NAMBA YASAKA SHRINE
Namba Yasaka Shrine is the next famous shrine nearest to my hotel area.
Spanning over 12 meters high and 11 wide, this 獅子舞台 Shishibutai mask distills an impressive figure, which keeps between its teeth a rather classic meditation place. This giant lion was not built until 1975. It sees two processions pass every year: on the third Sunday of January, inspired by the myth of Susano, and mid-December "Naniwa-Gion".
The lion's large mouth calls for triumph, drinks up wickedness, and brings luck in competitions and in business, attracting an endless stream of worshipers from all over the country. The lion's eyes are fitted with lights, and it's nose with speakers.This gives the lion quite a different expression,which can be enjoyed at night during festivals.






Brothers Cafe at Namba
Not sure if it is considered breakfast or lunch, but i ate my first meal in Osaka here! I think you will know that they are famed for their pancake and sweets as it's already labelled on their sign. LOL.
There was a Caucasian waiter there and he speaks fluent Japanese. Not very friendly towards me though, probably because i am Chinese. Anyways, I asked what he recommends here and he pointed me to this delicious looking pancake adorned with loads of whipped cream and strawberries. I just went with what he says and it does not disappoint. Pancake was fluffy and nice, but the whole dish was too sweet though. The presentation was nice though with the hearts swirling around the plate made by strawberry sauce. :o



NAMBA
I roamed around Namba after eating. I went to Namba Parks, Namba City, Takashimaya and finally Doguyasuji Shopping Street. The shopping centers here are similar to Tokyo. Nothing new. Just expensive boutiques and more boutiques. Doguyasuji Shopping Street is lined with specialty stores of all kinds of cooking utensils and kitchen items.
As an avid AKB fan, I must come to the NMB shop here! Didn't know there's an AKB shop and cafe here as well. Bought some merchandise here and then i went to the NMB shop. The NMB shop here is seriously disappointing!
Firstly, it is quite empty as they only put up a sample of the merch and you have to go to the counter to inquire its availability. Secondly, Japanese people are bad in English so of course it is difficult to ask! Thirdly, I was looking forward to buy merch from their net shop. >.> Net shop is net shop. You need to buy online.
Pokemon Center Osaka at Umeda Daimaru
I did not want to head to dotonbori on my first day and also weather forecast for the next few days are bad! Seriously, it rained non stop for the first 3 days of my trip. Anyways, if you're here in Umeda, remember to head to Daimaru as there's a huge Tokyu Hands store there and also Pokemon Center Osaka!
As a huge pokemon fan, I may have spent quite a lot at this place! haha!
Another place that is must go is HEP Five which i will cover soon!
I don't remember the shop name already! I was too famished after walking around Namba and Umeda so i decided to walk into any random ramen store. This was average but definitely better than what we had in Singapore. Japanese prioritize service and quality over quantity. So if you have to wait, you wait. :) Actually the longer the queue, the better the food is.
I also have never seen ramen with rice as side dish before. Not sure if this is an Osaka thing.
Ramen Igei
Address: Japan, 〒531-0076 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, 北区大淀中1丁目17−6
Opening Hours: 11am - 2.30pm, 6pm - 10pm
I also wanted to get a quick supper after Umeda Sky Building so I went to a ramen shop that I already marked in google map. I chose 豚骨魚介らーめん 750円 / pork bone and sea food style soup ramen. It is a mixture of pork bone and sea food. This is not the first time i ate a fusion ramen. The broth was thick and flavorful. Noodle was thin and al dente. You may have to pay to get the extra york. Recommended if you're near by Umeda Sky Building, as you can either walk back to Umeda station or Nakatsu Station. I had to walk a little further to the subway station though.
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