So after I set out walking towards Namba station, I passed Dotombori and figured, why not do the Dotombori River Cruise first?
It was 2:15pm when I arrived there, so I had to wait 10 minutes for the boat to come. I hopped on just before 2:30pm, and watched the tour guide wonder what to say to me.
“Nihongo daijoubu desuyo.”
The cruise started, going slowly through the Dotombori River, and the guide spoke about some historical facts of the area, and also of the many bridges hanging over the river.
The cruise is pretty cool, actually. The tour guides are so typical of Osaka, but I suppose that only really affects you if you can speak Japanese. If you can’t, you’ll have to rely on the English pamphlet, as they don’t speak English.
At some point, he asked for a show of hands for some quiz question he asked. When I participated (and got the answer right), the lady behind me whispered to her husband (oh, what? I thought this guy was a foreigner, like, from overseas). …lol.
After that, I headed into Namba and got onto a train.
Namba -> Umeda (¥230 included in pass)
Umeda is a really big station, and it’s so easy to get lost. Also, there isn’t anywhere near enough signage for tourist attractions, which is hilarious because there ARE SO MANY SIGNS EVERYWHERE!!!
I headed in the direction of Hep Five, which I know is near the Hankyu Umeda station. I’ve been in this area dozens of times, so I don’t ever get lost, but you should allow for time lost to being lost (hehe, see what I did there?)
At Hep Five, I browsed some of the stores – but not for long, because everything was either geared towards women, or really expensive. I headed to Level 7 and went through to the Ferris Wheel boarding area.
I was surprised to find that they had put iPod docking stations in each gondola. Pumping MiChi whilst taking a gazillion photos…
What is the difference between this ferris wheel and yesterday’s one, you ask? The scenery. Tempozan is surrounded by water, but Hep Five’s ferris wheel gives you fairly close views of Umeda, the heart of Osaka City.
After leaving the ferris wheel, I found myself perusing the offerings in the Level 7 food court… Ramen! So that’s what I decided to have.
At Ramen X-One, I had a tonkotsu ramen in a set, which came with chilli karaage and stone pot fried rice (like a simple bibimbap), for ¥1018. Kinda on the pricey side, but I hadn’t had breakfast today (wasn’t feeling like it earlier on).
Upon leaving Hep Five altogether, I spotted Namco Namja Land, so I thought I’d swing by to look at the games. Which reminds me, I haven’t talked about gaming arcades of Japan (known locally as “game centers”).
Basically, any larger game centers will have a million skill tester machines (some with incredibly mundane prizes), a million pachinko machines, a million other game machines that “aren’t gambling” due to local laws (but seriously are), and a million sticker photo machines. Like so:
After working my way towards the exit of Namco Namja Land, not having found anything interesting, I walked back over to where the passageway to Floating Garden Observatory.
I know what you’re thinking. Another observatory? But hear this – the viewing platform is 100% outside! You’re not looking through glass here! And there are some pretty cool UV lights outside at night also, so if you happen to be wearing a white shirt, you’ll glow. In fact, this is my favorite observation deck of all time. I come here from time to time, just to think, but I’m just strange. You’re supposed to come here with your significant other… There are a lot of things geared towards couples here.
Anyway, this is the general idea of the place in daylight. But I’m gonna wait till dusk, because Osaka City looks awesome at night. Till then, dear reader!