Osaka at night

When we got back to Osaka from Kyushu we were pretty hungry.

When we asked the hotel front desk guy where he recommended we eat nearby, he recommended Daruma, a place that serves kushiage. To be honest, I wasn't that keen at first because deep fried food dipped in a very strong tasting sauce didn't seem that appealing to me but since I'd also heard Chico mention kushiage to me I thought ok I gotta try it.

When we finally got to the shop recommended by the hotel staff, we were faced with a really long line! We were hungry but decided to wait since who knew when we'd be able to eat in that restaurant in Osaka again??

 I love how gimmicky the shop looks from the outside hahaha

 The inside's crowded but cozy and the atmosphere's upbeat

 We ordered the set because I couldn't be bothered to decide what to choose and anyway the set sounded pretty damn good. We also ordered a few extra sticks we wanted to try. This was the appetizer:

We over-ordered...But everything was so good!! 

I don't remember everything but I remember there's mochi (rice cake), lotus root (renkon), quail egg, cheese...everything was so yum!!

This is the cheese:

And this is the scallop:

With a lemon sour, it spells perfect meal!!

This funny statue thing can actually move! I don't know what sets it off though, I think it's set on a timer and maybe moves every hour. Gave us a shock hahahaha..it suddenly started 'talking' and moving. Anyway it was a truly excellent meal. Would definitely go there again if I go to Osaka again. Love the lively atmosphere too.

We took a walk after that to take in the sights...mainly the lights and ads..

All these lights and people at 10pm at night in the streets..

Felt so familiar...and I remember why I partly left Japan hahaha..

Too many lights and people yet in the middle of it all you wonder what's real and what isn't. And you can't think because they just fill all your senses with all so many lights and colors and sounds. And everyone's trying to look different but they all look the same anyway and everyone's talking and talking and talking. What about? You won't remember even when you get home and that's a bit sad. You're part of the crowd but not really. Not really.

But that's just my view of course.

There's a place for everyone. The strange, the weird have a place where they can belong. 

In the midst of all these you can still find a place that offers tranquility and a place for thought, for rest, for reflection. The juxtaposition always amazes me. And is welcome.