#kigawa

On most of our self- guided trips, wifi has got to be a number one for essentials.

We used GAC (Global Advanced communications) for this trip, wifi was good throughout and fast. Ordered and paid for it online, picked it up at the post office at the arrivals hall.

Comes with a charger in a storage pack like this. At the end of the trip, just post it back with the post-back envelope provided.

Tip: Always bring a portable battery along to charge it once in a while on the go, portable wifi's tend to die out if used much

Took the airport train to Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka where we stayed. We picked it for its awesome location. It's within walking distance to Osaka-Namba station and Namba station as well as Dotonbori.

There's a a decent sized supermarket just below the hotel down the escalator, which makes it easy to buy back sashimi supper snacks.

Getting there:

Namba station

浪速区湊町1丁目2−3, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 556-0017, Japan

Tengayu Rukuaire shop, 天がゆ ルクアイーレ店

Most of the huge train stations in Japan have a departmental store attached to it with good restaurants usually situated on the higher floors.

Osaka, Mitsukoshi shopping centre is similar. My husband and his family visited this tempura restaurant a few years back and could not stop talking about the exploding uni tempura that they had.

We visited this omakase style tempura restaurant during this trip in attempt to have it. Although, they served it wrapped in squid this time around, it was still exquisite.

Getting there:

Osaka station, Mitsukoshi Shopping centre, 10 floor

Japan, 〒530-0001 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Kita Ward, Umeda, 3−1−3 ルクアイーレ 10F

Dotonbori, Osaka

You will find Dotonbori within walking distance to the hotel. Be sure to visit this vibrant street both in the day and night. They hold different scenes at whichever time in the day you visit. I personally love it at night!

Osaka's famous street food is Takoyaki. Easy to spot! A huge giant Octopus sign and music jams from this tiny stand.

Crab restaurant, Dotonbori

Osaka is also known for their Crab restaurants, King crab, Snow crab dinner sets. Not realizing how busy it was, we failed to book beforehand. They were nice to accomodate us last minute! Although it was a smoking room, they had multiple ventilators and vents to rid of the cigarette smell which made the dinner quite pleasant.

It was the meal that we enjoyed very much, especially the crab sashimi!

The view from the crab restaurant overlooking Dotonbori.

Getting there: Find the giant crab sign!

We came upon this interesting pop up ramen store in the middle of the street. The minute we saw people slurping the piping hot noodles, we just HAD to sit down for a bowl.

Great for people watching.

Dotonbori is filled with little alley ways, be sure to stroll into a few!

Hidden inside one of those alleys we found Kigawa, one michelin star restaurant which exceeded our expectations greatly. 

Kigawa, Dotonbori, Osaka

Kigawa is tucked in the streets of Dotonbori. It was definately one of the best restaurants I've ate in Japan. Kaiseki style with a fixed range price of ¥5000, ¥8000 or ¥ 12000. We decided to go with ¥8000 tier, seeing that it was the middle of the day and we had to keep our tummies well rested for the rest of the day. Not a dissapointment at all! Each dish was meticulously prepared and translated in English for us!

The meal was divided into Starters, Raw, Cooked, Grilled and dessert.

Little map of Dotonbori as its place mat

Sesame tofu with Japanese horseradish

Example of a translation hand written for us :)

Flounder, olive grilled

Garland soup

Super love bamboo toothpicks!

Foot red shrimp, bamboo shoots, Udo, Bracken

Special Cream Croquette