A worthy 2000km trip (Muroran - Yamaguchi) - Part 3

Assalamualaikum w.b.t (Peace be upon you)

Now, for part 3.

30 December 2010 - Osaka

Yeah, Osaka baby!
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To tell you all the truth, I'm not that excited during whole day of this trip to Osaka. Some people might be thrilled when we're talking about Osaka, the heart of Kansai region, where you kind of entering some kind of new world, unlike typical modern Japanese cities like Tokyo, Tokyo and Tokyo. The journey in Osaka started at noon, a little bit late from schedule. Thanks to almost fully occupied coin lockers at Umeda Station (梅田駅). I think we lost almost half an hour there, roaming inside the station looking for the vacant coin locker. There are other vacant locker but we were looking for a big size locker which is enough for the three of us. We got lucky. I found a vacant locker when I was wondering around and quickly secure it. The first step was obtaining the one-day pass from the Information Center. When you get there, there are many choices of One-day pass (what the hell?). If you don't know which one suits you better, just asked the staff (English spoken). They'll gladly suggest you this and that. Just tell them where do you want to go and they'll choose one for you. A one-day pass comes with a map in a guidebook, one-day unlimited pass of buses and subways and more importantly, free access to 20 places of tourist spot. OK, actually not all the places are free. Some requires some payment with discounts of course. That's what I love about sightseeing in Osaka. They really know how to attract tourist.

So, we got the map along with the guidebook. It costs us 2000 yen each. Another hurdle coming up. This time, how to survive the subways and trains network. This is Osaka. Where subways and trains run side by side. Literally maybe. At first I led the team and went looking for the subway entrance. 20 minutes later, we found ourselves in the middle of nowhere. Down (- -;)

Our first destination was a skyscraper with an observation deck. Known as Umeda Sky Building- Floating Garden, it stands out proud in the heart of Osaka. From JR Osaka Station or Umeda Station (Hankyu line) walk for about 15 minutes to the skyscraper. It was raining lightly that day, lucky to have an umbrella along. Look for the sign around the LG floor and just follow the direction. We got the pass to the floating garden for free, since we were using the One-day pass (Surutto Kansai) or else, pay 700 yen for adult, 500 yen for junior high/high school, elementary school for 300 yen and 100 yen for babies. The observation deck opens from 10:00 a.m to 22:30 p.m with the last admission at 22:00 p.m. The times are subject to change, depending on the season.

Reached the top floor. The wind was quite strong. Packed my camera and put it inside my waterproof jacket and decided to walk around the observation deck, despite of the rain. It might be a chance in a lifetime. I might not getting any chances after this so I thought I'd regret if I miss the chance.

The 'Lumi-Deck'. Specially designed for couples. Romantic words will appear on the floor and is visible on night.

The sign showing you are at 173 meters above the ground

View of Osaka from the top

Headed to our next destination, the Shitennoji Temple (四天王寺). The moment we went out from the subway, we saw a temple. Assuming it was the temple we're looking at that time, we just entered it, just to found ourselves in a cemetery site.

And guess what, we found this deity (??) at the same site. Don't tell me what the hell is this. It's Japan.

At one of the temple nearby. I asked an old lady at the temple, what was written on that paper around the temple's main hall wall. She said, they are the names of companies which donated and sponsored the temple.

The smell of burned incense sticks were very strong at this time.

Took a scenic rout to reach the Shitennoji Temple (actually we were lost at that time, that's why we took a detour), and found this stacked tombstones (??)

This is the Shitennoji Temple.

Headed to Hard Rock Cafe- Osaka. Some people have their very own way of telling others 'Hey I've been there you know'. In my case, one of us went there to bought T-shirts of Hard Rock Cafe- Osaka, including those booked by his relatives in Malaysia. 

At the entrance of the Hard Rock Cafe, found this. Nice decor though.

Flight to heaven......nah, actually it's an escalator to another observation deck from a skyscraper. This time it's WTC Cosmo Tower. We chose to go at night for a different view on Osaka. The observation deck is higher than the Umeda Sky building. It stands on top of the building at 252 meters above the ground. The place is open from 13:00 p.m to 22:00 p.m on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays and open till 21:30 on weekdays. Entrance fees are 800 yen for adult, junior high school 400 yen and elementary school 200 yen. 

Night view of Osaka

Last destination of the night Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the largest public aquarium in the world. Urmmm, actually it had already closed at that time. Just a snap of the illumination outside.

Oh, oh before that, we had our dinner at the nearby Turkish Restaurant. It's called bab-al Hayat restaurant. What's good with the restaurant is, they offer the 'Eat-all-you-can' style but, within 70 minutes only, with only 1700 yen per person. There you go. Eat anything you want without limits, after a hectic and busy day, that was heaven. Ask people around if you don't know how to get there.

Now, the stomach is full, it's time for a good sleep. We headed back to our hotel. In Osaka and most of big cities in Japan, they have this thing called the Capsule Hotel. The hotel is a business hotel, aimed for typical Japanese salary-man or budget travelers. You will be sleeping inside a unit in a long rectangular case. To make you easy to imagine it, the unit looks almost the same as the 'refrigerator' in the mortgage. Inside each unit there are TV, mirror, digital alarm with radio,  a futon (blanket) and a pillow. For each customers privacy, every unit comes with a plastic blind (pull down to close). Upon check-in, each customer will be provided with a pajama. You have an option to choose a stay with sauna or not. The price for a night (check-out time is 10:00 a.m) is 2300 yen pax.

For more information check here (Japanese only). Reservation through telephone only. Check this out too.

That's it for Osaka. A city which is so hard for me to handle.

I'll be expecting you on Part 4.