I took an unplanned trip to Osaka today. My wife was going there with two of her friends and I decided to tag along as far the JR station in Umeda, where I set off on my own to explore. For some reason, without consciously planning to, I take a photo of this intersection nearly every time I go to Osaka, and did it again today.
I spent most of the time ambling through the long, covered street market that begins at this intersection. What I noticed most was how the store displays jumped out at me, competing for my attention.
Many of the stores are now trying to attract foreign tourists, who have become more plentiful. I saw a lot of Osaka t-shirts for sale, and places where women can dress up in a kimono or where anyone can dress up as a Samurai warrior and have their picture taken. (I didn’t know Samurai warriors had white mustaches.)
It’s interesting what the Japanese choose to display about their culture when the audience is foreign tourists. It’s an amplification and distortion, springing from the natural tendency (or, in the case of merchants, the need) to show people what they want to be shown.
At the subway station on the way back to Umeda I met two French tourists who had just arrived for a month’s vacation in Japan. I struck up a conversation because one of them was wearing a Kongol cap identical to mine. His friend took a photo of us.
They were very excited to be in Japan and asked me what foods in Osaka I recommended, and what they should see. As for food, I recommended the Osaka street food staples: takoyaki, okonomiyaki, ramen, and kushikatsu. As for what see, I highlighted a couple of music clubs, Teasin’ (blues), and Royal Horse (jazz). They took notes! I could tell they were good guys who were set to enjoy themselves. I said goodbye and wished them well as they hauled their luggage up the stairs.
I like foreign tourists — especially those who have good taste in hats.