Kansai Diaries, Day 8.75: Dizzying Dotonbori

November 30, 2016
Around 7pm, maybe
After checking in and settling in my room in Hotel Mikado, I debated with myself whether to grab dinner from a nearby convenience store or to go to Dotonbori, Osaka's kitchen. The thought of it being the last day of my trip and the last chance to see Dotonbori at night propelled me to the nearest subway station.
It was just a 4-minute ride from Dobutsuen-mae Station to Namba Station, but when I stumbled out of Namba Station, I was dizzy with hunger. Exacerbated by the wall of people that greeted me when I turned the corner to Dotonbori. I almost did a 180-degree turn and marched away. But the lights beyond the 100-deep people magnetized me and I squeezed my way through.
Upon seeing this, I almost made a 180-degree turn and marched away
The lights and the giant signboards all around gave me a jolt of energy and I momentarily forgot about my hunger, and did not mind weaving and dodging the human obstacles around me. There was a giant crab, humongous gyoza, a big floating pufferfish, a massive scallop, etc.

 Giant crab
  Humongous gyoza, and a large, pink octopus
  Big floating pufferfish, and a massive scallop
But then the medley of smells wafting from all directions reminded me that I was here to eat. I know I should find a busy restaurant with a queue of customers because that means the food is good, but I was too hungry to wait in line. I veered to the right, to a less busy street, and found myself entering Hanamaruken, a restaurant that had an all male staff, and, for some reason, mostly male customers (there was only one female, she was with her boyfriend). The ramen is supposed to be really good here, but I decided to order just chahan and gyoza.
Hanamaruken
Chahan, gyoza, and soup
After dinner, I go out into the night chill and find the Glico Man for an obligatory tourist photo, and then walk along the river.
 Glico Man
Dotonbori River
Japan
Know Before You Go
Single Entry Tourist Visa for Japan
Roam Around Japan with a Swagger
An Ignoramus in Japan: Vending Machines
An Ignoramus in Japan: Bathrooms and Toilets
An Ignoramus in Japan: Manhole Covers
I Spy With My Little Eye: Japan's Fashion Contradictions
I Spy With My Little Eye: On the Go in Japan
Kansai Diaries (2016)
9D/9N | Wakayama, Nara, Kyoto, Osaka
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kansai Region
Osaka: Day 0: Arrival
Osaka Accommodations: Hotel Raizan, Hotel Mikado
Wakayama: Day 1: Going to, Sleeping in, and Eating in Koyasan
Wakayama: Day 1.5: West Side of Koya Town
Wakayama: Days 1.75~2: Okunoin, Three Times
Nara: Sleep, Eat, and Explore Nara City
Nara: Day 3: Horyuji, Hokkiji, and some Japanecdotes in Ikaruga Town
Nara: Day 3.5: Yakushiji, Toshodaiji, and Heijo Palace Site in Nara City
Nara: Day 4: Early Morning at Nara Park
Nara: Day 4.25: Naramachi Walking Tour
Nara: Day 4.5: Yoshiki-en, Todaiji, and Kofukuji in Nara Park
Kyoto Accommodations: Guesthouse Wind Villa, Shiori Yado
Kyoto: Day 5: Rainy Day in Uji City (soon)
Kyoto: Day 5.5: Tofukuji and Shimogamo Jinja (soon)
Kyoto: Day 6: Ginkakuji, Ryoan-ji, Ninna-ji (soon)
Kyoto: Day 6.75: Gion Night Walking Tour (soon)
Kyoto: Day 7: All Day in Arashiyama (soon)
Kyoto: Day 8: Last Day in Kyoto (soon)
Osaka: Day 8.75: Dizzying Dotonbori (you're here!)