Our Day 2 in Japan was astounding! We had a lot of fun discovering Hakone Kowakien Yunessun spas (See day 2 here). I was so electrified with our Day 3 adventures! Our itinerary? Osaka and Kyoto via Shinkansen! Woohoo!
Shinkansen, most commonly known as high-speed trains or bullet trains, transported us to Osaka at speed 320kph. Oh my, that was wicked! I think that’s the wildest mode of transportation I’ve ever experienced. I tried my best to still appreciate the view even though my heart was literally in a roller-coaster but honestly you won't really feel that it was going that fast. It took us 2 hours and 30 minutes to get to Osaka where Tetsuya, my husband’s friend, met us.
It was already lunch time when we got off that speedy beast, and I was already hungry. I was sitting the whole time but it felt like I ran during the entire travel because I’m not really used to that kind of ride. I even forgot I had my camera with me take some photos; it took some time for me to recover. It was incredible, though. I could do that again, no problem. Haha!
I thought I had the best food yet on during our first day. Tetsuya brought us to this great restaurant and we were not disappointed. Osaka has the best food. I fell in love instantly!
Next stop was Osaka Castle
I’m glad we got to visit Japan during spring season. The cherry blossoms are in their perfect bloom and I couldn’t stop appreciating the exquisiteness.
The significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years. In their country, the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It's a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short. -Homaru Canto
Cherry Blossoms are EVERYTHING. Seeing them will make you forget all your problems. There is something about it that just makes me happy.
Osaka Castle (Osaka-jo)
Japan is well-known for preserving its opulent culture, and we have witnessed it through the structures in this 15-acre landmark. It offers a lot of historical value and marvelous view.
The pronounced edifices, the grand gates and turrets along the outer moat in the castle will definitely have you mind-blown. No wonder the thirteen structures that comprise the Japanese castle are considered as significant cultural assets by the government.
I also had the chance to take some pictures with the lovely cherry blossom tree in the castle. Beauty and history put together is an outright spectacle!
Domo arigato gozaimasu Tetsuya
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Omikuji is a kind of fortune-telling. A small piece of paper on which one's fortune is written. You can get it at plenty of shrines and temples all over Japan.
Too bad we had to leave Osaka after our early dinner. We had to catch another Shinkansen ride to Kyoto where we booked an Airbnb. I didn’t get the chance to take some more photos because I was famished and elated at the same time, but I will do my best to capture every moment during my next trip.
See you next time Osaka!
Our Airbnb is really inviting, especially after having a tiring day and not to mention a very exhilarating ride. The accommodation was lovely and I just wanted to take a rest. I was enthusiastic to tour Kyoto, so watch out for my next post!
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