Day Trip to Osaka

We began our day by visiting the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses. It was fascinating to see how traditional farmhouses were designed in response to the time's climate and cultural practices.

From the peaceful, open-air setting, we moved on to Dotonbori, one of Japan’s most iconic and energetic districts. Despite the crowds and chaos, the vibrant atmosphere made it a fun and memorable stop. We explored the area and sampled some delicious street food, including takoyaki and yakitori.

Finally, we ended our day at Osaka-jo, also known as Osaka Castle. Reaching the top and taking in the panoramic view of the city was an unforgettable experience. The exhibition inside the castle was also incredibly informative and gave great context to its historical significance.

FOOD: Street foods!

While we were in Dotonbori, we got to try many street foods. First we tried Takoyaki, which is batter made into a ball and cooked with octopus. Although it was super hot inside, it made it taste much better. Next, we tried tanghulu, which is a candy-covered fruit. I remember having this as a kid when I would go to natsu matsuri (summer festival in Japan), so it is always one of my favorite snacks to buy. We also got the ten-yen coin cheese, which went viral in Japan for the cheese pull. It has a waffle-like shell and cheese inside. I love anything with cheese, so this was very good. Lastly, we picked up some yakitori, which is a bite-sized chicken on a stick that is grilled.