Osaka (7-10 Aug 15)

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After a memorable time in Hiroshima, it was another 5h+ bus ride eastwards to what is often thought of as Japan's second city and one-time commercial hub Osaka. This was in fact my second time here, though my first visit was over twenty years ago when I was still a kid. For some reason, my only memories of that first visit was walking through many underground passages (there are probably even more these days!), and eating grilled unagi (eel) and chawanshi (steamed egg). Well, I just had my first taste of unagi in Hiroshima, but truth be told, the Osaka I now saw as an adult was nothing like in my distant memory at all. Coming from relatively sedate Hiroshima, crowded and bustling Osaka definitely showed a somewhat grittier side to Japan, more neon, some dodgy places, even dirty streets. Some parts of the city look like it would make an ideal base for the notorious yakuza, but I'm reassured (?) by LP that in fact there's more of them in Kobe and Tokyo. Either way, I certainly hope not to find out.

Stayed at Capsule Inn Osaka.

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Photos

Shinsaibashi Shopping Street
Here's some more of that 120 million population.

Capsule Inn Osaka
Getting used to the capsule hotels in Japan now, turns out the one I'm staying at in Osaka happens to be the original concept, first created way back in 1979!

The massive Osaka Station City
Railhub, subway interchange and megamall all rolled into one.

Crossing the junction at Osaka Station
Yikes! I suppose that's where some of the 120 million population of Japan are.

Keep Right in Osaka
One of the city's quirks, when apparently everywhere else in Japan, everyone keeps to the left.

Falungong@Osaka Castle
There they are again! I recall just seeing them a couple of weeks ago in Seoul. Try that in China...

Osaka Castle
View from the top.

Tako-yaki
Osaka's famous snack.

Osaka Science Museum
Some kinda remote-controlled robot duel going on that had the crowd on its feet.

Osaka Science Centre
The robot solves Rubik's cubes!

Shitennoji Shrine
Not sure if this is a regular occurrence, but they lined the inner perimeter of the temple grounds with candle-like sticks of solid fuel, wrapped with traditional scroll-like wishes, then lit them all up, hundreds of them.

Shitennoji Shrine
Some kinda procession led by chanting monks.

Tsutenkaku Tower and Shinsekai
And giant fugu.