A Different Memory: World War II Through the Eyes of Japan : My Time in Japan's Kitchen

After leaving Hiroshima I made my way to Osaka where I have spent my last couple of days. I have to say, I'm pretty sure that I like Osaka more than Tokyo. Osaka is known as "Japan's Kitchen" as it is said that the best food in Japan is in Osaka. I have spent waaaaaaay too much money on food since I've been in this city. I've splurged on sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and even tried some Kobe beef. I explored Dotonbori multiple times and even ate under the famous Glico Man sign. There are so many really cool things to do in Osaka that I hope to come back one day again. While here, I took a day trip to Nara to see the deer park. In that city, deer just roam the streets alongside people and there is a temple that is enormous. It was definitely worth the day trip! While in Osaka, I visited the Osaka National Peace Center to do more research on my topic. This museum is specifically focused on Japan's experience with World War II with a focus on Osaka. This museum showed the conditions that the Japanese people lived under during the Second World War. Like us, the Japanese people utilized ration cards and had to adapt to wartime conditions. However, just like most of the museums, memorials, and parks that focused on World War II, this museum focused on the effects of war. The focus was again on peace and remembering the sacrifice of the Japanese people and soldiers during wartime. It was not as much remembering the specific events of the war. In my opinion, they view it as more of a lesson for the future than something that happened and should be glorified. Whether or not that is due to the outcome of the war, I don't know; however, some of the labels in the museum were not translated and there was no one that I could ask to translate. My time in Osaka has been enjoyable and eye-opening and I am starting to become sad that I only have a few more days here in Japan.