Eddie's Reviews Page 2/2

On this trip to Osaka, I also planned a visit to Kuromon Market. I came in the morning to look around, and the whole market was livelier than I expected. Along the way, there were lots of seafood, fruit, meat, and prepared foods. There were so many choices, and just walking around and looking at everything was interesting.

What I liked most was that many vendors prepared the ingredients right there, so you could eat them immediately after buying them, which was very convenient for tourists. The seafood also looked very fresh, but some prices really weren't cheap, so it's better to compare a little before buying.

Kuromon Market isn't the kind of place where you can slowly spend an entire day, but it's easy to include in an Osaka city itinerary. You can spend an hour or two eating something and buying some fruit, then continue shopping around nearby Nipponbashi and Namba. Overall, it's a place worth stopping by while you're in Osaka.

As soon as you walk in, you see local Okinawan coral and small fish. The water is extremely clear, and natural light comes in from above, making the whole tank sparkle. Watching the little fish dart in and out of the coral is really relaxing.

But the truly impressive part is the Kuroshio Sea tank. The moment you turn the corner and see that huge glass wall, you can't help but say, "Wow." You're completely surrounded by blue. Seeing the whale sharks in person, they're unbelievably huge, slowly swimming overhead, while rays circle around them like they're flying. The immersive feeling is something photos simply can't capture. I found a seat and just zoned out, watching them swim back and forth. Time flew by, and I didn't want to leave at all.

The deep-sea fish in the area afterward looked pretty unusual, and the dim lighting was a big contrast with the earlier sections. Overall, it was really worth the visit. Just sitting in front of the main tank and watching the whale sharks swim around was worth the price of admission.

Honestly, walking all the way up through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka made my calves incredibly sore 😂 Those slopes are no joke, and you really start to feel tired on the way up.

But once I passed through the red Niomon Gate and saw the Kiyomizu Stage, half the exhaustion from the climb immediately disappeared.

I'd seen Kiyomizu-dera online many times before, so I thought that after seeing so many photos, it probably wouldn't be that impressive in person. But actually standing there was still quite breathtaking. The entirely wooden platform of the Kiyomizu Stage extends straight out, and looking down from it really made the soles of my feet tingle a little.

When I visited in January, most of the trees on the mountain were bare, which looked completely different from the cherry blossom or fall foliage seasons that people usually see. But because of that, I could actually see the scenery around the Kiyomizu Stage more clearly. There were also fewer people in winter than during peak seasons, so it was quite pleasant to stand on the stage and take in the view at a leisurely pace.

Later, when I followed the route to Okunoin, I realized this was the classic spot for photographing the Kiyomizu Stage. Looking back, the wooden stage stood against the hillside, surrounded by the bare January trees, creating a very peaceful feeling. I kept taking photos and enjoying the scenery there, and before I knew it, I'd spent almost half an hour.

After walking down, I happened to get in line at Otowa Waterfall and used one of the long ladles to catch and drink the water. After walking for so long and climbing all those slopes, the water felt really refreshing. At least it made those climbs feel worthwhile 😂

After leaving Kiyomizu-dera, I walked down toward Sannenzaka, browsing the small shops and buying some food along the way. My feet were really sore by the end, but the whole walk still felt very worthwhile.

If you're visiting Kiyomizu-dera, I definitely recommend starting earlier. It's much more pleasant when there are fewer people. Otherwise, once it gets crowded, you constantly have to dodge people and say “excuse me,” and your photos can easily end up packed with people.

The “Vintage House” inside Huis Ten Bosch is just too cute! The storefront has a nostalgic, international feel, especially the row of tropical floral patterns on the balcony. Just looking at it put me in a great mood.

Stepping inside was even more delightful—it’s practically paradise for Hello Kitty fans. Look at this Kitty in a little black dress, pearl necklace, and Audrey Hepburn-style bow. She has such an elegant vintage look and is incredibly detailed.

The wall covered with Kitty charms is also impressive. There are so many different designs that it’s almost overwhelming, and I wanted to take every one of them home. Being able to visit such a special Kitty-themed store in such a beautiful park made me so happy!

Standing at the edge of the cliffs at Manzamo, the wind was so strong that I had to raise my voice just to talk. I looked at the rock shaped like an elephant’s trunk and thought: It’s so beautiful.

The color of the ocean looked unreal—deep blue, light blue, and white waves crashing against the rocks again and again with a roaring sound. It felt like all my worries were being blown away by the wind.

When you quiet your mind and look out at the endless ocean and sky, you can’t help but be moved by the magnificent scenery. Maybe this is what travel is all about—finding inner peace amid beautiful scenery.

These photos really took me back to that night in Dotonbori!

The Glico Running Man sign—whether I saw it from across the river or photographed it from the bridge in the middle of the crowd, I couldn’t help pulling out my phone every time.

What left the deepest impression wasn’t just the flashing neon lights, but also the smell of takoyaki and ramen mingling in the air, along with the constant sound of conversations in Japanese, Chinese, and languages from around the world. Looking at these photos, I can still almost feel that lively bustle that’s unique to Osaka.