Osaka!

We started off our Japan trip in Osaka and the weather there could not have been any better! Shortly after picking up a map from the hotel, we were on the subway to our first stop -  Osaka Castle. Since the weather was nice and it was a weekend, the castle compound and neighboring park were packed. Melissa found an ice cream stand, but it was a bit tricky to avoid ordering green tea or red bean flavor.  

The castle was built for strategic purposes which gave a towering view of the surrounding area, but also required a bit of a climb to reach the top.

In the castle they had a separate staircase for going up and down  strange but highly effective.We were a bit supprised that Osaka didn't have very many tall buildings. Guess we have been desensitized living in HK.

There were quite a few food stalls set up outside the castle. We settled on the sausage on a stick and the pork steak, both were very good!

After the castle we were off to Harukas 300, Osaka's newest and tallest building (300 meters tall) complete with observation deck. This was our first introduction to lines in Japan - highly organized like everything else but LONGGGG. So long they had attendants telling you where the line starts - which was outside and 3 doors down. The line moved pretty fast and we thought when we were inside we were done, but it was just another waiting room. We finally got our tickets, then another line to the elevator bank, I was wondering if we were ever going to make it to the top.


When we finally made it to the front of the line, I noticed the attendants ushering people into the elevator and just before it closed bowing to the people. I thought it might have been a one off, but noticed this during the entire trip from elevator attendants to airport ramp workers for flights after push back.

The viewing platform was packed but with a few elbows thrown we found some empty glass. We thought Osaka was a small city but the views really show how large Japan's third largest city is.

Some of the viewing windows had diagrams identifying important landmarks.

What really made Harukas 300 enjoyable was the open air sky garden. It was so nice that some people were taking their shoes off and enjoying a beer.

Our last stop of the day was Dotonbori pedestrian street. The area is narrow with countless restaurants, many of which have elaborate motorized signs to attract the passerby's attention. One of the most famous ones was a HUGE crab with motorized legs, with such a sign and a long line we had to see what the fuss was about so we got in line too for the charcoal grilled crab legs -  good, but too much work for so little meat..

Further down the street, we came across a Kobe beef food truck and I was pretty excited to have my first taste of the famous beef. Tender and delicious!

Back on the street to walk off the snacks and enjoy the signs. I can't figure this sign out. Either he is mad or ate too much of his own food and... Regardless not the best idea for a sign.

The octopus' tentacles moved and steam shot out of its blow holes.

For dinner we ended up at a grill your own meal place. We were sent to the Japanese floor where we were asked to take our shoes off and we sat on the floor. Luckly they had an English menu. There were so many options, but we finally settled on some vegetables and a couple of different cuts of meat.

By the time we left the restaurant, the street was all lit up - it was like a completely different place.