more shopping

After another yummy breakfast, I decided to head to Nishiki market instead of Kyoto Tower which I originally planned to hit. I first checked out and handed my bag over to the hotel to hold as I go shopping in the area. I found the Taramachi and Shin-Kyogoku shopping arcade quite easily...which is Nakano Broadway (and that shopping mall in Nagoya) incarnate.

I walked along Nishiki market which is like the markets in Taiwan. Fish, vegetables, fruits, live eels, etc....

Much cleaner of course. ^.^ I bought fresh mochi wrapped in leaves after seeing some tourists eat some.

I also saw some large takoyaki for 180 yen. o.O The cheapest takoyaki ever!

The pieces of tako may be small...but in comparison, it's probably the same size as always. The dough part was just bigger. ^-^ Something else I saw that I didn't buy was sashimi on a stick.

Interesting concept. I'm sure it is delicious, but I was of full from everything else. ^.^

For myself, I bought greentea Collon. Remember a looong time ago, I mentioned that there was this green tea Collon that was only sold in Kyoto? That is this one, green tea outside AND inside. The one I bought in Tokyo only has green tea on the inside. It was a large box, but I couldn't help it. ^.^ I also bought 3 boxes of yatsuhashi for the English teachers at the school and another box of hijiri for my Japanese friend whom I haven't seen in awhile. Since it was my Japanese roomie's b-day in mid-August, I also picked up a phone strap with her name spelled out for her. I saw and swung by an Animate that along one of the shopping arcades. My last treat in Kyoto was a green tea icy with mochi and red bean dessert. Oishi!

I didn't just look at food. I saw some interesting things as well. There was a store that sold shirts with words on it in Japanese. It was geared towards foreigners so everything was in English. I loled at some of them.

when deers attack

I went back to the hotel to pick up my suitcase and headed to Kyoto station where I took the Miyakoji line to Nara. I slept all 45 minutes of the way there and headed to the tourist booth at the small station. Nara in itself, is pretty small. The major attractions surrounds Nara park. The lady at the booth spoke pretty good English as she was taking a survey for the types of tourists that come by Nara. The map they provided was also very helpful. The recommended that I place my suitcase in the lockers before heading to the park. Alas, I was planning to go to the nearby Kintetsu Nara station so my suitcase needed to come with me. Heavy load in hand, I took the bus to Nara park.

The park was easy to spoke with the line of stores on one side, and people surrounded by deer all along the street.

I immediately went to buy deer cookies and proceeded to feed the groups the deer. Big Mistake.

I was immediately surrounded by them, and I was apparently not feeding them fast enough because they bite when I'm not giving them cookies. <.<

I'm use to animals biting me and although it hurt a bit, it wasn't hard enough to draw blood. (Afterall, their teeth are flat and blunt...herbivores in any case. ^^;) I show them my bare hands and they stopped biting me.

I learned from my mistake quickly. I bought another set of cookies and hid them in my bag (after wrapping them up in paper of course.) I proceeded to walk around the park and feed deer that is by themselves. ^^;

If you don't want to be attacked, that is the key. Some deer are possibly confused since they probably smell food, but don't see it. *evil laugh*

There is a beautiful building, possibly a theater or a restaurant in the middle of the park. I took my bathroom break there. I headed to the stores that lined one side of the park. There, I bought a cute Hello Kitty (dressed as a deer) phone strap. Some deer were also sitting on the street...even with a few cars/small trucks backing into them.

They don't move! ^^; Obviously the drivers are used to them so no accidents occured. I fed them the remainder of my cookies before heading back on the bus to Kintetsu Nara station.

After buying my ticket, I went on the platform. While I was waiting, I noticed something interesting: the seats on the train rotated to face in the other direction. o.O Sugoi! They rotate so one sits facing the other direction while the train is moving...wow.... (I'm easily amused. ^.^)

