Teoh Gim Khoon (0361563)
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Intercultural Design - Osaka Trip Reflection
Traveling on a late-night flight left me really tired, and I didn't sleep much on the plane. But I was super excited to arrive in Japan. When we got there, the weather was chilly, around 7 degrees Celsius, which was quite different from the warm climate back home in Malaysia. Still, it felt nice to walk around in the cool weather.
Our first day in Osaka was relaxed and flexible. After we checked into our hotel, we went to explore Shisaibashi street. We took some cool pictures at the famous Glico bridge. For dinner, we tried a place called Sukiya, which we knew it have in Malaysia as well, but we were curious to see how it was different in Japan. Later, we wandered around Shisaibashi and Dotonbori streets, trying out famous Japanese snacks like takoyaki. The streets were lively with big, bright signs and street performers. We ended the day by treating ourselves to a tasty and affordable dessert called 'Tanghulu.' It was so yummy!
After our first night in Japan, I couldn't wait for morning to arrive so we could explore more of Osaka. Today marked our first experience with train transport to our destination, and it was quite pleasant. The trains were spotlessly clean, and everyone seemed focused on their own activities. What amazed me was the heated seats on the train, perfect for the chilly weather, providing such thoughtful comfort.
Our first stop was the Cup Noodle Museum, where we learned about its history, manufacturing process, and even got to customize our own limited edition cup noodle designs. By lunchtime, we hadn't planned where to eat, but luck was on our side as we stumbled upon a charming, cozy house restaurant. Despite some initial language barriers with the owner, we persisted and were rewarded with the most amazing meal. Each dish was so delicious that we couldn't help but express our delight throughout the meal. We even tried some plum wine custom-made by the owner, adding to the memorable experience. I know for sure that I'll be revisiting this place when I return to Osaka. It was truly unforgettable! In the evening, we returned to Shinsaibashi to explore new stores we hadn't had the chance to visit earlier.
After two fun days of exploring, we got back to collecting data for our research since this trip is also for studying. On day 3, we went to Kyoto and found workshops and studios to visit for our project. But, we had a small hiccup as one store required an appointment, so we couldn't get much information there. No worries, though! We continued visiting other places we had planned. Everything went well, and we even got to interview the owner of one place, which helped us a lot with our project.
And of course, we couldn't visit Japan without trying sushi! So, we went to a cozy countryside sushi restaurant to taste udon, sashimi, and salmon. It was amazingly delicious, and I loved every bite!
After that, we visited a must-see spot in Kyoto, the 'Fushimi Inari Taisha Sembon Torii.' It was my first time there, and I was amazed by the countless torii gates winding up the mountain. It's so rich in history and culture.
As the night approached, we returned to the lively spots and started buying souvenirs. We found a lot of tax-free items, including many flavors of KitKats! Wow, there were so many!
Day 4 was a day I had been eagerly awaiting since the start of our trip. We headed to the famous tourist spot, Osaka Castle, and I was truly impressed by the building's grandeur. The surrounding area was beautifully landscaped with trees and a river, creating a serene atmosphere perfect for a leisurely stroll. I couldn't resist trying the matcha ice cream there, which had such a smooth and natural taste.
Next, we visited the Osaka House and Living Museum to learn about traditional Japanese living and historical building structures. It was fascinating to get a glimpse into their way of life.
In the evening, we went to TeamLab Osaka, an interactive art where we could walk through and explore different experiences. I particularly enjoyed the giant egg setups with changing lights and accompanying music. As the night went on, I started feeling a bit reluctant knowing that we only had two days left. I already missed Japan so much and wasn't ready to leave yet. But, is alright we still had tomorrow to enjoy to the fullest!
Time flew by so quickly, and today marks our last day in Osaka. We have the whole day to ourselves, so we decided to take it slow and stroll along the streets to soak in the atmosphere. We had a blast playing gachapon and collecting various toys as souvenirs to remember our trip. I finally got my hands on a Molly Pop Mart at the Pop Mart store, something I've been wanting for a long time.
For lunch, we tried okonomiyaki for the first time. It wasn't exactly my favorite, but it was still a unique experience. We spent the rest of the day leisurely walking around the streets, simply enjoying the weather and the surroundings.
Tomorrow, we'll be leaving Japan early in the morning. I already miss this place dearly, but I'm grateful for the incredible experience of visiting for the first time. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my parents for supporting this trip, our lecturer for taking care of us, and my fellow group members for exploring Osaka together and sharing unforgettable experiences. And to Japan, I promise I'll visit again soon! >___<
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