Today we checked out of Kyoto and headed to Osaka, with tickets to the Gamba Osaka vs Vegalta Sendai soccer match that started at 4pm. It was another rainy travel day, so we caught a taxi from the apartment to Kyoto Station – learning the Japanese word for station from the taxi driver: eki.
We boarded a local train for Osaka as we wanted to arrive at Osaka station rather than Shin-Osaka (new Osaka station) where the Shinkansen arrive. We had passed through Osaka several times, but this is the first time we would stop, with the next week to be spent in Osaka.
On arrival at Osaka Station, we caught two subway trains toward the new apartment, and decided to brave the rain to walk the final 10 minutes. At the apartment we dropped off the bags (check-in was not until after 4pm) and grabbed a dry pair of socks for everyone, and then hailed a taxi for the ride back to the subway station. This time it was two subway rides and one train, before changing to the monorail for two stops. And then a final10 minute walk in heavy rain to the soccer ground: Suita City Football Stadium.
Once we were shown to our seats we were relieved to see they were under cover as we hadn’t brought our ponchos. Arriving an hour before the game the crowd was already chanting! With drums banging leading the singing/chanting. We could make out the words Gamba Osaka, and could recognise the tunes that included Oh when the Saints and the Brisbane Lions song amongst others. Sendai had their own smaller cheer squad at the other end, which were doing a great job on their songs. It was all very polite how Gamba Osaka would sing for a few minutes and then stop allowing Sendai to take their turn. But once the game started it was both cheer squads going for the whole game.
The game was great, with excellent (and dry) seats giving a perfect view. Carter was wearing his new yellow shirt so initially thought we would go with the yellow away team, but soon joined the majority in supporting Gamba Osaka. As good as the game was, the continual roar and singing from the crowd was just as much fun.
Gamba Osaka scored first with Sendai replying within 2 minutes. It was a tight contest for the remainder, with the game finishing with a one-all draw. The ground was just under half full, with 15,000 in attendance of a capacity of 40,000. It would be very loud with a full house.
At half time we visited the food stalls which were all Japanese and allowed us to check off one of the must eat Osaka items – Takoyaki – or squid balls. The octopus or squid balls are cooked balls of pancake like mix with a piece of octopus, then topped with Worchester like sauce and mayonnaise – much like the topping for Okonomiyaki. Eight for ¥600 was a good deal – though the boys were happy not to try them.
The rain had stopped around half time, and so it was an easier trip back to the apartment, and a very orderly crowd leaving the ground. Everyone took their rubbish with them to drop into bags on the way out, and the crowd politely followed the crowd control barriers and many guides directing. Walking home from the subway we passed a grocery store, and popped in for the normal list of supplies cereal, milk, eggs, pancake mix, bread and jam – which should cover breakfast for the next few days.
We then had time to finish of the second half of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 before heading to bed.
The start of the game:
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