On route from Los Angeles to Shanghai in November, I encountered an unanticipated (and unwelcomed) detour due to a fat cloud of impenetrable fog over Pudong. The detour landed me in Osaka, Japan for half a day.
I explored the Japanese city the best I could on Delta Airlines’ dime. Mind you, I was in a nearly-comatose zombie state. This was the result of having spent twenty-plus sleepy sleepless hours trapped inside a series of jumbo jets and airport queues. Delta put me up in a hotel smack in the middle of the tourist friendly downtown strip and so I went on a stroll to take in the visually tantalizing and weird experience that is a stroll through Osaka.
This was my first trip to Japan. I hope it was not my last. Especially since I had the chance to eat sushi, which was like a wasabi dance party in my mouth. I want more.
Since I was only half-conscious I didn’t absorb too much on this trip other than memories of outrageous hair configurations and enormous three-dimensional cartoony billboards everywhere I turned. I managed to snap several memorable photos. And so here it is, my photo essay of an ever so brief time spent stumbling through Osaka.
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In my hotel: a dummy’s guide to the shower toilet.
View of Osaka from my hotel room.
Strolling down the Dotombori River.
The octopus appeared to be popular both as street food and as inflatable signage.
Lunch break.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have any change on me.
Christmas Giraffe, Osaka.
Osaka has fantastic signage. How fantastic is this restaurant billboard? The only bummer was that it wasn’t even open for business. 
I mean. Where can I get one?
I wish I could read this poster to determine whether it is an advertisement for beer or a PSA warning that drinking beer makes you a sad, sad man.
Thanks for the memories Osaka. Hope to see you again soon.
Next time on purpose.
