Saturday, April 4, 2009

Osaka - Day Two











Rainy and cold...all day. Oh yeah, and pizza for lunch.

We started off at the Osaka Castle. From outside it looks really interesting. Big moat around it and huge stone walls. On each corner of the island there is a turret. The 8 story castle is in the middle.

Unfortunately, the interior of the castle is a museum. Everything is modern. There are some cool artifacts and dioramas. But I was hoping for an old castle as it was.

We left and had lunch (pizza) nearby were they have a Sega Joypolis. Two floors of video games, virtual reality rides and pachinko machines as far as the eye could see. The boys had a great time.

Then we headed to Dotomburi. This is the shopping and eating zone. It is exactly what I expected here. Narrow lanes, tons of shops, and food vendors in the street. I ate grilled crab legs that were really good. Then we came across the Octopus Balls. Once I get home I will post the video. Amazing how these things are made. Basically, it is batter, some green onions, slice of octopus tentacle and, believe it or not, rice krispies. I am sure they don't call it rice krispies, but that is what they were. The cook keeps turning it into a ball. Once done they but some teriyaki sauce on it. Terri and I both tried it. Honestly, not bad.

We walked up and down the shops and had a really good time. This is what is was ready to see and it did not disappoint. Tomorrow, Kyoto.

2 comments:

Grandpa said...

Is this the person who would only eat bugles and bologna? Is this the person who shunned hot dogs as tubes of death? Octopus Balls? What next?

yboogie said...

Okay... this is getting fun just going with you on this... I miss tht place. Anyway, Osaka castle is more a museum than anything else... I think the oldest and most authentic is the one at Inuyama (near Nagoya) and Himeiji is also real nice... seen as the most beautiful.