Day 12 - Travelogue - Osaka Aquarium (Whale Sharks!), Den Den Town, Shinsekai, and MOS Burger

July 02, 2023

Day 12 - Travelogue - Osaka Aquarium (Whale Sharks!), Den Den Town, Shinsekai, and MOS Burger

Back to Day 11 - Himeji Castle, the Most Beautiful One in Japan, and the Umeda Sky Building

I started the day with the hotel breakfast buffet again. The buffet here wasn't as good as the one I had in Tokyo, but it was more than good enough the kick start your morning. You had miso soup, coffee, scrambled eggs, rice, etc. I'm not really familiar with Osaka like I am with Tokyo. One of the things I didn't realize was that there was a big underground mall, CRYSTA, that basically ran perpendicular at the north end of Shinsaibashi shopping street which leads down to Dotonbori at the south end. I didn't get much opportunity to explore this underground wonder. I think it is built on top or next to some subway lines.

CRYSTA

CRYSTA Nagahori is the largest underground shopping center of this type. The mall is over 700 metres long that running from Sakaisuji to Yotsubashi, and has direct access to Yotsubashi Station, Shinsaibashi Station and Nagahoribashi Station on the Osaka Metro. A third of the mall has a long skylight to allow light to shine down. You wouldn't know this mall was here from most maps and it is like those big underground shopping complexes attached to stations in Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Tokyo Station.

The first thing I wanted to see this morning was Namba Yasaka Shrine and its famous lion head stage. I I had seen pictures of this shrine stage online for years so I had to see it when I was in Osaka. It was actually a bit anti-climatic as it is literally is just a stage for ceremonies and dances with a very cool lion's head skin. It would have been more dramatic if something was happening. The shrine itself is not huge, but there are some interesting charms and such that you can purchase at the main shrine building.

Namba Yasaka Shrine Lion Head Stage

In the area, not too close, is Namba Walk. This is another underground shopping mall with 240 stores. This mall stretches from Namba Station at the west end to Nipponbashi Station at the east end. There are also five little indoor parks exhibiting monuments. After seeing the shrine I was off to Osaka Aquarium to see whale sharks. I've always wanted to see whale sharks! It was a relatively long ride to the seaside aquarium with a transfer. For some reason, I misread the direction of travel on the Osaka Metro a few times and this was one of the times I ended traveling in the wrong direction for a stop before realizing I was going the wrong way.

There's another giant Ferris wheel near the aquarium and a giant lego giraffe indicating a Legoland in the area.

Osaka's metro runs through most of the city, but it doesn't always take you very close to many of the attractions. There is a bit of a walk from the nearest train station to the aquarium. Not too grueling, but not a block away either.

Osaka Aquarium.

Osaka Aquarium, also known as the Osaka Kaiyukan is a popular tourist attraction. The biggest highlight of the aquarium is the Pacific Ocean Tank. This is the centerpiece of the aquarium and is one of the largest aquarium tanks in the world. It houses a wide variety of marine species, including whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and schools of fish. The aquarium is home to several whale sharks, which are the largest fish in the world. Visitors can observe these magnificent creatures from different vantage points. There are also many smaller exhibits and aquarium tanks for dolphins, seals, penguins, and other marine life.

Moray eel.

Pacific white-sided dolphin

Penguins

Seals

Hammerhead shark

Whale sharks

The highlight of the visit for me was looking at the Whale sharks. They were quite large and were often came up close to various viewing windows. It was really relaxing to sit back and just watch the fish go by.

Whale shark up close.

Whale sharkand fish

Manta ray

Jellyfish exhibit. Seems all aquariums like these.

Jellies!

Very cute plushies - but you catch octopus in jars so also a little sad.

Whale shark plushies.

There was a Starbucks there. You can see the delicious looking pastries they carry in Japan.

Oyakodon for lunch.

I went for lunch at a mall that was right across from the aquarium. There was another retro food hall here too and a pretty lively regular food court on the main floor. Very convenient.

Very cool manhole covers with Osaka Castle on them.

Shinsekai street with the Tsutenkaku Tower.

From the aquarium to headed back across town to Shinsekai. This is an older shopping and entertainment district that has fallen on hard times and there is an area revitalization under way. The area is a neighborhood located in the southern part of Osaka, Japan. It's name translates as "New World," and it was originally built in 1912 with the intention of replicating the atmosphere of Paris and New York. This area is a little run down in parts, so do exercise some caution, especially at night.

One of the prominent features of Shinsekai is Tsutenkaku Tower, an iconic landmark that stands at the heart of the neighborhood. Standing at approximately 103 meters tall, the tower offers panoramic views of Osaka from its observation deck. Tsutenkaku Tower is adorned with colorful lights that create a lively ambiance during the evening hours. Shinsekai also has a nostalgic atmosphere with retro architecture reminiscent of the early 20th century. The streets are filled with small shops selling souvenirs, retro toys, and trinkets. Some establishments have maintained their original charm, giving visitors a glimpse into the past.

The streets of Shinsekai are lined with numerous restaurants, street food stalls, and izakayas (Japanese-style pubs). The area is famous for its culinary delights, and visitors can savor popular local dishes such as kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), takoyaki (octopus-filled balls), and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes). I was here to look at a particular street lined with restaurants that have fabulously artistic exteriors.

Kura Sushi

Okonomiaki restaurant.

Colourful placards.

This would be pretty lit up at night. Too far to head back for me.

Another view of the restaurant street. This is one of the busier streets too.

Jumbo Fishing Boat Tsurikichi.

There is one fish restaurant here that is both different and fascinating. The Jumbo Fishing Boat Tsurikichi restaurant has you catch your own fish from its tanks and then they cook them up for you! The interior is full of big fish tanks, nets, and diners. You are charged by the type of fish you catch.

https://learnjapanese123.com/catch-your-own-fish-at-this-restaurant/

A tank at the restaurant.

Some of the fish you can catch.

How the restaurant works.

Kura Sushi had a Demon Slayer event going on.

Demon Slayer event banner.

After walking through Shinsekai, I headed towards the relatively close Den Den Town to the north. Den Den Town is like Osaka's Akihabara for anime/manga. I wasn't sure what to expect here and I hoped it would be worth it as I had walked a great deal today. On the way there I passed by a large toy/hobby store, Super Kids Land. It was pretty cool to visit and I recommend it if you are in the area.

Front entrance. Giant 3D robot fist coming out of the wall in the background!

Big statue of Mazinger Z.

Ultraman diorama.

Jujutsu Kaisen and Naruto diorama.

There are a few maid cafes of course!

Animate store.

An anime / hobby complex with lots of little stores.

Kotobukya Store

The area has lots of hardware stores, the original storefronts in the area. Den Den Town is actually pretty small compared to Akiba.

Local Japanese burger chain, MOS Burger. They have pressed rice buns too.

By the time I got back to my hotel in the late afternoon I was ready to rest. My time in Osaka had been pretty busy, with a packed schedule. Dinner that night was going to be simple. I just went to a nearby MOS Burger and had a freshly grilled teriyaki burger and fries. I walked a little around the area and then grabbed a bit of dessert to have back in my room. In the morning, I was heading back to Tokyo by bullet train.