Currently killing time before heading to the airport, but made time for one more activity last night. team Lab Botanical Garden converts part of a local park into a light show/ art exhibit. I love me some chiaroscuro and the place was an overall very zen vibe.
Last week, I got to watch @wwr_stardom for the very first time at the legendary Korakuen Hall. Been following some of these women through YouTube and socials, but seeing them live is something else. Definitely a fan now and will definitely watch them again the next time our schedules mesh.
Possibly my favorite architectural work in the entire world, Kiyomizudera is a Buddhist temple best known for its main hall which stands on 13 meter high pillars. The beautiful structure surrounded by nature lends a very zen feeling to the entire area, in spite of the MASSIVE crowd.
The plan: check out some samurai reenactments at a park owned by Toei.
What I got: a tour of part of Toei's actual Kyoto studio. As a long time fan of both Super Sentai and Kamen Rider, this was just great. Besides props and costumes from the show, they allowed access to the actual Sengoku period sets that they use whenever the heroes find themselves in that time (which happens... a lot).
Bonus: EVA-01 statue and the biggest NOPE i can give to the haunted doll house attraction.
Brunch today was a couple of onigiri from @onigiri_gorichan_namba . While the otoro one was good, one bite later, I could see why the negitoro and egg yolk is one of the top sellers. It's such a simple dish, but done so well. The egg yolks (there were a couple more in the rice) especially are so rich. With Japan being one of the few countries where eating raw egg is completely safe, it's an indulgence that shouldn't be missed.
Hanamaruken's しあわせラーメン literally Happiness Ramen is one big reason that I wanted to come back to Osaka. A big ass, melting pork rib on top of an amazing bowl of ramen is just... perfection. We have it in Manila, but there's just no comparison to the original.
The highlight of Yokohama for me is the Ramen Museum in Shin-Yokohama. While the museum on the first floor is nice, you go there for the basement. There, around the movie set-like interior, several restaurants that all specialize in different types of ramen can be found. I only got to try 2 in spite of skipping breakfast, but both the paitan and clam broths were yummy. Will definitely go earlier next time as that seems to be the only way to try the top 2 restaurants with their rapidly growing lines and potentially limited number or bowls.
Something that wasn't even on my list, literally just passed by on my way to a station, Yokohama Parks flowers were just in all out full bloom. I only recognize tulips and I think... Pansies? But pretty.
