Festivities on Dotonburi River (Osaka)

The crowd began to gather and camp on the river bank. Early birds have the best view but it helps it you are tall or petite enough to squeeze through the gaps.

All await patiently for the ceremony to begin.

First, the drumbeats and cheers could be heard from afar but there are only lights in a distant scarcely capable of competing with the bright neon lights in the dusk.

Despite using manpower to row the boats, the speed they were travelling was much faster than one could imagine. By now, the drums and chant are visibly loud and clear.

 

 

 


This is a real close-up of the drummers and rowers dressed in traditional garb.

If you miss the first round, fret not. The two boats turned around and came back.

The audience was thrilled. To add to their excitement, the boats made a few rounds before calling it a night.

A Glimpse of the elusive Geishas in Kyoto

Geishas are a rare sight in the hustling and bustling of major industrial and commercial Japanese cities like Osaka. One has to go to Kyoto to get a glimpse of the elusive and mysterious geisha.

Geisha (芸者), geiko (芸子) are professional entertainers skilled in traditional Japanese performance arts.

Since it is impolite to be seen pursuing and photographing geishas, I had to be discreet and keep a safe distance and be contented of whatever I could get.

I love this candid shot and proud that I have captured a special moment. The contrast between the old and the new, the soft pace of the geisha and swift cyclist.

For modern and curious women who want to experience a few minutes of being a geisha, there are two studios we saw along the way to  some Kyoto temples that offer costumes for hire and photography.

Of convenient hotels and versatile Japanese toilets

We appreciated the convenience of our accommodation, just 10 minutes walk from the train station. The rooms are bigger than most available in a typical Japanese hotel. Some rooms can even accommodate a small family sharing the same room.

Within the first 10 minutes upon arrival, most first time travellers would have figured out how the toilet flush works and all the other functions. Since my last trip, there has been some improvement made to the sanitary devices. Fortunately, it only took a few minutes as it won't be nice to hold up everyone.

With a multi-day pass, travel has been made easier during peak hours as there is no hassle of queuing up for tickets and scrambling for coins. It is essential to do some homework reading guide books in your own language because most signage are in Japanese except names of stations and major attractions. 

Umeda 梅田 Subterranean shopping

Umeda is a busy commercial district in Osaka.

If you see crowds, it is a good sign that the shopping and food are great.

 

 

 Underground skylight

 

 

                                                     A European inspired fountain near Daiso

Umeda train station is surrounded by shops and restaurants. One could literally spend the whole day or a couple of days walking from North to South, East to West. But of course, there are better things to do and so much sightseeing to cover within our few days' stay.

Hanyku, the anchor tenant is the largest departmental store in the area. There are six levels of retail shopping showcasing good quality Japanese and imported goods.

Fast food outlets and cafes usually located at the basement are brimming with activities especially when there is a promotion event.

Full serviced restaurants are most likely to be on top floor of the a departmental store in the shopping centre.

 

Umeda sky building with a bridge adjoining two towers is an amazing architectural and engineering achievement.

http://www.gojapango.com/travel/osaka_umeda.htm

Dinner on the First Evening - Japanese family restaurant

Unagi (grilled eel) set in a traditional looking "calligraphy on rice paper" bento box

                                            Appetizers of tofu, burdock and cucumber pickles

 

 

 

 Miso soup and chawan mushi

                                                              



The much longed for seaweed and sesame seed rice boiled in rich dashi stock.
The main dish is actually mixed seafood and vegetable tempura at the right corner.

The dessert of cold tofu jelly with caramel seems to take centre stage

Although the décor of this restaurant looks posh in comparison with the adjacent eateries on the same floor of the shopping centre near Daimaru, the menu is not high end Japanese cuisine.  The bentos are what you would normally get in a family restaurant and prices are average by Osaka standards.

Cute and delicious buttery milky bread, cakes and pastry for breakfast

かわいい   Kawaii  means "cute"

Some Asian friends try to adapt by coining the term "cute-to" which I am doubtful is in the Japanese vocabulary.

I am guessing there is little distinction between beautiful and cute? 

It doesn't really matter because the pictures tell a thousand words and express what I meant about "cute" food. There are more in the pipeline reserved for future posts on this blog.

This is westernised Japanese breakfast.
  Living near the subway has many advantages.



 Pumpkin seed sweet bread

Vegetable Glico Pretz - the ultimate fried crispy sticks. Made in Japan.

 

                              Blueberry friand - absolutely delicious, as nice as it looks

                                             Ice-lemon tea, not made from instant powder.



How cute can a bread be? A teddy bear bread that's too good to be eaten.