a mixture of Namba

Since I took the rapid service, it was only 45 min. to Osaka. I ended up at Namba station where I grabbed the nearest stationmaster and asked him the best way to Awaza station and how much it was...since the large colored maps were all in Japanese. ^^; First thing I noticed though, was that people in Osaka stand on the RIGHT side of the escalators...like people in the US. o.O (I heard later that people in Kyoto stand on both sides...but I theorized that people who stand on the left are the tourists from Tokyo and the people on the right are from Osaka. ^.^) 200 yen later, I found myself in Awaza station where another beautiful map pointed out that Super Hotel City Osaka (another branch of the one I was at in Kyoto) was nearby. I headed there and the friendly hotel staff provided me with a subway map in English. I was given a smoking room since all non-smoking ones were filled. I immediately opened a window and the ac to get some circulation in the room. It wasn't as bad as I initially feared since the smell became quite faint. I couldn't find the ethernet cord but a lady at the front desk came to the room and located it for me. (It was hiding behind the table. ^.^) I discovered that the inhouse onsen had longer hours then the one in Kyoto (since it was separate from the hotel) but in my condition, I still couldn't go. >.< I freshened up a bit and left for Namba.

Depending on which area you go to, Namba is Akihabara and Harajuku in one. After listening to a street performance, I headed to Den Den Town, Osaka's Akihabara. Honestly speaking, I don't think I found it. I did find a Bookoff where I proceeded to look at artbooks. I bought the Princess Princess artbook (that I was planning to buy) for 300 yen *dances around the room* and even a Minami Ozaki artbook for fighter. lol I'm expanding her collection for her. ^.^ I gave up on venturing any deeper into Den Den and headed up to Dotonburi street instead where Osaka's major attractions are. Dotonburi's attractions are the signs that line the streets displaying what Osaka is famous for. After asking several people, I was soon blinded by all those lights.

The famous Kani Doraku sign...

...near the Running Glico Man. I got a Hello Kitty crab-in-a-bowl phone strap (though later I thought maybe I should get the Hashin Tigers one...next time) at the Kani Doraku restaurant. I don't think I was at the main restaurant though...the street was long and there were several Kani Doraku restaurants. ^^; Osaka is also known for fugu...but I wasn't planning on eating it right then and there (even though I am still eating it elsewhere.)

This drumming clown is also a popular item that is featured everywhere in Osaka. It actually drums and turns it's head. (The little red trinkets above are actually little figures of the clown. ^.^)

I finally chose an okonomiyaki restaurant since Osaka is known for that and takoyaki. There was a grill at my table, but they made it for me (in the kitchen) and served it hot.

Mmm...the beef okonomiyaki is soo good, a different type of beef then usual. I walked around some more afterwards and noticed the river running parallel to Dontonburi.

After grabbing more pics, I headed back to my hotel...but not before grabbing some ice cream. ^.^ It's becoming a nightly habit...a good one. I picked up a salad for breakfast as well.

a step into history

I woke at 10am...a bit later then usual but since I don't have to wake up for hotel breakfast, it was much more relaxing. After breakfast I took the subway out to Osaka Castle. I entered through Otemon.

The area around the castle is huge and beautiful. It is certainly one of the more beautiful castles in Japan, the with the green roof and gold adornments.

At the edges are the golden dolphins like the ones at Nagoya castle.

The inside is very new though. I took the elevator to the 5th floor and then walked up to the 8th floor of the observatory. The herons that adorn the top pier was beautiful.

I walked down to the 7th floor and started exploring. They went through the life of Hideyoshi Toyotomi via pictures projected onto still sets so it looks like the people are on the sets. The 5th floor where we were dropped off had a video projected on each side of the room to show the different parts and story of the famous folding screen that depicted the 'Summer War in Osaka' between Hideyori Toyotomi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. There were subtitles in various languages on the sides. Watching and listening to it brings back my Japanese history lessons. It's horrific and amazing at the same time.

The 4th floor had the different armor and scrolls as well as the Golden Tea Room. The history also talked about Hideyoshi's campaign to take over China, Taiwan and Korea. China sent emissaries to Japan and I think they were seen in that tea room. Not sure though.... ^^; The 2nd floor had a the replicas of the dolphin, the tigers (that adorned the top tiers of the castle) and the flower emblem seen around the castle. Next to it were the helmets and outer shirts of the various shogan that you could wear for 300 yen. I chose Hideyoshi's helmet. ^.^

The first floor had a movie theater with five 5 minute programs about the history and life of Hideyoshi as well as various artifacts around the castle. Afterwards, I made my way outside and around the castle.

fun with tops

Right outside, a street performer displayed various tricks using tops, including one with a peach. Of course, the little boy inside the peach is Momotarou. I'm happy to know enough of Japanese folklore to pick that one up. ^^; He also did a trick by spinning...this metal thing...like the Taiwanese tops. He threw it high in the air and caught it on a rope. Sugoi!

