tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979823393058722453.post5720517765570731700..comments2024-02-27T21:15:49.530+13:00Comments on The Only Blonde in Osaka: Shinsekai, Osaka - The 'New World'The Only Blonde in Osakahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05202471784604083906noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979823393058722453.post-69698567629008403832012-06-14T17:28:29.843+12:002012-06-14T17:28:29.843+12:00I wasn't aware of Shinsekai's state when m...I wasn't aware of Shinsekai's state when my friend and I went to Osaka. All I knew about it was its name meaning New World and Spa World. Needless to say, when the two of us wandered through the streets of Shinsekai, it wasn't disappointment that really struck us as much as a sense of depression and nostalgia for my Japanese friend, who was so accustomed to life in Tokyo. Walking through the alleyways and seeing old men play Shogi, old restaurants catering to the same, growing population, it looked like it was doomed to its fate, as the only people who inhabited the area were growing elderly and no one was there to replace them. Passing by closed down softcore porn theaters and street stalls and restaurants, it was easy to imagine the hectic and vivid street life decades ago, but it was surely depressing seeing it all gone and the memories of those days fading away. I truly wonder what is to happen to that area once everything dies away, physically and spiritually. I think if anyone were to visit Osaka as a true traveler who's curious about Japan, they must visit Shinsekai, because it certainly sheds light on the many Western misconceptions about Japan being a fantasy, high-tech, wealthy country all over. I'm sure scattered all over Japan are similar towns and cities, and I wonder if such areas are growing in number or decreasing.Derek Janghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06392300529882064571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979823393058722453.post-86942859973891691742012-06-12T15:20:42.666+12:002012-06-12T15:20:42.666+12:00I love Shinsekai - though a lot of my co-workers c...I love Shinsekai - though a lot of my co-workers couldn't believe that I -liked- to go there! And by myself, at that! The area has a lot of history.Lorenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16610926358497312478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979823393058722453.post-16291112209880893352012-05-01T22:42:32.450+12:002012-05-01T22:42:32.450+12:00Great post. I like Shin Sekai because of exactly w...Great post. I like Shin Sekai because of exactly what you said...it's so different from the conventional image of Japan.A lot of these tiny shops sell 2nd hand and recycled stuff, something that most Japanese people will say doesn't ever happan in Japan. It's one of the most interesting areas in Osaka purely because of that. Despite the myths I don't think it's dangerous at all, even after dark...I think Auckland on a Saturday night is worse. Cheers.Hikarihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18145580114565751219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979823393058722453.post-39082005541148974072012-05-01T20:25:55.931+12:002012-05-01T20:25:55.931+12:00Thank you so much! I thought it was such an intere...Thank you so much! I thought it was such an interesting place too, I can't wait to explore Doubutsuen-mae again!The Only Blonde in Osakahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05202471784604083906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979823393058722453.post-17114564034361266162012-05-01T20:19:59.079+12:002012-05-01T20:19:59.079+12:00Thanks for the lovely comment, and for reading!Thanks for the lovely comment, and for reading!The Only Blonde in Osakahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05202471784604083906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979823393058722453.post-2286979647580355892012-04-30T21:07:30.489+12:002012-04-30T21:07:30.489+12:00What an excellent, informative post!! Well done!! ...What an excellent, informative post!! Well done!! I knew about that area and history, but I never found much information about it through research. Thank you for this!! My friends and I used to be fascinated with this area. One of my fondest memories of Osaka was drinking at 6am outside the zoo, it was surreal.Vivianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11360202895003317227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979823393058722453.post-23032863147807175422012-04-29T04:49:45.006+12:002012-04-29T04:49:45.006+12:00I think everyone should wander off the beaten path...I think everyone should wander off the beaten path if they really want to get to know a society better. Thanks again for the rare read.Palijerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14828965543709855869noreply@blogger.com