Some of the signage was quaintly understated...
Everything was immaculate! Look at that scale!
Even the way they prepare the ice is precise.
Shirlyn enjoyed the soy milk ice cream, while Lewis LOVED the freshly cooked sea scallops: ¥250 ($2.30) per skewer (with 2 scallops each) is an AMAZING value!
At the intersection of the food stalls and shopping mall is a temple, where people pray and cleanse/bless themselves with natural spring water (the well existed for centuries)!
Talk about "one stop shopping"!
Shirlyn realized that the parking meter would expire, so we had to depart. On the topic of her car... Shirlyn's electric/gas Mazda only stopped for gas ONCE during the 4 days of 327 miles / 527 kilometers!!!!! It's a "Crossover Subcompact" SUV. (It outclassed my last car, an American-made Lincoln LS).
On the way to retrieve her glorious automobile, she pointed out how seriously Japan handles traffic infractions: four policemen responded to an illegally parked car.
Similar to Italy, Japanese police are coordinated at the national level, with prefectures having their own squads. This is the police logo.
...or concealed hidden passageways.
Here are images of the food stalls at the market: amazing!
Even the way they prepare the ice is precise.
Shirlyn enjoyed the soy milk ice cream, while Lewis LOVED the freshly cooked sea scallops: ¥250 ($2.30) per skewer (with 2 scallops each) is an AMAZING value!
Shirlyn and I adored the chestnut mochi from this local chestnut purveyor.
Despite the aroma of fresh produce/seafood, we knew that we were nearing the shopping mall (that adjoined the food market!) when we saw stylish women, like below.
At the intersection of the food stalls and shopping mall is a temple, where people pray and cleanse/bless themselves with natural spring water (the well existed for centuries)!
Talk about "one stop shopping"!
Shirlyn realized that the parking meter would expire, so we had to depart. On the topic of her car... Shirlyn's electric/gas Mazda only stopped for gas ONCE during the 4 days of 327 miles / 527 kilometers!!!!! It's a "Crossover Subcompact" SUV. (It outclassed my last car, an American-made Lincoln LS).
On the way to retrieve her glorious automobile, she pointed out how seriously Japan handles traffic infractions: four policemen responded to an illegally parked car.
Similar to Italy, Japanese police are coordinated at the national level, with prefectures having their own squads. This is the police logo.
One hour later, the modern metropolis of Osaka spread before us. It is also a major port-city and the capital of the Osaka Prefecture.
Osaka was famous for manufacturing locomotives that were exported to China and Taiwan. During the Qing Dynasty in 1895, China ceded Taiwan to Japan, as settlement for losing a war. Imperial Japanese Railroad began ambitious tunnels and bridges across that island, so it could get cypress trees and sugar. Nowadays, Taiwan outlawed deforestation, and it uses those railways prosperously. Moving away from transport, Osaka now focuses on the manufacture of integrated circuits and titanium.
In 1945, Osaka was Japan's second-largest city, so American bombardiers targeted it for WWII (not atomic bombs).
As you can see, it was rebuilt, and it outclassed Manhattan, which is richer but is crumbling with neglected infrastructure.
There is also a 16th-century shōgun castle, but we did not visit it during our journey.
Decades ago, Lewis' gay uncle lived in Osaka (and Tokyo) for four years, so we already knew that it was a nice city. In 1964, the first bullet trains connected Tokyo to Osaka. It is now 2016, and (wealthier/bigger) America still doesn't have any bullet trains. Similar to what we saw in Amsterdam and Venice, the city has many canals that join its rivers.
Inside the lobby of a 9-floor parking garage, the sound system played a lush big band song, which Siri told me was "Craven" by Eddie Barclay Et Son Orchestre. There is so much jazz in Japan, which is great. At street-level, we admired the central shopping district.
A nation that practices polytheistic Shintoism and Buddhism wasn't expected to be decorated for Christmas, but shopping centers were decked with Christmas décor. They call it "Happy Winter".
The Osaka Train Station is a marvel of sleek intuitive design.
Making NYC's 42nd Street Street rail hub look miserable (and it's the most significant in the nation), this facility is state-of-the-art, aligning the subway, JR Rail, and Bus Terminal. No traffic jams. Lots of elevated crosswalks for ease of movement.
Aboveground, Shirlyn, Lewis, and I admired two towers that provide dozens of levels for shopping: "high-end" in one tower and "value-oriented" in the other. Osakans go there for retail adventures.
Lewis ran for "higher ground" inside the Lucua Shopping Tower. It is such a beautiful mall.
