In Japan again! Arriving in Osaka

Ohisashiburine!

I haven't blogged for a long time but now I am in Japan again, so I want to share my experiences here.

This time my friend Kiki and I are in Japan for the Golden Bomber Fan Club Tour and Handshake Event. We managed to get tickets via lottery for the concert on Saturday the 6th!!!

We are very nervous and can't imagine the situation but we are also very happy for this chance to see our favourite members ^____^ 

So we booked the most expensive flight and hotels we ever had because it is now summer vacation in Japan and next are national holidays X.x

This time we flew with Finnair via Helsinki to Osaka. It's a nice route because we flew 2 hours to Helsinki and then just 9 more hours till Osaka^__^ 

But Finnair isn't a very good airline... on European flights you have to pay extra for soft drinks like coke or fanta and you don't even get a snack to eat. On the international flight the service wasn't impressive, the food was bad and the entertainement was also quite boring. 

Though the day started quite good. We arrived at Berlin Tegel airport on perfect time and were quite excited about the flight. But first we had a second at coffee fellows^.^

 

coffee time^^

first stop: Helsinki

Helsinki is very expensive, so we had our most expensive lunch there^^'

But at least we can say we tried Finnish food. Kiki had reindeer pasta while I chose the beetroot risotto. It was very delicious^^

beetroot risotto / reindeer pasta

We arrived in Osaka 30 min before schedule, we passed the passport control in record time but then had to wait unusually long for our luggage^^'

But the border control went also smoothly, so then we could relax. We changed clothes, I could change money (bad exchange rate at the moment >.<), Kiki could smoke before we took the Nankai train to Namba^^

We arrived at our hotel around 11 o'clock, so we had to pass three more hours till we could get to our room X.x

We were so tired...

But couldn't be helped, so first we visited our breakfast café in the underground mall and I was relieved to get my long awaited Matcha Latte^-^

But of course we couldn't spend the whole time there (otherwise we would have fallen asleep) so we went to a drug store nearby because I forgot some hair care. Then we entered the Tokyu Hands because I wanted to buy powder, a letter set and a sd card for my camera (which I also forgot^^;).

gets of the day

I got hopefully a good natural powder which was recommend by the staff (who spoke perfectly English!). It is very light, can be used as foundation or finish and has SPF50, so perfect for me. (price: 4500 Yen + tax)

Because we still had time left we also went over the Shinsaibashi doori to Donki where I hoped to find the sd card and a letter set. I wasn't lucky with the letter set either but I got a sd card and by accident I called Kikis attention for a curling iron because she wanted to have a new one. So great success here, too!

On the Shinsaibashi doori we also found a new Cecil McBee shop^^

Last year I was sad because the great store on the street was closed but this time I am not so into the fashion. I don't like the new collecions... *sigh*

When we finally could enter our room we fell aslepp almost immediately X.x

And slept for six hours >.<

Far too long... so we just get us dinner from the Family Mart/Lawson and now we kill some time with our luggage, watching TV and prepare for tomorrow, the day of the Handshake Event!!!

 

Osaka Day 4 & 5 ~ Tennoji/Shinsaibashi & flight back home

Christmas Eve started lazy again...

Kiki and I got up late and took our time to get ready for the day. Around 2 pm we went to Tennoji by subway because we wanted to find a Ma*rs shop to buy something for one of our friends. So we visited the Abeno Harukas (Building). It is a huge building with a grand Kintetsu store but also with many other shops. Unfortunately there was no Ma*rs shop anymore...

So Kiki and I went around the area because there are many shopping places located in this area. Next to the Abeno Harukas is the Hoop Building but there we weren't lucky either. By the time we got coffee thirst but didn't even find a nice café to take a rest.

We went around the corner and ended up on a main street. On the opposite side was the Q's Mall, another shopping center. There we at least found a Tully's Coffee to sit down and enjoy coffee and cake. 

chocolate cake & café latte

Unfortunately there wasn't a Ma*rs shop either. It seems that there are only shops left in Tokyo. So we gave up on this, sorry Senja!

But the center was quite interesting. There was also a One Piece shop like the one in Shibuya and a little Shibuya 109 XD (it was really called Shibuya 109)

A small part of the center was filled with shops from the 109, that was cool^^

We also visited the SEGA Game center because from today on there should be a gripper arm module for the nyappy bunny of An Café we wanted to get for Senja and maybe for ouselves. But no success here either >.<

So we left with nothing. We went back to Shinsaibashi because we hoped for more success in the game center there and we wanted to get some things from the Donki store.

