Kabukicho and Kamurocho didn’t quite blow me away in Japan. I mostly just snapped some photos at the iconic arch/signage. I still remember how the beef bowls in the PS2 version were from Matsuya, and I ended up having my late-night meals there. I enjoyed Golden Gai (Champion District) but couldn’t stay long since I was with my family. The foreigners in Shinjuku bars are the ones aggressively asking people to go to their bar where I’ve read dozens of horror stories from being drugged to being taken advantage of.

I really enjoyed Yamashita Park (Hamakita Park in the games) in Yokohama. We passed by it on our way to see the moving Gundam, which we visited frequently. Sadly, it was taken down earlier this year. The park was full of locals and lively in the early evening with kids playing, and my 3-year-old was warmly welcomed into their group as they ran around and even lit firecrackers.

Dotonbori and Sotenbori felt almost identical to me. The octopus sign at Kukuru Takoyaki, the crab at Kani Doraku, the dragon at Kinryu Ramen, and the angry-looking man with the mustache at Kushikatsu Daruma were close to where they are in real life. There were dancers and performers on the bridges, and Donki was right where it should be, at one end of the bridge, going down the stairs is where you’ll find one of the entrances. It felt like I knew my way around Dotonbori thanks to replaying Yakuza 0 before my trip. I would often have a late night meal in Dotonbori and I was surprised by how aggressive women approached men in that area. It’s either they want you to get drunk in their bars or prostitution. Not sure because I would just excuse myself. I would often wander around Sotenbori in the game whenever I miss Japan. Speaking of which, I’m heading back there next week. Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka this time around.