Osaka

Train ride to Osaka today from Kyoto, about 45 minutes long for a grand price of around $8.00 Canadian. Osaka is Japan's 3rd largest city with almost 3 million people. We were way to early to check into our hotel, but they do store our luggage for us so after a luggage drop off we go exploring.

I have made a list of foods we need to try in each city, and today we knocked another one off the list. Takoyaki-famous in Osaka, tried them for the first time. Fritters filled with diced octopus, pickled ginger, and green onion, then topped with a yummy sweet sauce. They were OK, but I don't think any of us will be rushing out to purchase them again.

We saw so many high end shops, as well as billboards we have seen so many pictures of. We split up at the end of our walk as Heather headed out to we found out later to visit the aquarium, Andre and I went to the Sumo wrestling match we had tickets for. We had purchased these tickets online the day they were released, it was crazy. I guess they really sell out fast, we were fortunate to get the tickets. A fun time, never knew there were so many rituals to the sport. It takes a few mintutes for the wrestlers to go through the process of getting ready, then most matches were over in a matter of seconds.

Walked back to the hotel to check in after the match, on the way stopped for some night time shots. Lots and lots of people out enjoying the evening, so busy.

Heather has just arrived back at the hotel as well. We get checked in and then head out for supper. Pizza on the menu for a change, I think we were all ready for something different.

15,714 / 9.75 kms

Multi level bike storage at one of the train stops

Overpass under construction

One of those automated lifts for car parking

We are staying in the modern part of the city.

Shin Sai Bashi-Suji- historic 600 meter covered shopping on central Osaka, representing the city’s top retail district for over 380 years.

Found another new flavor of kitikat

Takoyaki-famous in Osaka, tried them for the first time. Fritters filled with diced octopus, pickled ginger, and green onion, then topped with a yummy sweet sauce

Glico Running Man in Dotonbori

Theatre- lots of young women waiting to get in, maybe a boy band?  They all seemed to have pics

Kani Doraku is a popular chain restaurant specializing in crab cuisine, it started in Osaka. The legs on the billboard move

Needed to compare to home, was hoping for different flavors, but the same as home

Smoking is not allowed on the streets in Japan. You see these little booths set up where you can smoke. Strange thing is you are allowed to smoke inside restaurants. No smoking in streets is because it is so crowded, no burns.

Arena where sumo wrestling is held

Arena where sumo wrestling is held

Sumo trophies, we think

Early matches were not well attended, professionals started at 3:30PM, the non professionals started at 8:30AM

Yes, they sold ice cream at the wrestling, $5 cdn

Professional entrance

Sponsors came around before some of the matches

All kinds of rituals before the match begins

The professionals throw salt on the ring to purify the ring before the match

starting position, when both wrestlers have their palms down they are ready to go, it happens fast!

End of the day of wrestling 

crazy intersection