Exploring Osaka

Our first full day together in Osaka! It was a warm one. 34c and 80% humidity. We were up and out around 9, stopping into a small local cafe for breakfast. The boys shared pancakes eggs and ham, and we had crossaints with egg and a lot of mustard sauce? Not bad. Onwards to Osaka castle, about 30min or so on the metro. The train lines in Osaka vary immensely, from trams, monorails, full seated to mostly standing. Theres still a spattering of English, but it seems a fair bit less than Tokyo.
We got our way to the castle gardens for our first fewe of the towering Osaka castle. Impressive first tske for sure. Through the outer wall, gate, square and another gate, to inner wall that leads to the castle courtyard. Its busy, hot, the air is thick and punishing. Theres a 45 minute wait to get inside, but why not, we're here. We buy tickets, check the pram in, and begin the 8 storey stair climb. No issues there, but a little underwhelmed with the interior. I mean I knew Osaka castle had been destroyed and restored but I expected SOME historical recreation within. There was none, justva museum. Some decent artefacts, scrolls, paintings, stories and armour, but expected a bit more.
Unfortunately when we picked up the pram, we found it was now invaded by legions of ants. Not ideal.
After an ant destruction delay we had a bit of a hike back to the trains, everyone getting hot n hungry, we found a random local cafe, and stopped in for lunch around 2pm. We navigated the trains to the kids choice, the Osaka childrens museum by around 3pm.
Its basically a 5 storey playground/scienceworks with loads of exploring, games, ladders, tunnels, slides and activities.
All the boys loved it but especially Ryland, relentlessly running amok like a kid in a candy store.
We escaped here on the buzzer of closing around 5 and made our way hotel-ward, or as Axel has been saying in a weird old time southern prospector voice "ho-tay-alllll".
After a grocery shop and half hour downtime, we geared up in collars (and bowties for some) to explore the Osaka tower (or Tsutenkaku) area just outside our hotel. A fairly impressive, vibrant, lively area at night, dozens of ads, restaurants, vending machines, lights, crowds and music to immerse in.
We wondered awhile before picking a little place on the outskirts called 'Shogun' for Okonomiyaki dinner, with some skewers, juices and beers. Great little place.
That'll do it for the day the boys were down by 9 and we're winding up for a big day ahead tomorrow, our sole organised tour to Kyoto and Nara.
Weve finished a full week Monday to Sunday in Japan. I'm sure we're going to love the next one and a bit to come.Læs mere