Hi Everyone! I have some free time right now, which I will explain later in a future post. For now, I'm going to try to get to the rest of my posts! So today's post is about our stressful travel day to Osaka. For some reason, Paul thought he had reserved the hotel for an extra day, but he was wrong. Good thing we didn't leave early that morning, cause we got a call from the front desk asking us to check out. So we quickly finished packing (good thing most of our packing was done) and checked out. We asked them to hold our backpacks while we went to go drop off our luggage and do some last minute exploring around Tokyo. They will hold your bags on the day you check out, which is so convenient.
So we headed to Ikebukuro with our two suitcases. I always cringe whenever we need to go on the train or subway with our bags. I'm sure everyone is irritated with us, but at least we were only taking them to Ikebukuro to have them sent to our next hotel. Check out Hands Free Travel or Luggage Free Travel for more info. It was more convenient than trying to go to 7-11, but then again we ran into some issues.
When we go to the Ikebukuro Station, Paul said it was on the Seibu Department store side. I was happy cause I love their food selection! He tried to find the counter, but couldn't so he finally asked the department store information desk. Then I saw other people coming to talk to him.. then he disappeared. I think he said they took him to the Customer Service desk for more help. They called around and then finally found the counter. One girl actually escorted us to meet the guy who would help us! We gave her some omiyage as a thank you.
We would have NEVER found it!! It was on the 4th floor(?) somewhere behind the clothing sections. I vaguely remember seeing a group of people sewing in the middle of the walkway, so that was a good landmark to remember. After they took us in the back office, they helped Paul scan the QR code and print up the tag. In true Japan fashion, they made us coffee while we waited. I felt like I was in Crazy Rich Asians in the jewelry store. Sorry, not used to that type of service! So we gulped down our coffee and thanked everyone for their help. I must say that was the most excellent customer service I've ever had in a department store! I will definitely go back to Seibu.
So my favorite section in Seibu is the food section (of course). As we were walking through, Paul spotted this melon. It brought back memories for him of when him and Grant came to Japan after they graduated college and wanted to thank the hotel they stayed at by buying them fruit. It was so expensive that they used all their money they had with them that day and had to walk back to the hotel cause they couldn't afford the ride home. LOL!
I guess some things do not change... Look at the price of that melon!!
I checked out the Sugar Butter Tree counter and was happy to see it was still there. Yay! They are all over the place! And I was even happier to see this mochi counter!!! The first time I had this type of mochi was in Osaka. And I've been thinking about it since we booked our flight. I got the mikan (orange) and Paul got the grape and banana.
Sooooooo Oishii!!!!
I couldn't buy too much since we sent our bags to Osaka. So we only got the mochi and this chocolate covered baumkuchen type of cake. It was awesome!
After Ikebukuro, we headed back to Asakusa to try to find another pancake place recommended by Paolo in Tokyo called Benitsuru. You have to try to get a reservation, but we got there so late due to all the luggage issues, that our call back time would have been 6pm. Bummer, so we passed. Going to try to go next time!
On the way, we saw a headgehog cafe! They are popping up all over now, so no need to go to Roppongi. I even saw on in Osaka today.
Since we had no eating plan now, Paul wanted to go back to the festival we had gone to the night before withe Randy and Estuko. I guess he wanted to check out their food...
First booth we hit was karaage chicken. I have no idea what she put on that chicken but I need it!!! It was some kind of seasoning she put on right before she gave it to us and it made the chicken so good. I am on the hunt for it before I go back home.
Our next choices were just ok. Paul opted for a mochi like pancake with pork hash filling. I think Randy said it was korean. I got the kamaboko tempura stick but it was just ok. Not like I remember from Miyajima.
Next up was totally unplanned. We passed by this Kobe Waffle and I guess I still had pancakes on the brain, so I got one. They actually put whipped cream and chocolate or strawberry on it, but I just opted for a plain one with butter. It was really good! Woud've been better if it was a little more heated., but not bad!
Last picks were that kebab sandwhich for Paul- he learned about that from Randy last visit... And I got the winner pick.. It was a steak fried up like katsu. OMG it was so ono!!
After that we walked back to our hotel since it was so close by, picked up our backpacks, and headed to catch the shinkansen to Osaka. Sayoonara Tokyo! It was so much fun. We need to visit again soon.
So on a side note, when you get the Japan Rail Pass, you cannot ride on the Nozomi train (which is the least amount of stops). So we rode the one that stops at each stop, but it went out of service in Nagoya. So I don't hear anyone say Osaka on the speakers.. and keep asking Paul about it. He keeps telling me we have a lot longer to go, so no worry. Then they announce that the car is now out of service, please disembark! Yikes. Good thing I didn't go back to sleep. Paul had to pack up his backpack and then we got off to find another train. Oh brother! I guess if we didn't have that issue, we would've gotten to Osaka earlier. It took us about 3 hours with everything. Good thing we didn't stay for the pancakes! We would've gotten to Osaka after midnight!
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