April 20 Osaka

So we were out by 9 this morning and it did turn out to be a hot day.
It was only a 5 minute walk to the subway.
(inside the subway)

Osaka is Japan's third largest city but the subway map didn't seem as imposing as Tokyo's. 
Legault would like this sign. Unlike in Tokyo where English is displayed in full splendor, here poor English is reduced in size, as compared to the Japanese.
And in Tokyo,  people stand to the left on the escalators but here it is reversed.
(view from the subway)
Never saw any dogs anywhere we had visited in Tokyo, but saw plenty right away in Osaka.
First stop, was at Osaka Castle.
We had passed the Osaka national museum of history.
Once upon a time, I would have insisted on going in, but it looked like this place would need an entire day just to visit there. The castle was difficult enough. The elevator only went part of the way up, and then, had to climb up the stairs the rest of the way up.
Good thing they have defibrillators handy.
Interesting to see this castle, particularly being a fan of Clavell's Shogun.
The letter is written on a scroll, a few feet long.
History of the different shogun eras portrayed in many window box videos.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hyGdN6cfoBjrpiMM7 

I've a few book ideas, that maybe in my old age I'll address. Like bathrooms of the world, or places that Bear has visited, or maybe street performers around the world.

Later, we got back on the subway, and went to a street where we might have seen more locals than tourists, Dotonbori. Must be dazzling at night.
We had lunch and then nibbled further down the street, with a melon bread (mine had Sakura ice cream inside)

and later a strawberry mochi filled with red bean paste.
And just before going back to the ship, we went to the Osaka Aquarium, supposedly one of the largest in the world. Saw puffins (from the aleutians- these were tufted, so different from Newfie puffins) and penguins and huge whale sharks and giant crabs 
We are now officially templed, castled and aquariumed out.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xhcymUjnmFbjzoAQ7
A few short videos

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