🇯🇵 Japan, Osaka - Fall 2022

Things we did in Osaka this fall!

Minoh Falls

Minoh falls is a short trip from Osaka, and a lovely place to visit during fall for red leaves and an easy walk. In fall the shops alongside the path sell an interesting snack called momiji tempura: actual maple leaves (that they gather from the ground...?) deep fried in batter. Sounds odd but we got a pack and it was delicious - Sweet, crunchy, slightly oily.

  

Asahi Beer Factory

We're both not big on alcohol but decided to pay a visit the Asahi factory for a brewery tour just for fun since entry is free! (Edit: From Jan 2023 they now charge 1,000 yen per adult for entry)

It was a ~60 minute tour in Japanese (English options weren't available when we visisted) which ended with a 20 minute tasting of a few beers.

 

Who pours beer until the foam is half the glass!? 😂

Solaniwa Onsen

I really enjoyed our time here but I fell really sick right after this visit and I attribute it to something I probably touched... Easily bookable online/via Klook, lots of cute Yukata options to choose from. There are communal areas for couples to hang out, the outdoor garden upstairs had a foot bath and some cute photo opps. Segregated gender baths were really nice - lots of options with different water types.

 

 

TeamLabs Botanical Gardens

Would probably give this a miss - compared to the teamLabs Planets experience we had in Tokyo, this paled in comparison. The art projections are pretty cool but not as interactive.

 

Cup Noodles Museum

Admission is free, costs 500yen/cup noodle cup to decorate and make your own. 

 

Pokemon Cafe

Food and drinks here are overrated and expensive but... It's Pokemon...

 

Universal Studios Japan

I was so sick after visiting Solaniwa Onsen, so I wasn't sure if we were even going to make it to USJ since we pre-booked everything on a specific date. Somehow miraculously I felt well enough that day for us to make the trip so we didn't waste our entry/fast pass tickets to the new Nintendo World, phew.

(Don't think I'd brave the crowds again - it was insane....!)

 

 

 

Running/Biking near Osaka Castle

Our hotel (Dotonbori hotel - 10/10 would reco! Affordable + lots of services available) provided free bicycle rental so while N took his morning jog I tagged along on a bike.