すきやねん大阪 (We love Osaka)

This will probably be our last Japan post, but don’t be sad. Oishii will definitely continue as we begin new culinary adventures in California. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There’s a really cool crab to talk about! You know you’re in Osaka when you spot this crab. His legs move up and down, beckoning you to come closer and take a picture of this Osaka symbol. Which we did. Many times. This is our favorite part of Osaka, an area called Dotonburi. We’ve probably been here a total of 7 or 8 times.We especially love it at night – the flashing neon lights and the way they reflect in the canal, the uniquely dressed teenagers, the smell wafting from little stands cooking takoyaki (distinctly Osaka octopus dumplings), and the sound of women welcoming you into their stores in high pitched whiny voices. It all comes together to create that “we’re not in Kansas anymore” feeling.

This is our friend Brandon and I in front of the famous Glico man sign. Glico is a famous food company in Japan that started off by selling caramel candy. The running man is its well known mascot.

Check out this couple that we saw enjoying a romantic evening together. Don’t you feel encouraged?

There used to be a Kirin brewery/tasting room in this area of Osaka, but it recently got boarded up. Hopefully they’re just remodeling. Here’s a picture from Christmas time two year ago when we went there with my family. I love this picture of my mom and hopefully she approves that I’m posting this 🙂

Dotonburi is also home to this really interesting elliptical ferris wheel that we’ve ridden one too many times. (Again, an older picture. We’re definitely not wearing sweaters in the 90 degree heat!)