Osaka, 27.05.24

Back to Osaka for one night and then home to New Zealand. We arranged for a lighter breakfast as the huge Japanese offerings were just too much. A bowl of rice for me and an omelette for Christine. We had to catch the bus sat 9.07 for the long trek to Taisha first, then Izumo, Okayama and Osaka. It worked out to perfection with all the connections and the Shinkansen got us to Shin-Osaka Station mid-afternoon. From there, as seasoned travellers, we found the metro line to Namba Station no problem. Naturally we stayed at the Swiss Hotel again. Not that anybody recognized us, but it was sort of familiar.

Osaka

 

Christine wanted to see as a last sight in Osaka a building she saw in a magazine and the feature of the building was a canoe kind of floating up the facade. Why not. We took a walk and used google map on the phone. It works until we lost the signal and then could not get it back. But help is always at hand in the form of Starbucks. They always offer free wifi and just standing outside one can pick up a connection and is on the way again. 

It was quite spectacular the building and very unusual. Glad we did it. For the way back we took the underground to Namba and went in search for the restaurant we found on the first day in Osaka but could not locate it. In the end we ended up in a little bar all empty but looking reasonably clean and nice. 

Canoe

The menu outside showed French fries and Christine ordered a portion! But then we also had some sushi, the normal sushi and they were delicious. The we had chicken Karaage, the KFC style chicken Japanese way. Delicous too. A bowl of rice with it and two beers. The chef and waiter started talking to us too and the matron of the shop came out to see us. She made the chicken dish. And they owned the restaurant for years. Third generation in the middle of Osaka near Namba Station. Fabulous. 

Pub last night

Cheers

We had one last welcome drink at the top of the hotel. 36th floor. Called it a night and were on our way next morning to Kansai Airport, Singapore and Christchurch.