We couldn't find the nyappy bunnies in Shinsaibashi either, but at least we got some of our wanted sweets at Donki. I bought little Matcha Baumkuchen and sweet potato doughnuts^.^

sweets X3

On the way I also saw the cute pullovers again I saw some days before (and couldn't find the shop the last two days >.<) and Kiki convinced me to try it on. I decided to buy the mint-green one^.^

fluffy pullover^.^

The only success of this day. We also run out of cash, so we just wanted to have a last coffee at the Excelsior Coffee before we went back to our hotel.

The day was really disappointing. I also didn't do anything I planned to do on Christmas Eve but now I hadn't got any motivation left for anything U.U

We just went to our favourite restaurant for dinner before we had to take the challenge of packing our luggage. Okay, for me, it was not a challenge but Kiki had real problems XD

In the end I had to put some of her things into my luggage *lol*

So tomorrow we will return home...

~*~

Merry Christmas! 

Today is Christmas Day and I will spend it in a plane *sigh*

Fortunately our flight from Osaka to Tokyo got at 1 pm so we had enough time for breakfast and getting ourselves ready. But it was hard to get our luggage to the subway station^^'

But I was happy about the the christmas greeting in the Crysta Mall on the way to the station:

Happy Xmas ^o^

For the first time we had to go to Itami (Osaka International Airport). So we took the Midosuji Subwayline to Senri-chuo and changed to the Osaka Monorail for the airport. But it was a long way to change trains X.x

We were happy when we arrived at the airport but then we were totally overchallenged where to check in O.o

In the end I just asked someone and we ended up checking in at the Premium member counter XD but the woman at the counter was very friendly and was the only one who could speak English^^'

We also got through the security control for Premium members so then everything went very fast XD

But the airport was really small. On the contrary we had a huge plane for Tokyo O.o

It was a pity that this plane didn't run for Frankfurt *sigh*

ANA plane for Haneda

At Haneda we had to change. With the airport express bus we had to go to the International Terminal and this time we really had to hurry >.<

We just had 20 minutes left for boarding^^' but we made it in time, unfortunately we hadn't time to buy something to eat and we were starving T.T

But somehow we survived the Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt and while Kiki had to change planes again for Berlin, I took the ICE to Duesseldorf and was happy when I could just fall into my bed...

Osaka Day 3 ~ christmas market & illumination

Today we met my friend Tomomi^.^

She suggested to meet at 11:30 am at Yodobashi Electric Store. So we took the Midosuji subwayline to Umeda and tried to find the right exit. It is really comfortable that in Japan every exit has a number and sign for the places you can reach there.

Tomomi fetched us and introduced us to her new collegue. She can speak fluently English because she has been to Canada for one year. She also brought her two children (two girls) with her. Both have opposite charakter^^' While the younger sister is very lively and curious, the older one is very shy and didn't say anything to us.

Tomomi's former collegue Tanaka who I already know, also came to join us.

We intended to visit the Umeda Christmas Market but first we had lunch. The children were allowed to decide and they went for Omuraisu (tomato or butter rice rolled in omelette). Kiki and I weren't hungry at first, so we just wanted to have a coffee and little cake but when we saw the Omuraisu of everyone, we wanted to try ourselves XD Kiki and I could agree on butter omuraisu with kare (curry). We shared a ss-size portion. It was totally delicious^^

So we took the cake for dessert XD the restaurant offered an amazing combination of chocolate and matcha cake, so I couldn't resist X3

kare omuraisu/cake set X3

Finally we went to the Christmas Market at the Osaka Grant Front Building. It was a bit complicated to get there. Tomomi and Tanaka tried to take the lead but they were a bit confused, too XD

But anyhow we managed to arrive at the market. Visitors are welcomed with 'Willkommen zum Weihnachtsmarkt' (welcome to the christmas market) ^__^

entrance of the christmas market

This market was really cool and much bigger than the small ones we saw in Tokyo. There were really many typical German market booths and they even write almost everything in German on their goods. You could get food and drinks like Glühwein, beer, bratwurst, Spätzle, Pizza ('German' pizza - we didn't know that pizza is German XD), Spekulatius, Lebkuchen and waffles.

In the middles of the place was also a huge Christmas tree^.^

christmas tree

our group picture^^v

The kids wanted to ride the carousel which was really operated by Germans^^ (they looked fascainated at us between all the Japanese visitors *lol*)

Unfortunately it started to rain so it was no more fun walking around outside. So we avoid the rain by going in to the next café. We warmed ourselves up with a café latte and chatted a lot. Tomomi also tried to make a plan for the afternoon.

