On the 2nd morning at Osaka, KK & Corin woke up extra early to attend a JTB Sunrise tour "!-day Osaka Guide Tour" which KK had applied back in Singapore. They met up with the Sunrise Tour guide, Takako (nothing close to what that name should be) at the Hotel Nikko Osaka, down Shinsaibashi , a good 10 minutes walk from their own hotel. And they were the only ones the bus was picking up over there as in total there were only 7 patrons for the entire tour. The 2 Singaporeans, an aged German pair, 2 Belgium brutes and a grampy from Sri Lanka. This first stop of a full day with packed schedule is the pride and landmark of Osaka, the grand Osaka castle.

At the main gate of the castle where a moat surrounds the actual vicinity. There was supposed to be a secondary moat in the past but now became the city area.
KK feeling a bit thirsty after the walk up to the entrance
A mysterious-looking monk seeking some gracious giving from the public
The Osaka City Museum
A time capsule buried back in 1970, and meant to be opened again 5000 years later in 6970!!
A bed of budding sunflowers with a very unique looking scarecrow
KK & Corin took a trip back in time
Various view of the majestic castle so famous during warring era
Map of the Castle and surrounding park
The transition of swords to more superior weaponry
A well just in front of the main entrance
The German couple scurried into the castle after been petrified by KK's tummy
View from the eighth and uppermost floor of the castle
Prominent gold-plated decorations found on the external of the castle
Last look at this trademark of Osaka
The green moat is not a leisure fishing zone
The Paradise Bridge, one will find his paradise by walking on top of this bridge at the rear of the castle

Next up, the Osaka Mint Museum which is a good 15 minutes drive from the Osaka castle and the dullest spot of the entire itinerary as if only he would be allowed to take away the 1 million worth of 500¥ coins, KK would give the slightest hoot about the history of money in Japan...

The lane along the Mint Museum and factory lines cherry blossom (sakura) trees which locals love to come over to have enjoy the blossoming during spring
KK trying to snatch a really heavy gold bar but to no avail
Corin felt the bigger one is more to her taste	History of coin in Edo period.. yawn..

The last stop before dropping by Riva Nankai (how ironic!) for buffer lunch would be the Shitenouji which relates how Buddhism came about in Japan...it was also here the rain predicted by the meteorological station really came and sort of dampened the mood to move around with the need to keep carrying an umbrella over one's head.

Some pictures of the temple. Not been really religious, not much can be written about them except Corin could not find the good luck charm/talisman (お守り) she intended to get for her brothers here
KK emulating what others are doing to cover himself with the smoke from the incense for good luck

© Copyright KK Heng 2005