Japan 2024 - Shin-Osaka (Day 6 of 21)

***This post is a recount of the trip after I returned to Singapore from the trip.***

Link to day 6's video: https://youtu.be/wlwTMNpE0oM

Today, day 6, is the day where life started to get spicy in Japan. I'm finally leaving the smaller towns headed for the big famous cities. Woke up to a cold drizzly morning as I checked out of the hostel bright and early. Super excited to leave Hiroshima already.

Japan's different models of trains for different cities will never stop being amazing to me. It's every railway engineer's dream! Of course, I finally did not take the wrong train this time. This time for the Shinkansen ride, I saw a ticketing counter with a real human being behind the counter. So I took no chances and bought the ticket from him instead of the machine.

Took Mizuho 600 from Hiroshima to Osaka. I love the look of the N700 series Shinkansen, slick and clean!

Shin-Osaka station may be the Shinkansen stop for Osaka, but it was nowhere near central Osaka. Had to take the local train to Namba station, which was near my hostel. Turns out that Namba is the true center of Osaka and is home to the biggest shopping district there, Dotonburi. 

As I alighted at Namba, I made my way to Den Den Town, the Akihibara equivalent in Osaka, otherwise known as Pokemon Card heaven. Ate at a random Yakiniku shop at Den Den Town because why not? It was a great meal considering it is my first time trying wagyu beef.

Continued back out to Den Den Town with renewed strength. There are a lot of interesting shops, especially this one which sells train models beside a whole ass gun selection. Really don't understand what the Japanese are thinking with this shop layout.

Finally it was time to check-in to the Osaka hostel. Really hate this 4pm check-in timing of Japan's hostels. This next hostel turns out to be one of the most spacious hostels this trip. But it was far from the best hostel. Oh wells at least got space to do what I want on my bed.

The bed frame was rather old and made of wood, which gives off the woody smell throughout my time there. The space was small and for the price I paid, I couldn't really complain. It was right outside two train stations operated by two different railway companies.

Osaka was such a different vibe compared to Hiroshima. I instantly felt the effects of being in a densely populated prefecture. Crazy one the crowds. Can't even walk properly during the evening rush hour.

Ate at a random shop in a random street. Had to try the fried stuff that my new friend Andrew kept asking me to try. Was pretty meh. Don't really like fried stuff when I'm overseas cause health is priority.

Then I decided to head back to the hostel early because sian already. Travelling between cities is a really tiring affair, especially in a crowded city. More exciting days up ahead so I'll take the rest days whenever I can!

Click <<< to return to Day 5 or >>> to move forward to Day 7.