Osaka: Copic Markers, Ramen, Floating Gardens, Yoshinoya

Day Nine

BREAKFAST

We dared to venture further today, and found in the same general area between the hotel and the station a Japanese restaurant that features soba and udon. At around ¥400-600 a bowl, it was hearty and filling, making it an excellent morning meal.

Udon with fried chikuwa (fish cake) and egg

Kitsune udon - Udon with fried tofu

Following breakfast was the first (and last) free day on the itinerary, so the parents let loose their three kids and we went off on our own.

COPIC MARKERS: THE SEARCH

Most artists are familiar with the term Copics. It's a brand that makes heads turn and hands grab. The comparison of Copic markers to other brands is difficult to describe - even in terms of electronics, Apple has some features bettered by other companies, but Copic markers have no competition. There are Copics, and there is everything else. But with such a revered and high-quality product comes that of a high price, resulting in an on-going search for the most competitive one.

Selection on sale at U-Arts art supplies store

Sis#2 is an artist. She has already a small (but enviable) collection of the prized markers, collected from various places and after careful consideration of the most important shades. However, knowing that Copic Markers are Japenese products, she was well aware that it would be in this country, if anywhere, where Copics would be the cheapest, so after a lot of research, we went off to find the best price in the area.

DAIMARU - TOKYU HANDS

A department store connected to Umeda station, this was the closer of the two areas we wanted to go. On the tenth floor is a Tokyu Hands store, which sells stationery (amongst other things), and was a place of interest in our search as it offers Tax-Free shopping for foreigners (spending over ¥5,000, and with proof of a foreign passport). We took an elevator to the 14th floor of the building and an escalator down, passing a Pokemon Centre before finding the Copic Marker section on the tenth floor of Daimaru.

Sis#2 is specifically after Copic Sketch.

¥380 (excluding tax) for a Copic Sketch

U-ARTS

The U-Arts store is located in Namba, exiting Doguyasuji, turning onto an adjacent road and past the AKB48 cafe. A cute art store, it sells mostly stationery ranging from the fundamentals to stranger items and more specific needs.

Location of U-Arts in the Namba area

Outside U-Arts

Comparing prices:

¥410 for one Copic Sketch (excluding tax)

¥1,427 for any 4 Copic Sketches (excluding tax)

Purchasing four at U-Arts would be cheaper than four at Tokyu Hands, despite the individual prices being cheaper at Tokyu Hands. We aren't sure, however, if this is a promotional or set price.

Purchase of 12 pastel colours (and the box) for ¥4,285, cheaper again

The prices in Japan are cheaper than most other places, and as Sis#2 had spending money she intended to put into Copics she decided to buy in bulk at U-Arts and taking advantage of the promotional deal, resulting in the price being cheaper overall than if we had purchased in Tokyu Hands.

LUNCH : RAMEN

As we were in the Shinsaibashisuji / Namba area for shopping, it made sense to go to Dotonbori for lunch. Sis#2 and I had decided that we wanted to try the famous Japanese omuraisu (rice omelette), but we had no idea who sold it, so after 20 minutes wandering the streets we decided instead on a good alternative - ramen. There is ramen on every street in Dotonbori, some within the same block as each other.

We shared one bowl of ramen with egg, for about ¥900

We chose one on the main road, whose line was shorter than most of the other shops. Priced at around ¥800-1,200 a bowl, depending on the shop, broth, and toppings, they can make for a good, hearty meal.

SNACK : SWEET POTATO CUBES

Inevitably, with spare cash and half a portion of food in our stomachs, there's always room for snacks. Wandering up and down the Namba area, there are so many things to choose from, but one particularly interesting snack was sweet potato cubes, grilled and then tossed in a sort of sugar syrup which caramelised and hardened on the sweet potato, giving it a sweet and crunchy texture.

It was cold, to our surprise, but it tasted delicious. ¥300 per 100g.

FLOATING GARDEN OBSERVATORY

Covered in the Osaka Amazing Pass, Sis#1's friend advised for us to go at night rather than day, as the lights in the city make for a better view. Though we'll never know the comparison, she was right about the lights.

Osaka from the Floating Garden Observatory

UV lights on the outdoor platform made for a nice surprise

What I thought would be a garden on the upper floors of the building turned out to be more of an observation platform viewing the gardens on the grounds beneath. While it was difficult to see the gardens, the surrounding view was impressive.

The viewing platforms

The Floating Observatory from below

DINNER : YOSHINOYA

Another Japanese-style fast-food chain, Yoshinoya is styled similarly to Sukiya and C&C Curry (see Days 1 and 2), seating a few in the loop in the middle, and a few on the sides. Good for a quick, cheap meal, we were in and out within about 30 minutes.

Eel set, ¥1,140

Beef set, ¥630

Following dinner, we did a bit more shopping before retiring and bringing an end to Day 9.