Travelling Japan D8 [Osaka]

 Reached Osaka at 8am the next morning, checked in and leave our luggage with the hotel.

  There is a church in the hotel for western wedding.

 Couple may march down from 2nd level into the church.

Took a subway to Osaka castle 

 Autumn is so beautiful even in the city

 Last trace of summer, last sakura blossom.

 Saw that 七五三753 characters written on the sign board? Nara guide told us 七五三753 is a festival day in Japan for three- and seven-year-old girls and three- and five-year-old boys, held annually on November 15 to celebrate the growth and well-being of young children 成人礼. 

 The husband waiting patiently for pancake

 Hot and fluffy pancake made fresh

 Custard for me

 Red bean for The Husband

 Osaka Castle 

The construction of Osaka Castle (大阪城, Ōsakajō) started in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple, which had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga thirteen years earlier. Toyotomi Hideyoshi intended the castle to become the center of a new, unified Japan under Toyotomi rule. It was the largest castle at the time. 

However, a few years after Hideyoshi's death, Tokugawa troops attacked and destroyed the castle and terminated the Toyotomi lineage in 1615. Osaka Castle was rebuilt by Tokugawa Hidetada in the 1620s, but its main castle tower was struck by lightening in 1665 and burnt down.

It was not until 1931 that the present ferro-concrete reconstruction of the castle tower was built. During the war it miraculously survived the city wide air raids. Major repair works gave the castle new glamor in 1997. The castle tower is now entirely modern on the inside and even features an elevator for easier accessibility. It houses an informative museum about the castle's history and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

 One of the most expensive sight we visited, 600yen (about 10SGD) each.

  Golden fish tail represent water, is the lucky charm of the many architectural in Japan. Hoping water will bring blessing to prevent building from burning down by natural disaster such as lighting or civil war fire attack.

 Main entrance to the castle

3D hologram to narrate Hideyoshi emperor empire, this made history so much more interesting.

 Some Thai tourist trying out cosplay

 Lalang field, The Husband calls this puppy tail grass. 

 Dotonbori, popular shopping and food street of Osaka.

 Osaka specialty are Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki!

  

 Back to hotel for a nap before shopping. This hotel Clarence recommend was superb, just 10min walk from the buzzing street of Osaka.

 Night time, Dodonburi

  The Husband and the famous Glico signboard.

 

Saw no.1 Takoyaki, so we bought some again.

Honestly, i prefer Tokyo takoyaki than those in Osaka. 

 Hotel's brochure recommended Okonomiyaki restaurant

 So crowded, i believe this shop is featured in Korean media, the whole restaurant is packed with Korean, i feel like i am in Korea than Japan. 

 Yakisoba

 Okonomiyaki, house signature.

 In Shinsaibashi street, we saw a long queue for baked cheese cake.
Check out the price, 588yen (10SGD) for a whole cake, unbelievable cheap.

 They are so soft fluffy and milky.

Interactive Robot in Takashimaya mall

 Kyoho grapes so cheap! The fuller, bigger bunch above is selling at 980yen each (16SGD), small bunch beside is half the price 480yen each (8SGD).

 Pharmacy is the most dangerous place you can let a women shop alone., true story.

 Fancl cleansing oil, only 20% cheaper, discount not attractive so i only bought what i need.

 480yen bunch of kyoho grapes!

 ettusais loots: Gelish nail polish about 15SGD each

 Shisedo loots: Two way cake and gloss milky wax

Other pharmacy loots: Toner and facial cream

Disclaimer: Partial captions (location history) are credited to JapanGuide.com, this trip is heavily planned using JapanGuide.com, captions are for my reference to pictures i took.