JAPAN TRIP # DAY 2 PART 1 OSAKA CASTLE

24/4/2016
SUNDAY

We had a good night rest. Breakfast was included in the room rates at the Toyoko Inn and serve from 7 am. Even though we were down at the caferia before 7 am,  we had to wait till the staff had set out everything. Then they queue up and wish everyone a cheery Good morning and happy meal (I think so from the smiles on their faces!).  We love these breakfast and  really looked forward to our breakfast every morning!

It was a bright and sunny day as we walked towards the subway.  Did I mention that the sun rises really early ..around 3 to 4 am (that's why its call the Land of Rising Sun)  and by 9 am it was already rather hot as we followed our guide........

Osaka Museum 

the NHK office..  

again a beautiful cover depicting Osaka Castle...

The moat surrounding  the castle...

everywhere we go, we can see beautifully sculptured bonsai 

part of the strong fortress ... Takoishi Stone - the largest stone in the castle wall around 59.43 sq meter and weighing approx 108 tonnes.... 

these stones are so masive, make you wonder how amazing "horse or man-power" was then as some of these were taken from quarry 100km away from Osaka! 

part of the old Museum beside the castle 

a time capsule in front of the castle 

the 5-storey building of the castle.  

This was the site of  a temple constructed in 1583  but was destroyed around 1615.  The Tokugawa reign rebuilt the castle in 1620 but the main castle building was struck by lightning and burnt down.  This new building was reconstructed around 1931. We took the lift up to the 5th Floor where we can go outside the balcony and get a panoramic view of the city.  

We walked around the balcony  getting different views..

Inside the museum is the replica of the Shachihoko - the mythical creature which has the head of the dragon and the body of a fish and tiger.  Both these are symbols of prestige and authority of the castle lord  and more powerful  as it was covered  in gold. 

the model showing the battle - very detailed workmanship of each figurine!

After the castle, we walked towards Shinsekai, Osaka "new world"  district...

kawai....... this was at entrance of the park..big open spaces

passed the park and this was as far the eyes can see.. wonder how deep into the park....

I like to watch the TV programme about how they renovated the houses in Japan before and after. While the houses are generally seemed so small, it is truly surprising that the parks and temple grounds can be so huge!

towards Shinsekai... Osaka "new world" district which was developed before the war and then neglected later.  

strolling along the busy shopping street of Shinsekai 

plenty of eateries.... fresh sushi...

one of the many statues of Billiken... known as "the God of Things as They ought to be"

Billiken is actually a charm doll created by an American art teacher and illustrator and it became the mascot of Saint Louis University in America before hitting the shores of Japan in 1912. 

Rubbing his soles to make your wish come true...

the first Billiken was installed in the original Tsutenkaku Tower  but it disappeared when the tower was destroyed.  It  was re-installed in the re-constructed Tower in 1980.   

coffee culture is growing up in Japan.

seniors passing their time playing chess.. 

Saw this cute little shop and I do mean "little" as most of the shops are in Japan.  The owner told us that he loves cats and jazz.  Many of the drawings are done by himself. 

a look the streets of Shinsekai....

time for lunch and today we decided to try Yakiniku  ie "grilled meat" and that also include offals but we did not try those.  

This shop must be a very popular one ... plenty of dining space where  we can see a whole party of friends and family gathering together and sitting down to enjoy themselves. 

Before the meat/veggies arrived, we were served with a plate of cold cabbage and a bowl of black dipping sauce. This was so refreshing. 

Tsutenkaku Tower  was built as a symbol of Shinsekai (new world) in 1912 and was modelled after the Eiffel Tower.  The original tower was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1956. There is a observatory and is one of the popular tourist destination. 

the "under belly" of the Tower 

our favourite shopping area- nothing beats the market to taste good food and get the idea of what the Japanese eat and do  

Don't be mistaken this for the wet (literally) markets as in Malaysia. This is comparably  clean and dry except for the fish stalls  selling fresh sushi and cheap ie prices very reasonable,   on the spot! .

large fresh seafoods which they can cook for you 

tantalising pickles which you can savour without obligation to buy which we did not take advantage of..

delectable mochi sweets 

and coffee beans 

and talking of coffee, it has been a long walk and time to rest and recharge..

the UCC Coffee Plaza near the Kuromon market. 

the place was packed  as it was a weekend and as we waited awhile for our table,..... 

we were able to see the barista at work.  This is siphon coffee.. lots of apparatus hah? 

no coffee art.. but the coffee was strong and good 

relaxing and resting our feet.

