Visit Osaka: Gacha Gacha No Mori

There is no shortage of gachapon / gashapon machines throughout Japan.  Just about every where you turn, you can find them - in stores, on the street corner, fronting shops . . . 

There are even entire stores dedicated to gachapons, with hundreds of machines selling capsule toys of your favorite characters, anime, animals, foods, and more items that you probably would never have thought of. 

Gacha Gacha No Mori is a chain of capsule toy stores found throughout Japan.  There was one right near our hotel, so we went to check it out. 

It's a multi-level shop with capsule toy vending machines ranging from 100 yen to 500 yen.  

The kids are not that big on gachapon, but they did get a couple of capsule toys.

If you're into gachapon, definitely check out a Gacha Gacha No Mori location!  

Gacha Gacha No Mori
Japan, 〒556-0005 Osaka

Naniwa Ward, Nipponbashi, 3 Chome−7−22 光ビル

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Visit Japan: Konbini Hauls

We literally went to a konbini every single day during our recent trip to Japan.  Family Mart, 7-Eleven, Lawson . . . we would go for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert!  Sometimes we'd go even multiple times a day.

I'm always game for convenience store ice cream, and I usually get a sandwich and some kind of chips.

What are your must-haves from the konbini?  

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Visit Osaka: Takashimaya Depachika

I went to the Takashimaya Depachika a couple of times while in Osaka to pick up omiyage and some sweet treats (like Isshindo Daifuku).  

Bake Cheese Tart

I love cheese tarts!  I got a sampler from Bake Cheese Tart which included a regular Cheese Tart, Chocolate Banana, Burnt Caramel, Milky Mascarpone, and Honey Lemon.  So luscious!

Kakitane Kitchen

I never noticed Kakitane Kitchen before on previous trips to Japan, but the cute packaging caught my eye.  I bought a variety of different flavored rice crackers!

Press Butter Sand

It's been years since I got Press Butter Sand - I was swayed into getting some of the other flavors!

When I was there, one of the employees gave me a Discount Shoppers Pass, in which visitors can get 5% off any 3000 yen purchase, so be sure to ask for it.  

Takashimaya
Japan, 〒542-8510 Osaka, Chuo Ward

Namba5 Chome Nankai Building, 店地下１階 高島屋大阪

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Visit Osaka: Hankyu Umeda Main Store

On a rainy day in Osaka, we decided to stay indoors and do some shopping and eating at Hankyu Umeda Main Store.

We primarily did some omiyage shopping as well as picked up various eats from the numerous stalls throughout the store. 

I picked up omiyage from Grand Calbee and Sugar Butter Tree.

Grand Calbee gave me a shopping bag "raincoat" because of the rain!  Love the thoughtfulness of the Japanese. 

The line for Sugar Butter Tree was the longest omiyage line I've ever stood in.  The Peanuts collection just debuted, thus the long line.  People had to get a ticket to confirm they were in line and didn't cut in. 

Some of the eats included:

Butaman from 551 Horai

Chocolate Cream Donut from .donut

Sushi

On the bottom level there are some tables at which you can stand to eat your food, as well as a handwash station. 

The number of omiyage and foods stalls was quite overwhelming, but it's definitely worth a stop in!

Hankyu Umeda Main Store
8-7 Kakudacho, Kita Ward

Osaka, 530-8350, Japan

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Visit Osaka: Mimaru Osaka Namba Station

I am a fan of Mimaru Apartment Hotels, so while in Osaka, we stayed at Mimaru Osaka Namba Station.    

We booked a 2-bedroom family suite, which had a kitchen, living room, washer / dryer, 2 bathrooms, and 2 bedrooms for a total of 6 beds.  

(excuse the state of the beds - this was right before we checked out)

What we thought was super cool about this hotel was the game theme.  Not only is there a lobby area full of games that you can play, but you'll find games in the halls, in the elevator, and even in your room!

We played a few of the games, like the coin hunt, in which we had to search for coins throughout the suite. 

We also signed up to play a scavenger hunt.  It involved clues, deciphering messages, finding hidden objects, and even finding a secret room.

You're only given 30 minutes to complete the mission, but we took 90 minutes - and we solved it only with the help of one of the lovely staff members who saw we were having trouble. 

Despite how difficult it was for us, we had a lot of fun.

The hotel also offers complimentary hotel slippers and other toiletries if you need them.

You can also get complimentary coffee and soft drinks (specific hours only).

Our suite was very spacious - the biggest layout of the three Mimaru locations we've stayed at so far.

Train stations were an average of just 7 minutes away, and there were numerous konbinis and restaurants around.

We had a great stay at Mimaru Osaka Namba Station!

Mimaru Osaka Namba Station

3 Chome-6-24 Nipponbashi

Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0005, Japan•+81 6-6567-8237
 

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Visit Osaka: Sanpomen Namba Nihonbashi

After checking into our hotel, we walked across the street to eat dinner at Sanpomen.

They have a small counter on the lower level with more seating on an upper level for a total of 19 seats. 

I wasn't very hungry and only wanted chicken and rice, so I ordered that through the ticket machine only to be told that everyone had to order a noodle dish.  Sanpomen serves both ramen and tsukemen, so I was happy to eat tsukemen. 

Rice

Karaage Chicken

They specialize in a house fish-based tsukemen broth that pairs perfectly with thick, chewy noodles.  It was delicious!  The chicken was tender and juicy.  

Tsukemen with Karaage Chicken

Tsukemen Broth

Tsukemen with Egg

Tonkotsu Ramen

Black Tonkotsu Ramen Special

Tsukemen Special

We ate up everything - it was an ideal first dinner!

Sanpomen Namba Nihonbashi
2 Chome-1-23 Nanbanaka

Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0011, Japan

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