✨ Low expectations, big surprise: Osaka delivers
My last stop in Japan was Osaka and what a surprise it turned out to be.
Honestly, I had low expectations. After Tokyo’s intense energy, I didn’t think another city could top it. But Osaka did. Quickly, it became one of my favorite places in Japan.
🚶♂️Where Am I? Who Cares. This Is Osaka
Osaka felt less refined than Tokyo, but somehow more alive. There’s an edge to it that makes the city feel truly human.
I got lost more than once, especially in Osaka Station. Beneath the surface is a maze of shops, street food counters, and twisting corridors where even GPS struggles to function. But getting lost became part of the charm.
🗣️ Lost in translation, found in kindness
English? Rare. Misunderstandings? Plenty. But the kindness and patience of Japanese people made every moment work out.
They may sound strict at times, but it’s really just how Japanese is spoken. You understand that pretty fast.
🛍️ Osaka made me buy it
Every step in Osaka feels like walking through a live commercial bright lights, bold sounds, and shops that seem to shout “look at me”.
And it worked on me. I spent more than planned on things I didn’t need… and definitely had no room for.
Mental note: The suitcase fills fast. I even had to skip the running gear I meant to buy. Maybe next time.
🏃♂️ Riverside calm in a city of chaos
I managed to squeeze in two runs along the riverside. Once I got through the crowds of commuters, the path opened up and the views made it worth it.
The humidity was real, but didn’t slow me down much. This wasn’t a performance session. It was about shaking off the travel fatigue and staying connected to movement.
- Umeda Sky Building – A highlight. Futuristic architecture and a 360° view of the city skyline.
- Dotonbori (Tombori) – Neon, noise, street food, and energy like nowhere else.
- Osaka Castle – Peaceful and historic. A good contrast to the busy city.
- Expo 2025 Site – Not originally on our itinerary, but we couldn’t skip it. It was packed, with people lining up to see some pretty impressive country pavilions. It brought back memories of the Lisbon Expo I attended 27 years ago.
📍 Osaka’s greatest hits
🍜 Chopsticks, surprises & no regrets
I didn’t track calories, measure portions, or worry about food. I just enjoyed it.
From casual bites to traditional meals, it was always an adventure. Some dishes felt gourmet, others like fast food.
I even tried a Japanese breakfast! Small plates of fish, vegetables, and meat (though I skipped the meat). All part of the experience.
Most of our exploring was on foot anyway, which helped balance out the ramen and sushi!
👟 No space for running gear
I had every intention of picking up new running gear, but… the suitcase had other plans. My wife filled it with souvenirs and gifts. No complaints. Just a reminder to pack lighter next time, or bring an extra bag!
✈️ Heading home: Time to refocus
Now it’s time to reset, beat the jet lag, and get back to training. The Amsterdam Marathon is just around the corner.
I’ll be syncing with my coach to adjust the training plan and ease back into a solid routine.
📅 Looking ahead: Weekly marathon prep updates
Starting now, I’ll be recording weekly updates as I train for Amsterdam.
The #1 goal? Stay injury free.
Fingers crossed.
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