After breakfast, we decided to walk around to 1) work off breakfast and 2) see what sights could be seen. Also, as mentioned in my above posts, needed to find my glasses and a cell phone. We also walked around the basement of the Takashimaya department store which is next door to our hotel. The basement of all Japanese department stores is devoted to food - usually prepared foods that are ready to take home to serve. This picture doesn't quite capture how large this area was - we spent a good 15-20 minutes walking around and thinking everything looked really good.


And amongst all of the items for sale, we also found a meat shop that specialized in Japanese beef (wagyuu) or what most people in the States call Kobe beef (Kobe is only one of the places that make Japanese beef and some say that there are better places)


Last but not least, a picture of our lunch (partially eaten, I'm afraid). We found a store that specialized in okonomiyaki which is a favorite food of Osaka people. It's like a pancake that's cooked in front of you on a iron griddle. It consists of flour, water, egg, cabbage and assorted meats that you pick (we picked pork since it's the traditional choice). A thickened Worchestire and mayonaise sauce is placed on top along with bonito (type of tuna) shavings and green laver (nori) flakes. You cut it apart with your spatula and place it on your plate where you eat it with chopsticks. It was REALLY good - highly recommended for people to try when they come to Osaka. We happened to pick a branch store of a famous okonomiyaki chain called Tsuruhashi Fuugetsu.


Tonight we're headed to a Kobe steak place that my cousin is recommending. We'll let you know how that goes!

Masaki