Osaka

We left Kyoto and drove about an hour to Kyoto to see yet another temple. This time it was  to a Shin Kasuga shrine and Todaji-ji Temple. It houses the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese as Daibutso. 

First built in 768AD by order of Emporer Shotoko. 

The doors were extremely tall and the hall had many ikebana floral arrangements. Maybe this was one temple too many!

Part of the experience is the free roaming deer that wander around the complex and Nara park. You can buy biscuits to feed them. Japanese consider them to be messengers from the Gods. So they are protected and not eaten at all.

Todai-ji is said to be the largest wooden building in the world. The current structure was built in 1692, the original from 852 was one third larger again.  Bigger and older than the wooden govt house in Wellington!

Next was a wander along Dotonburi St in Osaka to our lunch place. All the restaurants place oversized plastic representations of their food. The street was crowded even midweek at midday. 

Our guides friend especially opened his restaurant for us - a ShabuShabu style. Thin slices of beef you swish for a couple of minutes in the boiling broth to cook.

Then more Cherry Blossoms this time surrounding Osaka castle. The double cherry blossoms are now starting to come out. First are the white Sakura, followed by the weeping light pink trees then the pink double variety. 

Osaka castle has a huge moat around it originally a double moat until the lord got tricked into filling one in. Only after that could he be defeated by siege. The castle walls are incredibly huge. It was a long walk into the castle. We worked out that we have walked 10-13 km per day for a total of over 200 kms on the tour.

Our final stop on tour was the Umeda Sky building and observatory. This building is now 30 years old, it must have been so ahead of its time. The building was designed by the same man who designed Kyoto station. It has a wild garden beside it and a vertical garden. 

We went up the lift to the 35th floor then took a tubular escalator to the 39th floor then steps to the 40 th floor followed by more steps to the outdoor observatory. Fabulous views of Osaka city from the top, plus a place for adding your lovers padlock - a typically Japanese thing. 

I also loved the mirror on the ceiling on the 40th floor made for some interesting photos and selfies. 

All good things must come to an end. We ended the day with a farewell dinner at another buffet restaurant near Osaka station. Then it was off to check in at our hotel for the night - the Sheraton Miyako Osaka and farewell drinkies. 

The final day was a late start. Bus to Osaka airport and flew to Tokyo Narita airport. Lots of hanging around at both. Fortunately Phil and I both got upgraded to Premium Economy for the 11 hour flight home. We even managed to sleep.