We’re already in December, the last month of the year, and it’s getting colder here in Osaka!

This is the season when lights shine beautifully in the clear air. In this post, I would like to introduce Midosuji Illumination in Osaka.

Midosuji Road is composed of National Route 25 and 176, and extends approximately 4.2 kilometers. In Midosuji, one of the symbols of Osaka, the trees along the street are lit up in winter, illuminating the city even more brightly at night.

From Konjaku-So Dotonbori, if you walk west from the house for about 10 minutes, you will see beautifully glowing trees around the Namba west exit. Also, from Konjaku-So Shinsaibashi, if you walk west for about 10 minutes toward Daimaru shopping mall, you will soon see a glittering and decorated town.

This brightness lasts for several kilometers, enhancing the excitement of the festive season and lighting up the warm and cozy feeling that only winter can bring.

According to the website “Festivals of the lights in Osaka 2023“, the colors of the lights vary in each area. Although I wasn’t aware of it last time, I remember there were areas with blue lights and areas with yellow lights! Let’s find your favorite color as you walk along the long road.

I took this photo a few years ago, and the pink light was lovely. It looks like a neon sakura blossoms.

Having lived in Osaka for many years, these lights bring back memories of moments I spent by them. Like that day when I was at the university library, caught up with my thesis, losing track of time and running late for my part-time job. Despite the guilty feeling, I found a bit of excitement in the commute to work, surrounded by the sparkling lights. Or that time when the person I was supposed to meet didn’t show up, but the sparkles in the cold somehow comforted me.

Every day, lots of people walk along Midosuji, each with their own memories. I imagine these lights gently remind everyone of those moments.

The lights will be there until January 31, 2024, so if you’re staying at Konjaku-So Dotonbori or Shinsaibashi, make sure to check them out!

*You will be redirected to the Konjaku-So Official Booking Page.

For some reason, I have been craving for the Japanese cuisine called Akashiyaki for the past few days. It looks like Takoyaki, but is actually quite different and unique cuisine from Akashi, Hyogo prefecture.

After searching for a Takoyaki shops in Namba that served Akashiyaki, my sister and I decided to go to “Dotonbori Takohachi Sohonten“.

We ordered Akashiyaki, Takosen and beer from a stall at the entrance. Takosen is like a Takoyaki sandwich with Senbei (rice crackers), that is one of my favorites

The staff handed us Takosen at the entrance and we went inside the shop to wait for Akashiyaki. I loved their Takosen so much! The Takoyaki inside was piping hot that you must be careful not to bite wildly! And the octopus, the star of Takoyaki, was large and amazing.

Then came the Akashiyaki!

We had the broth prepared in a pot and dipped the fluffy balls into the soup!

After we got full with Takosen and Akashiyaki, we were in the mood for Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) next, so we headed to Hozenji Yokocho, that has a traditional and relaxed atmosphere despite its location in the busy area.

I have lived in Osaka for 26 years, but this was my first visit to Hozenji Yokocho. Many of the Izakaya restaurants have a relaxed atmosphere that matches the mood of the streets. As we wanted to have Yakitori, we went through Hozenji Yokocho and entered an Izakaya restaurant called Yakitori Kuwadori, which was just around the corner.

We seated at the counter and ordered some Yakitori, grilled shiitake and eringi mushrooms!

Hehe…it was all so delicious that we almost melted. I loved the fresh texture of the green onions in the Negima skewer. The Tsukune (meat ball skewer) was also good with its crunchy texture.

It was a wonderful day, with everything that went into my mouth tasting amazingly good!

The area around Hozenji Yokocho and Dotonbori that I mentioned is within a 10-minute walk from Konjaku-So Dotonbori

*You will be redirected to the Konjaku-So Official Booking Page.

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