He was so cute when at the end of his tricks, he would go 'yeah'. ^.^

He opened up with some rope tricks and ended with Totoro on a top. His request for an audience member to assist required the member to be in 2nd grade. Of course, it would be more amusing for children. He gestured for the mother to prepare to take the pic. The Totoro top traveled down the rope where he held one end and the child the other. The Totoro landed safely on a small seat. Smile! *click*

I grabbed some takoyaki nearby after the performance.

Then started my search on the right side of the castle where the location of Hideyori and his wife's suicide was suppose to be.

First, I found the treasure room...

...then I found a small shrine which I assume is the location. ^^; I also looked for the location where the episode of Detective Conan, 'The Osaka Double Mystery' might have taken place. ^^; I think it's here.

I left the castle via another gate and headed back to the subway station by taking the long way around the moat.

There is this sightseeing train that travels round the castle. The horn sounds just like one a real train would make. ^.^

temple break

I took the subway to Shitennoji-mae Yuhigoka station for the Shitennoji Temple. I think I found the temple...but the garden was closed. Out of all the temples I visited, this seems the most empty (even if it is quite large) as well as the most worn down. It definitely has history since it's one of the oldest temples in Japan. I hopped back on the subway and headed to Osakako for the Suntory Museum.

'la la lala la la la'

And if you don't recognize the above tune and call yourself a Ghibli fan...you FAIL! *laughs manacially* lol j/k That is the tune from Nausicaa...you know, the part where she 'dies' and there are golden ohm feelers all around her? I digress.... The Suntory Museum wasn't originally part of my agenda, but kumi-kun sent me a message saying that there is a Ghibli exhibit and lo and behold, I confirmed the time online and came running. Even though I've been heading to Ghibli museum on a regular basis, seeing a different exhibit would prove to be interesting. This one has the layouts of all Ghibli movies, including the ones that were before Ghibli's time.

The museum opens with a blown up layout of Ponyo and the walls of the first floor were lined with little makurokuroske...though not all of them in that shape. Seems to be hand drawn and I assume by kids. Kawaii!

I headed up the elevator to the start of the exhibit. All the movies are there starting with a layout each from the major Ghibli movies, and then starting with Nausicaa, a bunch of layouts from the movie is shown. The exhibit is accompanied by an audio track on a player that each person can rent to hear the various info about what you're seeing...but since it's in Japanese, I just admire the pretty pictures. It's amazing to see the level of detail that is placed in those layouts.... (I really want to buy some, but they're just as expensives as the douga and genga sketches used for the animation. ^^:) The Sprited Away room had a massive amount of layouts all lined up to the ceiling as well as a few blown up versions of the front of the bathhouse...the view from the bridge. For the Princess Mononoke exhibit, the walls show the blown up layout from when Ashitaka was walking with an injured person on his back and kodamas everywhere. At various points, there were a tv screen showing a single cut animation and the sketch in the display case. My favorite one was from Pom Poko with the tanuki transforming. ^-^ There were even layouts from Miyazaki's older works, like Lupin III and Anne of the Green Gables.

milk tea

After the exhibit, I headed out towards the Osaka Aquarium (which was closed that week >.<) and the shopping area there.

I walked around the food court area, and bought a milk tea with tapioca float. It is my first tapioca milk tea in Japan...and it tastes fine.

The tea is quite strong (since they don't add alot of milk and sugar) and the tapioca is softer then it is chewy. ^^; The ice cream in the milk tea adds a nice touch and now I want my ice cream in everything. lol With drink in hand, I headed home, stopping to pick up cold udon for breakfast along with ice cream for snack.

observing Osaka

I checked out of my hotel in the morning and headed to Uemda station via the subway.

My first goal of the day was to locate the boarding place for the evening's bus. Then I placed my luggage in the closest coin locker. That done, I headed to Umeda Sky Garden. I ended up taking the long way around since I didn't know where the underground passage was. ^^; But I found it easily enough. *points* Oh! There it is! *walk towards it*

The elevators take you to nearly the top floor. From there, you need a ticket to get to the top floor and the outside observatory. I took my time walking around the circular area.

