Arcade battles, skyline views, and a lounge that kept the snacks coming—our first day in Osaka was a mix of fun, food, and settling in.
We kicked off our time in Osaka the right way—arcade battles, chilled lounge time, and food we didn’t have to queue for.
First stop after dropping the bags? Taito Station. That red building with the Space Invader on the front is a beacon if you’ve got kids (or you’re still a gamer at heart).
Street Fighter Showdown
Inside, the place was alive—clicks, pings, the sound of virtual punches landing.
The kids dove straight into Street Fighter 7, battling on side-by-side machines like seasoned pros. One had a joystick, the other went straight for the button-mash strategy.
Both had that quiet, locked-in intensity.
“You can’t block if you never stop attacking,” one of them said. Not technically sound, but fair.
The machines are connected, anyone can fight anyone, I'm pleased to say that I was challenged many times and always won, impressing the locals. Little did they know I played this game every saturday as a kid 🤣.
Lounge Views and Good Vibes
Later on, we headed back to the hotel and hung out in the lounge area—a proper lifesaver after a long travel day.
Comfy chairs, views out over the city, and all the food and drinks included. No need to search for a restaurant, just relax and graze.
There was wine, soft drinks, little plates of snacks, and just enough calm to unwind while still feeling like you’re in the heart of the city.
The View from the Top
From the window, Osaka stretched out in every direction.
The kids leaned up against the glass pointing out buildings and trains, while the rest of us finally exhaled. It’s a good view when the city feels like it’s humming quietly under your feet.
Final Thought
For a first day, it was just right. A bit of energy, a bit of comfort, a lot of fun. Taito Station gave us the arcade fix, the lounge gave us room to breathe, and Osaka gave us that first “yeah, we’re here” moment.
Tomorrow: we hit the streets for real.