It might be an exaggeration but, never have I ever dreamt of stepping onto the Land of the Rising Sun anytime soon.

Financial instability is one. Tedious visa application process for another. Don’t even get me started with all the daunting stories of denied applicants.

But, as luck would have it, I was still granted a single-entry visa. A year’s worth of preparation didn’t go into waste.

It’s not because I’m an anime fan (because I ain’t one). As much as everyone else, Japan (日本) is a legitimate dream destination for all the sights and wonders it offers.

After all, being able to experience the rich nation from the Far East has been dumped in my travel bucket for more than two decades — way before this trip became a reality.

While coincidental, the OPPO Reno15 Pro 5G was lent to me just a day before our departure. This made the perfect opportunity to showcase both Osaka (大阪) and the phone’s prowess with its cameras.

The Kitchen of Japan

Let’s start with what the city is best known for.

Osaka isn’t called “the kitchen of Japan” or the nation’s “food capital” without any meaningful reason.

Other than its culinary delights alongside that rich cuisine presence and history, the city is also popular for the kuidaore (食い倒れ) expression, or eating ’til it fills your heart and stomach’s desires and empties your pockets all at once.

Although I haven’t tried each and every Osaka delicacy available, I still enjoyed all the great delectables during the course of the trip.

From the Okonomiyaki and sushi from a konbini, all the way to that Karaage and Naporitan combo near Tsutenkaku area. They all taste shockingly delicious for such value.

Of course, not everything is specific to Osaka, such as the much-raved ramen by Ichiran or the tender meat cuts in Yakiniku Like.

On slow days where I felt not spending a lot, all I ever craved for were these fast food delights — such as this Japanized combo meal from KFC or the simple ol’ Chinese lunch at Universal Studios Japan.

Lastly, it would be a huge miss not to try out the Osaka-blend Iced Americano by the home-grown brand MUJI as well as those big yet affordable pastries found inside R Baker — with a popular branch located beside the Osaka Castle Park.

Leaving marks in these landmarks

Now that we’re at it, I must say it is mandatory to see Osaka Castle (大阪城) by the time you visit the city. It’s a key landmark for Japan’s unification during the 16th century.

 

Although it has been destroyed several times since 1583, the excellence and perseverance of the Japanese actually made a perfect reproduction of the majestic castle.

Admittedly, we didn’t go inside and up. Still, it’s a beautiful sight to see so you have a glance of Osaka’s history.

Another popular must-visit spot in Osaka? None other than the Glico Man billboard along the Dotonbori (道頓堀) area.

For everyone else, it’s just like any other regular digital billboard. However, something that’s only shown here makes it uniquely Osaka.

And now that we’re here, it’s a real heaven for any shopaholic — my friends included in that narrative.

That’s a long, loooong strip of hundreds of shops ever imaginable with items being sold at slashed prices. Be it gadgets, watches, clothes, sneakers, bags, luggages, chocolates. Gashapons even!

If you want to see the Osaka Bay Area up and above, going on top of the Umeda Sky Building should be in your itinerary.

The best thing here is that, you can still buy souvenirs and see parts of the Osaka Bay coastline through its windows even if you don’t pay for the entrance going to the rooftop — just like how we did.

As mentioned, here’s the Osaka Bay from the ground — captured in a place found at the latter part.

Maybe we got lost in translation

This write-up seems too smooth to be true. But, I have to be realistic and break it in the middle. Traveling, especially in a foreign country, isn’t always an easy-breezy ride.

Unlike most of my international trips where I go and enjoy being solo, I went here with my long-time high school buddies.

Back in our Taipei and Hong Kong trips, I was the tour guide of the gang. This time, Osaka was a first for all of us.

The moment we landed at KIX / Kansai International Airport (or the world’s first airport built above a man-made island), there were already struggles — even if we did our research months prior this trip.

ICYMI, Osaka has two separate train systems managed by two different companies.

Underground relies on Osaka Metro. Ground and above is where JR-West prevails.

The former is more welcoming for tourists as the machines accept foreign credit/debit card payments. The latter only works with Japan’s smart cards: namely ICOCA and Suica.

To make things more complicated, buying an ICOCA card for the first time (and reloading it) only accepts cash and coins. That’s a huge bummer for a tech-driven nation.

While the smart card dispenser wasn’t hard to find once you go out of the airport, looking for a tourist-friendly ATM machine (with minimal to no foreign fees) was.

It took us some back and forth moment just to realize it was inside the airport all along. Third floor to be very specific, not the ground floor.

Problems don’t end once you figure out how to enter the train station. Japan has a lot of trains. Emphasis on A LOT.

