Osaka & Nara
Tokyo is undoubtedly one of the world’s finest cities. It’s all things metropolitan from its haute cuisine, to prim and proper fashion, fitting in line with the Paris or Londons of the world. Osaka on the other hand is one of world's lesser known metropolises, which doesn’t seem to mind flying a little under the radar. It’s got a mindset all about food, drink, and over the top neon lights buzzing at all hours. It’s all about business but still funky, friendly but not overly polite, and less serious but still disciplined in the best ways.
We didn’t spend too much time in Osaka being tourists, rather taking advantage of a city more known for its street food stalls and bar culture. It gave us a chance to recharge our batteries for the next few weeks of approaching travel and our initial journey into South East Asia. We made no bucket lists, looked at no maps, and just came to Osaka with open expectations and empty stomachs. We were happily met by warm locals, amazing food, and many ex-pats also devastated by the US election results. These are the moments we captured while simply wandering streets with no particular destination in mind.
Day Trip to Nara
Just outside Osaka, about halfway to Kyoto, we took a day trip to the historical town of Nara. Famous for it’s adorable and sometime aggressive deer, and the Tōdai-ji temple with its giant Buddha. We took advantage of a sunny day and hiked to a nearby peak where we met more deer and caught a great view of the city. Nara is practically a rite of passage for any traveler in Japan, just be okay with making a few new furred friends.
