Wanderlust Traveller: osaka

As today would be my last day in Japan, I decided to take it easy and just visit a few places which was on my list before ending it with a final shopping spree in Shinsaibashi (I can't return from Japan without visiting Book Off - it's my favourite store in Japan lol). I initially wanted to go to Kumano Kodo, but seeing the crowd at Mt. Koya I decided to call it off hahaha. There's no way I was going to survive standing for another 6 hours in a train #knowyourlimits

Decided to make my way to Sumiyoshi Taisha in the morning, which is one of Japan's oldest shrines. It's also one of the few shrines whose architecture is not influenced by other Asian cultures, and are considered purely Japanese.

The infamous Sorihashi Bridge. During hatsumode this is the most-visited site lol I don't think I can handle that kind crowd

Made my way to Nakanoshima Park, where (as luck would have it) they had a rose garden and some kind of viewing event going on. A lot of people were just playing around in the park with their families and kids (some even had a camping tent set up) - this is basically a fun place to people watch.

You can take a river cruise here

If my dad lived in Japan, this would be him with his plein air painting

After that, I made my way back to my hotel, which was situated around Den Den Town area, so decided to do some last minute shopping at Book Off in Shinsaibashi and walked around the area before calling it a night.

And thus ends my Japan 2015 trip.

...Little did I know I was going again in December for Maaya's New Year Countdown, LOL. (A post on the NYE trip to come!)

Go to Day 11 (Koyasan / Mt. Koya)
Japan 2015 Masterpost

DAY 8 (20 - 21 May 2014): Osaka & Back to Malaysia
- Osaka Castle
- Ebisubashi Suji
- DenDen Town
- Shinsaibashi

Today was to be our last full day in Japan as we're returning to Malaysia on the next day :'(

But first, pictures of our Airbnb stay! Highly recommended as it's very near Dotonbori and a 10minute walk to the subway (although again, heavy luggages beware).

Breakfast for the day.

They even have bicycles you can use around Osaka! Although there were only 2 so it wasn't enough for the 4 of us.

We made our way to Osaka Castle since my friends haven't been. It's too bad we're not in time for the cherry blossoms because it would've been a beautiful sight.

Look at this guy just chilling in a field of flowers.

We were too early, so most of the stalls weren't opened yet :( Would've loved to eat the takoyaki there. But we consoled ourselves by having the takoyaki near the Ebisubashi suji entrance for breakfast :D

Had a look around Ebisubashi suji (which was heaven for my friends since they were bakers) and then made our way to Den Den Town. I had a blast shopping today, looking for my denshi jisho (which I finally bought in BIC Camera in the end lol) and buying secondhand manga at Book Off (I LOVE BOOK OFF).