{"id":7682,"date":"2023-09-21T19:52:57","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T23:52:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arcticukitsu.com\/Blog\/?p=7682"},"modified":"2023-10-13T21:29:26","modified_gmt":"2023-10-14T01:29:26","slug":"trip-to-japan-day-13-2023-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcticukitsu.com\/Blog\/?p=7682","title":{"rendered":"Trip to Japan \u2013 Day 14 (2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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This blogpost covers the day of April 3nd, 2023 while in Osaka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This day was one of my “shorter” days doing things which took up more time than it should have taken up. I woke up at 8 AM, at nearby at a poorly-reviewed Cafe (partnered with the hotel), and even sought out a Japanese Postal Office to send my stuff back to both Canada & USA, for various both friends. My goodwill had hampered me while in Japan causing me to curse daily, I had to get rid of it. I finally had, spending well over $1000 Canadian. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My goal for the day? Visit Universal Studio to attempt to have fun at Mario theme park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Related Blog Posting (Japan Travel):<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[Day 1<\/a>] \u2013 [Day 2<\/a>] \u2013 [Day 3<\/a>] \u2013 [Day 4<\/a>] \u2013 [Day 5<\/a>] \u2013 [Day 6<\/a>] \u2013 [Day 7<\/a>] \u2013 [Day 8<\/a>] \u2013 [Day 9<\/a>] \u2013 [Day 10<\/a>] \u2013 [Day 11<\/a>] \u2013 [Day 12<\/a>] – [Day 13<\/a>] <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Started my day off with Azur Lane, Twitter, and even a breakfast at ‘Cafe di Espresso kohikan’, a Cafe I would gradually learn to hate more and more. For today, however, I simply caught up on Twitter and went on my postal shipping duties. The thing is though, the greedier the hotel, the worse it gets. I much preferred Yokohama’s combo of Hotel Unizo & the restaurant attached to it over this awkward Caf\u00e9 in Osaka. It’s why I conbini so much. Conbini is my saviour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[Disclaimer<\/em><\/strong>: It wasn’t on this day (it was on another day) where a waitress\/server told me to take a seat, so I took a seat. Moments later she came up to me in the manner of “What are you doing?! GO GET YOUR FOOD!” type physical reaction and gesturing. I went “god damn”…. I don’t want to come back here. May be a miscommunication situation, I however do not want to come back here. I never had good vibes with that caf\u00e9, especially with the 3.5\/5 stars on Google reviews<\/em>. It did not sit well with me. Ramen shops and conbini rated 3.5\/5 are better than this.<\/em>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After relaxing, tweeting, and eating at the caf\u00e9 I went on my Japan Postal run, after having returned to my hotel to obtain the gifts. I needed to send my stuff off before it was too late. I needed to get it all out of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Ferrari in Osaka! WOOO!~ <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– A few things I desired to send off to my American friend. A Jintsu air-freshener, maybe a keychain, a Jintsuu Figure, and others. (Or it just may be a random image).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Making note of the little vehicles in the distance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Double image trying to make sure I captured the two mini-vehicles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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I even briefly visited the nearby Conbini for some morning snacks, with certain disappointments from the Cafe partnered with my hotel. I get cranky when people start doing the whole “everything is your fault” nonsense, or certain vibes upsetting me causing me to stress-buy at a Conbini.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[Hotel > Cafe > Hotel > Osaka Station > Snack Park > Nintendo OSAKA > Universal Studio > Osaka Station > Snack Park > Namco Arcade > (After-lewd School Girl) > Hotel]<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Tanimachi Line to Osaka Loops to reach Universal Studio. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Near Osaka Station: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On my way to Universal Studio via Osaka Station, not before Osaka’s Snack Park & Nintendo-OSAKA visit beforehand. I noted there being Nintendo Stores in Osaka Station causing me to detour, get lost, even finding my way up to where I desired to go, after having visited Osaka’s Snack Park. A lovely place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– From one Osaka Station to the next.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Admiring every bit of Japan’s architecture and scenery. So gorgeous. Heading to Osaka Station for ‘Nintendo OSAKA’ prior to Universal Studios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Japanese friend (Ken_Works) Suggested I should visit Osaka’s Snack Park. It was a bit of a struggle locating this ‘Snack Park’, eventually discovering it after having visited every other floor in the building. Even going to either end on the main floor, eventually discovering the escalator downwards. Fun times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Testing out various foods, even being taught how to order properly. Even seeing my hashbrown from Family Mart (Higashi Tenma). <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As noted previously, the cafe left me feeling hollow so I had to purchase a hashbrown for some extra morning morale boost. Japan sure knows how to make great food. I may be a stranger, ignorant on many things, yet food speaks to me when it’s well done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Trying out other Japanese food. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ken_Works (on Twitter\/X) noted I wasn’t in the correct location, even though I was. Made me second guess myself, even clarifying at a later point that I had indeed discovered (safely arriving at) Osaka’s Snack Park. I desired to return, having done so various times in the coming days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Osaka Station.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As noted previously, I was lost trying to find my way to the upper floors. I had to go in a loop trying to find where I needed to go. I needed to seek out an elevator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Admiring the various neat themed stores. Of course, a fellow foreigner has to give me the weird confused look.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It’s always my fellow foreigners and other foreigners neighboring Japan always doing the weirder things in Japan. The weird looks, the intrusive photobombing, and just being highly awkward. I love how photogenic and respectful the Japanese are, even if they genuinely desire to curse myself and other folks out for being disruptive. Sorry, but I’m only here for 1 month, I’m trying to log everything, and I had done just that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Nintendo OSAKA! I was here! \ud83d\ude42<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Let’s be honest, if I had a loose wallet I would purchase half of this store, and every other. I would need an Americanized mansion to fit all this stuff in there. I had to penny-pinch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I was seeking out small trinkets for both myself and my roommate. Just the small stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Skimmed through various merchandise, cashed out, and went to the next.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Can’t tell if a Japanese female staff member was irritated with me for walking and trying to sort out my Nintendo account to obtain a discount. I was flagged to head from the line to the cash, fiddling with my Nintendo account trying to get the required code for a discount seeing signs of frustration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe it’s nothing, or maybe it’s something. I’m sorry if I’ve done anything wrong. Then again, it’s just probably nothing, or Japanese girls really are highly frustrated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Venturing in and around the Pokemon store finding out the line-up wraps around across the world. Exaggeration, though it was insanely long.