In 2018, the year I became an adult, I decided to travel to Osaka with my high school friends.
Since it was my first time going abroad, I had been incredibly excited for weeks leading up to the trip.
Watching the sunset from above the clouds felt completely new and special.
성인이 된 2018년 나는 고등학교 친구들과 같이 오사카에 놀러가기로 하였다.
첫 해외여행이라 몇주전 부터 엄청 설레었었다.
구름위에서 해지는 것을 보니 새로웠다.
We grabbed a rice bowl near our hotel and then went back to rest.
That was the very first meal I had in Japan.
It was incredibly cheap and delicious—if I remember correctly, it was around 6,000 won.
It seemed like the water from the sink was reused for flushing.
Such a clever and eco-friendly idea!
Even though Japan is right next to Korea, the houses and buildings felt quite different.
Instead of tall apartment buildings, there were more 3- or 4-story villas.
Those villas seemed to create a uniquely charming atmosphere that felt distinctly Japanese.
From what I remember, eating out in Japan was cheaper than in Korea.
Most meals cost less than 10,000 won, and even though they were inexpensive, the quality was excellent.
우리는 점심으로 텐동을 먹으러 가기로하였다.
At Osaka Airport, we purchased the Osaka Amazing Pass, which gave us free access to several attractions.
So that day, we planned to take a river cruise in Dotonbori, one of Osaka’s most famous tourist spots.
With the pass, we were able to reserve our tickets in advance and ride for free.
While waiting for the cruise, we took a walk nearby.
We spent some peaceful time in a quiet park, gazing at a beautiful building nearby.
유람선에서는 바라보는 글리코상, 도톤보리 거리는 빛나고 아름다웠다.
So, we used our Osaka Amazing Pass once again to ride the HEP Five Ferris Wheel, which was free with the pass.
물 위에서 오사카의 야경을 즐겼으니, 하루의 끝은 하늘에서 내려다보는 오사카의 모습으로 장식해보기로 했다.
그래서 우리는 주유패스를 사용하면 무료인 헵파이브 대관람차를 타기로 하였다.
For dinner, we enjoyed a delicious unagi don (grilled eel rice bowl) that cost only about 5,000 won.
On the way back to the hotel, we passed by a pachinko parlor and watched it curiously, marking the end of our day in Osaka.
저녁으로 5000원 짜리 장어덮밥을 먹고 집가는길 빠칭코를 구경하면서 오사카에 하루를 마무리 하였다.
Among all the cities in the Kansai region, I personally found Kyoto to be the most beautiful.
I’ll share the story of that unforgettable trip to Kyoto in the next post—so stay tuned!
Here’s a photo of a charming, uniquely Japanese-style building I took while waiting for the bus.