The second leg of my amazing journey to Japan continued toward Osaka, where I had the chance to spend some of my free time exploring the city, as well as the beautiful highlights in the surrounding area. Also called “Japan’s kitchen,” Osaka is famous for its street food and food markets, as well as for its neon lights in areas such as Ebisuhigashi and Dotonbori — all of which, of course, were captured by Captain Click.
Kyoto
Kyoto, which means “capital city” in Japanese, was Japan’s imperial capital for over a thousand years — until 1868 — and today it is still considered the cultural heart of the country. It is home to over 2,000 temples, and unlike other major cities in Japan, it was spared from World War II bombings, allowing it to preserve its traditional wooden houses (called machiya) and its charming atmosphere.
Although I had been here before, about nine years ago, the beauty of this city somehow eluded me on my previous trip. I certainly made up for it this time — waking up at 5:00 AM, taking the 6:00 AM Shinkansen from Osaka, which got me there in the blink of an eye, and managing to visit Gion, my favorite part, before the crowds arrived. After that, a stroll through the city ended at the Golden Temple, where I had already been — and should have skipped, given the unbearable crowd. But the day ended on a high note with a visit to Funaoka Onsen, which I later learned is considered one of the best in the city. And for good reason — I felt reborn after spending my afternoon there.
Osaka Markets
Whenever I travel, one of the first things I seek out in a new place is a local market. Not only because I enjoy trying bite-sized street food, but also because I believe food markets reflect the society they’re part of. In a country like Japan, you can expect to find high-quality food, well-organized stalls, respectful merchants, good hygiene, clear pricing, and—while busy—markets that are not overly loud, with no one pushing to cut the line. Everything aligns perfectly with my expectations.
The photos below are the result of a visit to Tenjinbashisuji and Kuromon Ichiba Markets, as well as adjacent stores and streets.
Tondabayashi Jinaimachi
During my entire trip to Japan, most evenings I was sitting in my hotel room poking at my keyboard, but on some rare occasions, I had a free evening—and this particular one ended up being one of my favourites, as I’m a sucker for cobblestone streets and old houses.
Tondabayashi Jinaimachi is a historic district in Osaka Prefecture, renowned for its well-preserved traditional houses dating from the Edo period to the early Showa period. Sadly, it’s Osaka’s only district designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. It’s home to numerous old buildings converted into artisan souvenir stores, restaurants, and cafés—all without spoiling the atmosphere of the old town.
Osaka at night
Osaka is a city that never sleeps. And although I’m not really a night person, I did head out a few nights to explore the neon-lit streets and soak in the evening hustle and bustle. From narrow alleys glowing with traditional lanterns to wide and colourful walkways bursting with light, Osaka has a lot to offer for those who enjoy night photography. For me, this is only my second roll of night shots, following the ones I took in Tokyo, so the results are a bit underwhelming. But at the same time, I can see the potential for future attempts of bankrupting myself with the expensive Kodak Portra 800.
