🏯 Japan Day 11: Farewell, Shopping & Osaka Castle

📍 Places: Osaka and Kyoto

👋 Farewell to the 10-Day Group

Today we said goodbye to those on the 10-day tour. It was really sad, we'd grown close during the trip. We wrote in each other's travel journals before parting ways.
💡 Tip: On group trips, exchange contacts or write little notes in each other's journals, it makes the memories even more special later.

🐉 Dragon Temple and Shopping

I went with Helena, one of the 10-day travelers, to the Dragon Temple. After that, we browsed shops and stopped at Starbucks. I meant to order chai tea but accidentally ordered chai coffee, I don't drink coffee, so that was a fail. We met up with Cyntia and looked around the marketplace together. Time flew by, and I had to leave to make the remaining activities, so I said goodbye to Helena and Cyntia.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Double-check your order, coffee drinks can be confusing if you're not familiar with the menu.

• Japanese markets can be crowded, bring a small backpack or tote bag for your shopping.

• Cherish those small, spontaneous moments with people you may never see again, they can become some of your best memories.

🏯 Osaka Castle

The remaining 14-day group met back at the hotel. Our group was now less than half the original 22, sad, but still a good size. We also switched guides to Sarah, who would lead us for the last four days. She was lovely.

We headed to Osaka Castle, where our guide shared stories about the area before we bought tickets and queued to enter. I spent most of the visit with my roommate Samantha. Tickets were 600 yen.

📖 About Osaka Castle: Originally completed in 1586 by samurai warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi after unifying Japan, the castle was a symbol of power and grandeur. Built in just three years by 100,000 workers, it now has a viewing platform at the top and a museum inside. 

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Arrive early to avoid long lines.

• Bring cash for ticket purchases.

• Go all the way to the top, the view is worth it.

• Take your time in the museum, it's full of fascinating history.

🍽 Dinner in Shinsekai & Arcade Fun

Afterward, we went to Shinsekai for dinner. Most people wanted sushi, but Samantha, Phillip, and I didn't, so we found a restaurant decorated like a sumo arena and decided to sample different dishes. Ordering took a while because there were so many choices and we were starving. We ended up with a mix of pasta, omelet, dumplings, and sausages.

💡 Tip:

• Shinsekai has tons of food options, check menus before choosing.

• Even if you're not into sushi, there are plenty of other dishes worth trying.

After dinner, we wandered around the shopping district before meeting the rest of the group at an arcade. We played games like shooting candy to win it and throwing ninja stars at targets. Samantha and I tied, but I actually hit the target the most, just not well enough to win a prize. I really wish I could've tried again. It was so much fun.

💡 Tips & Tricks:

• Japanese arcades are an experience, set aside time to try several games.

• The games look easier than they are, don't be surprised if you miss!

🌟 Summary

All in all, it was a bittersweet but great day. It was hard saying goodbye to people I might never see again, but I'm glad I've made some real connections with others I plan to meet outside the trip. The Dragon Temple with Helena was fun, Osaka Castle was stunning, and dinner and arcade time in Shinsekai made for a perfect evening.

💡 Extra Tips & Tricks:

• On group tours: Make the most of your time with people, you never know when you'll see them again.

• In Osaka: Mix sightseeing with shopping and arcade games for a varied day.

• Always carry cash, not every place takes cards.

• Try the arcade games, it's a fun glimpse into Japanese pop culture.