Welcome to Bentechou

To all those who have never been here, and I know it's quite a few of you, Bentenchou is a very intriguing place filled with all sorts of magical people and whimsical wonders. Most who visit Bentenchou find it a difficult place to leave and many are wondering how I can be moving away from such a place.

Well Bentenchou isn't all shits and giggles, but it's a fun place to live and very convenient for most of the hot spots in Osaka. Situated at the crossing of a major subway line and the JR Loop Line, any of the great places that Osaka have to offer are usually less than a 20-minute train ride away. Here are some of the more interesting places in Bentenchou should you have a chance to visit:

JR Bentenchou Station - easy access to the ORC200 leisure area and home to a delicious Udon shop as well as McDonald's. Also conveniently located from the gaijin quarter to allow quick drop offs of circus members.

Bentenchou Station (subway) - nothing much here actually, but I have some pictures anyway.

Only100 100yen Shop - easily the most amazing 99 cent store you have ever been in. All the items are surprisingly top quality and last a lot longer than one would expect. The staff is somewhat strange looking, but it's easily ignored as you'll never visit here more than once a month.

Gekiya - the best Izakaya for quality, service and price in the area. I highly recommend the French Fry/Onion Ring combo. The sushi isn't too bad either.

Tsutaya - easily explained as the Blockbuster Video of Japan. If they only rented video games...

World Video - Tomoko describes this place as the creepy video store since it's loaded with porn and all the staff are pushing the 300 pound mark as well as a little smelly. Still if Tsutaya doesn't have what you're looking for (and Tsutaya has a very nice Adult section, BTW), the New Release section here will make you happy.

Konami Sports Club - a lovely sports fitness experience. Has everything you need and they are not afraid to charge you up the ass for it. I recommend buying everything you need, protein drinks, gloves, shoes, etc., not here and only pay for your membership. Still the staff are quite cute and very friendly.

Yakiniku Oishii - just had dinner here with Justin and Yukiko. Great all you can eat style, good prices and an easy to order system makes this place a winner.

Minami Ichioka Shotengai - looking for strange food, Japanese food, ice cream or lots of old people? This is the place to go!

Family Mart - 2:30AM and you're still hungry? This is the place to go. Now two convenient locations which a five minute walk of my place and probably 3 more are coming!

Bentechou Minami Jitensha Hokanshou (Bicycle Impound) - lost your bike? It's probably not here.

Takechi Sangyo Building - also known as the Gaijin Quarter. Current estimates state that 35% of it's approximately 100 apartments are occupied by non-Japanese. But I may have made up those numbers based on an educated guess.

Bentenchou Walk - the main place if you are looking for sleeping old men or derelict palm trees. The declines make it ideal for late nice bike racing. Just watch out for the old women whose backs don't straighten anymore, they probably can't see you.

Justin's Apartment - little is known of this place which is sometimes referred to as a tear in the fabric of space time. This tear causes the occupants to be hopelessly addicted to earthly pleasures and spend most of the weekend sleeping. Recon units have noted that a large number of girls enter this area and never exit.

Nick's Apartment aka NickCorp HQ - known for dirt and noise, Nick's apartment has been home to no less than 10 parties of assorted sizes and themes. Intelligence suggests that you're better off avoiding this place.

Wisdom of the Day: Great vacation spots are never tough to find