I would like to see some parts of the Festival of Lights illumination of Osaka, so we pointed out the nearest spots. But the illumination was just start at 5 pm, so we had still a bit more than 2 hours time to spend.

Around 3 pm her collegues had to leave already, so the three of us were on our own. For spending some time and not walking around outside (it was still raining -_-) we went to the shopping building Hep5 and stroll around the shops.

Kiki and I had to take a look at Cecil McBee again and we were totally happy to meet the shop staff member from last time again. She also recignized us and were also crazy about meeting us again^__^

That was so cool! We hope to see her again.

Then Kiki came up with the suggestion of having early dinner because she was hungry again O.o

Tomomi and I didn't mind so we went to the restaurant floor of the Hep5 and decided to have katsudon XD

The restaurant really sold interesting versions. Kiki and I took the mayo-katsudon (so the normal katsudon is topped with Japanese mayonaise) and Tomomi decided fot the cheese-katsudon (the katsudon was gratined with cheese). Totally delicious *_*

mayo katsudon & miso soup

Now it was passed 5 pm, so we could go back to the Umeda station and took the subway to Yodoyabashi and headed for the Osaka City Hall. In front of the City Hall the building was beautfully enlightended^.^

The path around the City Hall was also covered with lights and there were also some christmas market booths located. On the other side of the hall they showed in illumiation show which had the frontof the building used as screen. That was awesome^^

Osaka City Hall

light show

Unfortunately the rain got stronger and our feet were already wet so it was no use walking around outside anymore U.U We quit our plan to visit another light location and had back to Namba. In the Namba Walk (an underground shopping mall) we went to the Café Break and had another coffee. It was very enjoyable and we had a lot of girltalk XD

We spend two hours chatting before going back outside. But in Namba and Shinsaibashi the shopping streets are roofed,so we strolled around the area till Kiki suggested again to have late dinner now XD

Tomomi and I were quite surprised... and not hungry but we hadn't got better ideas so we visit an Okonomiyaki restauant which offers some drinks, too. I tried the cocktail I had in Los Angeles again but this time with apple taste. The drink had a nice cyan colour X3

Kiki was happy about her yakisoba while Tomomi and I shared an okonomiyaki with pork and shrimp.

Kiki's cooking show

the okonomiyaki makers XD

We had much fun together but finally around 10 pm Tomomi wanted to leave because she had to work the next day. She went to Namba Station while Kiki and I went down the Shinsaibashisuji to get back to our hotel.

Although we couldn't enjoy the christmas market and illumination to its fullest, it was nevertheless a nice day and I was happy to meet Tomomi again^.^

Tomorow will be our last day in Japan. And it will be my first time I am not at home for christmas...

Osaka Day 2 ~ An Café concert in Kobe

Today was the day of the An Café concert in Kobe. But the day started very bad >.<

In our breakfast café some Chinese tourists were very annoying and then both morning sets were sold out when I was in line >.<

So my day didn't start with a good breakfast...

Kiki and I had also a little quarrel, so while preparing we didn't talk with each other...

When we were ready we tried to motivate ourselves by having a coffee break at the Excelsior Coffee before heading to Kobe. It worked but we didn't feel like going on a concert^^'

We took the subway to Osaka Station and then the JR Kobe Line to Sannomiya (just 410 Yen one way^^). First we wanted to find the concert location. It was a bit difficult and first we got the wrong street^^'

But finally we found the VARIT where An Cafe would play but we had still over one hour left before we could enter. So we wanted to have a little dinner.Because we were out of plan we went to the Excelsior Coffee (again XD) at the Ikuta Road. For the first time we tried the Panini Set there^^
They warm up the Panini and I took the set with soup (you can choose between three different kinds) and salad. I had a roasted chicken & rattatouille panini with tomato shrimp soup and Café Latte^^

Panini Set

This way we spent the rest of the time 'til we could go back to the VARIT. In front were already many girls gathering. There was also the possibility to store away your clothes in a plastic bag for 500 Yen. Kiki and I shared one bag, so that was okay. We got in line and at 6:30 h we could enter the club. I don't know the reason but we also had to buy a drink mark for 600 Yen each >.< otherwise we couldn't enter...

