大阪 Osaka

Monday

Left for Hozumi in Gifu-ken early to meet with Taka at the station. The weather was pleasant during the drive and it make me thankful that I'd pushed the day back so as to avoid driving through Typhoon Halong. We listened to 80s music and other awesome music most of the way.

Arriving early to Osaka we headed to IKEA where we found out we have similar taste in interior design (we both have sense) then waited until 3pm to check in bags and car before going for an exploratory walk. The hotel booked had good style, though was unfortunately far from many of the main attractions such as Osaka tower and the Museum. After walking about 45 minutes we reached Tsūtenkaku. 

Experience Tsūtenkaku. (optional)
 
After purchasing tickets you step into a round elevator you hope will take you to the viewing platorm to see the sunset after your tiring walk. Instead you exit the elevator into a short corridor, the walls are lined with images that look like the inside of an older style train complete with actual handles that hang from the ceiling, then left into the first corridor leading around the building which reveals Gashapon machines running its full length and two thirds of the way up both walls. The mass of people push you through until you come to a brief stop before the corner of the building. You (and company) are ushered in front of a colourful manga image of the tower where you are asked to pose with your hands clasped above your head mimicking the tower, a photo is snapped before you can move again. You take a few steps before tower staff pull you over, showing you the instant printed image you have just taken and offering it for purchase for an expensive amount. (Did you buy it?) 

After a few more steps you stop again, a line of people stretches out before you and around the next two corners to the elevator. After noticing the souvenir shop at the building center you look out instead to a beautiful view of the setting sun with its gorgeous pink clouds which are unfortunately obscured by thick black crisscross lines on the glass. Shuffling slowly past some displays of Kinnikuman you sigh at how an almost perfect chance to fill time with photo taking is interrupted by the large "No Photos" sign. Finally you enter the elevator, the lights go off to reveal an image of the full moon and Biliken on the ceiling as the elevator climbs slowly and a voice explains that you are going to a magical place where the biliken would give you luck. 

 You exit to an actual observation deck which finally reveals a decent view of the city, capturing some photos of the beautiful vividly pink sunset as it plays on the clouds while perusing the small statues within the building of idols connected to Biliken. Met with another line to rub the Bilikin's feet, which involves yet another photo and more waiting you decide to descend one floor via stairs to another viewing platform in search of the down elevator. You wait in another line though the wait is brief, again the roof of the elevator is lit with the same image accompanied by an explanation that you are coming back to the present world. You exit to that souvenir shop, rushing through quickly and hardly glancing at the ridiculous amount of colourful and no doubt strange merchandise before heading down that corridor lined with the train handles and packing into one last elevator taking you back to the main entrance. 
otsukaresama! 

Dinner was okonomiyaki  at 風月 (fu-getsu) (famous in Osaka) before heading home on the train, quickly viewing the nightlit streets and Glico running man before collapsing into bed.

 

Tuesday 

Had intended to wake up early, catch a train and arrive at the Abeno Harukas Art Museum early (or at least before it opened) so as to avoid the rush of people coming to view the works of Dufy, however sleep wished to keep me longer than intended so we did not arrive at the gallery until later. We did manage have breakfast at Starbucks and to find the adorable WachiField shop on the way where some gifts for family and friends were purchased.

The exhibition of French Fauvist painter Raoul Dufy was quite interesting and his frequent use of the colour blue pleased me greatly. Dufy has a great balance of curves and lines and his paintings have vibrant colours and lively scenes which keep the eye interested and his later stenographic technique over washes of colour intrigues me. Dufy's omission of Tesla (as was history of the time) from La Fée Électricité (ode to electricity) and the showing of some of his final pieces after being struck with arthritis, many depicting flowers and one with his beloved blue replaced instead by a wild red, gave me cause for deeper thought.

Lunch was a delicious iced maccha latte at Caffe Solare Tsumugi which has been recommended on my Facebook page. We then headed back to the hotel for a short break before dinner which was shared at Moulin. Though the serving sizes are small, the food is tasty and can recommend their desserts.

Wedneday

From 10am until 1pm we were stuck in traffic most of the way to Akashi . Slept. Listened to music. Chatted.

Arriving at the Akashi City Museum of Culture, Taka and myself shared a pizza before going to view M.C Escher. Was only the day before when the wish to view the display arose after sighting a poster, though the decision to do so was definitely worthwhile. Though for the most part the works of Escher arouse only amusement at the colours and clever patterns, three proved to become generous food for thought.

Reptiles (M. C. Escher) - The power of imagination and how it can transform things and allow them to transcend into reality. 

Another World (M. C. Escher) - Power of perception and how where you stand (physically or on a subject) effects your view of it. 

Puddle (M. C. Escher) - Perception of the beauty of the night sky within the mud puddle evokes for me a sense of the hidden and undervalued beauty in the world.  

After viewing Escher we were able to travel rather quickly to Kobe with hopes of riding the ferris wheel at Kobe Harbourland, heading first to the China Town. Taka's plan to have Chinese completely fell apart the moment that the Kobe Beef restaurant was spotted. Yazawa West  Kobe Beef. Posed for photos with their various trophies then my mouth was in heaven.When it came time to pay for my meal (the most expensive all year) they explained that card was no good which meant that Taka had to rush to the car, leaving me at the restaurant so we could make the payment (Almost instantly found a 7 Eleven to repay him). Many thanks Takahiro for helping.

We rode the ferris wheel which gave a fantastic view of the harbor at night which was lit spectacularly and saw a ship coming in to dock lit in a way that vaguely reminded me of the spirit ship from Spirited Away.  Dessert was Magic Pots from Frantz, which are a signature of Kobe.

Visiting a Studio Ghibli shop within the complex, Toto-kun (new bag) and my Kaonashi (Noface) chopsticks were purchased. 

Arriving at  Hotel Seagull Tempozan we arrived in our room which was Universal Studios themed which made me feel the decision not to do may have been a little moot though enjoyed the design with i's stars, had a shower, made some tea and enjoyed the view from the 10th floor over the harbor.  

 

Thurday 

Woke up in time to check-out and head to Mother Moon Cafe for pancakes which were delicious!   Skipped the line after buying tickets at the hotel and headed straight into the Aquarium!!! Bought a stamp book (for children) to collect stamps as we traveled around the aquarium. It's easy to understand why the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is famed as the best in Japan with its massive tanks housing a wide range of sealife. Compaired to other aquariums within Japan, the enclosures seem to compensate well for the animals within them. Taka was excited to see the sea otter and whale shark, though ultimately it was other animals such as the turtle, Ringed seals and baby otters that stole the show. 

Managed to get all my stamps the right way around apart from the otter. >.< Took a photo with Taka then bought souvenirs

 

 

Lunch was takoyaki (famous in Osaka) at a small restaurant followed by icecream at Sweets + which had 25 uniquely Japanese flavours including mozuku seaweed and golden soybean (the ones I tried)
  

We rode The Tempozan, the world's largest giant wheel after lunch and the view over Osaka in the afternoon was something truly special

 

Friday & Saturday

Meeting with Taka again in the morning we went to Hanashobu for the day on Friday. Was pleased to find that I had lost more weight which places me close to my lowest weight before Japan. The day was indeed relaxing and it was good to spend time with a friend instead of going alone as usual.  

Returned to Agui, slept in and managed some pleasant dreams and to catch some of the sleep eluding me during the previous funfilled days.