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We're passing through Osaka, we're only here briefly,
so we only have time to check out this one spot
it's Dotonbori - the loudest, busiest, most colorful street in Osaka.
First off, we bought ourselves some takoyaki
it's deep fried octopus, mainly, plus some other weird nibbles
pickled ginger for example.
Bonito flakes and mayo on top of all that
it's really quite delicious, and only costs 520 yen.
You can get takoyaki everywhere in Japan, of course, in Tokyo as well
but for some reason Osaka is especially well-known for this snack.
Particularly in this area there are a lot of places specializing in takoyaki only.
Japanese people must be much more heat resistant than us.
This thing's burning hot and they don't even bother waiting for it to cool down.
This is the central spot of Dotonbori,
a little bridge over the canal.
Osaka and Tokyo are visibly different,
firsly, people seem much more open here - within 5 minutes somebody came up to us
to chat and ask where we're from.
That didn't happen once in three weeks we spent in Tokyo, so
well, that's what they say - people here are more laid back than in Tokyo.
By the way, a little travelling tip: in Japan you can drink your *** on the street, just like this
This drink me and Marcin are absolutely mad about,
it has put an end to our once exstensive beer consumption
Its name is 'Strong' and it's like an unsweetened, ***-fueled lemonade?
9% strong and quite awesome, it tastes like...
some sort of a spirit & Sprite mix, only it's not sweet.
It gets you into that 'tipsy, but good vibes' state.
The hangover is atrocious though.
- Really?
I'm standing in front of the uh, so called 'Glicoman'
it's a character, a mascot created by Glico,
one of the biggest confectionery providers in Japan
it's been created for the Osaka Expo, which took place I think in the 70's.
And since then it's a kind of a landmark.
Namba is known also for their... rather spectacular storefronts. As you can see here.
A giant mechanical crab.
- Can this building get any prettier?
Yes it can!
I absolutely love it, each building has got their own, like...
like, a theme?
A dumpling-shaped ornament for instance...
This could go big in Poland, actually.
a monumental pierogi decoration, over the restaurant...
Video game parlours - check.
...Aaand behold the massive blow-up fugu fish!
Commonly known as... because 'fugu' in Japanese means 'sea pig', right?
- Yup
- Sooo... thanks what it's known as.
Doutonbori pasta - Doppa, it's like a...
- Ah, I see, it's a portmanteau.
- Oh yes, they love them here. Anything English-named would be chopped up and abbreviated
My personal favourite is the 'sekuhara', short for *** harrasement.
Oh look, a giant nigiri holding hand.
One can only guess this place might be selling sushi.
- Yeah.
- Living the dream. We've got to stay here a bit longer next time.
Over there they're yelling and selling takoyaki
and over here... this seemingly ordinary bar
is decorated with this funky thing.
Does it, uh, does it make you want to come inside?
- Absolutely.
This mechanical crab is a touch more lively than the previous one, their seafood must be really fresh.
Oh, this one's really got the moves!
This place must have it even fresher.
Oh my, a dragon. Looks like from the Dragon Ball.
It's a very popular ramen shop, actually.
A suspended cow. I mean...
- Yes, indeed it is.
The cleverly named 'Dragon Bowl' bowling alley.
- This is the famous ramen shop, the other one was just some lousy wanna-be
this dragon is way better.
Another serving of takoyaki, from a slightly better place this time
they look a bit more appetizing, even though they cost the same.
Right. You're supposed to eat takoyaki with both chopsticks
I mean, chopsticks - they're more like cocktail sticks really
- Try breathing, dude, try breathing!
- Ouch, my palate!
My mouth went completely numb, it's all just a big burn now
I literally saw stars.
People in Osaka love binge-eating so much they even have their own word for it
it's 'kuidaore', which means 'to destroy oneself by eating'.
A perfect night out:
you come here, stuff yourself full of everything, top it up with a drink
and destroy yourself as a result. What a lovely way to go.
I'm so not going back home without a Kumamon stuffed toy.
I feel brainwashed by Kumamon's aggresive marketing campaign.
This is a place that sells yakitori, Japanese chicken skewers
apparently popular among local sumo wrestlers.
I don't know if it's because of this welcoming decoration, or if they simply like the yakitori.