Osaka « GaijinPot In Japan Blogs

Osaka

Party Time 3: Secret Dining Spots of Senshuu, Osaka: August 13th, 2009By AETF; It’s time for a couple little places; the kind without websites, flyers, or expensive course menus. Porco, “the mama’s kitchen”, and Takada, a family-owned izakaya, are two tiny gems of the Senshuu region. Both offer cozy atmospheres free of loud music and full of good conversation. » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

Japanglish: Top Ten in Osaka: July 12th, 2009By Jamie Rockers; 10. A non-descript building called “SEA BRAIN”, which is misleading, insinuating that the building is actually an aquarium, filled with incredibly intelligent sea animals. To my disappointment, it’s actually a pachinko parlor, filled with nothing but cigarette smoke and stinky old men. 9. An older woman with fashionable purple hair, clutching » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

French Food 101: Learning about French food in Japan: July 6th, 2009By Jamie Rockers; I have found, in my own experience, that the best way to learn something is to go out and try it. So, if you want to learn karate, it’s better to join a class than read about it out of a book. At least that’s what I think. The same is » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

Hot Spring Day Trippin’: June 30th, 2009By Jamie Rockers; In need of an escape from the constant nerve-scratching noise and madness of the city? A quiet place to soak away the pains and stress that have built up over time? Well, luckily, this very wonderful place I speak of is located within a one-hour bus ride from Osaka and goes » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

Summer Time and the Surfing’s Easy: June 28th, 2009By AETF; photo credit: Mr.mt It’s the most wonderful time of the year. That is, if you love sunshine, surf, and most definitely hate snow. If you’re like me (Southern California born and raised, University of Hawaii graduate), then you live for the beach, and moreover, the ocean. Swimming, snorkeling, body surfing, body » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

Party Time: June 19th, 2009By AETF; Anyone working in Japan is quite familiar with the izakaya, Japan’s traditional bar and restaurant. Companies, social and school clubs, weddings and so on, all make popular use of them. Perhaps it’s a matter of size; most izakaya are large enough to hold a sizeable group and welcome their reservations warmly. » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

High Class Danger: June 8th, 2009By AETF; I’m a strong believer in Kansai dining, especially that of Osaka. Many of my favorite foods like okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and kushi katsu are found everywhere for egalitarian prices. But what about fine cuisine? Something a bit less fried and a tad pricier? Good sir, perhaps you were thinking of “Genpin » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

The Fine Art of Bribery: April 30th, 2009By Roxy; “There are certain rules when it comes to doing business in Japan,” he explained to me, taking a long sip of his schochu omizuwari. “I’ve been living here for over 20 years and doing business here for over 17. I started here as a dishwasher and worked hard. I kept my » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

Gyaru-O!: April 28th, 2009By Hannah; Or in English, ‘Man-Gal’. A relatively new phenomenon (or perhaps I’ve just noticed it recently), is the Gyaru-O. O stands for otoko or man. Gyaru, from the English word, gal also sometimes described as a yankee-girl, refers to a girl who tans her skin, bleaches and often perms her hair, » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

West Japan in a Week: April 23rd, 2009By reyian; Japan in a week using Seishun 18 Kippu (Youth 18 Tickets) was terribly cheap and fantastic. For only 11,500 each, me and a colleague was able to tour west Japan. From our place in Saitama, we head of to Tokyo central station to ride the Moonlight Nagara, a midnight train from » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments