This put up ought to most likely be titled What I Did in Osaka–as a result of there’s a lot happening on this metropolis it’s insane in a really superior means.
We had such a good time in Osaka, and even discovered some frugal variations from what we have been used to at residence whereas we have been there.
Go to a Baseball Recreation
Our pal was tremendous beneficiant and received us some tickets to an Orix Buffaloes recreation. It was sooo a lot enjoyable.
After we received there, I had a water bottle with me. I used to be anticipating to must throw it away, however as a substitute they took it and poured its contents into an open paper cup. Rating for not having to purchase one other as soon as I received inside!
In between innings, there have been dancers that got here out to amp up the gang. Throughout performs, there have been sections of volunteers who carried out practiced cheers full with arm actions and every thing. These sections appeared to be principally or utterly male, however I used to be throughout the sphere from them so I couldn’t inform for certain. When you watched the Olympics, it was just like the cheerleading part North Korea had.
At one level, between one of many innings, everybody within the crowd let go of those blue, phallic formed balloons (not purposely phallic–I don’t assume) and so they scattered all around the park because the gasoline escaped its blue, plastic cages.
There was a lady strolling round with a keg on her again, promoting beer. You would get the identical factor for rather less cash on the concession stand inside.
Like every thing else in Japan, the park was extraordinarily clear, and so they nonetheless have cordoned off rooms for people who smoke.
Our group didn’t win, however we had a good time. Except for all the joy of the cultural variations, watching a ball recreation reside is certainly one of my favourite previous instances, and it was actually cool to get to take action out of the country.
One other large group in Osaka is the Hanshin Tigers. From what I can inform, they’re a bit extra widespread than the Buffaloes — Ichiro performed for the Tigers earlier than coming to the US.
Punk Rock Exhibits at Namba Bears
When you’re testing any underground scene in Osaka, there’s a superb likelihood it’s actually going to be underground.
That’s the best way it was when my sibling and I caught an area punk present at Namba Bears. Beer was three yen and was saved in a cooler–like the sort you’d take tenting. Tickets have been just about the identical value as they’re right here–someplace round $20. I purchased a t-shirt for somebody again residence and the artist was cool sufficient to throw in a free pin with the acquisition.
In order that’s the cash aspect of issues. The expertise, although, was what actually made the night time. The music was superb. Actually, I discovered a brand new favourite artist. I used to be completely digging the primary act, although I wasn’t in a spot the place I might see the entire stage at first. My sibling identified that it was a one-man band. I moved so I might see higher and sat there with my jaw on the ground for the remainder of the act.
It was unimaginable. He had bells on prime of the drums he was taking part in utterly along with his toes as he rocked his guitar and sang. And he sounded superb–whether or not there had been three different individuals in his band or not. He’s at present recording–he solely has one monitor out proper now, however ought to have a full album up quickly. You may take a look at USGKZ & The Equipments on Bandcamp.
The opposite two units have been superb, too. However this man was my favourite.
Disclaimer: My Japanese is horrible and I do not know what the lyrics say.
Underground Comedy
Osaka is thought for its standup. My sibling needed to go to a present, however speaks even much less Japanese than I do. Finally they made the financially savvy determination to go to an underground present slightly than to at least one with greater comedians. It was tremendous reasonably priced–about ten {dollars} if I bear in mind appropriately.
We had no thought what these guys have been saying, but it surely was fairly attention-grabbing to see a number of the fundamentals of how comedy differs from our tradition. First, there have been much more duos than single comedians. And just about all of them received into a personality slightly than simply standing up there as themselves telling jokes.
My pal laughed significantly arduous at this one comic, and she or he stated he was singing about all of the little embarrassments he goes by in each day life. Like actually foolish ones, and plenty of of them have been distinctive to Japanese tradition–or no less than utterly new to me as an American.
As apparent gaijin, we received requested the place we have been from. After we stated Pittsburgh, the comedians knew about our historical past with metal mills (which aren’t right here anymore, however a number of Individuals don’t even know that,) and have been excited in regards to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Each Japanese particular person we met on our travels knew our baseball group–and now we have an extended historical past of sucking! (Our possession really makes cash off of dropping and it’s tousled.)
It was a enjoyable expertise. Well worth the cash, and–as soon as once more–actually underground.
Go to the Pokemon Heart
A pair years in the past, I downloaded Pokemon Go onto my telephone. I used to be a nerd youngster, and really performed in a Pokemon card league once I was youthful. Augmented actuality appeared cool, I believed my child would have enjoyable with it, and actually I simply needed to play Pokemon once more.
My youngster did get tremendous into it. Like we’ve had Pokemon-themed birthday events we’ve been so into it.
I promised earlier than I left for Japan that I’d catch all types of latest Pokemon for them and get them some stuff from the Pokemon Heart. There are a number of Pokemon Facilities round Japan, however we went to the one in Osaka.
That place is dear as heck. Tremendous cool, however tremendous costly. I received a pair plates for the kiddos, blind bins, a stuffed Squirtle, and–for myself–a pocket book. And I spent an excessive amount of cash. And I needed extra.
I restrained myself, although! Even when you don’t spend any cash whilst you’re there, it’s nonetheless a very cool place to go to when you’re into Pokemon despite the fact that it’s only a retailer.
Eat Kushikatsu
Kushikatsu is the meals Osaka is known for. Primarily, they batter meat or greens and perhaps different issues–I don’t know–after which deep fry them. Ours got here on a stick, after which you might dip it into this nice sauce.
Our pal took us to Kushikatsu Daruma in Lucua Osaka. It seems to be and looks like a diner–although with utterly completely different fare than what you’d be used to as an American. Daruma is celebrating it’s 89th birthday this yr, so you recognize they’re doing one thing proper! They produce other places across the metropolis, and there are different locations to get kushikatsu. However this was my solely expertise with it, and I completely beloved Daruma.
Purchase Sweet
I child you not once I say that my sibling introduced again a complete suitcase stuffed with sweet. It was sort of ridiculous, but additionally a bit bit comprehensible, particularly as a number of it was for gifting once we received again.
But it surely was additionally ridiculous.
Whereas in Osaka, we went into this large sweet retailer. And I imply large. It was just like the ToysRUs of sweet. (Too quickly?)
There have been all types of new-to-us sweets–even from acquainted names. Like:
- Peach gummies (that had liquid inside which exploded in your mouth if you bit into them.)
- Strawberry cheesecake Package Kats.
- Wasabi Package Kats.
- 5 million different flavors of Package Kats.
- Meiji Horns (which remind me of Milano cookies besides means higher–sure, it’s attainable!)
- No matter is in these geisha containers within the image.
- So, a lot extra.
Osaka is enjoyable.
Of the three main cities we visited, Osaka appeared the grittiest to me, and I imply that as a praise. In Kyoto, I received to go to historic websites and expertise the pure magnificence woven into town’s cloth. In Tokyo, I felt like I used to be in an uber clear, uber protected, uber tech-y fashionable metropolis.
However in Osaka, with enterprise after enterprise stacked on prime of one another, squeezed into shorter excessive rises than these within the nation’s capital, I felt like I used to be studying about and experiencing what Japan’s tradition is turning into.
