We left Kyoto on Saturday bound for Osaka amidst a typhoon that passed harmlessly by us (other than some rain), but we hear hit Tokyo pretty directly…
Since it was a rainy day, after dropping off our luggage, we headed to the Osaka aquarium to visit the whale sharks! After nearly being eaten by a whale shark that was somehow on land…
We entered the aquarium and spent several hours enjoying the exhibits (Including real whale sharks)
The next morning we headed to Osaka Castle, and walked through the beautiful grounds, across the large moat, to the castle itself… only to be deterred by a line wrapping around nearly the entire castle. We decided to return Monday morning, which will hopefully be quieter than Sunday?
On our way back through the grounds we saw a traditional wedding-procession at a shrine, and stood to watch.
We then went to the famous Dotonbori shopping district, which was… extra… from giant animated crab signs to large dragons and octopi on buildings, this area was larger than life.
We have been eating well so far, focusing on small local casual spots from okonomiyaki to tempura donburi, and some of the best katsudon we have found so far!
But the highlight may have been the best taiyaki (fish shaped waffles filled, one with red bean and one filled with sweet potato) that I have ever had. Yum!
Halloween decorations are also in full swing here, and we couldn’t say no to this hauntingly cute ghost cheesecake!
