After his exams, I took my older son on our first solo trip together, spending a week in Osaka.
One thing I appreciate about travelling with just one of my sons is that there tends to be less conflict. The boys have very different personalities and often clash when we’re all together. When it’s just the two of us, I can tailor our activities to his interests, and we can enjoy things at our own pace. It makes the trip more relaxed and gives us more time together.
My older son enjoys maths, science, games, and puzzles, so I planned our activities around his interests. We visited the science museum, took an easy hike to Minoh Falls, tried our first escape room, attended a magic show, and spent a day at Universal Studios Japan.
My son loves thrill rides, and we managed to try all the major ones at Universal Studios. The Flying Dinosaur was the most exciting, but my favourite was probably the forward-facing Hollywood Dream. I found it strangely relaxing to listen to Japanese pop songs while speeding along the track. I chose Kenshi Yonezu’s Iris Out and Vaundy’s Destiny Journeys. I also preferred the view to that of the backward-facing ride.
Another reason we visited Universal Studios was the special Frieren attractions. We dined at the themed restaurant, where the food was better than I expected, and picked up some merchandise.
When I was young, I was terrified of amusement park rides. I remember my family calling me a coward because I was scared of most rides and often backed out at the last minute. Somehow, that changed during my teens. I’m glad I can now enjoy these rides with my sons.
The visit also brought back memories of my university days, when a group of us took an overnight ferry from Beppu to Osaka to visit Universal Studios. We were on a tight budget and could barely afford anything beyond McDonald’s. It was nice to return years later and experience the same place in a different way.
Another highlight was our first escape room experience. We managed to solve it in 50 minutes, well within the 90-minute limit. I think we made a good team. I was methodical about checking every clue, while he was quick at solving puzzles.
The rooms were thoughtfully designed. The first resembled an old Japanese shopping district straight out of a Studio Ghibli film. The second featured a traditional Japanese room and garden, while the last transported us to the 1980s, with retro games, posters, and music.
The escape room was designed by a British magician who also performed for us that evening. After the show, we chatted over a drink at his bar. He had been living in Osaka for 15 years and, before that, had pursued postgraduate studies in linguistics in Shanghai. I wish we’d had more time to hear about his journey as a magician.
While browsing an art supply store, I met an artist who invited me to her exhibition in Kyoto. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend. I later looked up her work and discovered that her latest exhibition explored music and art, both subjects that interest me.
Looking back, the most memorable parts of the trip were the experiences I shared with my son and the interesting people we met along the way. The food and shopping were enjoyable, but what I valued most was spending time together, doing things we both enjoyed, and getting to know each other a little better.
P.S. A video featuring Magician Ben Daggers’ book, and an interview with Ben about his creative writing.
P.P.S. Artist Ayako Yano’s website.
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