Japan: The End of an Incredible First Chapter 🇯🇵

It’s hard to believe that I’ve reached the end of my first country on this adventure of a lifetime. Osaka has been just as captivating as Tokyo and Kyoto, but my time here felt different—a little more about relaxation, a little less about sightseeing.

I arrived in Osaka on Monday afternoon from Kyoto, tired from the usual trek to my hotel in the humid weather. After a quick, much-needed shower, I decided to dive into some sightseeing (yes, despite the promise of relaxation 😄). My first stop: Osaka Castle.

Let me just say, the castle walls are MASSIVE! Seriously, you have to see it to believe it. Even the photos I’ve uploaded don’t quite capture their true scale. Check out my album for a glimpse, but trust me, it’s something you need to experience in person.

Next, I headed over to Kuromon Market and the famous Dotonbori Glico sign. While I didn’t entirely understand the hype surrounding the sign, the buzzing energy of the crowd was contagious. It’s one of those things that’s hard to explain, so I captured a short video to share the vibe with you all. 

Now, let’s get to the relaxation part 😄.

After sightseeing, I stumbled upon a cozy little bar for happy hour. I ordered a sake flight 🍶,  thanks to the inspiration from the two ladies sitting next to me, and enjoyed a Google Translate-powered conversation. Food and drink really do transcend language barriers. I couldn’t tell you exactly what I ate, but it was delicious, and the evening was absolutely lovely 💕.

The next day was all about slowing down. With a flight to catch the following morning, I took my time writing up my previous blog post and preparing for the next leg of my journey. Most of my day, however, was spent at Spa World 🧖‍♀️🤩.

For my friends in the U.S., this might be hard to imagine—I haven’t found anything quite like it back in the US. For my German friends, picture a fusion of Las Vegas hotels with Bad Wörishofen. Themed saunas, steam baths, and baths with all sorts of temperatures and essences—there’s even an aquarium in the "Atlantis" section 🐠🐟! Other areas are themed after places like Rome, Greece, Spain, Finland, and the blue grotto. If you’re curious, you can get a peek here: Spa World (not sponsored, I promise!).

Before my spa day, though, I had an amusing little lunch experience. I found the perfect spot to try the pork cutlets I had been craving before leaving Japan. While scanning the menu, I noticed an option to add an egg to my rice. Naturally, I imagined a fried egg mixed in with the rice—who wouldn’t? Imagine my surprise when my meal arrived with a raw egg instead 😂. Thankfully, I had the sense to ask whether it was hard-boiled before I cracked it open! Spoiler: it wasn’t 🤣.

After lunch, I took a walk through Tenshiba Park on my way to Spa World. I couldn’t resist picking up something sweet to enjoy while I relaxed in the park 😋🤩. While the park itself didn’t blow me away, it may very well be due to the 35°C/95°F. Still, I found a shady spot and opened my dessert, only to discover two little ice packs nestled inside to keep it cool. The level of care and thoughtfulness here in Japan never ceases to amaze me 🙌.

The rest of the day was pure bliss at Spa World—steaming baths, soothing saunas, and a well-deserved moment of zen. Afterward, I grabbed a bite to eat, had a drink, and enjoyed a peaceful night’s sleep.

And now, here I am at Kansai Airport, waiting for my flight to Davao City, Philippines.

For the next 2+ weeks, I’ll be shifting gears. I don’t have any new travel adventures planned during this time; instead, I’ll be based at the OMF Davao Center, focusing on creating coaching content and helping a local seminary streamline some of their processes. A different kind of journey, but one I’m equally excited about.

Until next time, stay tuned for the next chapter!

With gratitude,

Renate