Shinsaibashi-suji

Shinsaibashi is easy to navigate, a little like Melbourne, where the main department stores are in the intersection of the CBD, with smaller shops in the laneways.

Hotel Nikko sits next to the major intersection, facing Sogo and Daimaru. I love the architectural details on the ceilings and pillars of the Daimaru building, but couldn’t take any photographs in the building.

Daimaru, Shinsaibashi

Below, other shops on the main street of Shinsaibashi.

Younger brands, local stores and some twee boutiques sit in the laneways. I wandered off to Minami Horie and found some cool Danish and retro furniture stores, and A.P.C. Unfortunately A.P.C. was out of size 28.

Cyclists in Shinsaibashi ride all over the pedestrian malls, lanes and roads with seemingly disregard for traffic rules.

I wasn’t sure if I had to look out for cyclists when walking on the pedestrian lanes or was it the other way round. Like cyclists in Melbourne, perhaps worse, cyclists ride along the roads with the other vehicles, but at the stop light, they cross the street with the pedestrians too. Some even ride on, cutting through the pedestrians, defying the stop lights. Like this cyclist in the picture demonstrates, there are probably no formal rules for cyclists in Osaka – no helmets required; TXTing and talking on the mobile is OK too.

I wasn’t sure if I had to look out for cyclists when walking on the pedestrian lanes or was it the other way round. Like cyclists in Melbourne, perhaps worse, cyclists ride along the roads with the other vehicles, but at the stop light, they cross the street with the pedestrians too. Some even ride on, cutting through the pedestrians, defying the stop lights. Like this cyclist in the picture demonstrates, there are probably no formal rules for cyclists in Osaka – no helmets required; TXTing and talking on the mobile is OK too.

Away from the main streets are smaller, local stores and restaurants. Suji means laneway.

In the laneways are smaller local shops and and restaurants.

I am in love with the drugstores. I stocked up on lip balms, moisturisers and Chocola® BB.

Tokyu Hands is a haven for DIY enthusiasts and home-makers. I love this totally un-PC curry tiffin, which comes in 5 different skin tones. The 'face' is for curry, the 'middle turban' for rice, and the top container salad and other condiments.

Fun with Engrish

I'm KIVing the orange enamelled kettle from Tokyu Hands. This will be mine if I have enough space in my luggage by the time I reach Nagoya.

Osaka was not spared from the fuglyfying jaws of these Crocs. Tyler Brûlé will have a hissy fit when he sees that Tokyu Hands have Crocs displayed just next to the Monocle-approved Porter luggage.

OMG, see what I found - The Greatest Hits of Boys Town Gang!

Cute car in Shinsaibashi-suji

After wandering around the laneways deciding what to have for lunch, I settled on this restaurant that specialises in unagi. I ordered a 1,000¥ unagi set, that comes with miso soup and pickles, and a pint for 320¥!