Fish Ball Tau Hu Soup Stall in front of Hiang Thian Siang Ti Temple 上帝庙鱼丸豆腐汤

Location: Atap / Carpenter Street, Kuching

Fish ball bean curb soup here is famous in Kuching because of its bouncy freshness of fish ball. It has been existing for long long time. It is available until late noon. Evening time the other stall will serve fish porridge and kueh chap. I like their porridge too.








Fish Ball Tau Hu Soup (RM4.00). I don't really like bean curb, so asked them to replace bean curb with fish ball.




Aside fish ball soup, there have also pork satay. I'll introduce it next time.

Cherry Blossom Episode 2: Osaka Day 2 （Aquarium Kaiyukan & Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel）

Second day in Osaka, the weather was not good as we wanted it to be. It was a raining and windy day. Freezingly cold! Despite the cold wind, we forced ourselves to go out to visit places as planned. Mum likes to visit aquarium and zoo. So I included it in our itinerary. After breakfast, we took Chua Line to Osakako Station. It took at least 5 minutes walk to get to Aquarium Kaiyukan and Tempozan.

We thought there wouldn't be so crowded since it is raining day. But! wrong... There was a long queue and the Japanese families were even willing to queue in the rain.

The building of Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.



Entrance fee 2,300 Yen per adult.




Tempozan Giant Ferries Wheel is located in front of Aquarium Kaiyukan. 






1pm, Lunch time. Except the food court at Tempozan, we couldn't find any other place for lunch. We bought our lunch from Don Don Tei stall. Total 730 Yen, 330 + 350.




After lunch, we used our coupon to redeem ferries wheel ride. Though raining, we didn't want to give up.




The cabin is transparent. We couldn't really enjoy the distant view clearly because of the rain but Kaiyukan building and the bay area.






After Tempozan ferris wheel ride, we went to Umeda Station and took another ferris wheel ride at Hep Five. Due to the poor view, we didn't take any photo.




We bought PABLO baked cheese tart for dinner. I have introduced PABLO in this blog before. 780 Yen per piece. Yum yum!



Next coming up: Tsutenkaku Tower & Tennoji Zoo

Cherry Blossom Episode 2: Osaka Day 1 (Namba & Dotonbori)

After checked in our hotel room. We rest for a while to recharge our energy. Mum dozed off on the comfy bed for hours. We decided to go to Namba and Dotonbori area for dinner.

We got to Subway Namba Station. Lost direction and lingered around Sennichimae Shopping Arcade. Instead of North, we walked to the South. It took me sometime to find the right direction to Dotonbori.

Sennichimae Shopping Arcade

At last we arrived at Dotonbori. Nice atmosphere.. many pedestrians and shop exterior decorations are so unique!

The signature big crab at Dotonbori




The Signature Glico Signboard at Dotonbori

After a few rounds of walking, we decided to have ramen! Have to buy the receipt first via their vending machine. If unsure, get the staff for assistance. They are absolutely friendly people :)

If not mistaken, this should be the soy sauce base soup. Mum's choice.




This should be mine.. Miso soup base



Finished Osaka Day 1. Next coming up: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan & Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel

Cherry Blossom Episode 2: Osaka Day 1 (Osaka Castle)

We were tired and exhausted. But we still had plenty time waiting to check-in our hotel (room will be only ready by 4pm) so we decided heading to Osaka Castle which is very near to our hotel (10 minutes by walking distance). Based on the travel guide, Osaka Castle is one of the best cherry blossom viewing parks in Osaka.

On the way to Osaka Castle, we passed by NHK Osaka Broadcasting Center.

The cherry blossom park was just in front of us. We started to feel the excitement and joy seeing the full bloom of cherry. Here are the photos for your viewing pleasure.

One of the shorter cherry trees.




Closer look of cherry flowers




How beautiful it is? Walk along the cherry trees and occasionally you will experience the petals rain when the wind blows.



The branches and trunk are noticeably black colour.




Hanami crowds at Osaka Castle park. Normally the picnickers will bring beers too.







The scenery of cherry blossom along the moat

According to the travel guide, there are about 600 cherry trees in Osaka Castle park. You can spot the flowers come in different colours: light pink, dark pink and white. And the number of petals also different. There are varieties of cherry tree: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_species.html

The main tower of Osaka Castle




The vendor outside the main tower selling takoyaki






Sakura Ice Cream




From the bridge, enjoyed the cherry blossom view along the moat before heading back to our hotel






Next coming up: Namba & Dotonbori

Cherry Blossom Episode 2: Osaka Day 1 (USJ)

We were about to land. Views of Osaka city.






Osaka Castle

We arrived Osaka Itami Airport around 7:35am on 05th April 2013. Followed signs and walked to the monorail station. We had to take monorail to Hotagugaike station then transit to Umeda station using subway. Osaka Airport Station to Hotagugaike Station: Fare 200 yen for one person. Hotagugaike Station to Umeda Station: Fare 220 yen for one person.

Osaka Monorail Map

First thing is to check-in our hotel first. We stayed at Toyoko Inn Osaka Taniyon Kousaten. 2 mins walk from Subway Tanimachi 4-Chome Station. It's located just in front of the exit no. 8. Total 19,440 yen for 3 nights, approximately RM777.60. Clean, comfy bed, hair dryer and toiletries are also provided. Rate was included breakfast too. I highly recommend Toyoko Inn, the hotel chain in Japan. The check-in time is 4:00pm. We registered and left our luggage with them.

Our room at Toyoko Inn Osaka Taniyon Kousaten. Though small but super comfortable.

We got our 2 Days Osaka Unlimited Pass at JR Osaka Station. The benefits of getting this pass can be found here: http://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/. We used portion of the coupons only. Quite a waste as we couldn't travel too many places in 2 days.

This is how our 2day pass look like

The content of OSAKA Unlimited Pass 2DAYS package

Our first stop in Osaka is USJ Osaka, Universal Studio. But hungry because we hadn't have our first meal, decided to take our meal at Bentencho Subway Station before taking JR train to Universal-City. There is not much choice available at Bentencho Station.. so we had McDonald's instead. Mom was quite reluctant to take fast food but we were too hungry.

McDonald's meal for two 780 yen.




Train platform, waiting for train to Universal-City




Here we are.. Universal City








Monkey Performance





Universal Studio Ossaka.. Ticket is expensive. Since we have been to USJ in Singapore, so we skipped it. Just took photos with USJ's signature globe.



Mum and I were so attracted to the flowers.




Mom spotted a sakura tree outside USJ. This is the first sakura tree we have seen in life. Sounds so dramatic..




Closer look of the flower petals. Unforgettable.. It's magnificently beautiful.






Saying good bye to USJ




Heading back to the JR train station




I was puzzled for a while using this ticketing machine.. It looks so complicated. I can't remember how I did it too.




These copper coins I got from one of the stores at USJ City. Hello Kitty print, cute right?



Next coming up: Osaka Castle