My oldest daughter’s high school class took a three-day field trip to the Western Japan city of 大阪 (Osaka).
All of the photos in this post were taken by her during this trip.
The headquarters of the Japanese "Glico Candy Co.", Osaka, Japan
Have you ever visited Osaka? Have you ever visited Tokyo?
Did you notice how different they food and the people are?
Some people say that Tokyo is famous for fashion and Osaka is famous for food.
Do you know the delicious Japanese dishes 「お好み焼き」 (Okonomiyaki) and 「たこ焼き」 (Takoyaki)? Did you know that they are both “Osaka dishes”?
That’s not to say that Tokyo doesn’t have delicious food. In fact, Tokyo has more Michelin Star restaurants than any other city in the world.
And Tokyo has original dishes as well. Have you ever tried 「もんじゃ焼き」 (Monja-yaki)?
I guess you could call it “Tokyo-style Okonomiyaki”.
People from Osaka are more outgoing and friendly compared to people in Tokyo. A large number of Japan’s most famous comedians live and work in Tokyo but they’re actually from Osaka.
People in Osaka are famous for asking shop clerks for a discount when they shop. But that’s not done in Tokyo…here people just pay the listed price. People in Tokyo don’t feel comfortable “bargaining” for a discount.
Personally I think Osaka is a fun place to visit but I feel more comfortable in Tokyo than any other city. I enjoy living here. It has become “home”.
Anyways here are the rest of the photos that my daughter took that don’t have her or any of her friends in them:
The famous "Kani-Doraku" seafood restaurant
A type of "Takoyaki" called "Akashiyaki"
"Carl Corn Puffs" snack logo
The famous "Kuidaore-Tarou" statue
A train advertising "Universal Studios Japan" amusement park, which is in Osaka
Entrance to Universal Studios Japan (USJ) with X-mas decorations
Snoopy and Hello Kitty "Nikuman" meat-rolls at Universal Studios Japan. I guess Universal Studios in America doesn't have these.
Is "Hello Kitty" at the Unversal Studios parks in the U.S. too?
The giant X-mas tree at USJ.
Tokyo Five 
Anytime someone visits me from the States, we go to Osaka to visit a friend of mine, and every single person remarks how much more they like Osaka than Tokyo! I just don’t understand why. I’m with you, Tokyo is THE BEST city in the world! It’s my absolute favorite place to be, I love everything about it and hate the thought of ever having to leave!
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>I just don’t understand why.
Maybe from a Western point-of-view people from Osaka seem friendlier.
>Tokyo is THE BEST city in the world!
I think so too. That’s why I’ve lived here for so long.
> hate the thought of ever having to leave!
How long will you stay in Japan?
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Nice photos! I’m glad she had fun. I’ve never heard of “meat rolls”! Are they really meat, or is it like mince meat pie (semantic trickery)?
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>Nice photos!
Thanks. I’ll tell her you said so.
>I’ve never heard of “meat rolls”!
I guess I should have described them better. I doubt they’re in America.
They’re originally Chinese. But the Japanese version is a bit different.
They’re a flour bun stuffed with usually pork…but they’re are other versions, including: curry, pizza, bean paste, chocolate, etc.
>Are they really meat…?
Yes. Pork usually.
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