Osaka Castle Museum
Today we left the house by 8:30 heading out to Osaka for a visit to the castle museum there.
Upon arriving, just coming out of the train station, we were greeted with a loud symphony of cicada sounds. It was almost deafening. It actually drowned out the sound of a helicopter flying overhead.
As we approached the impressive castle we were struck by the massive rock wall put together like a gigantic puzzle. In the courtyard we saw a painted van that I liked. Once inside we climbed the stairs directly to the eighth floor as suggested. There we could walk around the outside and get quite the view of all of Osaka. Then we went back inside and visited the displays on each floor before descending to the next one. It seems as if everyone's history is a long line of battles. This history included some rather famous tea parties (one with a thousand guests) as well as the battles. On one floor we were allowed to dress as a Samurai.
After the castle we walked around a busy market area until we found an okonomiyaki place where no one was smoking. There we enjoyed some great okonomiyaki and were quite satisfied.
Afterwards we went to the restaurant service area where the markets sell all that restaurants might need for their business. There were beautiful dishes, furniture, decorations, utensils, appliances, and even the plastic food that is used to show the customers what foods are offered.
Then we went to the "nerd" area, where all the electronics are sold and where anime things are. Amparo was able to find some books that she wanted. On the way back I got a purple sweet potato flavored soft serve ice cream cone. It was really good. I love the way the Japanese get away with making vegetable-flavored ice cream that is so good!
Then we headed back home (stopping again for milk, of course) and arrived by 5:15. We heated some vegetable tempura we had picked up the night before and had a very satisfying supper.
The weather was beautiful again, not too hot, and with a lovely breeze. When I woke up this morning around 5 it was storming and I was afraid it would be rainy, but it was just perfect for a day out.
Upon arriving, just coming out of the train station, we were greeted with a loud symphony of cicada sounds. It was almost deafening. It actually drowned out the sound of a helicopter flying overhead.
As we approached the impressive castle we were struck by the massive rock wall put together like a gigantic puzzle. In the courtyard we saw a painted van that I liked. Once inside we climbed the stairs directly to the eighth floor as suggested. There we could walk around the outside and get quite the view of all of Osaka. Then we went back inside and visited the displays on each floor before descending to the next one. It seems as if everyone's history is a long line of battles. This history included some rather famous tea parties (one with a thousand guests) as well as the battles. On one floor we were allowed to dress as a Samurai.
After the castle we walked around a busy market area until we found an okonomiyaki place where no one was smoking. There we enjoyed some great okonomiyaki and were quite satisfied.
Afterwards we went to the restaurant service area where the markets sell all that restaurants might need for their business. There were beautiful dishes, furniture, decorations, utensils, appliances, and even the plastic food that is used to show the customers what foods are offered.
Then we went to the "nerd" area, where all the electronics are sold and where anime things are. Amparo was able to find some books that she wanted. On the way back I got a purple sweet potato flavored soft serve ice cream cone. It was really good. I love the way the Japanese get away with making vegetable-flavored ice cream that is so good!
Then we headed back home (stopping again for milk, of course) and arrived by 5:15. We heated some vegetable tempura we had picked up the night before and had a very satisfying supper.
The weather was beautiful again, not too hot, and with a lovely breeze. When I woke up this morning around 5 it was storming and I was afraid it would be rainy, but it was just perfect for a day out.