A Morning Pancake Craving

This morning, I woke up craving pancakes, so I set out in search of a good café. I found my way to a small, charming coffee shop that looked like something out of a storybook. The place was adorably decorated, with tea cups hanging along the bar and walls, each with matching plates that gave it a cozy, old-world feel.

But what really stood out? The barista.

The best way I can describe them? Emo x retro x loli. An unexpected but oddly perfect aesthetic.

I ordered a soufflé pancake and a caramel coffee. The pancake had a crispy golden crust, while the inside was soft and cake-like—not quite the airy soufflé texture I expected, but still delicious. But the real winner? The caramel. It was homemade, rich, and luscious, with the kind of deep, buttery sweetness that made me savor every sip of my coffee.

A Nintendo Capsule Toy Mission

After my café stop, I headed into Osaka, making my way to the Nintendo Store in search of a capsule toy for one of my best friends. He had his heart set on a keychain modeled after an N64 controller joystick, and since I thought the collection was cute, I decided to get two capsules—one for him, one for me.

If you don’t know, capsule toys are basically mini gambling machines, but for kids (and adults like me). You put in money, turn the dial, and get a random prize from a set collection—kind of like Happy Meal toys but with suspense.

Excited, I got my two capsules, looked at them… and got the exact same keychain.

A little disappointing, but hey—now my friend and I can have matching keychains like true besties. So maybe it worked out after all.

Prepping for the Onsen Life

After leaving the Nintendo Store, I decided to wander around a bit. I ended up in a store that gave me Bed, Bath & Beyond vibes, and since I’ll be in Kobe for a while, I figured it was time to level up my onsen experience.

I picked up:
✔️ A foldable sauna mat (for extra comfort)
✔️ A sauna hat (to protect my hair from the heat)
✔️ A body scrubber (because exfoliation is key)

Testing Out the Gear at an Onsen

Of course, I had to try them out immediately—so I headed to another onsen.

This one was smaller than some of the others I’ve visited and not exactly cheap at 1,200 yen (~$8 USD), but it came with more amenities than the usual 500 yen onsen. It had:

• One large soaking hot bath
• A small two-person jet bath
• A tiny cold bath
• A decent-sized sauna with a powerful steamer
• shampoo
• conditioner
• body wash
• face towel
• free drink machines

The steam here was intense—when it turned on, a rush of hot air filled the room in seconds. If you weren’t prepared, it could be overwhelming, but if you were, it was amazing.

Ending the Day with a Classic

After soaking in the onsen, I ended the day the best way possible—with a true Osaka classic: Okonomiyaki.

For those unfamiliar, Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake made with cabbage and meat, I chose pork and squid, all mixed into a batter and grilled until golden brown. It’s topped with a sweet-savory sauce, mayo, and bonito flakes that dance from the heat of the dish. Every bite was rich, crispy, and insanely satisfying.

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Final Thoughts

What started as a simple pancake craving turned into a day of fun little indulgences—good food, a mini shopping spree, an unexpected keychain surprise, and another solid onsen session.

I’m starting to settle into the rhythm of this trip, and I kind of love it.