It seems as though we have entered the rainy season and apparently it lasts all of June. It's started earlier than usual and may even be a record according to Harry. Hopefully that mean that it will end sooner than usual as well. We just have to remember to take our umbrellas everywhere we go. A little different from Colorado.
I started my third week of school and last week Mandy arrived. She was one of our roommates in the Mountain House in Boulder. She had been traveling in Thailand and Vietnam for the past 3 weeks and decided to make Japan the last leg of her journey. She came on Wednesday and stayed through Monday. We made the trek to downtown Hirakata on Friday night and found ourselves in a great little bar. By little I mean about 10 stools and a wall 3 feet behind you. There were, however, 3 bartenders, which made for some very good service. They loved having us there to try to speak English to and our attempts at Japanese.
On Saturday morning we decide to go to Osaka to stay the night. Again, getting to Osaka is easier then we expect, although we did one get off the train at the wrong station, but no big deal since you can get back on any train. After arriving in Osaka and finding our hotel, we set out to explore. Our first stop is Osaka-Jo, a castle built as a display of power by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1583. It was destroyed and destroyed again. What stands today was built in 1931 as a replica of the original. It definitely feels that way, it feels more similar to a museum than a castle, but cool none the less. You start at the top, the eighth floor, and work your way down and look at exhibits on each floor. From the very top there is a great outdoor viewing deck where you get a great view of Osaka from all directions. Of course, it's rainy and cloudy, but still a great view. Around the castle is a huge moat and lots of smaller structures and shrines and such. As we were wandering around the grounds we saw a car pull up with a Japanese bride inside. She was dressed in a gorgeous white kimono and had a huge headdress of some sort on. Everything was really beautiful.
After resting for a few hours and building up our appetite, we experienced Osaka's night life. What a wonderful night life it is. We happen to be very near an awesome downtown area called
Dotombori. The streets are littered with arcades, pachinko parlours, strip clubs, karaoke bars, 'shot bars', restaurants and crowded with best-dressed young people. It's all so bright and colorful and loud and we are in awe. It's impossible to try to describe and pictures really do no justice.
Sunday morning, and it's hard to believe we only arrived yesterday as it feels like that was so long ago. Raining and raining. Off to the aquarium! This place was amazing! It's centered around the worlds largest aquarium tank and inside of this large tank swims a whale shark! You start on the top floor and spiral your way down around this main tank. This is an excellent way to do it because you get to see the whale shark and all the others in this tank at so many different angles and depths. There are other tanks on the other sides as well. Definitely one of my favorite things we've done yet. Thank you Mireya for the recommendation!
We really love Osaka. It was nice to spend a couple days there and get a feel for the city. It's huge and there is so much to see and do, I know we will be back soon. It's so quick and easy to get to from Hirakata-shi. We can go for just a few hours and come back. Everywhere we went was so crowded with so many people going so many places. We got a chance to see Japanese fashion at it's best. We were even asked by a small group of middle school aged children if we would take our pictures with them. Of course we did, we love feeling like celebrities! As much as we love Osaka, it was really great to get home and out of the crazy city.
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| Prayers written on paper and tied to trees by the shrine at Osaka-Jo |
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| Osaka-Jo |
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| Osaka from the top of Osaka-Jo |
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| Serenity Pond |
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| Aquarium |
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| Hammer Heads and fish friends in the main tank |
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| Whale shark and his groupies |
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| Aquarium |
Sounds like you had a great time with Mandy. Do they serve food in the tiny bars?
ReplyDeleteWe did. They do. Who is this?
ReplyDeleteIt's Doug. I couldn't figure out how to make a comment with my name on it. Brain cells being reeducated slowly.
ReplyDeleteWe suspected that, but we;re sure. We miss you!
ReplyDeleteLiv - I'm LOVING reading your posts. Just like the ladies in your Mother's classes, I get butterflies in my stomach hearing about your adventures - and you're only a few weeks in! So much more to discover, learn and enjoy about Hirakata, Osaka, Japan, the world and yourselves!!! LOVE, Janel (PS Thanks for the Mireya shout-out!)
ReplyDeleteHey guys - now it's my turn. Just one thing to note. I know you are just entering the rainy season and that time of the year through August is definitly the worst (weather wise) time of the year to be in Japan. The entire rest of the year you will love it, Fall, Winter is Mild and Spring. If you love it there now you will only love it more once you hit the end of August, just stick out those Mushi Atsui days. Sounds like you guys are getting the hang of things. Please tell Harry that Janel and I say hello. You are making us miss Japan :). Talk to you all soon.
ReplyDelete