Osaka

I'm going to split the Japan pics into a few separate postings, because I have so many. I still haven't solved the sideways photo issue, so sorry to make you have to turn your head. I'm still working on that. Also, believe it or not, I didn't take nearly as many photos as I wanted, because I had no way to charge my camera batteries.

Overall, Japan was everything I expected it to be, and I loved it. I've always wanted to go to Japan, and I'm considering teaching there next year, so this trip was kind of like a test run of sorts. And trust me, I had a LOT of expectations about Japan. Who wouldn't??

I started off in Osaka, which I used as a base for the rest of the trip. I absolutely loved this city! It just has a good feel to it, and there is plenty to do. But it was the city's personality that made it so great. Years ago, a Japanese friend described it to me as a "smaller, funkier" less crazy version of Tokyo, and I have wanted to go ever since. I decided to start there because it was close to a lot of other good destinations and frankly, I just didn't want to deal with the overwhelmingness of Tokyo when I was by myself.

Osaka is big too, but it's pretty easy to navigate once you figure it out. There isn't really much there in terms of attractions or historical stuff, it's mostly just a damn cool city with lots of personality and great shopping. I just really liked it there though, the city had a great vibe to it. The best part -- the fashions! You know all those photos you see of Japanese people dressing in all sorts of off-the-wall shit? Well, I saw it all in Osaka, lots of it. Some of the looks were great, others people looked like train wrecks. The "in" look right now is a bit 80's-ish, but taken to the extreme. Totally wild. But I didn't get any photos of people unfortunately.

The main "historical" sight is Osaka Castle. Its been rebuilt and the inside turned into a museum, so its not all the authentic. Still worth seeing though.

View from the top of Osaka Castle.

I've really been into taking reflection pics lately. Thought this one was kind of neat.

Inside the castle, you can plunk down some cash to dress up like samurai and play with fake weapons. The guy pretending to slash my throat is named Matt, he was staying at the same guesthouse.

Reason #107 why Japan rocks: Tempura Buffet!Osaka by night, near the Shinshibashi area

The Japanese love their games -- especially video games and Pachinko. Casinos and gaming places were EVERYWHERE. This is one where you try to knock the little plastic guys off the ledge.

I also went to the Osaka Aquarium, which was well worth the money because I just love looking at sea life. Fish are weird. Who needs to look for aliens when you have the ocean?

The bottom of a manta ray swimming on the edge of the tank.

A diver in the tank feeds manta rays and small sharks.

Japanese people also seem to have a thing for Ferris wheels. This one claims to be the biggest in the world. Not sure if that's true, but it was pretty damn huge. I didn't ride it though, because it cost $7 and I had already spent too much that day (like most days).

The area near Festival Gate.

So that's it for Osaka, not much to say about it really. It is just a cool city.

More pics to come!