After a quick stop at the Suntory Museum to watch an IMAX movie on the "Deep Sea," we decided to head off to the Peace Museum. Unfortunately we could only spend half an hour there, but it was a moving and educational experience, albeit a rushed one, reading about and looking at photos and relics from World War II, seeing Japan both as a victim and a perpetrator.
When we were pretty much kicked out of the Museum, we headed off to Osaka Castle.
Unfortunately we couldn't take too many pictures of the exhibits inside the castle depicting its building by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, its history and the history of the area. The few I did manage to take didn't turn out too well. Oh well :(
After the castle, we headed off for dinner, which we had been looking forward to all day (I'd been looking forward to it for the previous few days actually, ever since Machan had told me that we'd go eat okonomiyaki, even though I had no idea what it was). So off we went to the restaurant, passing a famous Osaka bridge (can't remember the name) and taking some pictures with some very Osaka-ish signs.
We arrived at the restaurant where we ordered the ingredients and they brought them to us raw and we cooked them. . . or at least Machan cooked them while I watched and pretended to help!
Okonomiyaki
Yaki Soba
We finished dinner and decided to head to the kanlansha (giant wheel) for a night view of the city. Again, pictures didn't turn out too well:( But I did manage to take this one:
Machan: Please don't let me fall off the kanlansha!!!
We finally decided to call it a night, bid farewell until next time, and Machan headed home while I went to my hotel, checked in, showered, and collapsed into bed in preparation for another big day.
6 comments:
How fun! I can't remember whether I told you, but I visited Osaka Castle two years ago. I knew all of like twenty words or phrases in Japanese, but found myself in a lively conversation at the upstairs giftshop. They did not speak English, but we each spoke Spanish! When I heard them talking, I introduced myself and we had a nice chat. My American friends saw me from outside the room and assumed I knew that much Japanese.
One of the most fascinating sights for me at the castle, was a painting, depicting a multitude of samurais' banners... it was a black banner with a white Christian cross! This was obviously before the purging of Christians and Koreans.
Nice pictures... thanks for sharing! Oh, is that a whale or a shark?
Great photos. I especially like the one of your friend with the multitude of fish coursing behind her.
I think I knew you were in Japan, but I definitely missed some backstory. What are you doing there?
Were you holding the sword upside-down on purpose?
Craver, I knew you went to Osaka but didn't know about the castle! I don't remember the banner you talk about. . . but sounds pretty cool!
It's a whale. And if you think we're holding the swords upside down, I seriously hope you don't get challenged to a duel anytime soon!:)
Jenn, thanks! I've been in Japan since May, working for a news wire here!
Another interesting post, Ini! No wonder you fell into bed exhausted at the end of all that sightseeing. The castle looks fascinating, and the food... well, I have no idea what it is but I bet it tasted good. Where's your next stop? You seem to have people to catch up with all over Japan!
Wow! When do you guys do any work over there, LOL! It looks like you're having way too much fun! Very cool pics too. You must have had an awesome time.
That diver looks like he's got the bends!
Post a Comment