After checking-in at the hotel, we only had time for a quick shower before having to head out again. We had arrived on the second day of the Osaka Tenjin Matsuri festival, one of Japan's largest festivals. Our friend Yuko had given us some tips where to go so we made our way down to the river to watch the boat procession and fireworks. We didn't really understand what was going on, and there were thousands and thousands of people. But never mind, everyone was having a good time, with lots of eating, which it seems is a local pastime in Osaka, and the firework display was spectacular.
Japanese women buying snacks.
Some people were dressed in traditional costume but the majority were in western dress.
One of the many many stands selling snacks.
Something happening involving a fish.
Representative firework.
The firework display went on for a long time. There would be a five-minute burst followed by a pause and the next burst of firework.
In Osaka we did many of the typical tourist things. We went to the Umeda Sky Building, spent hours in a gigantic electronics store while Henry examined the gadgets, visited Osaka Castle, went to the Osaka Science Museum, had a short cruise on the river, and more. It was action all the way.
Downtown Osaka is a city of skyscrapers.
The top of the Umeda Sky Building.
The mirror effect of the glass. (Can you spot us in the other photo?)
The ferris wheel on top of the HEP Five shopping centre.
On the way to Osaka Castle.
Osaka Castle.
Henry with a group of teenagers and their teacher, who interviewed us as part of their English lessons.
Navigation is often a problem in Japanese cities as, unsurprisingly, everything is in Japanese, and the tourist maps are rather vague. We spent quite a lot of time feeling lost but generally got there in the end. One exception was when we went to the suburb of Ikeda, where we wanted to visit the Daihatsu car museum, Humobility World. After about an hour of wandering around in the searing heat, we gave up, even though we could see a huge Daihatsu sign in the distance and the wall of what we presumed was part of the factory. Luckily, Ikeda has another attraction, the Instant Ramen Museum, which was fun to visit and cheered us up, especially Henry.
Momofuku Ando, the inventor of instant noodles and a hero to most students, and one of his fans.
Space Ramen noodles.
Part of the production line for guests' own inventions.
Henry looking forward to a cup of the original flavour Cup Noodle, bought as it should be in Japan from a vending machine.
During our action-packed few days in Osaka we even managed to squeeze in some evening entertainment, a soccer game, Cereza Osaka versus Sagan Tosu, and an absolute highlight, a trip to the Koshien Stadium to see a Hanshin Tigers baseball game. Many thanks to Yuko, who arranged the tickets, we had a great time, even though we know very little about baseball, although Henry did once play Finnish baseball. Anyone in Osaka at the right time should certainly make an effort to see the Hanshin Tigers.
Henry in his Hanshin Tigers gear.
Strike!
The crowd getting ready for the traditional release of ballons at the end of the seventh innings.
You can even get beer delivered to your seat - most civilised!
This was our second visit to Japan and I have to say we are Japan fans. We like the high-tech, the sense of adventure (i.e. being totally confused much of the time) without there being real danger, the cleanliness and efficiency, the quirkiness, and the way Japanese do things their way. If you have the chance you should really go there and see the country for yourself, with an open mind and a smile you'll have a fascinating time.
En route to Malaysia.
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