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I also couldn’t purchase from the Pokemon Store, even if I desired to. The line-up was INSANE! I would have spent my whole day waiting to be cashed out. Nah, I’m out. Off to another Nintendo-themed store!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Constantly noticing how unphotogenic we foreigners are. We simply just stand out in all the wrong ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Deleting my previous image for this image. Mostly better, if still blurry. Nintendo Osaka, One Piece store, among others.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you admire Nintendo, this is your location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Looping around to take images I was unable to take previously.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Monster Hunter goodness. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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After much window-shopping and touring the place, even noticing Konami is as useless as they were in 2009, I decided to take a break. Konami only had a sports club, though anything Busou Shinki or anything of that sort was non-existent. Shame. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Admiring my loot. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I wish Animal Crossing: New Horizons was better handled. I dislike how it handles like an MMO more than it does as a singleplayer experience. Two steps forward, one step back. I’d only play it if I had a Japanese girlfriend\/wife, yet do not have one so I guess that’s that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Admiring the Zelda and Mario merchandise I bought for my roommate, some even for myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Off to Universal Studios.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

[In hindsight, I should have simply visited Osaka itself, not the Americanized nonsense that is Universal Studio. I become far more cranky I desired to be in Osaka’s Snack Park instead of Universal Studio. Then again, I would have whined and moaned I never desired to to venture to Universal Studio for Mario. It was a losing battle in either perspective.]<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Eco-Power!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Japanese transportation is genuinely something else, and I admire it. If I wasn’t an ignorant tourist I would take their buses more often.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Google Maps taking me around a route I shouldn’t be taking. Google Maps failing me more and more in Osaka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Sakurajima and Osaka’s sidewalk bike racks. These road-side bike racks really stood out to me.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Halfway through this walk I noticed things weren’t as they seemed; Going the wrong way. Wanted to explore in its fullest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“Sorry, but you have to go around to the front” – Universal Studios<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>”FUCK!”< – Me, internally.
“O.K, Thank you for the help<\/em>” – Me, externally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Universal Studio was a mistake. The place I was dropped of is for the special ticket holders able to skip lines, get better deals, and simply bribing their way through the theme park. I feel horrible knowing that knowledge. Every knew-found knowledge and experience makes me hate how Universal Studio is big money and a “waiting in line simulator” wasting your time to steal your hard earned money out of your wallets. Screw that. Of course I’m angry and salty. It’s greedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Sakurajima – At least Osaka has neat trains. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Using Google Maps to get from Sakurajima to the main gates of Universal Studio. The previous trip took me to Sakurajima, and around the wrong way. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Panorama – Amused the women shielded their face while I was in the middle of taking a panorama. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Always trying to time my pictures and panorama when there aren’t people in the way. I’m trying to be respectful, while also seeking that balance of “quick-shot” and “decent quality” for blogging purposes. I’m sorry I keep getting Japanese people in my images, yet sometimes it can’t be avoided. I mean, I’m happy their faces are self-censored. Sometimes people walk right in, mainly being arrogant fellow tourists, or Japanese locals irritated by people like me taking quick images while we’re both in haste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Admiring this pathway built on top of the train tracks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Noticed many mascot characters. They would wave happily at me, and I returned the waves at them. We waved happily at one another. Stay awesome, Japan! \ud83d\ude09<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– One of those “I’m glad to be in Japan, not Canada.” ….. Savouring the moment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Osaka is indeed beautiful. More business-oriented, or so I would be later informed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Making note of this sign, to the confusion of passerbyers. I mean, it looks neat. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Lovely Japanese Sakura tree at Universal Studio.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Hello Kitty taken for my friend’s partner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– I’m happy to say I’ve now visited Universal Studio Japan, yet peeved I wasn’t able to accomplish what I desired on both this and the next day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– The gates of Universal Studio.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– What I proudly came to Universal Studio for, yet was gatekept away from it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Super Nintendo World! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Universal Studio! Kon! Kon! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Waited in various lines, eventually being told I can purchase my ticket into the park, though have to come again early tomorrow morning to enter a rally. I wasn’t able to purchase tickets for Super Nintendo World. I had to enter a lottery via the Universal Studio app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frustrated, I left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– City-walk – Walking my way back to Osaka Googling up various arcades.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I Google Map searched various arcades in the area. I desired to play KanColle Arcade. I was angry, I was cranky. I desired my escapism on top of my escapism in Japan. I discovered various arcades located near Osaka Station using a KanColle Arcade locator provided by the Japanese locals. They sent me a link, even suggesting I use Yahoo Maps for Japan. I unknowingly, and stubbornly used Google Maps to get around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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– Super Nintendo World – I guess you’ll be but a simple dream…..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Time to venture into more stores. Window shopping, basically.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Various Harry Potter wands.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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– Super Mario World train! (Super Nintendo World themed train). <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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