It was very comfortable looking, not overrun by tourists (though it was quite early in the morning.) BTW, the above pic features a chair...and it was pretty flexible and comfy. ^.^ Alas, I would be missing the 6:15pm sunset from the observatory...since I was definitely not planning to stick around for 6 hours.

There is a dark circular room where lights were projected on a 'table'. *stares at the pretty lights*

They sold heart locks that could be engraved with your name. There was also a mini-shrine on the floor. Upon my walk around the outside observatory, I discovered an enclosed area where they people could place their locks. Why? I have no idea.... ^^;

I ordered a chocolate parfeit and took my time with it by a window, reading and resting.

I went up to the outside and walked around.

The above is a pic of the Osaka bay where Suntory Museum and the aquarium is.

I located Mt. Hiei but could not find Mt. Kurama on any of the photographs. Guess I can't have them both. ^^; (Mt. Hiei is in the middle of the pic below...somewhere. ^.^)

I even took a short nap on one of the chairs. I was quite tired...even so early.

I made another round of the outside observatory (even helping a Chinese couple take a picture for them) before heading out.

(The city is overshadowed by a cloud.... ^.^)

On the floor that I bought the tickets, there were the usual Osaka-type omiyage for sale. The ones I o.O at were the ones below. ^^; I ended up buying Sweet potato cheese cake since I'm curious as to how they taste.

Besides boob pudding, we have kimchi flavored ramune as well as takoyaki flavored. ^^;

Outside, I asked and found the underground pedestrian walkway where normal people walk from Osaka station to the Umeda Sky Garden. I headed to Hep Five, a department store with their own ferris wheel.

At the front door, I discovered they also had two giant whales...or perhaps some kind of fish...hanging from the ceiling.

Fake of course. ^^; It grinned at me as I took the escalators to the top. Perhaps it was grinning since I soon found out that the ferris wheel was closed due to maintainence. >.< Of course, I face palmed since I could've rode the one at Osakako.... Dejected, but still hungry, I headed to the restaurant area of the building. I chose omelette rice set for my lunch along with mango rasberry juice.

The restaurant even had a no smoking policy until 3pm. When I was finish eating, it was 3pm so I happily escaped all the ensuing smog. I headed to the exhibit floor of the department store where there was a painter, Hayashi Shunsaku painting a mural.

His other murals and even sculptures were around the room. His artwork reminded me of someting...and then I realized they are quite reminiscent of 'Nightmare Before Christmas' type of style with elongated mouths, hands and arms, with everything reaching a point. I sat and watched for awhile before exploring the rest of the store.

observing Osaka...at night

I discovered that the 27th floor of the Daimaru department store had a nice view of the descending sun, hence the sunset. I grabbed some pics before running off, promising to return at 6pm. Between the hours, I also sat in from the large clock below Daimaru that had a huge hourglass that turned upon the hour.

As promised, I saw the beautiful sunset with Umeda Sky Garden in the distance....

I ventured to several of the floors of Daimaru where the restarants are. I discovered one that had a Kyoto type meal: tofu. It was yu-tofu, but it was quite traditional. I ordered a set along with mango dessert. If Iron Chef had a tofu battle (which I think they did before,) this must have been what it felt like.

The meal opened with a simple tofu dish.

Then the set came out with teppanyaki, tofu-style, steamed egg with tofu (one of my fav,) tofu served 3 ways along with nori and soy milk, along with rice and miso. Of course, there was tofu salad at the side. I ate it slowly, savoring everything. *drools in memory* The mango dessert was also an Iron Chef-like creation with mango ice cream, mango pudding and mango jelly with whipped cream. Full, I returned to the top floor to enjoy the evening view.

I spent the rest of my evening (waiting for the bus) circulating between various stores (even hitting a bookstore,) playing on my DS in front of the giant Daimaru clock and the 27th floor to look at the scenery. I found this statue that was another Osaka-type attraction. No idea what it is...but it's cute.

I ended up watching Junjou Romantica and Sukisyo on my mp4 player. I watched episode 8 when Misaki goes to Osaka. ^.^ I got to the bus stop early and played more DS until they checked off my name and we boarded the bus. My previous rides were all on the cheap standard one. For some reason, we had the more expensive ones with better recliners and with the seats even having an umbrella-like thing to cover our heads. ^^; My trip back to Tokyo was quiet and though I woke a few times, I was able to sleep well. Thus ends my Kansai trip. *falls down*