Celebrity Cruise Japan Day 3: Exploring Dotonbori, Osaka – Neon Lights, Street Food & a 3D Dog! πβ¨
Siva McAteer • August 17, 2025
Neon Lights, Street Food & a 3D Dog!
If Tokyo is sleek and futuristic, Osaka’s Dotonbori is wild, colorful, and deliciously chaotic. This vibrant district is the beating heart of Osaka nightlife — filled with neon lights, sizzling street food stalls, giant moving billboards, and shopping you simply can’t resist.
On Day 3 of my Celebrity Millennium Cruise through Japan, I dove headfirst into the madness that is Dotonbori — and it quickly became one of my favorite stops of the trip.
Shopping in Dotonbori: Yes, I Bought the Shoes π
The shopping here is amazing — seriously, there’s no way you’re leaving empty-handed. In fact, if you saw my Ninja Experience video, you might have noticed the shiny silver Onitsuka Tiger sneakers I was wearing. Funny story: those were my daughter’s shoes… and I loved them so much that we had to make a stop at the store. Now we both have matching pairs! (Travel souvenirs don’t always have to be keychains, right?)ο»Ώ
Meet Osaka’s 3D Dog Billboard πΆ
Okay, now for the cutest part of the day — the 3D Akita Inu Dog Billboard. This adorable pup reminds me so much of the 3D Cat Billboard in Shinjuku, Tokyo, but Osaka has put its own spin on it. Watching that giant dog pop out of the screen was such a fun surprise, and yes, I stood there way too long just admiring how cute it was.
Food, Neon & Pure Osaka Energy π’π
Of course, no trip to Dotonbori is complete without talking about the food. The smell of freshly grilled takoyaki (octopus balls) fills the air, and the giant moving crab sign is basically the unofficial mascot of the district. Add in the glowing neon signs, bustling crowds, and quirky themed restaurants, and you’ve got Osaka’s ultimate playground and foodie paradise.
Dotonbori is truly sensory overload in the best possible way — from the flashing billboards to the sizzling street food, there’s something happening everywhere you look. And when the sun goes down, the energy only cranks up even higher.ο»Ώ
Final Thoughts
Dotonbori is a must-see on any Osaka travel itinerary, whether you’re here for the food, the nightlife, or just the fun of wandering through streets that feel like a living theme park.
As a travel blogger and certified travel agent, I love sharing these kinds of adventures to help you plan your own dream trip. Next up: I’ll take you inside one of Osaka’s best takoyaki spots — and trust me, it comes with a surprise twist you won’t want to miss.ο»Ώ
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There’s that one moment every traveler knows too well — when you slip into your comfiest travel slippers, grab your airplane blanket, and realize… it’s time to head home. After sixteen incredible days exploring Japan and South Korea, I still can’t believe our journey has come to an end. This trip was everything — relaxing, inspiring, and filled with memories that will stay with us forever. From mouthwatering sushi in Tokyo to breathtaking temples in Busan, every single day felt like a new adventure.
Only in South Korea would a robot greet you the moment you step into the airport. Welcome to Incheon International Airport, where technology meets tranquility — and yes, your travel expectations will never be the same after this. The first thing that hit me wasn’t the size (though it’s massive) — it was how quiet and calm everything felt. No rushing crowds, no blaring announcements — just peaceful background music and mesmerizing floor-to-ceiling digital screens showing relaxing visuals. It honestly felt like I stepped into a luxury spa disguised as an airport. π€ Smart Travel at Its Finest Incheon Airport is one of the most advanced smart airports in the world, powered by big data, robotics, and biometric technology. From self-check-in kiosks and face-recognition immigration to helpful robots roaming around ready to assist, it’s clear that South Korea has travel innovation down to a science. Every detail here is designed to make travel effortless — even the seating areas have wireless charging stations built right in!
All good things must come to an end—and today, it’s time to say goodbye to the Celebrity Millennium after an unforgettable 12-day cruise adventure from Tokyo to Seoul. Bittersweet? Absolutely. After twelve incredible days of exploring Japan and South Korea, eating amazing food, and watching spectacular shows, our hearts (and suitcases) are full. π Organized Chaos: The Cruise Departure Dance From above, the scene was mesmerizing—like a well-choreographed ballet of luggage. You could tell this wasn’t their first rodeo. Crew members worked in perfect harmony, pushing suitcases one by one to their assigned spots beneath white tents. The precision and teamwork were truly impressive—a testament to just how smoothly Celebrity Cruises operates. Fun Fact: On large cruise ships like the Celebrity Millennium, thousands of pieces of luggage are sorted and delivered in just a few hours! Every bag is tagged, scanned, and routed with near-perfect accuracy. Talk about efficiency at sea! π’ Fair Winds and Following Seas As the sailors say, “Fair winds and following seas.” It’s the perfect farewell for a journey like this one. My daughter Olivia, who’s now a pro at cruise life thanks to her work behind the scenes as a stitcher, handled departure like a seasoned traveler. Watching her confidently roll her suitcases down the hallway was a proud mom moment. We took one last look out the glass doors at the Korean mountains in the distance—a peaceful goodbye to a country that’s filled our trip with culture, flavor, and unforgettable beauty.
