Osaka Summer Heat

I know I’ve been on hiatus for almost three months because, well, life happened. 😮‍💨 But now that I’m back, I’m picking up right where I left off: talking more about my last trip to Japan.

Back in September, I visited Osaka with my friends @revlat35 and @wittyzell. I am so grateful they tagged along since it was my first time there, even though, long story short, they’ve both been before. Osaka was our home base for the trip. Even though we traveled to other nearby prefectures, Osaka itself didn't go unnoticed. I really loved the laid-back vibe. The people were so chill and relaxed compared to the faster pace of other cities. We actually visited during the Osaka Expo 2025. I expected massive crowds at all the tourist spots, but honestly, it was pretty manageable. Maybe we just got lucky because it was the off-peak season. 🥳

During our first week, I really felt the summer heat. 🥵 Since @revlat35 and I went full "tourist mode" the first three days, that heat was an experience I’ll never forget. 😪 To say I was soaked in sweat is not an exaggeration. I’m already a sweaty person, so being out in that sun meant I was basically drenched. Did that stop us? Of course not!

As soon as we landed, we asked our Airbnb hosts if we could drop our bags and change before check-in. They were so gracious and said yes. After a quick outfit change, we headed straight to Osaka Castle. We roamed the park and took way too many pictures.

After the castle, we hit Dotonbori for dinner. While walking around, we had to stop by the famous Glico Man sign. It’s basically mandatory to take a photo there. 😂 It’s even more mandatory to mimic the pose, which @revlat35 insisted I do. I didn’t want to break tradition, so I went for it! 😉

For our first dinner, we went to a Torikizoku (yakitori) place. @revlat35 reminded me we had been to one in Tokyo, and it’s officially one of my favorite spots now. I’ll definitely be going back every time I’m in Japan.

Since Osaka is known as "The Kitchen of Japan," @wittyzell made sure we lived up to that title. We tried all the famous snacks: Uncle Rikuro’s cheesecake, 551 Horai pork buns, takoyaki, and so much more. I can’t remember every single name, but I definitely remember how delicious everything was. 🤤🤤🤤

We also did a quick "stop-by" at Universal Studios and caught some Oktoberfest vibes at Tennoji Park. There was music and merrymaking everywhere. We didn’t join the drinking, but we had a great time sitting on the grass nearby just soaking in the atmosphere.

One thing that surprised me was the trains. They were so fun! Many were painted with different themes and colors, making every ride a delight. Also, even during rush hour, the trains weren't nearly as packed as the ones in Tokyo. That was a huge plus for me.