Yodoyabashi Train Station

When I arrived in Hirakatashi I knew if I were to take the Keihan Line, Yodoyabashi would be one of the end of line station in Osaka [every train would eventually stop there including local, semi express, ect.]. Keeping this in mind I knew the station had to have some kind of importance. When I headed down to Yodoyabashi station, the first thing I realized was how much it costed. 320 yen for a 26 minute train ride if you’re lucky enough to catch the Limited Express Line from Hirakatashi Station. If I were to do a round trip, the cost totals to 640 yen, and that doesn’t even include the 440 yen round way bus ride. 

Whenever I wanted to go shopping or meet up with friends, Yodoyabashi was the transfer point.  If you depart from Hirakatashi station, the most convenient way of switching over to the Osaka Municipal Subway Midosuji Line is at Yodoyabashi station.  At this point, you can access several large shopping districts such as Umeda, Hommachi and Shinsaibashi.

With such large shopping districts just one stop away, my first assumption of Yodoyabashi Station was that it was a major shopping district as well. After asking my Japanese friends, I soon realized this station is just the opposite; a busy corporate area.  Coming out of the station I was greeted by this beautiful metropolitan scenery on the Yodoyabashi Bridge.  But after this point, there was nothing but formal looking sky scrapers of business headquarters and hotels. The area is accessible by the Keihan bus, as well as limousine buses to the airport.  Major institutions around the station include Osaka City Hall and Nakanoshima Park [a public park that lies between Dojima and Tosabori River]. Major business headquarters include Osaka Gas Co. and Mizuno Corporation.

[Osaka City Hall]

[Nakanoshima Park]

I had fun exploring this area and hope to spend time exploring other stations as well.  It was very interesting to see how every station has something particular about it that makes it unique.

Reference:

Keihan Route Map

http://www.keihan.co.jp/en/station/

Google map:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=yodoyabashi%20station&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=10197l13059l0l13196l19l15l0l0l0l0l319l1976l0.10.1.1l12l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1366&bih=643&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

City Hall Picture:

http://www.panoramio.com/user/1766963

Nakanoshima Park Picture:

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=nakanoshima+park&hl=en&sa=X&rlz=1W2SNNQ&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=yW8DUSPOQwCr8M:&imgrefurl=http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/sightseeing_5025.html&docid=egQAKHO9IhMqgM&imgurl=http://www.osaka-info.jp/db/sightseeing/5025-L.jpg&w=365&h=205&ei=6lWhTvX8O-qcmQXZ_6WfCQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=347&vpy=164&dur=1458&hovh=164&hovw=292&tx=189&ty=32&sig=104982329602651391336&page=1&tbnh=99&tbnw=177&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&biw=1366&bih=643

Portrait of a Japanese Person: Umeda Saya

Before coming to Japan and taking part in this exchange, I talked with many past Kansai Gaidai exchange students to hear their take on this experience.  Majority mentioned that making a true Japanese friend was the most difficult, as it was almost impossible to get over the “How are you, how was your weekend? That’s awesome! Bye now,” fluff talk. But even knowing this, I was prepared to push my comfort boundaries to make true friends. After moving into dorms and entering Gaidai, the process actually ended up being a lot easier than I thought. I got lucky.

My closest friend to date has to be my house mate, Saya.  She’s a second year Gaidai Student pursuing a degree in Tourism.  Her family is in Fukouka, which is why she’s living in dorms for one semester with the rest of us. Saya has so many characteristics that just embodies what is Japanese.  She’s so reserved, but always willing to extend herself to help others.  When it comes to homework, dinner, going out, she’s always there to help and give advice. 

Cooking is the most difficult problem we faced to date as a group. None of us know how to cook, and if it wasn’t for Saya I’m sure we would have all been on an instant noodle diet. I was able to catch this moment when Saya was preparing her bento for the next day’s lunch. The moment I mentioned this anthropology project, the first thing that came to her mind was “I don’t have any make up on!” which is so Japanese; no surprise at all.  But I m glad I caught her here, since it was because of cooking and making bento together every day, that brought us closer as friends.

Making Japanese friends isn’t hard at all.  Thinking back now, we’re all curious about each other and the more open you are with yourself, the higher the chances are of making a new best friend.