Amerikajin Desu

To ease the ache of walking everywhere, I headed to the outskirts of Osaka these past two days to onsens. An onsen is a hot bath, often with other naked strangers, and it is way more appealing than I am making it sound so far.  It’s one of the best things about Japan, actually, and even if you are an especially modest gaijin, you should still grit your teeth and do it.

In my opinion, the best onsens are not “spa world” or other crappy tourist traps like that, but the traditional serene ryokan where you can tilt your head back and admire the sakura (cherry blossoms) or maple leaves.  Thus I prefer the outdoor onsen. So when I went hunting, I found two incredibly nice onsen, only one of which I’m willing to talk about, because the other was my favorite and like native Japanese the best kept secrets stay secret because none of the tourist websites list it.

Fushiokaku Onsen is about a half hour outside of Osaka, at Ikeda station you take bus 134, 135, or 136 to Fushiokaku. It’s a huge hotel, with a restaurant, herb garden, etc. overlooking an especially loud stream with man-made waterfall. Not that that detracts from the ambiance at all – the building is a concrete hellhole, but don’t let that scare you off either.

Baths are on the fourth floor and are 1500 yen – they provide you with a towel, which you cannot keep (unfortunately). The women’s bath is really nice, truly.  There is a large indoor bath (eh) then three outdoor baths – a rock one, a large cedar tub, and then a marble/granite one with a higher temperature.  These are all situated in a very nice outdoor garden setting, with cherry and maple trees, as well as a waterfall. The best time to go would likely be night-time, as the waterfall and trees are lit up.  It was very peaceful – there were four other persons there total, none of whom were under 50 years old except me (always a good sign – go where the old ladies are, it’s always the best).

Website has some English, http://www.fushioukaku.co.jp/english/index.html, I understand some of their guest rooms have open air baths as well, so that would be reallyyyy nice for a night out of the city.

1. Get a job
2. Get a work visa
3. Get an apartment (furnished) in Osaka or Kyoto
4. Pig out on onigiri, sandwiches, green tea, straight tea, milk tea, and vitamin c soda
5. Go to the temple and be thankful for items 1-5

Not bad for my first 48 jikan, ne?

Feast your eyes for a moment on this guy:

Only for a moment. Only if you can stand it. Ok, done?

Looks like a typical American drunktard, ne? Well two thumbs up for that guy, because he’s one of the biggest actors in Japan. NFW, you say? WTF, you say?  Yea no kidding. He’s done ziplock, Nokia, and even music videos. While not as rich as say, Brad Pitt, he ain’t doing too shabby.

Dear God, why.

Japanese have an American fetish, an obsession with all things blonde and blue eyed. My first time here I was followed around by photographers, I kid you not. And I was weighing in at a chunky 163 at that point, looking nothing like Britney Spears, but they seriously dont care what you look like as long as you are fair skinned California looking girl (or guy).  So that brings me to my next exciting career endeavor: Modeling in Japan.  I sent some pictures to some agencies here yesterday (big agencies, not shittay places that do smut films) and I got responses in the same day, asking me to come in for interview. Shall I shave off another five pounds before going? Hmmmm…..

Current weight: 67kg – 149 lbs and counting(down!)

If you are in Osaka and looking for a good grocery store (one that isn’t a family mart or lawson) you might end up wandering around a bit. I decided today’s excursion should be Kuroman Market. It was pretty great. You can find meats, veggies, fruits, fresh fish, tempura, okonomiyaki, red bean cakes, green tea, pots and pans, tee shirts – basically anything you need. The prices are decent, unlike Hanshin and Hankyu which are overpriced department stores.

To get there get off Nippombashi on the Sakasuji line, take exit 8 or 9. Outside the exit, turn away from the main street and go one block (Don’t cross the large street). The market is one block from the exits on the right. If lost just ask for “marketo?” and someone will point you along the proper direction.

One of the vegetable stands had this life-size doll on the roof… kinda bizarre but…

Myself I was very pleased with the trip because I managed to find the best Japanese fruit there is – peaches. It has to be said that I’m not a huge fan of American peaches, but the ones here are fantastic, amazing, scrumptious, delicious, oishii! I got also beef and came home to make shabu shabu, some okonomiyaki, and my favorite sandwiches. Along the way I saw some other places I simply must investigate — Osaka Pool? Hmmmmm…..