Day 58: Ramen and Jammin

47So I saw pretty much the whole of Osaka today! And that was after barely any sleep due to my hostel being the noisiest place I've stayed in yet. I started by going to Osaka castle which at the moment is surrounded by cherry blossom trees so it's really pretty. I paid to go into the castle but in hindsight I wouldn't have bothered as it's just full of tapestries and other boring things. 

Next I travelled to Umeda and went on a noodle hunt. I ended up getting really frustrated as I couldn't find the place I had googled for love nor money. It was in a big department store with loads of shops and restaurants, but all of the restaurant names are in Japanese with no English translation. I asked three different places if they knew where it was but they had no idea. Eventually I gave up and decided to go hungry for a bit longer. I headed for the Umeda Sky Building for views of the city. At the top I met lovely Australian lady who's husband was too afraid of heights to join her. She said he's also a fussy eater so they've done nothing but eat in western joints. What a waste, the food here is amazing! 

Tempozan market and aquarium was next on my list. In my research I'd read about a dish called Omurice, which is an omelette filled with rice and anything else of your choice. I went for chicken. It was served with a tomato type sauce. The whole thing was a bit odd, but it's 3pm at this point and I haven't eaten all day so I demolished it! The aquarium here is unreal. It's apparently one of the best in the world. It's incredible. You start at the very top of the building, some 900 metres up, and you wind your way down  past various huge tanks filled with amazing things. 

I took the metro back towards town and wondered through the Amerikamura and Shinsabashi areas of town, which are apparently chic shopping streets where all the cool funky youngsters frequent. So obviously I fit right in. There are quite a few of your typical stereotypical crazy Japanese here, with bright purple hair and silver wedge shoes. 

Tonight I had planned on going to a Kobe beef restaurant, but it was fully booked. Just as well, as I ended up having the most amazing dinner. I went to Ichiran, famous for its Ramen. The whole thing was just a fun experience. There was a large queue outside, but it moved very quickly. This queue was for the food selection machines inside, where you pay and pick what you want. I went for classic ramen with pork, green onions and soft boiled salted egg. You then have to queue for a booth. The booths are individual, but you can remove the barriers if you're with friends. I was glad of the privacy because I practically had my face in the bowl slurping the broth! All you can hear either side of you is everyone else doing exactly the same thing. The food was so tasty, and had a proper kick to it! And that was me choosing the regular spice level, you can go much more hardcore.

After dinner I went to Cinquecento bar, where all drinks are 500¥. I had four cocktails, all of which were very strong! It was a really cool little bar. Then I went to the Drunken Clam which is a karaoke bar. I got chatting to a nice guy from Hawaii and a couple from Australia and we all sang a few songs. I went for Seal Kiss from a rose, but by this point I've had many cocktails and a few beers so the vocals are suffering. When the Americans arrive and start singing Barbie Girl, I take it as my cue to leave...Kyoto tomorrow!