In Osaka we stayed at the Hotel Nikko Osaka near Shinsaibashi. It is a nice hotel, and a room had come up at a surprisingly low price.
The view from the 28th floor
This is downtown Osaka. The spot with the Ferris wheel on the right is around Dotonbori. We dropped off our bags and headed straight to Dotonbori for something to eat.
Dotonbori
If you look closely there is a giant octopus; that is the main branch of Kukuru, the takoyaki place we enjoyed so much at the Ashigara service area a while back.
A boat on the Dotonbori canal
There were lots of tourists. In Osaka and Kyoto alike, perhaps because Chinese tourists are pouring in, the streets are as lively as they used to be. You could say the whole of Japan has that mood.
The heart of Dotonbori
As always, a bustling street.
Okonomiyaki
We ate at a popular okonomiyaki place that came up when I searched Naver for good restaurants in Dotonbori. The okonomiyaki is not expensive and does not taste bad either, but the portions are just too big. Eat one and you cannot go on to another place.. I guess that is why it appeals to tourists.
The Dotonbori canal
Dotonbori street
It is such a bright, lively street that just walking along it puts you in a good mood.
Dotonbori street
The shops stay open pretty late too, so it is a good place to wander around at night.
Takoyaki from Kukuru
Having come all the way to Osaka, we could not skip the takoyaki. We ordered some, but it was nothing special. The ones we had at Ashigara were much better. A bit of a letdown.
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