A week since last blog post, or a month to be exact? π
It's October~ another eventful month because there's HALLOWEEN XD
My 2018 calendar is my favorite version of Rem, because I like fighter girl π
Even though Rem is everyone's waifu, I'm still team Ram π
Alright, back with my post about my latest trip to Kansai~!
This time, it'll be about my (/cough fujoshi) shopping day at Osaka and my visit to Kyoto~!
For the Osaka part, there's actually not much new thing, pretty much exactly like back in last December but for Kyoto, it was a first experience <3
I saw Nana at Nakau, opposite my lodging~
and my first stop on my DAY2 at Osaka was Shinsaibashi~!
Nakau is a chain rice bowl store~ one of the best meal in Japan~! <3
I did eat there but not the one Mizuki Nana promoting π
Shinsaibashi, one of the crowded spots in Osaka.
I came here agessss ago when I first came to Osaka but not back in December.
I actually don't need to come here to go to DendenTown but I guided my parent here for their shopping~
Tried Luke's Lobster for the first time π
Okay, I'm super not a good influencer? because I'm so not into trends? πmore like I'm just interested in what I'm interested in π
I know that Luke's Lobster is famous in Japan (the famous one in Tokyo is at Harajuku) but it was truly my first time eating it.
It's like I know crepe is famous in Harajuku but I never eat π
In my family, the curious one is my mum. So this is to answer her demand π
As first timer, we tried the Luke's trio, where there's lobster, crab and shrimp~
Mmmmm not my cup of tea XD
From Shinsaibashi, I walked to Mandarake, which hasn't open yet π
I should start remembering that Mandarake opens at 12 =w=
Passed by this design school on my way~!
During this trip, I spent most in Mandarake (here and the one at Umeda), because Osaka's Kbooks and Lashinbang not so big π
After Mandarake, I walked to Dendentown via Dotonbori
With lamps and lanterns? these places are definitely more lively at night :B
Passed by Namba Hips, a building filled with entertainment~
there's outdoor rock climbing :o
saw cute stores too XD
Japan's love? or attraction of cute characters X)
and at last I'm near my habitat (?) π
This time's walk from Shinsaibashi to DenDenTown seems closer than from Namba station.
I guess the reason is Namba station so big, because both JR line and Subway are there~
So now I recommend people who wanna go to DenDenTown to walk from Shinsaibashi instead :B
The same store where I had character cake before~!
and the first second hand store I entered, Surugaya
The cake store had the same collaboration with last year, Gintama, because the movie 2 was premiered not long ago XD
Inside Surugaya
Entering Surugaya reminded me of my love toward KBooks π
Even though stuff at Lashinbang and Mandarake are cheaper than KBooks, it stays as my love π
Because I find stuff at KBooks are displayed tidier. So it doesn't take too long for me to find what I want.
Even though I like do window shopping, I'm the type who likes to shop fast π
So, I didn't buy anything at Surugaya π
Passed by Kotobukiya as I'm getting closer to Animate and Lashinbang~!
Japan's craze with food collaboration
This time, there's so many alcohol I wanna buy, starting from the Hakuoki one π
May be if I live there, I'd really go alcoholic π
Actually, if there is a store that only sell the bottle, I don't mind buying too π
Izuminokami Kanesada, my bias, rarely have merchandise but got alcohol WHYYY π
homo alcohol (?) π
May be it'll be good to drink while listening to BLCD π
collaboration perfume~
I don't remember exactly the smell but Levi's smell gave me a 'ahh as expected, so manly' thought π
While Erwin's.. I remember thinking, 'as expected of uncle (?)' π
Lunch at 2pm, before my last stop that I wouldn't miss; KBOOKS~!
Another 'ramen-fried rice-gyoza' set but this time, I tried Gyoza no Ohsho~!
But...my first love (Osaka no ohsho) still have my heart π
I don't know whether because I was too hungry, or because I ordered miso ramen (instead of clear one = faster feel full) but I still prefer Osaka no ohsho~
But that's an example of my 'food curiosity' π
KBOOKS MY LOVE
And I learned that Osaka's Kbooks doesn't accept nor sell seiyuu stuff anymore TwT
But I still bought stuff π
I saw a number of stores that sells anime related clothing, including waifu boxer π
This kind of store also sell cosplay stuff~
I didn't get anything, though waifu boxer, I find it interesting π
But I wouldn't want to wear my husbando as underwear π
AND IT WAS TIME TO ANSWER MY CRAVING; KARAOKE------
3 hrs alone and there were songs that I didn't sing till the end, and songs that I didn't manage to sing π
Of course these 2 photos aren't all the songs in my list yet π
For sure my voice was gone after the session π
I was lucky to get the machine that's very complete, so I had Fushigi Yuugi character song medley π
7hrs of me time, and back to Shinsaibashi to meet my parent~!
