Family, Food & Gacha: Our Asian Adventure With Friends Abroad

Our Family ADventure

We’ll Start with Osaka

It all started in here!

We just returned from an incredible family vacation — one that reminded me just how transformative travel can be when guided by dear friends abroad. Our long-time friend- Chelsea- moved to South Korea after college, and after 10 years, her Korean husband and she are soon relocating back to the U.S. That decision finally convinced us: it was time to bring the kids to this amazing country! We last visited in 2007, and knew that the kids needed this experience.

Planning took an exciting turn when we decided to tack on Japan — a lifelong bucket-list destination. Reaching out to my college roommate, originally from Osaka, we learned she’d returned after two decades of living in New York City. Today, this post will focus on Osaka, which was the first city we visited on this epic journey, and then as I get over more jet-lag, I will add new posts about the rest of the cities and countries we enjoyed, and will even include a look at some of the artwork that I am starting to work on after this inspirational trip!

Osaka: A Palette for the Artist’s Eye

Our first stop, Osaka, was a playground for the senses. First night there, we kept it simple — grabbing snacks at a local 7‑Eleven and FamilyMart. We grabbed rice balls, egg sandwiches, and pastries — a snack sampler that doubled as a fun introduction to the city’s convenience food culture. This was a bucket list item for the kids, it was late, and the perfect way to eat a little without having to think too hard in a brand new city while jet-lagged and directionless.

The next day, we met up with my college roommate- Sadako- at our hotel and we made our way to the Shinsaibashi Shopping District — a vibrant maze of covered arcades lined with anime and Pokémon stores. The kids loved the gacha machines, a colorful and quirky contrast to the gumball machines we remember from back home. After browsing souvenirs and sampling matcha ice cream, Sadako whisked us to meet her sister and nephew, and together we proceeded to make our way to the Dotonbori Canal.

Dotonbori was dazzling, and drizzling- our only day of rain on this trip. The neon-lit streets and towering billboards reminded me of Times Square—only more intimate, more vibrant, and filled with the scent of street food. Lunch at Kushikatsu Daruma was a vegetarian’s dream, featuring skewered sweet potatoes, asparagus, and red ginger — all tempura-fried to perfection. We later wandered through Don Quixote, sampling Japanese candies and discovering unique Kit Kat flavors (Sake Kit Kat, anyone?).

Crafting Memories: Making our own Plastic “Food”

One of the trip’s most special moments was painting our own plastic food samples—yes, the artful replicas seen in every Japanese restaurant window! My girls made sushi key rings while both of the boys made Takoyaki magnets (Octopus Balls) I created a dessert replica that included a fake matcha ice cream. As an artist, being surrounded by this form of artistry was pure joy.

Osaka Castle: Baseball with a Cultural Twist

Later that evening, we hopped on the subway to catch the Orix Buffaloes play. The experience was nothing short of unforgettable. A sumo wrestler threw out the first pitch, two minutes of respectful silence enveloped the stadium, and live bands played only during each team’s at-bat. The players bowed and tipped their caps — gestures of respect that resonated deeply. While I’ve visited many U.S. stadiums, this felt profoundly different and profoundly beautiful — and the food was amazing too!

Though the Buffaloes didn’t win and jet lag nearly had me nodding off, the memory of that night — the atmosphere, the artistry of their rituals, the food and camaraderie — will stick with me forever.

Day 2: Exploring Osaka’s History and Culture

After saying goodbye to Sadako and her family, we headed to bed early with plans to visit Osaka Castle the next morning. We arrived via subway and strolled across sprawling castle grounds once guarded by samurai. Osaka Castle was first commissioned in 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a pivotal warlord during Japan’s unification, featuring an impressive five-story main keep adorned with gold leaf to assert his power. Osaka Castle- Wikipedia. Although the original structure was destroyed during the Siege of Osaka (1614–15), when the Tokugawa shogunate sieged and dismantled the Toyotomi stronghold, it was later rebuilt in the 1620s, with the current tower—a faithful reconstruction—is now a museum detailing its dramatic past. Seige of Osaka- Wikipedia.

We climbed to the top of the castle, soaking in panoramic views across the moat-lined grounds and the nearby Nishinomaru Garden—stunning especially with its seasonal greenery . After browsing the souvenir shops nearby, we were on our way to our next destination, with a stop on the way where we gathered snacks from a convenience store and enjoyed a relaxed lunch at a nearby park.

Our next stop was the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living—an unexpected urban gem located on the upper floors of a modern city building. This interactive museum transports visitors back to life in late-Edo period Osaka (1830-1840). On the ninth floor, we walked through a life-size recreation of historic streets and shopfronts, complete with atmospheric lighting and authentic sounds. The eighth floor displayed model dioramas of Osaka from Meiji through Showa eras. Osaka Museum of Housing and Living.

By late afternoon, we headed back to our hotel for a bit, then ventured back out for shopping, We spent a good chunk of the evening hunting for rare gacha machines—since the kids couldn’t get enough—and had dinner at a vegan restaurant on Dotonbori Street. We walked for miles and miles, and though our feet and backs complained, the memories—the history, the artistry, the unexpected finds—were well worth it.

Osaka is a city that thrives on vibrant contrasts — neon streets and quiet canals, ancient artforms and modern snacks, electric energy and contemplative respect. It’s no wonder it’s been dubbed “the kitchen of Japan,” overflowing with culinary and cultural delights . For families especially, it offers accessible city life, fun-filled diversity, and an easygoing warmth . This trip wasn’t just a vacation — it was a creative journey grounded in connection, curiosity, and joy.