Cats, Customs and Tall Buildings

I write this latest post snuggled up in a very comfy bed with a cup of Earl Grey on my right and a very warm, snoozing boyfriend on the other.

We have been incredibly busy these last couple of weeks! Now that the temperature is beginning to simmer down in Osaka, Vincent and I are most definitely out of holiday mode.

Think the hair got Vince's
seal of approval

So - I bet you are all bursting to know what we've been up to! Well, I decided after much hesitation to go back to black (or brunette, actually). As anyone who colours their hair can appreciate, changing from light to dark or vice versa can be a huge shock and affects everything about your appearance from your make up to the shade of jumper you wear.

This being said, I'm over the moon with the results. I went to a local salon recommended by my work colleagues, called Craive in Shinsaibashi. If you're in need of a salon in Osaka, this be the place. The staff speak English, provide excellent service and if they can tame my mane, they can do anything.

PRO TIP :: The salon is on the (5th...maybe 6th) floor of a building directly  opposite the Louis Vuitton store. Spending all afternoon asking for directions in pigeon Japanese is really not that much fun.

Vincent's new job teaching English, is in nearby Tennoji. I attended the Tanabata Festival at Shitennoji Temple a couple of months ago but was still yet to explore the area. Yesterday, I came to meet Vince from work and he took me to see the Abenobashi Terminal Building.

Vincent at Abenobashi, Tennoji

It opened in March of this year and boasts 62 floors. It is the largest, functioning construction in Japan and has phenomenal panoramic views over the Kansai region.

We only went up to the 16th floor, but the views were still amazing from a charming rooftop garden where local workers enjoy their lunch. You can pay to go up to top, top floor but I'm not the hugest fan of heights and was far more interested in perusing the luxury shops on the lower levels which include Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade and Mulberry. If you happen to be in Tennoji, it's worth a look - if you dare!

Vince and I decided to culminate our week by doing something "very Japanese". Having spent that week eating all our favourite foods from home...thank you Jupiter International Food Store and the Tempozan Turkish buffet...we wanted to do something a bit more traditional.

So, naturally, we went to the Cat Cafe.

These are BIG news in Japan. I love cats. I love coffee. Surely this must be the greatest experience of my adult life?? Well, no. To be honest. It was all a bit of a let down.

Now, admittedly I went to a local, small cafe - which wasn't really a cafe as it sold no kind of beverage but the whole experience was just strange. We paid for 30 minutes of play with the cats, most of whom must be rescue animals due to the various war wounds but this took place in the owner's front room while he sat on Facebook.

I didn't feel confident enough in a stranger's presence to let rip with my usual cat noises, you know the ones I mean, the really cringey ones. It was rubbish.

I did make one friend, however, a little black cat whose name I think was Coco. I have two black cats at home (named Tyler and Marmite as you'll see from my URL) so I did feel a bit cheap playing with my new pal.I promise, it was just some light petting - nothing serious.

Love me a black cat

This being said, I refuse to give up on the cats. I intend to return and make them all play with me! Before leaving, I was handed a loyalty card by the owner, not dissimilar in style to the one you get from Nando's. I mean, what do I get after 10 visits? A free cat?

THREE THINGS I NEVER KNEW ABOUT THE JAPANESE :

My favourite part of being in Japan is learning about a culture that is so different to mine in so many ways. These idiosyncracies are absolutely fascinating and I love to hear about them. Have you ever visited a place with very different customs or traditions? Here are some regarding the Japanese that you may not know...

1. In Japanese culture, blood type is taken into consideration when dating. This is because they believe that people with certain blood types will display distinctive characteristics. For example, blood type B will tend to be quirky or eccentric, meaning they might not be a compatible match with someone from a different group. It has made me wonder what mine and Vince's types are...
2. The number 4 is extremely unlucky in Japan. It is sometimes pronounced "shi", which also means death. Also, the number 9 means suffering so if you are ever buying a Japanese friend a present, such a set of plates, give them 3 or 5! 
3. Double dating in Japan is an absolute operation. Back home, the couple organising might bring one friend each who they think will click and all four of them go out for a meal or an activity. Not here. Oh no. The dates are done in fives, meaning the organising couple have to gather together 8 friends and try to match them up! As you can imagine, these dates can be quite awkward and in true Japanese style, the attendees who don't wish to be rude will hide behind their menus. I'm determined to organise one.

PS - business card etiquette is also brilliant. To learn how to do it like a boss check this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8bG2Lb5fv8

For more updates on our adventures, be sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

Till the next post,

Ja matte!