that it's nighttime the whole area is lit up with these neon lights.
It is busy, it is packed.
A lot of shopping, a lot of big screens.
It is a little bit of sensory overload, but ugh, no matter where you go, you're going
to find something interesting around every corner.
Dotonburi is also a great place to grab drinks with friends, but we'll get there.
(Traditional music plays)
oooo whoooooaa!
Haha, very cool.
Shout out from Korea.
Right around the corner from Dotonburi is a massive mall called Shin Sai Bashi.
If you're looking to shop, the mall is filled with tax free stores.
So this is the place to do it.
It's a Saturday night, people are grabbing food.
Kicking back, letting loose.
Hitting the arcade.
Whatever they need to do to blow off some steam.
(dance video game music)
(music from live band)
During the weekends you'll often see up and coming bands performing right on the water.
So I may have drank with some Australians.
I don't know if you know this about Australians, they like to party haha.
Anddddd.... yeah.
Just started snowing.
It's a little chilly here on the top of the Umeda Sky Building.
It's a great view of Osaka from up above.
You can go most of the way for free, but if you want to get to the very top where they
have this beautiful outdoor garden, it'll run you back about 1000 yen, which really
isn't too bad.
(funky music plays)
So one of the cool features here at the Umeda
Sky Building is they have this really cool chairs where you can sit down and look out
into the city.
The process to build the Umeda Sky Building is actually pretty interesting.
They built the two towers first and then afterwards they brought up the sky garden using four different winces.
You can see a video of how it was constructed inside the building, it was pretty cool
I just got off at the circle line, and I was like wow, a lot of people want to see Osaka Castle
And then I realized they're here to see some boy band play and people are going crazy so,
I guess Backstreet is back.
So I just checked out Osaka Castle.
It's... ya know.... cool hehe.
It's a little bit of a tourist trap.
If it's on the way I would say sure, stop by and see it, but it's definitely not a must
see here in Osaka.
You know, you really do meet some of the best people when you're traveling.
I just met this really sweet couple and it's a bit chilly here in Osaka.
It's a little abnormally cold for this time of the year in February.
They gave me this heating pad to keep me warm.
Along this trip haha, in many ways, I've survived off the kindness of strangers.
It's really nice to meet people when you're traveling, people around the world are for
the most part good and sweet, and willing to help you if you ask.
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