5 March Osaka Castle

We had a speedy journey to Osaka in the Shinkansen and then made our way across the city on the tube. Then it was just a short walk to our 12th floor, central city apartment.

On our walk we passed the Hozenji Temple which has had the city grow up around it. It had a lovely waft of incense as we pottered by. I took this photo during the day today - last night I had my hands full carrying bags and it was dark! 

You probably think I've got a thing about the Japanese loos. But this is a great use of space. In our apartment you can wash your hands over the cistern. When the loo flushes the water always comes out of the tap to fill the cistern - immediately recycling the water! 

Today we took the tube over to Osaka Castle. What we thought was the castle (in pic) is actually the main  guard tower that housed the treasure. The castle is made up of this and other towers in a double high walled moat. 

Quite an interesting history to the recurring destruction and rebuilding of it. It has been destroyed several times in wars and by being struck by lightening. This is actually a rebuild from the 1930s!!

We had some sunshine today and the coats came off!!

The Glico Man in the Dotonbori district - equivalent to Piccadilly Circus with all its advertising boards. The Japanese come here to have their photos taken with arms raised and balanced on one leg!

This is another famous one - a 3D puppy. Pretty impressive how realistic it was.

Mid Thursday afternoon and it was pretty packed. A bit like a Spanish market 😄

The Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel is another iconic thing in Osaka. We couldn't resist a go so enjoyed our 20 minutes spin on it with a good view of the city from the top.

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Dinner tonight was in a Kura Sushi restaurant. You have your own personal booth and sit with the conveyor belt running past your table. You either select plates that go by or you order them on a screen at your table.

We tried quite a variety of foods tonight. Peter had his dessert on the way back. Candied fruit - a bit like a toffee apple but instead this was huge grapes and strawberries. 

Another busy day today and very achy feet from all the walking. At least I'm getting my steps in!