More walking....

JAPAN TRIP # DAY 1 KL- OSAKA-NARA

23/4/2016
Saturday

Here is the account of our very much anticipated trip to Japan which was cancelled since September.
The night flight was uneventful and we managed to sleep on and off, waking up for our meals.  We passed the Immigration upon arrival at Osaka with no problems at all except the long wait for the luggage.  The pickup driver was waiting for us and thus the beginning of our sign language and much bowing gestures.  We have booked a ground package from Wendy Tours and I really appreciate their help and arrangements.

Osaka airport is more than  an hour from the city centre and again during the long drive to the hotel, we again drowsed on and off.  Upon arrival at the hotel,  the tour officer and the guide were waiting for us.  We were indeed very pleased to meet guide- a local boy from KL  living and studying Japanese in Osaka.  We left the luggage with hotel as check in was only after 4pm and proceeded to take train to Nara.

Following the leader to the subway.  

our fascination with the vending machines - reading what's available.

clean and punctual trains...

seems we were the only noisy ones in the train...most of them keep to themselves and mainly concentrating on their mobile phones and definitely no eating and drinking! The Japanese deserve the highest praise for following their laws! The train journey took an hour.

Decorative manhole covers of Nara Temple Park.....

The peaceful surroundings and the antics of the deers at Nara park  liven us up instantly!  

zen surroundings... 

Deers aplenty around here and most of them are over-friendly because of they are after the  snacks being offered by the tourists. 

He is waiting for his snacks... beware! 

Of course, must buy... matcha ice cream 

numerous street vendors along the road leading to the temple and this one sells varieties of pickles..and its free tasting and I must say they are very tasty  

Heritage sign

We strolled along  towards .....

the heritage Nandaimon Gate and flanking both sides are..

the fierce looking Guardian kings 

Kofukuji  temple- a family temple belonging to the most powerful Fujiwara family established around 710.   

Kofukuji 5 storey pagoda.

Todaiji Temple.. constructed in 752 as the head temple of all Buddhist temples of Japan

Todaiji - the largest wooden building and inside is the largest bronze Buddha statue (Daibutsu)

our very first encounter with the cleansing rituals before entering the temple....

paying close attention ..........

and doing it right..before entering to the temple.

awesome architecture... all wood..

the replica of the Lotus petals 

scale model of the temple.  

here's the fun part.... to queue up to pass through this pillar purported the hole is size the nostril of the Daibutsu

The Asoka pagoda and this family is spreading out their picnic blanket... 

There are numerous hiking trails around this Nara Park area 

so we take our time to slowly walk up this path

the many stone "lanterns' leading to Kasuga Shrine

Red Maple tree.. I can imagine the beautiful autumn scenery around here.  The guide was indeed curious that we choose this time, the cherry blossom is over and autumn is still months away, so we have to explain the reason of our delayed trip. But we still love Japan :D

  

In Japan, must eat Japanese sweet potato.. what do you think? 

Enjoying authentic Japanese Sweet Potato... expensive lor!

One of the many shopping alleys nearby Nara Park 

"white Chicken soup" ramen...

While we were waiting for our seats (its rather difficult to seat all of us together, so we have to split up the tables) we met a food blogger (must be one because she was very knowledgeable on the food offer here!)  She explained to us the special ramen and porridge set - you first eat the ramen, after you finished the waiter will bring a portable stove and you  then cook the porridge with the extra soup! 

One thing I noticed though the price for such set may be a bit expensive but it will really fill you up... ramen and porridge together!

pretty deco inside the shop 

The white chicken soup Ramen ... clear tasty soup indeed

Yuzu powder... very nice addition to the ramen... adds a citrusy flavour.

one of the shop at the subway selling this "Buddha" pudding in a jar... really its just egg custard. 

We decided to finish off with an early night and took the train back to Osaka and checked in our hotel.   

Dinner at a restaurant recommended by the guide nearby the hotel.   All that walking made us hungry and time to replenish our carbo... another long day tomorrow.

They have some really good value set meals. And of course, we had to buy the meal tickets from the vending machine (yes inside the restaurant itself). Rice is refillable and cold water is served FOC.  I noticed that all the Japanese restaurants served free cold water instead  and not free green tea! 

That's end our first day in Japan.