Arcade in Osaka

Finally a quiet moment on my trip. I haven’t blogged much (other than micro-blogging on Instagram) since this Japan trip is a family trip and the first time in probably 6 years that my family has been on a trip all together, just the four of us (me, Mr. Travelholic, Son Travelholic and Daughter Travelholic). So spending time together has been the major priority. We have also kept incredibly busy, visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Arima, Hiroshima/Miyajima and Osaka in just 9 days. The trip would have been much better paced if we could have had 2 extra days, but Daughter Travelholic had to get back to classes and Son Travelholic had to get back to work on Monday.

We have also walked and walked and walked this trip which is common in Japan; we have easily walked over 14,000 steps each day which is about 6 miles; today I have walked 16,218 steps or 6.84 miles and we are going out to roam the entertainment district of Osaka for dinner tonight so I’m not done yet. There is lots of walking in Japan even when you are taking trains…I think this is a contributing factor as to why everyone in Japan is so thin. I have managed to keep up in spite of my Rheumatoid Arthritis but by the time I get back to my room to rest I’m pretty much exhausted and my joints upset, but happily so.

Tonight is the last night of the trip for the kids; they head back to the USA at 6AM tomorrow; the only way they could get back to Boston and Maine on time. Mr. Travelholic and I get an extra day to unwind, and we also get to avoid traveling the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend that way. Which is a good thing.

I’m in my lovely room at the Swissotel Nankai Osaka. I love this hotel; it is our second stay here. We are right above the Namba train station, and right outside our door are Japanese arcades filled with restaurants, karaoke, shops, pachinko slots, you name it. Very entertaining place to walk around at night. We have Executive Lounge access which is convenient, and there is a very nice included breakfast with omelettes made to order, afternoon tea; the works. In spite of the 546 rooms at the hotel, the service is impeccable. And besides the arcades, we are right next to Namba Parks shopping center and Takashimaya department store. So much to do. Last night we were all tired and we chose to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them over at Namba Parks and then Russ and I walked the arcade area and found a hole-in-the-wall yakitori restaurant for a late dinner. It was perfect. For tonight’s final dinner we are having eel, and then karaoke.