Now, if you’re like my three friends who usually grasp for the right directions when roaming around with Google Maps, confusing station exits plus various train sets can still make one lost.

It’s just a good thing that two of us are map-proficient.

During those times when I wanted to explore parts of the city all by myself, another one could lead the circle without me sorting out how to meet them afterwards.

Exciting and exhilarating

Now back to regular programming.

For a die-hard theme park fan like yours truly, it’s mandatory to see what Universal Studios Japan (USJ) has to offer.

Ain’t even a Potterhead but, trying out that signature Butterbeer from Harry Potter shouldn’t be left out.

The cold 9ºC temperature never stopped me from ordering the iced version — and I prefer it over the hot ones that my friends ordered.

For all the Potterheads out there, it’s truly a remarkable sight to see the Hogwarts Castle. It was also a great example to justify the ultra-wide power of the OPPO Reno15 Pro.

Whether you’re a millennial, Gen Z, or a sandwiched MZ like me, these characters don’t need any introduction.

And, even though I’m born between the two aforementioned generations, I’m still glad I grew up watching Despicable Me.

I’ve gushed over these cute Minions during my adolescence — even if it’s more relevant to Gen Alphas now.

Gen MZ yappin’ thru

As I already told a glimpse of my childhood (and puberty), I also wanted to come clean against the stereotypical millennials who made ’90s their whole personality.

Despite being part of the Gen Z, I grew up knowing diskettes, Walkmans, VHS tapes, and not-so-surprisingly, Nintendo’s Game Boy.

It so happened that my cousin had the first-gen console with Super Mario in it. It’s been an integral part of my childhood alongside the classic Sony PlayStation x Crash Bandicoot.

It might not show on my face but, witnessing the Super Nintendo World IRL was a huge achievement.

As fortunate as it was, I was able to visit without applying for a special pass. It even looked like I was in the actual video game when I entered the area even after the sun has already set.

Love at First Night

Osaka during the winter day was already a breath of fresh air. How much more during the night?

Nostalgia aside, the theme park doesn’t only revolve in the mentioned characters above as there’s so much more to see.

I want to end my USJ photo dump with Jurassic Park’s The Flying Dinosaur — a.k.a the best rollercoaster ride I’ve ridden so far.

That’s in comparison to Universal Studio Singapore’s Battlestar Galactica: Cylon, Everland Korea’s T Express, and Shanghai Disneyland’s TRON Lightcycle Power Run — which I all fully enjoyed riding for more than thrice.

A segment of the ride can actually be seen the moment you enter (and exit) the theme park.

Now, to cap off this portion, there are two more highlights that truly show off Osaka’s night life.

Other than the Dotonbori area, Shinsekai (新世界) is gleaming. It was inspired by Paris and Coney Island to make Osaka a “New World” in 1912.

From the neon signs and vibrant night light displays, such retro vibe will make your visit truly warm and cozy. Even if it was freezing cold.

At the heart of the district is where the Tsutenkaku (通天閣) stands high. That now translates to a “tower reaching heaven.” Albeit, it’s nowhere near that achievement in today’s standards.

And even when it can’t even go against Eiffel nor Tokyo Tower, it’s still a center piece of its own.

Now, if we’re talking about Osaka’s tallest, the Abeno Harukas 300 holds that title.

From the building name itself, it’s exactly 300 meters tall. It also holds the record for being Japan’s second tallest structure after Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower in, you guessed it, Tokyo.

While you can go inside for free as there’s a mall below it, you can see Osaka’s breathtaking night sky only if you pay for the entrance fee. Honestly, the price is worth the sight.

Much awe in Osaka

Although Tokyo comes first when you think about Japan, Osaka has its own distinct charm.

The same thing can be said with the OPPO Reno15 Pro in a sea of very-capable midrangers. While it’s just another camera-centric smartphone for most, its cameras have that irresistible, special sauce in it.

Personally, I enjoyed my time more in Osaka. People are warmer and more welcoming. More so, that pretty chill vibes and laid-back nature kept me attached against the stricter plus fast-paced life in Tokyo.

With all that said, I’m not trying to pit two cities against one another as both are truly worth visiting. However, I regret having a shorter trip duration here. I’m just wishfully thinking (and manifesting) that I can re-visit the city sooner than later.

If you haven’t seen the other side of my Japan journey — from Tokyo, Kyoto, all the way to Mt. Fuji — the rest can be found in my in-depth camera analysis of the OPPO Reno15 Pro.

READ MORE: OPPO Reno15 Pro: Camera Review