After the Expo, I spent five days exploring Osaka and Nara . Osaka is so different from Tokyo, people are more social, chatting on the trains, and some even cross the street while the light is still red (which gave me a mini heart attack at first!). The city feels older and quieter than Tokyo, but in a cozy, charming way.
Of course, food is a must! I tried the famous takoyaki , and it instantly reminded me of the takoyaki party we had in our lab, thanks to Risako. I also visited Osaka Castle , wandered through lively markets, and got a little lost—which, honestly, is half the fun of exploring a new city.
Next stop was Nara , home to some of the friendliest deer you'll ever meet. They were curious, gentle, and surprisingly bold—one even tried sniffing my bag like it had snacks inside (spoiler: it didn't, sorry little friend!).
On my way back, I made a quick stop at Fuji-san . Seeing the mountain up close was breathtaking, it's even more impressive in person than in pictures.
All in all, this trip was a perfect mix of work, adventure, and a little chaos (mostly thanks to the deer and Osaka crosswalks!). I got to represent my country, explore new cities, try amazing food, and make some unforgettable memories along the way.
