A day in Osaka

A bit of a well deserved lie in this morning (8am). Off to Nara, east of central Osaka, known for its temples and tame deer. The train has a deer livery and the grab handles are in the shape of deer heads. The weather forecast is ominous and sure enough as I walk to the first temple I get completely drenched. Then the rain stops and it’s more humid than before. The deer are supposed to live in the park but they walk up and down the main road from the station looking for food (which street sellers helpfully have available for purchase). There are hundreds of them and are considered envoys of the gods so can roam freely. They are not at all aggressive but will nip gently if they think food is hidden in pockets or bags.

I head for the largest temple Todai-Ji whilst the rain hammers down. It pauses as I get to the temple which contains a giant bronze Buddha; the largest in the world at 16m and dating to 751AD.

I walk around a circuit of a few more temples and ornamental lakes gradually making my way back to the Kintetsu-Nara station. Time for a bit of shopping inside away from the weather looking for leaf tea for Emz. The first shop is sold out the second one is closed and the third one I am successful. Might have picked up a present for myself too; a model of one of the trains I travelled on earlier in the week.

Osaka is incredibly busy. It is a Saturday so there are people everywhere and the choice of shops is endless. By chance I walk down ‘kitchen street’. Dozens of shops with a Sat array of kitchen knives, crockery and cooking equipment. Alison and Emz would be here all day.

It’s time for dinner and I spot a Tonkatsu (breaded pork) restaurant at the department store. Absolutely delicious and just what I needed.Read more