Lucky Owl Cafe - Osaka, Japan

While cat cafes are just starting to become a hype in our local scene, Japan has brought pet-themed cafe to another level! Have dog and cat cafes became too mainstream? Am I catching up too slowly? While I was doing my research before leaving for Japan, I chanced upon one site which shared a very interesting article on the latest craze in Japan (dated October 2013 though): 

Forget about cat cafes. Black cat cafes (which sound interesting enough to me already). Penguin bars (REALLY?!). Japan's latest novelty cafe is the "fukurou cafe" (フクロウカフェ), or the "owl cafe."

Before I start, I have a confession to make. I've never seen an owl in my entire life. I thought owls are angry birds -.- Yes, I am that shallow. Ok they might not look as much like angry birds however I don't think they look friendly either. But... I feel sincerely sorry for the owls now. For making such shallow assumptions about their temper, judging them solely based on their faces. I was so wrong. 

OWLS ARE IN FACT SO ADORABLE!!!

There are so many different owls! TOO CUTE!!! 

Sakura 2014 Part 2 - Osaka, Japan

Cherry blossom 2014 - Osaka, Japan.

Daytime viewing

Location: Kema Sakuranomiya Park & Osaka Mint Bureau

Date: 9/4/2013

We started our walk from Kema Sakuranomiya Park to Mint Bureau. We alighted at Sakuranomiya Station (JR Loop Line). This park is a public park with free admission, plus night illumination during blooming period (the stretch of cherry trees along the river promenade can be seen from Temmabashi). 

Sakura 2014 Part 1 - Osaka, Japan

Cherry blossom 2014 - Osaka, Japan.

Night viewing

Location: Temmabashi Station & Osaka Castle

Date: 8/4/2013

Temmabashi Station - A railway station on the Keihan Electric Railway and Osaka Municipal Subway.

The very first view I got after exiting Temmabashi Station. Simply stunning!

Pancake Café mog - Namba, Osaka, Japan

Another sweet surprise we found in Japan! 

Yotaro Honten 与太呂 本店 - Osaka, Japan

On our hunt for Michelin restaurants in Japan, we've decided on Yotaro Honten solely based on our curiosity. I was wondering how good can tempura be to make it a 2-star restaurant?

Yotaro Honten - A 2-star Michelin restaurant, specialized in Kansai style tempura, serving since 1921. A restaurant full of integrity, serving their local style tempura fried to precision, with impressive service.