Osaka, Kyoto & Nara Trip - Part 3

On our third day, we pampered ourselves with a good lie-in since we were shuttling from one place to another on the 1st 2 days and were quite exhausted. Eventually made it to Kuromon Market, one of the must visit food markets in Osaka at 12.30pm. It was just a short walk of 8 mins from our Airbnb lodgings.

You'll be spoiled for choices on this long stretch of street filled with food stalls selling mouth-watering tender grilled beef, quail egg octopus, grilled unagi, sweet-smelling red and white strawberries, the freshest sashimi & uni, and the list goes on.

Do prepare a big wad of cash before you stomp this food heaven. Depending on your choice of food and appetite, I guess 5000yen would be sufficient for a small and picky eater like me whereas for those with luxurious taste bud or an endless pit of a stomach, please double the money ;)

Tuna Belly @ 2300yen

Crab Shell @ 500yen

Grilled Wagyu 100g @ 3321yen

Boiled Scallop @ 500yen

Crab Stick @ 500yen

Kuromon Ichiba Market

9am to 6pm, daily

Nearest station: Nippombashi Station

After filling up our bellies with food, we headed to the next destination by subway which costs 210yen from Namba Station. It was around 3pm when we set foot at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. 

One of Japan's oldest and most famous shrine, Sumiyoshi Taisha houses 4 main praying halls, a beautiful garden and the charming Sorihashi bridge. There's a lot of natural beauty surrounding this shrine. Definitely worth a visit!

Do take note of the proper etiquette when visiting a shrine. 

1. Bow slightly before entering the torii gates.
2. Purify self at the water pavilion. Scoop some water with the ladle provided with your right hand and pour over left hand, transfer scoop to left hand and pour water over right hand. Next, hold the ladle with right hand again, pour some water onto left hand and rinse mouth lightly. Lastly, hold the ladle vertically so the remaining water will trickle down to clean the handle.
3. At the altar, throw a coin into the offering box and ring the bell, if there is any. Bow deeply twice and clap your hands twice. Pray in your heart and bow deeply once more.

Sumiyoshi Taisha

6.30am to 5pm, daily

Free admission

Nearest station: Sumiyoshitaisha Station

Next on, we headed to Shinsaibashi-suji which is a 600m shopping street filled with roughly 180 stores. We headed straight for Luke's Lobster as it's one of the must-eats recommended by many who have visited. There was a short queue and we went for the regular size as A didn't want to try since he can make very good lobster rolls. 

Regular Luke's Lobster Roll @ 980yen

Luke's Lobster Roll comes in a slightly toasted butter long bun filled with ocean fresh lobster meat with a squeeze of lemon juice. It tasted quite good but I wish the lobster meat was sweeter though.

And the verdict is, my sweetheart can make as good lobster rolls! I am so not kidding you but his is on the heavier side of taste with truffle oil and mayo. Just for comparison, photo below :) 

A's Lobster Roll

 A was quite tired so we took a rest at Gram Cafe & Pancakes since the ambiance was not bad apart from being slightly boisterous and they are known for their FLUFFY pancakes! We were quite full from snacking along the way from the shrine to Shinsaibashi-suji so we only ordered a Tiramisu pancake (which was the house special) and a pot of flower tea.

To our utter disappointment, not only wasn't the pancake fluffy, it was bordering on the side of hard, we were guessing the pancakes were pre-made beforehand in batches. But oh well, it was picturesque. Although the price really does not justify. It cost us 1400yen before tax.  

Gram Cafe & Pancakes

11am to 10pm, daily

Nearest station: Shinsaibashi Station

And that was it for the day! Finally, another post only after I came back from Tokyo, again. Hopefully I'll be able to finish all my Japan posts before I leave for Canada next month :) see ya!