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.

Last post on Nagasaki

The US was supposed to bomb Kokura but because it was very cloudy above Kokura, they decided instead to bomb Nagasaki.

I was quite undecided on whether or not to visit the atomic bomb museum in Nagasaki because let's face it, it's not a very fun or happy place to visit on holiday but...

This is the Peace Park (平和公園） :

 The plaque says (bear with my Japanese,not so sure I'm doing this accurately): I was too thirsty to bear it anymore. There was a film of oil-like substance on the surface of the water. But I really wanted the water so badly that I drank the water, oil floating on it and all.

The right hand points to the atomic bomb, the left hand to peace. His words area really beautiful in Japanese.

The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum was quite nearby. 

 The place was really sombre. Kinda depressing but also hopeful for a better future. A future without nuclear wars or atomic bombs. Prayers for peace.

 This was a clock they found after the bombing. stuck at the moment the bomb hit. Really haunting.

 It was really sad. I honestly hope no president seriously ever considers it necessary to wreak such terrible devastation on another country again. I think it should be compulsory for EVERY country's leader to visit this museum. I think every child should visit this museum.

On a lighter note, we went to the restaurant claiming to have created Chawan Mushi! It's called 吉宗。

 I love the old traditional look.

It must have been the largest chawan mushi I'd ever eaten. Huge! hahahaha...It had tons of stuff in it. I won't say it's the best I've ever eaten, but it was pretty smooth and really satisfying. It was also fun to eat, finding out what's inside.

Oh dear. Chibu stop playing with your food!

Nagasaki 長崎

We went to Nagasaki!

We stayed at a place called Kagamiya (鏡屋). 4 of us stayed together. We got a place to ourselves, 2 floors, 2 bedrooms, living, kitchen and washroom downstairs. Wifi in the main section of the guest house. Very very nice place!

We had lunch at Chinatown.

In a restaurant called 江山楼（Esanrou i think it is).

I finally ate chanpon! Which I'd heard so much about. I wasn't very eager to actly try it because I heard it's actually created by Chinese people so I thought it'd just taste like normal Chinese food but....it was sooooooo good! It's basically noodle soup, the stock made with a lot of seafood since Nagasaki's a port. 

The soup's tasty but also kinda creamy but not in a dairy way. Really yummy! It doesn't look that great but it's really really tasty. Esp when it's made with fresh seafood :)

We then went to Oura Cathedral　（小浦天主堂）(Tenshudou). 

I found this picture really interesting simply because I found the picture of Japanese people in traditional clothes/kimono and updo in a church really jarring. I guess it would be like finding one of those European people from the past, wearing Rennaissance clothing, kneeling and kowtowing in a Chinese temple..

I found this cathedral really really interesting because I never knew that Christians were prosecuted in Japan in the past. Really really sad part of Japanese history. Some Japanese people had to be Christians and pass down Christianity to their children secretly for over a 100 years years. Isn't it amazing how strongly people can believe in something? Despite the trials and tribulations. All just based on faith..

I recommend visiting Oura Cathedral. Very interesting.

We also went to Glover Garden! (グラバー園）

This is one of the cafes there:

I really love Kirin's logo. Thomas Glover joined a group of investors who established a brewery that later became Kirin Brewery company.

Nagasaki is famous for kasutera. The 1 in this cafe had bits of sugar at the bottom. Too too sweet for my liking!!

Doesn't Puccini, the composer of Madama Butterfly look dashing?

There were these little dolls in one of the houses

 An old school

These may be the sculptures that inspired the logo for Kirin.

I really enjoyed my time at Glover Garden, it's quite big and you can spend the whole day there. Be ready for a long walk if you go though!