February 28
The last time we were in Osaka we took the Bullet Train to Kyoto and spent the entire day there. Here are the links to Kyoto and Hiroshima. Prior to this cruise they were the only places we had visited in Japan.
Retired Nomads: March 17, 2013 Osaka, Japan 8:00a to 8:00p
Retired Nomads: March 18, 2013 Hiroshima, Japan 9:00a to 4:00p
This time we decided to see Osaka and visit Nara. We were in port until 11:00 tonight so we "should" have had plenty of time today. We were joined by Jim & Pam and Bobby & Shera.
from the balcony
We met our guide and took public transportation to get to the castle.
Jim, Shera & Bobby
We started with Osaka Castle. It's a living testament to Japan's storied past. Our guide Akira was not very engaging and our least favorite guide of the trip. (so far) One couple told him up front that they needed to be back early and with walking issues we had to skip one site. He didn’t describe the Castle that is essentially a museum well and we would have skipped it if he had. He said there were some arms and displays to see so it sounded interesting. Instead, it was lots of stairs to see photos and stories in a timeline on all of the floors and no time or desire to read it all. On the way down he skipped the 2 floors that had the exhibits, which were the only reason we went in vs just getting a photo op and moving on. So, a lot of time was wasted there.
walking from the station to the castle
apricot tree
South Outer Moat
fragrant plum tree
Stone wall was built during the early Edo period in 1624. The stone in front known as Takoishi, is the largest stone in the Osaka Castle
murals in the castle
We climbed the stone steps and were rewarded with panoramic views of the city. Those able to walk couldn't use the elevators so we climbed a ton of stairs for the view which would have been worth it if we could have seen the 2 floors with the exhibits and artifacts.
views from the top
school kids waiting to go in
walking back to the station
Next, we took 3 trains to get to Nara and it was time for lunch.
tram to the train
arrival in Nara
Yamato-An Restaurant
lockers for our shoes
tempura set menu - shrimp, vegetables, rice, salad, miso soup, tofu, pickles
grilled chicken meatball set menu, salad, rice, side dish miso soup, pickles
right side is Jim, Pam Bobby, Shera - left is us and guide Akira
Finished with lunch we grabbed a bus to Todaiji temple. On the way to Todaiji temple we saw a lot of deer in "Nara Deer Park". The rain was starting to get troublesome. The deer are everywhere, and they sell food for them, so they are friendly.
Todaiji is one of the most impressive temples in Japan and plays a major role in Japanese history through the ages. The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) is Japan’s largest at 15m high. Cast from over 400 tons of bronze and originally gilded.
young one nursing
One couple had mobility issues, and the same couple told our guide that they wanted to be back to the ship early so the guide said we had to skip Kasuga shrine and take the bus to the train back to Osaka. Not sure why they or the guide didn't clear it with me before having that discussion. Our guide Akira was usually a block ahead of us, so it was hard to discuss plans with him. Skipping the main thing I wanted to see in Nara was disappointing. We have had some really great guides up until Akira.
If I had been consulted, I would have chosen to see Kasugataisha Shrine. Description here: "The approach to Nara’s most famous and impressive Shinto shrine takes you along an atmospheric forest path, lined with hundreds of stone lanterns. Everywhere you will come across the sacred deer that serve the Shinto deities of the Kasugataisha Shrine.
Entering the main shrine area, you are immediately struck by the vermillion columns of the shrine buildings, with contrasting white walls and roofs made of cedar bark. Don’t miss the Fujinami-no-ya hall directly behind the main shrine in the North cloister, which is lit by hundreds of flickering lanterns."
Back in Osaka the guide took us to Dootonbori which is known as The Bright Heart of Osaka and is a lively entertainment area known for its gaudy neon lights, extravagant signage, and the enormous variety of restaurants and bars.
narrow alley
Akira
We and Jim & Pam wanted to stay in town longer since we had a late-night port. We split up at that point and we went in search of the place that served the Japanese Pancake we had seen earlier. There were hawkers showing the menus and we saw what we wanted, and they escorted us to the 7th floor to a quiet restaurant. They gave us the bar code for the English menu and Greg ordered and we weren’t sure that it went through but instantly a glass of wine and a diet coke arrived. The pancake was quite different than what we had in Hiroshima, but still very tasty. She started by bringing out a small dish of yam puree (I’m sure it had a name) which we weren’t sure how to eat. I picked it up to drink it, but it was thick. Another couple sat down in a nearby table, and we waited to see what they did with it, and they scooped it out with chopsticks. In restaurants that have a cover charge they bring our something "free".
Katana Restaurant was on the 7th floor (sign is for multiple restaurants in the building)
in the hall when we got out of the elevator
and then we walked past this....
seated at the table you press the button when ready
sweet potato puree
"Japanese Pancake"
table across from ours
After dinner we walked some of the same areas that the guide took us too so we could go more slowly and since it was darker the lights were more dramatic. I found a Japanese Figurine of a woman in a beautiful kimono with an umbrella to add to my small collection. (China, Vietnam, Africa) I found an Osaka and Kyoto magnet but none from Nara. Should have taken the time there but we were rushing to get back to Osaka. I had started to look for Samurai swords for my son, Scott and saw one set I really liked, but figured in Tokyo at the end of our trip I'd have a chance to get them there.
We stopped for a dessert and then tracked down the figurine I first saw.
chocolate Oreo cream puff
We went back to the subway and took the 2 trains back to the ship.
almost back to the ship
Lego giraffe
We made it in time for the 9:00 culture show which was really good. After that we went to the Lido and waited the 10 minutes for them to open to get a
slice of pizza.
I wasn't collecting magnets when we visited Kyoto
There was no time to shop in Nara, so I ordered my Nara magnet on Amazon. (coming soon)
Tomorrow, we have a sea day.
Typical sea day for us. Lectures and bingo. (we didn't win) The Dance troupe's Musicology had been canceled previously due to rough seas so they did a matinee today. Very good!
The evening show was the comedian, Paul Adams.
Tomorrow, we visit Tokyo, Japan.
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