Japan Times

Osaka is Japan's second largest city (I think), site of Japan's first airport atop a man-made island, birthplace of Okonomiyaki (roughly), and home to the Hanshin Tigers. That's a lot of links for one sentance, but it fits with the general theme of the Kansai area, which seems to be, "Kansai: A lot of stuff, in not a lot of space". The "not a lot of space", part is quite relative (when referring to places other than my apartment), since Osaka and the Kansai area are both pretty huge, but the size does nothing to reduce the density. Within an hour's train ride of each other, there are the four huge centres of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe.
The trend continues into my neighbourhood, which has within a 10 mins walk: 1 liquor store, at least 3 grocery stores, about 15 restaurants, four score and twenty convenience stores, and a post office.
The heart of the city has got at least 3 or 4 major entertainment districts, but only 1 is within riding distance from my place, and as far as I know, doesn't have anywhere to dance, which is a bit of a shame. Since the trains don't run past 12am, its either back home by midnight, 35 bones on a cab, or party 'till morning... decisions, decisions....

Labels: japan, osaka