A nice clear cool 4 degrees day greeted us in Osaka and off we went to find breakfast. So walking along we hit Cafe Velluto, no kidding, and so in we went. 2 friendly ladies served us coffee and a selection of very white sandwiches with no crust. Nice start to the day and we were soon off to Osaka Castle. This is where we, well some of us with the encouragement of James, tried our first taste of warm sake and green tea ice cream. The sake was described as tasting much like rocket fuel while Connie found a new favourite ice cream flavour. I didn’t care for it much myself, the ice cream that is, but did enjoy the cookies and cream.
The castle and surrounding grounds, with 2 moats, was interesting and we had some good views from the top. The city is very flat without much greenery. Push bikes are very popular here given there are no hills to worry about. All ages are seen on the bikes and there are rows and rows of parked bicycles everywhere. Leaving the castle and heading back to the railway station we came across a school excursion group and had fun waving to the kids and saying hello back to them. We also met an old man on a bike walking his dog, a beagle cross who was excited with the interest we were showing them both.
Back on the train we headed for Osaka central and made our way to the Umeda Sky Building but not before we stopped off for a sushi lunch. We did the Italians proud getting through 30 plates and a sashumi serving. Totally owned the Clair Bear’s who could only manage 10 although they did have more beers than us! Meal was first class with each plate costing around $4 average. Very nice but has to be noted we have nearly as good back home.
Sky Building is interesting. There are 2 separate towers with a circular “bridge” joining them at the top. An external glass elevator makes for a scary ride 173 metres up into the top part of the building. Another exposed escalator and we are into the circular sky deck overlooking Osaka and the surrounding land. It’s from here we get our first realisation of how huge this place is. As far as the eye can see, buildings, buildings and more buildings. We could not see an end to it. And again, so flat. Back downstairs we had our worst coffee ever. David’s comment was dirty water and I had to agree. We had some ice-cream in a little tub to get rid of the taste and was curious to find corn flakes and coco pops in the bottom of the tub. We had a giggle and headed back to the hotel.
18:15 and we met up with an old friend of Laura who lives in Osaka and speaks great Italian. They go back 20+ years and she took us to a shabu-shabu restaurant. The concept here is that there is a pan of boiling water on the table and you throw in the meat and vegetables yourself and then pick it out when cooked. The meat is sliced very thinly and it does cook up pretty quick. Tessa, Louis, James and David sampled the local beer went through 10-12 bottles between them. Needless to say we had some happy people at the table by the end of the meal. Adam overdosed on Calpis (Pronounced Cow PIss) and was high as a kite on the sugar content. So Tessa left her glasses behind in the restaurant and Adam later on left his shoes behind in the Sky Bar. This type of bar is normally located on the top floor of hotels and has seats around the outside so you have the impression of drinking while hanging over the city and pissed. So a couple of cocktails later, headed off to bed. Interesting facts with shabu-shabu. It’s considered an all you can eat smorgasbord but you are limited by time and the men pay more.
Heaps of photos and videos here so please enjoy.
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