Osaka! Takarazuka! Junsu?

So where do I begin? Last time I told you I was going to update in Japan but I ended up not doing that because on the flight to Japan, I made friends with the person beside me. We somehow connected in conversations during the flight over that, before she had to move on to Shanghai, thought we should chill together a little bit more. (Which reminds me that I need to e-mail her).

Anyways, the flight over to Korea eventually was uneventful besides the turbulence in the beginning, well landing in Japan was very turbulent as well. The weather was not great at that time to say the least. Landed safely and I was happy to see that my friends had came to pick me up. Keeping it Korean style, decided to take a picture of my arrival/reunion.

We caught up with each other on the way to the friend's place I'm staying at, and it really felt surreal for me to be back in Korea. It was nice and welcoming at the same time it was... yup I'm in Korea... kind of reaction. Since my plane landed pretty late in Korea, I was pretty tired by the time we arrived back at her place. Besides, I had to wake up early the next day.... to go to the Airport again. yes. I planned a quick Japan trip to Osaka.

Found a budget airline, Peach Airline, which is an Osaka based airplane company that offers cheap

flights to the area. The reason I needed to go to Osaka was because I received tickets to Junsu's Spring Ballad Concert in Osaka. Yes, I went to Japan to see a Korean artist. However, after attending the concert in Japan, I realize that his Japanese concerts have a different atmosphere to them. First of all, fans behave differently in Japan then they do in Korea. As you may know, I've been to his Korean concert before. Both concerts, Junsu delivered very well. As expected his voice is absolutely wonderful to listen to live. Even though I was jet lagged, and him singing various ballads made my eye lids droop at some points, his voice remains in my ears when the concert ended. He has a way of delivering such deep emotion to the lyrics he sings. Furthermore, during his talk sessions, he is absolutely adorable. In Japan, his way of pleasing the audience is by jokingly getting mad at them. It was really cute. I could go on forever about how amazing the concert was. The concert was at 6 that day, so I had much time to kill before that.

How did I do that? First, I decided to drop my stuff off at my hostel. I booked a hostel called Hostel Q and it is located close to Namba Station. It is definitely a cheap but very comfortable Hostel. Easy to check in/check out and nice staff. A very relaxing and welcoming place. When I walked in, the guy was playing reggae music and for the first time I met a Japanese guy with corn rows.

It is close to Shinsaibashi-suji as well and the famous glico man of Osaka. I went to Shinsaibashi-suji, a famous shopping district. When I arrived there, I definitely thought, yes, I'm in Japan. Lots of people, many people yelling out deals/welcomes/greetings in their nasal voices. I ended up buying 2 cakes, in which I planned to consume together with my friend when I returned to Korea. It was delicious soft cakes. I bought one cute shirt as well. I realized Japan also has the prices plus tax system. It is not a lot but it's there. Thankfully, that market area, allows you to not pay tax if you show your passport.

Afterwards, I head towards Osaka Castle through Osaka Castle Park. It was a nice walk and the atmosphere in the Osaka Castle Park was relaxing. What was interesting to hear during my 3 day stay in Osaka was that people practiced their instruments every where. When I was walking around the park there was one guy who was practicing his tuba, another person who was practicing his saxophone, another on his flute and another one on his banjo. Yes. Someone brought a banjo to the park to practice. It was interesting. Went to visit Osaka Castle as well and it was absolutely beautiful. I didn't have time to go to the top, but the way the castle was built and how the city was built around it, is absolutely beautiful. Osaka Castle, has a manmade water canal that surrounds the castle grounds. Furthermore there are large stone walls protecting the castle. It was amazing how you could see the high rise buildings from the gates of Osaka and then you see the park and the canal that surrounds the castle and then when you turn around, it's the castle standing tall and beautifully. 

The second day, I was on a mission. As a k-pop fan, I know the pains of waking up early to go see my favourite artist perform. This time, I was prepared to do the same thing for Takarazuka, a Japanese all female theatre group. The popularity of this troupe among Japanese people, especially women, is no joke. I couldn't book tickets online or reserve a seat ahead of time, I had to be there to buy tickets on the day. The thing is, ticket booth opens at 10. Just in case of line up, I decided to arrive around 7:30. I arrived at 7:30 and I was already number 23 in line. That day I found out there were 60 sitting seats available and I managed to make it into the cut. I got my tickets at 10:00 and decided to look around the Takarazuka Grand Theatre. Outside the theatre from the train station to the grand theatre, there is a walk way called Hana no Michi or Flower walkway. This is pathway that has flowers planted on either side and it leads to the Grand Theatre. It was beautiful, there were selected cute statues on the way there too. The founder, the famous otokoyaku role and a statue of the Rose of Versailles characters, Andre and Oscar. The production that really kickstarted the fame of Takarazuka to Japan. Interestingly, it was Rose of Versailles that was showing that day.
The Grand Theatre is very classy and beautiful and definitely was catered to making their customers most happy. I only took a couple pictures because I was still at an awe that I was actually there after seeing so many pictures.

The show was absolutely amazing and it is still a miracle to me that I managed to get tickets to see Takarazuka considering how easily the tickets sell out at every show. Listening, watching and experiencing the show live is definitely different then watching it on DVD. The acting, movements, dance everything was very elegant and graceful and very Takarazuka-esque. I enjoyed watching the full show. Although I was up on the 2nd floor I still managed to see things very clearly. I guess because the actresses are tall or maybe the way the theatre was designed, you get to see them quite clearly. Their facial expressions and everything. Furthermore it's a live orchestra too! Which makes the experience that much more amazing. Just. If I have the opportunity to go again I would.

On my last day in Osaka, I met up with an old friend for some lunch and sweets before zooming off to the airport to return to my original trip planned in Korea. 

The trip was short but for traveling alone was completely worth it!