Osaka and Tokyo in December, chapter 2. Day 5

music of the day - Paniyolo, 'kioku'. Because it fits the atmosphere of the Aquarium

10.54
Each day starts at the same station - 'Dobutsuen-mae'. Let's pay respect to it

16.32
I guess good people attract good people? Well, it's impossible to generalise like that, but I'm so glad that my friend's husband is a good and friendly person, and they're a good pair.

16.42

The third time I am in Kaiyukan, and the third time I think this water tunnel is the best way to let customers feel immersed in the sea-world.

17.26
Another favourite aquarium of mine - the biggest one that is in the middle of Kaiyukan.

18.00
A wonderful thing they thought of - a room of polar world. I guess I'd like to put my hood on.

19.04
The last treat in the Aquarium - stroke the panda ray!

18.10
And this is the illumination described on the official Osaka website.

18.31
Going to the Ferris wheel. The square in front of the Aquarium sure looks attractive.

But the wind is so terrible at the seaside! But we're strong and fearless tourists =)

21.15

And the final stop among our 'Osaka amazing pass' places - Osaka prefectural government skyscraper. And for additional 100 yen

let's try to see who's riding in the Ferris wheel we we in 2 hours ago.

This one was free. What I love in Japan is that how they put small tables for you to make photos with your company without asking others to press a button for you. Probably because that's causing MEIWAKU, trouble, to passers-by.

Osaka and Tokyo in December, chapter 2. Day 4

song of the day - 'Let it snow'

Some girls from a school orchestra were rehearsing with their teacher in 'Sakuya Konohana Kan' botanical garden we visited. They were playing a different song, but it was something for Christmas

10.50
A good day in Japan starts with a good Japanese breakfast.

12.15
Let’s seat in a king’s chair!

Just a bit cold for a girl to sit on, though…

12.30
Probably my favourite flower in this garden

And my favourite tree in this garden

 Merry Christmas, yeah.
And my favourite place in the garden, to be precise – outside of the greenhouse

What I really liked during this trip is that many buildings have some nice spots inside.

Aloe Vera. A plant named after me. That’s true, my mom said so!

13.15
The most important thing in a trip is to keep record of your shopping. Oh, actually I was going to say there is a very nice pond here around the building.

13.40
Children are found in cabbages. U-tan was obviously found in a violet one.

A must… right?

15.20
Something like ‘3 years later’. Last time it was me sitting here. And it was summer. And I was wearing a dress. Natsukashii~

What I really like are Japanese books for children. I remember how I almost cried after reading a very short story in a book store in St.-Petersburg, about a toy rabbit who met a girl and spent only 1 day with her. This one is not that touching, but those are really cute illustrations, right?

Finally some wifi here!

‘a very natural pose’, like our friend always says.

16.25
Am I the only one who wants to sing the word ‘Dotombori’ like some native African song?

18.00
How about we order two portions of takoyaki? Okay.
15 minutes later.
Erm… why are there 10 pieces each? Aren’t there usually 8?
10 minutes later.
U-tan… how about you eat my 10th piece?

19.55
20 minutes running to Umeda Sky. 20 minutes waiting near the elevator. 5 minutes at the top. At least we can check it in our ‘to do’ list.

20.10
Welcome to the Wonderland, coupled with Behind-the-looking-glass.

22.00
How to make a photo together when there’s no one around and you just don’t carry a tripod with you all around Osaka? A trash can will help you!

Osaka and Tokyo in December, chapter 2. Day 3

music of the day - some random Christmas gospel chorus. because there was a chorus of women dressed in red, performing in Abeno Harukas

12.00

After spending 2 hours on shopping, instead of just half an hour like planned, had no spare time, actually, but enjoyed the rainy scenery of Osaka. I didn't quite understand why the tickets were 1500 yen, though. Pretty expensive in comparison with other observation decks.

12.30
The window was available for scribbling with markers. For free. Couldn't miss the opportunity...

13.00
Having a '300 millimetres long hot-dog on a 300 metres high observation deck'

14.00

They're crazy with Moomies this winter! And I cannot disagree. They're really cool. Not only there are plenty of goods everywhere, they even had a special exhibition. Too bad we had no time for it. Have to go to Kyoto soon!

18.00
Thanks to Yuri, tried paella for the first time. Awwwww it was good. And Spanish wine is the best!

A cute bathroom they have, too

Hankyu railway is always busy. I've never seen it empty and it's hard to secure a seat even outside rush hours.

Osaka and Tokyo in December, chapter 2. Day 2

music of the day - 'ari no mama de' by May J and Takako Matsu. was playing all around the shopping malls and shops everywhere. made me want to unhear it

10.00 local time
A wonderful breakfast of sushi

14.00
Having a fun curry dinner at a true Indian restaurant. Thanks Sae!

15.00
It was Friday, though.

And it really hurts. I mean, the upper part of the door is lower than you imagine when you try to enter...

17.00
After having spent  approx. 16,000 yen in UNIQLO
WHA??? HOW MUCH???
yes, maybe twice as much as I intended... Well, we see this queer fur Christmas tree.

18.00
And the Osaka castle 3D mapping show is the same as last year - vivid, bright, shining!

20.00
Too tired to go to the next station to a good cafe, so the nearby soba is good enough!

22.00
Back to the hotel. ISOPPU? What's that? Looks like a small cunning fox... Mi-ya-ke-ma-sa-yo... Who's that, I wonder...

And finally we're at home. And this is the hostel. Yeah, not an expensive hotel with all amenities, but it sure has its own appeal, huh?