Ever wondered what really happens after the curtain closes on a cruise ship show? On Day 11 of our Celebrity Cruise in Busan, South Korea, we got a rare backstage pass to find out! My daughter works as a stitcher for Celebrity Cruises, which means she’s the unsung hero behind the glitter and glam—making sure every costume fits perfectly before the performers hit the stage. Thanks to her, my husband and I scored front-row invitations to the exclusive Cast After Party! πΎ π The Secret World of Cruise Cast After Parties Most passengers never see what happens behind the velvet rope. These after parties are a special tradition to celebrate the final show, where the cast, crew, and a few lucky guests unwind and relive the magic of their performances. The energy was electric—laughter, hugs, toasts, and a shared sense of accomplishment after weeks of incredible shows like On Broadway and Mamma Mia! We raised our glasses to the hardworking cast and talented performers, toasting to another successful run. You could feel the camaraderie and joy in every “cheers.” π° Cut the Cake, Celebrate the Crew! And then came the sweetest moment of the night—a “Congratulations!” cake for the entire cast. And guess who got to do the honors? Yep… I got to cut the cake! What an absolute treat to be part of the celebration, surrounded by so much talent and passion. Fun fact: Each show on a Celebrity Cruise can require dozens of costume alterations per week! Stitchers like my daughter ensure every sequin, zipper, and hemline looks flawless under those bright stage lights.
If you thought cruising was just about ocean views and exotic ports, think again! Day 11 of our Celebrity Cruise in Busan, South Korea, brought the stage to us with an unforgettable On Broadway performance that had everyone singing and dancing along. The energy was electric as the show continued with ABBA’s timeless hits from Mamma Mia! – “Mamma Mia!”, “Voulez-Vous”, and of course, the ever-iconic “Dancing Queen.” πΆπ You couldn’t help but get swept up in the music, whether you were a Broadway fanatic or just a cruise-goer looking for a fun night. Next up was Footloose, and the high-energy dance numbers had the entire audience clapping along and tapping their feet. There’s something magical about seeing Broadway-caliber performances right on a cruise ship—it’s like taking the theater with you wherever you go!
If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing Broadway without booking a ticket to New York City, Celebrity Cruises has you covered — because on Day 11 of our South Korea adventure, the stage came alive right on the ship! After a fun-filled stop in Busan, South Korea’s vibrant coastal city known for its beaches, seafood, and neon-lit nightlife, we returned to the ship for a night of glitz, glam, and show tunes. And let me tell you — it was pure Broadway magic at sea! πβ¨
If you’ve ever taken a cruise with Celebrity Cruises, you know it’s more than just a vacation — it’s a full-on experience. From the moment you step aboard, you’re welcomed by smiling faces, ocean breezes, and a team that feels like family. And in this farewell video, the amazing crew reminds us why we keep coming back again and again. Let’s take a little peek behind the scenes of this emotional send-off!
Last night on the Celebrity Cruise was something out of a dream — lobster and luxury rolled into one unforgettable final dinner. As I typed the last few notes and sipped my after-dinner drink, it hit me: this is really the end of our 12-day Asia cruise. And yes, I’m already feeling melancholic.
After days at sea aboard our Celebrity Cruise, we finally docked in Busan, South Korea — and let me tell you, this day ended with one of the most memorable meals of our entire trip. Picture this: hours of exploring Busan’s buzzing streets, the neon lights, the energy, the smells of sizzling street food... and then the quest for authentic Korean BBQ began. No tourist traps. No trendy Instagram cafes. Just good, old-school Korean BBQ in Busan — the kind locals love and travelers dream of finding. π₯© The Search for Real Korean Flavor After what felt like miles of walking, we stumbled upon a tiny, tucked-away restaurant. No English menu. No fancy sign. Just an older woman waving us inside with a smile that said, “You’re home now.” That’s when we knew — we’d found the real deal. Inside, the warmth hit us instantly — both from the grill and from her motherly energy. Before we could even sit down properly, the side dishes (banchan) started arriving. If you’ve never experienced banchan, let me explain: these are small dishes served with every Korean meal — kimchi, marinated vegetables, pickled radish, seaweed salad, and more. But they’re not just side snacks; they’re part of the entire Korean BBQ ritual. Every bite builds on the last, creating an explosion of flavor with every combo you try.
Wait… why is there a Texas Street in the middle of Busan, South Korea?! On Day 11 of our Celebrity Cruise adventure, we stepped off the ship ready to explore downtown Busan — and what we found was not what we expected! After spotting an entrance to Chinatown, we wandered a little further and stumbled across a sign for Texas Street. I had to do a double take. Texas? In Korea? Yeehaw, partner — it’s true! π€
