The Osaka Experience

The rest of the time in Osaka we were joined by my mom's cousin son, Weiwei, who has been working in Nagoya, as Spring Festival is a national holiday in Japan. Weiwei went around with us in Osaka, answered many of our questions and curiosities about Japan.  On the Saturday our friend Jinyi from Beijing came to meet up with us along with her cousin Jinhong. We had a big team for a while.

For us, Osaka was not really about sightseeing. It was an experience.

* Osaka has an awesome train system. In addition to subway and JR (Japan Railway), there are a number of private regional train companies that also serve the area. On any given route, there seem to be endless options. Since this is our first visit, I can only image what life was like pre-Google Map days.

* While much of Osaka seems particularly calm, or even mundane, restaurant and store displays at Dotonbori and Shinsekai are simply outrageous; the crowds in Shinsaibashi and Osaka station area are mind boggling. 

The evening of March 21 we took a walk through the Namba District of Osaka with Sun-Ling's cousin Weiwei starting with Shitennoji Temple for the Spring Equinox Sunset Rituals, a decidedly west-looking affair. The first 2 pics below are preparations for the rituals.




In this photo and video, the abbot directly faces the setting sun as he leads the ritual service.




Onto Ebeno to get a look at the Abeno Harukas Building, the tallest building in Japan according to Weiwei.


Then around the zoo to the Shinsekai neighborhood which is described as a "time capsule of 1960's Japan".








With Weiwei in tow, we also rode the Kintestsu Line 20 minutes east to Ishikiri Station and followed the Zushidani Hiking Course up to Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park on top of Mount Ikoma. Idyllic walk up to this Old Mill.




Raging wild boar seem to be a problem all over northeastern Asia incuding suburban Osaka. See photo below... On Shikoku Island in Japan hikers wear small bells to warn the boar of their presence.


Traditional house.


Pagoda in the woods.




The amusement park has views down to Osaka on one side, and Nara on the other. It was operating but almost deserted on this cold, blustery day at over 640 meters elevation. View through the haze towards Osaka's Umeda District.




I take a photo of the log plume test runs.


Ready for action.


All along the monorail.


Here's the GPS track of our walk.


Although business was slow on Mount Ikoma there was plenty of action down in Namba along Dotonbori Canal.




Ferris wheel along the canal.






And Namba with the Jin sisters.








Another day we walked with Weiwei over to Osaka Castle (with a moat of course) and were blown away by the gigantic stones used to construct the fortifications. But first a pic of a diner we passed on the way. Folks were lined up (out of view) waiting for the place to open.






The area around the castle is a huge free public park. Only the main castle building charges admission.


Seems like we were always walking through this fish market near our apartment.


This ready-to-drink Japanese Highball became an instant fav while in Osaka.


Welcome to Osaka.




Dotonbori Canal.




Heads and Feet.