Hey fellow Steemians!

I’m going to talk about my very recent trip to Japan. This was during one of the busiest seasons – Spring, Cherry Blossoms!! It was my first time there and I can’t wait to go back again (maybe 2020 for the Olympics).

I left Sydney around 9-10pm and mind you do I hate flying.. The flight is about 9 hours which we made on time thanks to such a great airline - ANA Airways!

My first stop was Osaka, and it is one the biggest cities in Japan, with its all so famous Dotonbori strip. I made sure that I was staying closeby so I could run down for some streetfood.

Osaka

As I arrived at Osaka, I was completely immersed into the Japanese culture which I absolutely love (the people, anime, food - but that can be another post). With my very limited skill in reading Japanese, I managed to grab a bus transfer to Umeda, one of two of the busiest districts. Our weather is quite warm in Australia, and it was absolutely freeeeezing. I was thinking to myself.. how could this be spring?

To make sure that I was fully prepared for my trip, I reserved some seats on the JR trains that I would take later on my trip. I also bought myself an IC card - a card that lets you top funds and tap at the station and trains. After getting lost for what felt like an hour, I finally found a place to eat.

Fooooooooooooood

To be honest.. coming to Japan, I thought I would be eating Sushi straight away. I found a restaurant underneath the station (which I heard are all amazing) which was making Ramen. As it was cold - there could have been nothing better. My partner knew what she wanted to order struggled to decode the menu. Little did I know she had the English menu all along.. What I ended up ordering was a very rich, hearty, black broth Ramen with a highball. She got yang version - white broth

The Ramen was absolutely fucking amaaazing. This was my first meal in Japan and it felt like top tier Ramen, in a shop which was probably like an average place for a Japanese citizen. My mind was blown.

The menu also had a strange item.. Frozen Marhsmellow and man did I pounce on that.

I then took the train down to Namba - the other busy district in Osaka and walked around the area before I could collect my key. As I was walking, I couldn't help myself but stare into this store with pastry... yuuuuuuuuuuuum

Japan are known for the amount of vending machines they have. I know it sounds weird but I have an attraction to them. They just look cool. Not knowing what to do, I ordered an Emerald mountain blend coffee (I actually thought I was going to get a Goku on the top of my can...)

(

After checking in and having some rest, we decided to make our way to dinner. We love sukiyaki - a Japanese style of having hotpot. I had been told that some places are hard to find because the cities of Japan have been built both up and down. You will find shops underground for 2-3 levels and another 7-10 levels on top.

All you can eat for about $50 AUD - In my opinion, it was a little more on the pricey side but hella worth it!. We got the premium Japanese beef.

On the way back, we walked through Dotonbori and found ourselves some dessert. A Deep fried Matcha Icecream and the famous Melon Pan from the Green Van (you have to try this if you ever go). The Melon Pan bun is a Japanese style sweet bun from a dough with a thin layer of crispy cookie dough. Partnered with a slab of creamy vanilla icecream just hits you right in the spot..

The Melon Pan gets a bigger image due to its amazingness.

Well... This pretty much made me ready for bed. A very eventful day 1 in Japan which made me so excited for the following days.

If you want to know more or have something to ask me - leave me a comment below :)