An Café Today^^

sign of the VARIT (very shmall^^')

Kiki could also buy some tour merch but unfortunately some things she should buy for a friend were already sold out U.U
Then we got in front of the stage and we were surprised how small the room was^^'
The place in front of the stage was as big as the stage itself XD And I am so happy that I am so tall because evey girl was smaller than me X3
But there were also two guys taller than me, so we had to avoid standing behind them^^'
Kiki and I changed positions sometimes because she wanted to have a good view on Kanon (bassist) while I tried to see Teruki (drummer) but as drummer he was always sitting in the back T.T
I also liked Yuuki very much! He was totally cool when he explains some moves and keep the audience in mood while Miku (singer) wasn't on the stage (the best part of the concert *lol*)
The concert started just in time and it was so much fun! An Café played over two hours, they made many jokes and Kanon and Yuuki also tried to make a QVC show for their tour goods *lol*
For the encore they found a great way to decide the last song: they played rock-paper-scissors XD everyone had a song but Takuya won with his suggestion 'Escapism'.
After the concert we could redeem our drink mark for a Smirnoff Ice XD That drink was just perfect after the show.
We felt really great when we head back to the station. This is really something we can do again^__^ 

concert shot^-^

We were also just in time for the next Rapid Train to Osaka and we even got a seat *chakka* (what made me totally happy because my feet were aching a lot after standing so long^^')
So we had quite a successful day after the bad beginning.

Tomorrow we will meet my friend Tomomi^.^
I am so happy to see her again!

Osaka Day 0 ~ Shinkansen to Osaka / Osaka Day 1 ~ Shopping in Shinsaibashi

Today we wanted to take the shinkansen to Osaka. It was quite a challenge to get our luggage to the Station^^'

From Hamamatsuchou we took the Yamanote Line to Tokyo Station. I was surprised to find a free ticket counter for the shinkansen tickets XD everyone greeted me, so I didn't know to which counter I should go^^'

But the man was very kind and could speak Englisch very well! We got the Nozomi Shinkansen Ticket together with a seat reservation for ~14.000 Yen. Quite expensive but the Nozomi runs from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka Station in less than 4 hours.The ride was quite comfortable^^
At Shin-Osaka we just had to take the Midosuji Subwayline to Shinsaibashi. This time we even remembered our exit XD
We checked in our hotel and first got a coffee at our regular Café.

Of course we had to walk along the Shinsaibashi Shopping Street and greet our friend Glico Man XD

Glico Man ^o^

It was very crowded on Sunday evening though X.x
We didn't intend to buy anything because tomorrow we want to do our compulsory shopping tour. But it was enough for that day and we are looking forward to tomorrow^^

~*~

We slept quite long today. I am happy to finally get some sleep^^'
But we had to get up at 10 am because we wanted to get a breakfast set at our café. I looked forward to it the whole last week X3
I was happy to have my toast set with a matcha latte again^.^

morning set^^

Then we got ready for our shopping tour. We wanted check out the OPA because last time half of the shops were closed, so we were excited about how it looks now. There are really many new shops inside but we ended up looking in the shops we already know, haha.
I had to go to Egoist again because I wanted to try on a long coat. I loved the dark red colour and I found out that this coat was oversized, so it even fits me^.^
So I couldn't resist and bought it X3
But even Kiki found a nice long striped-pullover^.^
Kiki also got a one piece and a coat at Rienda, I was very surprised but her new dress looks beautiful.
Then it was time for the next coffee *lol*
We went to a café inside the OPA where they have also super delicious cakes *_*
I had the baked matcha cheesecake again while Kiki tried the pumpkin cake (because there was only one piece of matcha cake left^^'). Both tasted great!

matcha and pumpkin cake

We decided to head back to our hotel and get rid off our heavy bags. I also changed clothes because I wanted to wear my new coat^.^
I love it *_*

Kiki / me

Now we were the coat gang *lol* (Kiki wore her Cecil McBee coat)
So next round: Shinsaibashi-suji! I was searching for more pullover, so we entered the Ingni store but Kiki was the one who found another piece XD
I wasn't lucky on this street U.U
So we went to our Excelsior Café and had the next round of coffee.

Café Latte XD

After a short stop at our hotel again we went out for dinner. We decided to visit our favourite restaurant in the Crysta Mall^^
Kiki chose - like always - the ebi fri set while I tried out Set C (last times I had A and B XD) consisting of Karaage, Hamburger and Cream Korokke.

dinner Set C

These sets make so full X.x but delicious as always!

That was enough for the day. Tomorrow we will visit our next concert, this time it is An Café at VARIT in Kobe^^
We are very excited about it because we only know An Café from concerts in Germany.