Boyboy; my precious
Universal Studio @ Osaka
Saturday, June 15, 2013 | 8:25 PM | 0 comments
Universal Studio Japan @ Osaka
This photo was snapped quickly because I have to use bare hands to take the picture due to thick gloves. I took very little photos this time round because it is really very cold, probably the coldest period of the winter and I cant keep taking my gloves off.
As you can see, our tickets cost us about 6100 yen per pax which was around S$ 98 (2010), now its about 6600 yen per pax which is around S$$87.50 (2013), talk about the exchange rates!
You will also be given the map of the theme park when you purchase the tickets.
Similar to Disneyland tickets, their tickets are so pretty which the magical starlight theme!
First mascot I got to take a photo with when I entered! SHREK!
The moment we entered the USJ, we could not take the winter wind, so we explored the retail outlets first.
The boyfriend acting cute with the Elmo Headband.
There were Neoprints machines with the USJ characters theme to take photos with!
Here's our shot! Our first neoprint together ever!
Oh I am so in love with this ride! I wish I can ride this over and over again!
It is like a spinning indoor roller coaster which is themed to go through a journey in space and it was like you are riding through a sparking galaxy and for a person like me, who is afraid of the roller coaster no matter how small it is...the special effects during the ride make you forget all about it!
By the way, this was the 2nd ride that my boyfriend cheated me to sit in because I did not know it was a roller coaster ride beforehand, only when it was about our turn to get on a ride, I saw the information board about the ride and glared at him..and he dare to giggle still!
This is the ride that you have to sit in before the adventure begins! It's so much fun!
Credit to themeparkgc
The queues for most of the rides are so long, so we chose those to try out those rides that we were interested in first. And if time permits, we will try the rest!
The next popular one is the SPIDERMAN 4D ride! It has the longest queue ever, but it moves pretty fast. You will be given a pair of 3D glasses to wear for the ride as well, during the ride, you can also feel heat, trembles and even droplets of water for the scenario that is played in ride.
While walking around, I managed to catch the Tin Man & Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz
for a picture as well!
I look like a total dumpling here, but still feeling very cold even though I wore about 3-4 inner layers.
They have such cute cups at Mel Diners, which I brought back to Singapore to keep them as Souvenirs, the boyfriend also managed to get the Elmo cup for me :)
This spinning in an orb is a sure-win dip for anyone who plays it. It cost 500 yen (about $10) per try, for you to put your hand in and grab a piece of the blue paper. Each paper represents a sure win item and they are all such amazing items.
There are Elmo Tote Bags, Organizer bags, notepads, folders, towels and even a travel luggage! Depending on how lucky you are, you will definitely receive one of these. We tried about 5 times and got a few pretty items (will upload the photos soon)! It's the fun that counts as well!
One of those last few shots we managed to take before the camera battery died.
It is a wonder how theme parks like Universal Studios and Disneyland, can bring out the kid in us and makes you feel a little sad when you are about to leave. I would definitely like to go to Universal Studios Japan again during the spring or the autumn period to try out the other rides and take more photos!
Here is to link if you need all your details on pricing of tickets and how to get there! <3
Labels: ELMO, GALAXY RIDE, JAPAN, JR, NEOPRINTS, Osaka, SHREK, SPACE TRAVEL, SPIDERMAN 4D, UNIVERSAL, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, USS, WIZARDS OF THE OZ
Eats@Osaka
| 7:03 PM | 0 comments
Eats@Osaka!
551 Horai is a famous Chinese restaurant in Osaka. However I only had the chance to visit their take-away stalls while we were going to take the JR. Gyoza (Pan fried chinese dumplings), Butaman (Meat bun) and their Shumai (Steam Pork Dumplings) some of their signature dishes. Both bf and I have a thing for Gyoza and Shumai, so when we saw the queue (moving quite fast) at this take away stall, he prompt me to go get some too.
Usually the bf will ask me to try first and when I took my first bites of both the Gyoza and Shumai, my eyes were beaming, showing him that I am very satisfied at the bf and he was like "Nice?" I took the whole box of Shumai from him, giving him the scheming look and said "No, not nice and you better don't eat." And he knew right away that I am in LOVE them, hehe.
The display of their food items,packaging and pricing at the takeaway stall.
The meat in the Gyoza is very tender, juicy and mouthwatering, the skin gives a little crisp from the pan-frying. Its very addictive! *I wish I can have some now*
We usually dip the Gyoza with slice ginger and vinegar but THIS GYOZA do not need any dip at all! Well you can still dip if you want to.. but if you are on take away, its kinda hard.
15 pieces of Gyoza in a box at 390 yen (About S$7)
Its super worth it! Compared to any Japanese restaurants especially in Singapore.
Its not small size kind of Siew Mai that we have for Dim Sum. This is different!
The texture and taste of the Shumai was just right, no overly meaty or oily.
It made me crave for more and I could not choose to eat between the Gyoza or the Shumai first.
12 pieces in a box at 600 Yen (About S$11).
Slightly on the pricey side but its totally worth the money!
When I researched online, many mentioned that Okonomiyaki (which means Cook what you like) is a dish that is a must try in Osaka.
I did not want to try initially because the bf does not eat cabbage/vegetables so I know I have to finish it on my own.
But when I walked past, this small outlet of Sakura Okonomiyaki, I could not resist to try after seeing the Chef cooking some up.
Okonomiyaki is a fusion of both a pancake and a pizza. It has a mixed of ingredients and its savoury and crispy at the same time. I forgot how much this meal cost us but its definitely worth a try!
This is the teppanyaki table that they cook the Okonomiyaki live in front of you.
The Chefs at work!
There is a bar counter to dine if you are alone and two to four seater seats are also available.
Most shops will actually cook it for you especially when you are a tourist and they will top the Okonomiyaki with Aonegi (seaweed flakes) and mayonnaise.
Funfact:
In Tokyo, people cut the Okonomiyaki in pizza slice form and in Osaka, they cut it into squares.
Labels: 551 Horai, guo tie, gyoza, Okonomiyaki, Osaka, pan fried dumplings, shaomai, shumai, siewmai, steam dumplings, stickypots
