Thursday, February 9, 2023
Shinjuku to Osaka, Japan
Mom packed all her Uniqlo purchases into this bag! These things make her happy! Even though we have Uniqlo in the states, she got these purchases tax free.
Mom wore this jacket on her last trip to Japan in 2019. Now she's retiring it because she's got new jackets and not much more luggage space.
Mom made this sign for me (actually for herself) because the bathroom is a step up in the hotel room.
I went back down this morning to order an egg over rice to go so that we could have it on the Shinkansen ride to Osaka. She put the dish into this newly purchased thermos.
I checked out of the hotel using this machine. Answer the questions on the touch screen, drop your card keys into the slot. So easy and efficient. Japan really has a way with that!
The Lumine 1 and 2 are buildings with tons of boutique-type shops. Loved just walking by the stores by going up and down the escalators. The clothes are unique and pretty!
A floral store in the train station and I just had to get a picture of the pretty colors.
I continue to have to ask for help at the information centers in the train station. Which gate? Can you change my ticket, I missed the train. Mom and I have a system down. She stands to the side with our luggage while I go seek help and the direction where we're supposed to walk- rather than us both walking around and trying to find our way.
She came back with All. Of. This. I'm not sure she knew what she was buying. She saw others pick it up and so did she. She got squid and nuts. Not something she can eat because of her teeth.
We're on our way! Mom busted out the egg over rice and gyoza cause she was hungry!
They sell beverages and food on the train. People ate, drank, slept, and worked on the train.
We got off the Shinkansen at Osaka Station and had to take the subway to Namba where our hotel is.
I noticed some women move from one door to another and wondered why they did that. So I took a quick look and noticed the pink sign: Women Only. Cool. Mom and I got in that car of the train. I asked mom to take notice of what was different about this train and the people in it. And she guessed it!
Ready to get off at Namba Station! and woah, we didn't see elevators to take us up. So we had to carry our luggage up the stairs. Ugh. Mmm, I wonder where the elevators are? Handicap access?
Sights as we come out of the Namba Station.
I love a lot of pillows!
Tsubomi and Junko are sisters. Junko and Reanna studied together in Beijing. She came to SF six years ago and hung out with our family. We went to Camp Jones Gulch family camp together too!
Tsubomi met us at our hotel and we went out for Okonomiyaki! Mom's first time! and now she wants to try to make it. I showed her a YouTube video and it seems doable!
In addition to the Okonomiyaki, we had yakisoba and oysters. Mom saw oysters on the menu and ordered. That's great cause it was tasty!
Digging in! The food was yummy, a bit too salty for mom. I think it's all the sauce.The portion was perfect.
So good to eat and catch up after six years since Tsubomi's visit to the states.
Topics of discussion: work and work hours in Japan (many people work long hours in Japan), diet culture (many women diet in Japan), family (everyone's doing fine), being away from parents (Tsubomi has been away since after high school), shopping (she doesn't shop much), leisure activities (Tsubomi sleeps or watches TV/shows), friends (Her boyfriend, Kazuki, of 4 almost 5 years lives in Tokyo).
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