一人旅

日本にきてから、いろいろなところへ行ったり、旅行したりしたけど、今回は初めて一人でバスや電車に乗って東京まで行った。もちろん、この地図苦手の俺は緊張していたが、どちらかというとワクワクしている。だって、自分のペースで旅行することはちょっと寂しけれど、いろいろできることがあると気づいた。

まずは奈良から大阪までバスに乗って家族に会いに行った。四十五分ぐらいかかったけど、たくさんのこと考えた。どこの駅で降りるとか次の電車は何時に来るとか誰も言ってくれない、これからは。。

Osaka-Dotonbori

Have fun in OSAKA- Dotonbori

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Probably the first thing I came across after coming out from Namba station. 道頓堀 "Dotonburi" is the spot in Namba where you'll always see mainstream picture, especially Glico Man, the face of the confectionery company (you know, the marathon guy raising both his hands) It is also the must-go-place to eat should you decided to stop by Osaka

It is normally much more livelier at night due to the incredible lighting display that time.

 

This is how congested it will be at night. Makes it really hard to find anyone after 1900

However, it is still no less livevier at daytime due to its wide range of shops and restaurant. There were several landmarks which are main spots for tourists 

 

How to get there?

Probably no explanation is needed as it's probably spot able the moment you exit Namba station. This is just the simple map displaying the distance of Dotonbori from Namba station. As you can see it's pretty near and you just need to cross the road once or twice depending on which exit you used

 

The first cross section junction you will spot on your first exit

The famous landmarks

• Kani Doraku Crab 

A stall with a huge crab hanging in front of the building selling roast and steam crab meat (obviously) 

• Kuidaore Taro

  The mechanical drummer Kuidaore Taro, a symbol of Osaka, has returned to the city's Dotonbori area, ending its one-year odyssey following the closure of the restaurant where it once stood guard. Kuidaore Taro was placed in front of the restaurant in 1950 and became a local landmark. Osaka is known as the city of "kuidaore", meaning "to ruin oneself by eating and drinking to excess"

  

 

• Dotonbori Kukuru

Being famous for Takoyaki, Dotonburi Kukuru holds many stall selling these octopus ball. One of the most well known would be Dotonbori Kukuru  which is also a landmark due to its humongous octopus on the front of the building which makes it an easy to spot place for tourist. (I personally haven't try the food there due to its long line)

• Dotonbori Bridge 

Another trademark of Dotonbori would the Dotonbori bridge where there is a tourist boat bringing them around  the water canal across Nipponbashi. This bridge is crucial to connect both Nipponbashi and Dotonboribashi The bridge is also known as Ebisubashi due to its initial purpose as a pathway which lead to Ebisu Shrine.

 

The first cross section junction you will spot on your first exit

たこ焼き十八番　Takoyaki Juhachiban

Probably my first takoyaki here in Osaka, 十八番たこ焼き is locate. I didn't have much time to try other takoyaki around here so I dare not compare at this moment but their prices are reasonable so I would recommend this stall to those dropping by Namba someday.

There's even a shrine you can find here