Passed by NMB48 theater, which opposite is a concert hall?
Dotonbori at night, with famous crowd and crab :B
OKAY the crab sushi? is famous but nope I didn't eat π
Famous mascots~
walking toward Shinsaibashi
Famous bridge
apparently got idols performing? :0
Check my twitter for video X)
The other side of the bridge~
Dotonbori with lights on~
and (cheaper) dinner from supermarket after becoming broke from shopping π
Just kidding. I had late lunch so I had later dinner~
The next day, I went to Kyoto~!
My first stop was Kawaramachi
Just like Osaka, I went to Kyoto agessss ago.
I was joining the 'typical' Japan tour of 'Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto-Nara'.
But again, I have no recollection of places I went in Kyoto π
Apparently Kawaramachi is where Sakamoto Ryoma was assassinated!
This is totally a coincidence though XD
I think I already know that that area is where he was assassinated but not exactly at which point of the place~
So I'm uber lucky to pass by there on my way to my lunch place~!
saw a cute cat cafe <3
Walked by a nice quiet area to my lunch place, Ichiran
Ichiran is known as the most famous ramen chain store in Japan.
The origin is from Fukuoka but I skipped it the last time I went to Fukuoka (because of my fujoshi shopping π)
So.... it was my first time entering and understanding the dining concept of Ichiran :B
The waiter doesn't talk to us directly.
There's even paper to write if we have request (right photo)
The seat is also for individuals~
May be introverts like it, but for me it's nothing special as I'm not the type who cares much when I eat π
Saw another cute store while walking to another shopping area
Again, this made me fall in love with Kawaramachi.
When I first reached the station, even though it's less crowded than Tokyo and Osaka, there were big malls and buildings but just in less than 10 mins walk, I was already in another shopping district with a more traditional feel~!
Interesting stores @w@
One of the blocks lead to an outdoor area and there's a temple
Another thing of Kyoto that I like is I feel calm and zen because there are beautiful and nice temples around.
They are not big but that's what I like, just simple and clean <3
I FOUND A HEDGEHOG CAFE SIGNNN
Which made me to do a quick polling in IG whether I should try entering or not.
Okay, it'll be a lie to say that I asked without checking the price though π
They have 20 mins session, which is perfect for someone who's kind of in a rush like me :B
I was given instruction to read beforehand
FIRST EXPERIENCE XD
AAAAAA
After reading the instruction, we were given one side of glove.
We were to not hold the hedgehog by their feet cause their feet are pretty weak.
The hedgehog will enable their sharp prickle? now and then when I pick it up but then it's not too painful (and I also let go pretty fast, though of course not by force as I shouldn't injure it) so I almost didn't use the glove at all π
It is so cute though XD
Each of the hedgehog was kept in a glass box.
Then they were taken into a plastic box for the customer + a piece of tissue paper.
Like in my previous photos, the hedgehog likes to hide inside the tissue, because I learned from the staff that hedgehog is actually a nocturnal animal.
Do check my twitter for my video when I carried it (I couldn't take photo cause I was alone π) and when I fed it with LIVING WORMS π
I honestly dislike worm but that time I was somewhat brave π
The mood of the cafe was really nice~!
May be because not much people too π
if it's packed, may be I won't enjoy this much π
And off I went to my real aims at Kawaramachi π
Lashinbang π
Followed by Animate π
On the right is announcement that they are coming up with Hakuoki special store from September, when I'm not there TwT
Okay, save money π
Opposite Animate is Animatecafe~
Followed with another temple nearby
I found owl, cat and SHIBA INU cafe
I was tempted to go to the shiba inu cafe but when I checked google, the review is horrible ._.
Plus I didn't have much time so I'll try going to the shiba inu cafe in Tokyo next time instead :3
Experienced Kyoto's local train~!
The first time I came to Kyoto, I'm very sure I went to the 2 most famous temples there; Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizudera (although again I have no clear memory of the two places π)
I did go to Fushimi Inari later but the reason why I got to experience Kyoto's local train is the only temple I've been wanting to go; Kurumazaki-jinja.
The train stops right in front of the temple
I learned about Kurumazaki Jinja from seiyuu shows πso it's half bias but this place is also like a goal to me (I'm shamelessly writing this π).
The goal is somewhat like wanting to perform in Budoukan one day.
I'm glad that it wasn't raining but the sun was soooo bright
still calm and zen <3
The reason why I say Kurumazaki-jinja is like a goal for me is because the temple is known to be helping people from the entertainment industry.
Because of that, a number of artists, singers, manga artists, seiyuu, etc visit here and have their name written on the red boards.
The red board costs 10thousands yen for 2 years
The right photo have boards of EXILE members
A board by Shounen Jump and Tokyo One Piece Tower
A board by seiyuu Konishi Katsuyuki
Beside the name, the smaller kanji represents where the person / the company focuses his / her activity at. Like beside the ones I mentioned above, there's 'Tokyo' written.
More seiyuu; Morikubo Showtaro and Maeno Tomoaki
I was actually there for 'Ono Daisuke', 'DAT', 'Kaji Yuki' and 'Shimono Hiro' but only after I went then I learned that theirs aren't around anymore XD
Or may be it was too hot (I honestly even felt a little headache as I was walking without umbrella nor hat π) and too many kanji π
Last photos and I went back to the train station~!
One thing I found interesting about the local train is the ride fee is fixed, whether you going somewhere that's only 1 or 5 stops away XD
Next stop was to Fushimi Inari
I reached at 5.30, and learned that most stuff is closed TwT
I thought it'll be as crowded as Asakusa, or everything still open till night but apparently not π
But the light from the setting sun was nice <3
From different angles :B
The only thing I know about Fushimi Inari is the famous torii gates.
I didn't walk all the way, just 1/4? π
It's so hard to take proper photo though, because it's crowded =w=
heard that some of my favorite seiyuu also have their names written here but I totally give up π
Last photo
I almost hated Kyoto that day π
of course now I don't, or to be exact now and then I can think of visiting Kyoto again but that day, I walked so much that I got super tired π
From Fushimi Inari to Kyoto station, I walked so much because I was confused by the local train π
Unlike JR line, local train doesn't have underpass.
If it's JR, there's underpass = no matter which door you enter from, you can get to any platform you want.
But for Kyoto's local train line, which passes through normal road (as in same level with car), I thought the entrance to the platform opposite where I stand is all the way at the other side.
So I did a whole round from Fushimi Inari's entrance, passing by local housing area...only to find out that the way to the other side of the platform is via overhead bridge, inside the station =_=
Okay, if I ended up hating Kyoto, it's totally my fault π
believe me, I totally don't hate Kyoto, instead I miss Kyoto π
Last stop was Kyoto Avanti at Kyoto station, for my fujoshi heart, again π
The other Lashinbang is here π
The other Animate is also there π
I've visited the 2 Lashinbang and Animate in Kyoto then π
Thus ended 1 of my 2 days in Kyoto.
I can't cram the other day here BECAUSE it was one of the best days in my life, or at least in 2018~!
Can say that it's the main reason why I fell in love with Kyoto during this trip.
But before that, lemme cram some random photos from my other day at Osaka π
Before we left Osaka, my mum wanted to come to Shinsaibashi again..which is the same with me as I wanted to go to Mandarake again π
Beside that, I went to another Mandarake at Umeda too, my first time there~!
The photo at the right is a cafe named Alice on Wednesday, in front of Mandarake.
I just took photo cause the door is small, as the concept is Alice in Wonderland XD <3
I mentioned in my twitter that even though I love Animate, I can never really think of visiting it twice. (ok, exception is when I went to Ikebukuro's Animate for 3-4 days in a row back in May. That's because I wanted to take photo with standees π)
Instead, I can always go back to Mandarake-Lashinbang-KBOOKS twice, because I'm more to buying stuff that has been released before + sometime I do miss out titles of what I want in these stores.
The missing out titles mainly because there are too many stuff in these stores, so I can get confused π
Visited Umeda's Animate--- only to learn that it was closing .-.
Even though I planned to visit Kyoto, I stayed in Osaka still.
In other words, both days were day-trips.
On the second day of my Kyoto visit, I went to Umeda's Animate after I came back to Osaka.
To be exact, it was Kyoto -> Umeda Mandarake -> Umeda Animate
I reached Umeda's Animate at 7.45, got busy (?) with taking photo of the outside, entered the store at 7.55 and was approached by the staff who said 'I'm sorry but we are closing. Is there something particular that you are finding?' π
But yea I can't help taking more time taking photo of my most favorite otome game π
Then lastly, I went for another solo 3 hrs karaoke session.
Photos below are truly just for my own reference (?) π
Due to my craze of certain seiyuu π
This time, I went to a Jankara that's at Dotonbori-Shinsaibashi area, not the one near DenDenTown
The room I was in didn't have the same machine as it wasn't so complete
Thus I ended up with singing more 'mainstream' songs π
Still a big DGS fan :B
BProject and more otome songs π
MY next post will be my last Kansai post but again, it'll be about one of my favorite places in this world
That's how much of an impact the place gave me π
Thank you for reading <3