Another fitful night’s rest, this one due to the stomach issues I experienced as a result of…
That greasy heat lamp fried chicken?
The “healthy” side salad with the pure red vinegar dressing I had for lunch?
The late night pistachio cake snack?
Whatever it was, I was NOT feeling great this morning. But there was no time to wallow (or recover) as we had to catch an early morning train to Osaka!
We arrived at Tokyo Station with plenty of time to pick up something for the trip. Originally, I had planned to pick up a medley of bentos and assorted treats but because I was feeling a little under the weather, I opted to go easy…
This Berkshire pork bento.
Deliciously rich and fatty. Served on a bed of rice and accompanied by some ginger (I ignored) and a square of tamagotchi. It was also nice of them to include that single tiny shishito pepper to help balance out all that meat with some veggie.
The bullet train was surprisingly smooth, roomy, and comfortable. It stopped at Nagoya along the way, a place, according to Akemi, that is famed for its eel. Thinking we should do a day trip the next time we come to Japan.
Upon our arrival to Osaka, we checked into the Zentis, a surprisingly nice (and relatively inexpensive) three-year-old boutique hotel. Then, we took a stroll –
I was feeling munchy, so we stopped off for a beef tend curry pan –
Then we stopped by one of my favorite chocolate shops, Palet d’Or, where we picked up an assortment…
- of mostly sake-flavored chocolates. Akemi picked up her favorites, the dark chocolates flavored with honey and maple syrup instead of sugar, using soy milk over regular cream and sesame oil instead of butter.
Yes, that’s a Palet d’Or chocolate vending machine.
After picking up a black buta bun from the local 7-11, we relaxed in our hotel room (where I mostly updated this blog) before heading off for dinner with Akemi’s mom, sister, and brother…
This place looked promising.
Finally, we went for unagi dinner with Akemi’s mom, sister, and brother…
Akemi went with the crispy shiro unagi while I went with the classic mahogany lacquered.
The Aotas.
What follows up barbecued eel better than waffles and custard. Just a peach tea for me though as I don’t want a repeat of last night.
And that’s a wrap on Japan Day #4 – Osaka Day #1!
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How wonderful Akemi got to see and visit with her family again!! Everyone looks fantastic!
Hope your stomach settles down. I’m sure it’s NOT the desserts!
Thank you for updating. It’s the highlight of my day!
Lying in bed with stomach pains laughing at classic mahogany lacquered. Brilliant.
Sorry to hear your stomach is not faring quite as well as you hoped on this trip but very
glad to hear the hotel you chose is comfortable and wonderful to see Akemi’s family looking healthy, happy and thriving.
Hmmmmmm. I’m thinking ya might? maybe? just perhaps? want to study up a bit to prepare yourself before making a day trip to Nagoya.
Apparently, this city thrives on its rudeness and over priced mediocre food.
There is a restaurant called Lazy House, currently making it into mainstream news in U.S, that absolutely prides itself on how disrespectfully it treats its customers and the bland, poorly presented, over priced, food it serves up. There’s a whole bunch of different videos on you tube showing the waiters intentionally being rude to customers. Tossing the menus and orders onto customers tables. Waiters casually talking to friends loudly on their phones in the dining room area while ignoring customers that are calling them over to the table. Rushing customers to pay their bill and the owner using a bullhorn to yell at the customers to move along and get out quickly after they pay what they owe. The owner claims in one major news outlet interview -the locals absolutely love the staffs intentional rudeness and the restaurant is consistently booked to full capacity one month in advance.
There is also an ap news story The mayor of Nagoya was caught on video putting someones 2020 Olympic gold medal in his mouth and firmly biting down after the athlete was kind enough to show it to him and let him hold it in his hands. He then hands it back to the athlete with his germs on it during the height of the covid pandemic.
https://apnews.com/article/2020-tokyo-olympics-softball-sports-coronavirus-pandemic-japan-5b501ed7eddb5a452686381e5bed68bb
So great to see Akemi meeting up with the fam again!
Sorry to hear about your digestive upsets, something with which I’m all too familiar. Stupid lactose! Anyway, I’m loving these trip updates – keep ’em coming!