Buses conveniently/seamlessly meet with trains in a CLEAN environment, allowing a casual flow of people.
The city's Metro routes make it convenient to travel around.
While shopping, Shirlyn made a great "bag find" at the M0851 boutique, and I made the deciding vote on which purple leather to pick. The saleswoman (on the right, below) gave me a deep bow of thanks, from the waist.
Driving across the city...
After a scrumptious dinner, we sped home. I noticed that the expressways are walled, to benefit local neighborhoods and muffle traffic noise from the expressway. That is a conscientious initiative (for its citizens' happy existence) and a great idea.
There is also a 16th-century shōgun castle, but we did not visit it during our journey.
*To see our first pleasures along the canals of Amsterdam, go here: https://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2019/08/our-trip-to-netherlands-part-1-of.html
Inside the lobby of a 9-floor parking garage, the sound system played a lush big band song, which Siri told me was "Craven" by Eddie Barclay Et Son Orchestre. There is so much jazz in Japan, which is great. At street-level, we admired the central shopping district.
A nation that practices polytheistic Shintoism and Buddhism wasn't expected to be decorated for Christmas, but shopping centers were decked with Christmas décor. They call it "Happy Winter".
The Osaka Train Station is a marvel of sleek intuitive design.
Making NYC's 42nd Street Street rail hub look miserable (and it's the most significant in the nation), this facility is state-of-the-art, aligning the subway, JR Rail, and Bus Terminal. No traffic jams. Lots of elevated crosswalks for ease of movement.
11 miles away is the terminus of the Hankai Tramway, the last remnant of the region's trams that were uprooted in the 1960s. Full of preserved and modern streetcars, the fleet of 35 trams is beloved by the locals who use it. This is what a typical tram looks like...
We lent our expertise as Shirlyn bought some comfy/stylish "made in Japan" shoes. Lewis snagged a great pair to bring home to his Mom. We made the salesman smile a lot.
Japan's society is so trustworthy that most businesses still permit "Cash on Delivery" for purchases sent to customers' homes. In the USA, all transactions demand money before anything happens. That "speaks volumes" about each society.
Lewis admired the salesman's denim jacket, but Lewis' size was unavailable at the store. Upon returning to NYC, Lewis discovered it at a store in SoHo and triumphantly purchased it! He loves wearing it, and I think he looks cute in it!
The fashion in Japan seems to involve wider-brim hats and poncho/capes.
Crossing the elevated concourse, we peered down at the train station and the orderly/non-honking traffic below.
Buses conveniently/seamlessly meet with trains in a CLEAN environment, allowing a casual flow of people.
Why doesn't pricer NYC have something like this?!
The city's Metro routes make it convenient to travel around.
While shopping, Shirlyn made a great "bag find" at the M0851 boutique, and I made the deciding vote on which purple leather to pick. The saleswoman (on the right, below) gave me a deep bow of thanks, from the waist.
The rest of the stores were wonderful: always-attentive staff and nicely-laid-out merchandise. Even a Dean & Delucca-like shop!
Nearing the parking tower, we saw that the line at a popular Bun Store had gone down, so we grabbed some buns (fresh from the on-site ovens)! Red bean paste for me, and custard for Lewis. The shop is adored by local Osakans, and we prefer to go to places that locals like. It was great!
Driving across the city...
... Shirlyn escorted us to the city's canals, which have a variety of bridges. You can buy tickets for river cruises underneath them.
The area is famous for seafood restaurants and a local specialty: Takoyaki. It became part of Japan's national gastronomy, and it is popularly served in New York City. Balls of iron-baked dough are stuffed with octopus and slathered with mayonnaise and spicy sauce. The flaky topping is made by shredding dried Bonito fish, and the heat of the meal makes it flicker/wave on top... which is pretty to watch.
The recipe is also prepared at outdoor food stalls. In fact, many of Japan's treasured recipes began 400 years ago as "street food". While we ate in an open-air eatery, brass bands played on boats.
Streets are full of small eateries; some only have room for 3-5 customers.
Streets are full of small eateries; some only have room for 3-5 customers.
No matter which small alley you chose, they were all safe. The city's "unofficial" Red Light district is the same way.
After a scrumptious dinner, we sped home. I noticed that the expressways are walled, to benefit local neighborhoods and muffle traffic noise from the expressway. That is a conscientious initiative (for its citizens' happy existence) and a great idea.
Back at Shirlyn's home, we nibbled on dark cocoa nibs (cost $1.00 and no preservatives) and sipped lychee-flavored sake.
Tomorrow would be our last day.
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