14. Osaka: A promise kept
When I toured Japan last year, I felt an instant connection to Osaka, it felt like a place where I could actually live. I promised myself (and my friends there) that I would return. Keeping that promise, I decided to spend 12 nights here to get a real feel for the city.
There are three things that make Osaka special:
The People: Much more open and relaxed than in other Japanese cities.
The Nightlife: Hands down the best in Japan.
The Size: It’s the Goldilocks zone, not too small, but not as overwhelming as Tokyo.
Walking Osaka is a pleasure. You stumble upon everything from talented street musicians to dark, hidden alleyways that look creepy but are perfectly safe (this is Japan, after all).
Partying here can be pricey, a single drink often costs the same as a full meal, yet the bars are always packed. I stayed at a cheap hotel in the south, a 25-minute walk from the nightlife hub of Namba. Thankfully, I had a private room this time, so no snoring neighbours!
My stay was productive: I met new friends, joined a jam session with great musicians, played a concert, and visited nearby Nara. There is a magnetic energy to this city, and I’m happy to say I already have future projects lined up with locals here.
The concert day was chaotic. I asked my friend Tomo to book one of three venues I found online that had grand pianos. After some missed calls, one venue confirmed. However, we mixed them up! We thought we were booked at the first option, but an hour before showtime, we realized the concert was at a different venue entirely. Despite the mix-up, I performed for an hour and the audience was fantastic. The piano was decent, though slightly out of tune in the high register.
On the 29th, I woke up to find my flight canceled due to an approaching typhoon. Luckily, it was only pushed back by one day. The storm wasn’t too severe, so I spent the extra day bonding with the hotel staff and guests on the rooftop, enjoying the wild wind.
Now, I’m checking out. I fly tonight, but first, I’m heading to a Sake Festival to raise a glass to this incredible city. Kanpai! 😉