Fun City!

"Where's Waldo?" Can you spot the tall, non-Japanese guy in the crowd?
see all photos »

I would go to Osaka nearly weekly to go out on a Friday or Saturday night with my friend Leah, and what a fun city Osaka is! My picture of Japan before arriving there was of a very formal, staid, and prim and proper country. For the most part rules, etiquette, and "face" are key. It is the most polite country I have ever been to. The service is impeccable. Even the counter people at McDonald's shout "irashaimase" (welcome) when you come in and "arigato gozaimasu" (thank you) when you leave.

So busy!
see all photos »

Osaka, does seem to be a bit more lax than the rest of the places I visited though. The dress is wilder. More colourful. Individuals stand out more. I love the contrasts between traditional and modern. It was so easy to meet people there, both Japanese and from other countries. On more than one occasion, if I found myself looking lost on a train platform, someone would approach to help me out. That was across the country, really, not just in Osaka.

I never visited Tokyo, but since I spent a lot of time in Osaka, if I were to go back to Japan again, I'd probably still skip Tokyo and go back to Osaka.

A dog in a yukata (summer kimono)
see all photos »

I never visited Tokyo, but since I spent a lot of time in Osaka, if I were to go back to Japan again, I'd probably still skip Tokyo and go back to Osaka.