Kansai Visit - week 2 in Japan-

1. Cheers Osaka!

I was living in both Osaka and Kyoto in my 20s. There are heaps of memories in these towns so I was so excited to retrace my history and catch up with my friends. Some spots were still familiar with me but many places have already redeveloped or  new buildings were built. 

We toasted by beers at Izakaya in Umeda at lunch time but there was a group of Japanese businessman in suite drinking sake. Were they at work?

1. Catching up with my friends in Osaka.

It was such a great time to reunion with my friends at design school. We got to know each other at international workshop in summer that was one of the school programme. That was over 30 years ago.. I know time flew...so scary. In those years we all have gone through life changes but have kept in touch and sometimes caught up then had a endless chit-chat like we did this day.

My friend booked this tofu restaurant. All the dishes are so exquisite and delicious

2. Meeting up with my partner's friends in Osaka

Look at those sparkling smiles! They finally met up for the first time in about 20 years so there were many updates to talk about. We enjoyed Italian food and beers, then took  photo in front of the Xmas tree illuminations on the building behind them.

I believe friendship is forever.

3. Osaka Neon.

I was so surprised at clearness at shinsaibashi where was used to be bit trashy spot. Well that is a good change. Then, large three-dimensional billboards were built a lot more than before, which are very symbolising Osaka.

4. Tracing our memories

"Big man", a big screen in Umeda, is known as a meeting up spot where we often used.

There used to be a movie theatre in the basement of Loft where we first met. The cine is gone but we are still here.

We both lived in this city in different time... I was a college student.

5. Reunion party in Kyoto.

We attended at the Reunion party of the design studio in Kyoto where I was workin for. It wasn't only for reunion but also celebration of my ex boss's wife's birthday so I was so lucky that I could be there to share the precious moment.

My ex boss and his wife are the humble people to respect and always supported me. This was the place where I learned everything I needed to know to work as an interior designer. I do appreciate they gave me an opportunity to join them.

7. Toji temple in Kyoto

It was freezing in Kyoto so we just popped in only Toji where was closed to the hotel we stayed.

8. Hostel in Osaka

This is absolutely my favourite hostel where is fully utilised in a compact space and spotless. Share spaces such as lounge, kitchen and washing machen are available. We are sure we will come back.

And Hostel Hommachi East