Japan in Pictures: Day 2 (Tuesday, 28 January 2014)

We woke up to a smashing view of the city from the hotel room the next morning.

 

Our first sunrise in the land of the rising sun

 

I would never leave the hotel without my essential quartet. These items have served me very well throughout the entire journey. (No wonder the straps on the knapsack gave way the moment I reached home.) 

Essential quartet: a knapsack, a bottle of water, a sweater, and a pair of winter boots

Our first stop was at the Osaka train station. We decided to stay in Osaka city for the day and to only go to Kyoto the next day. On the way to the station, we could see rows of bicycles parked at the roadside. It was a culture shock to us, indeed. We were not used to the idea of sharing the same path with cyclists. 

 

 

Bicycles are a more common sight in comparison to cars

One of the entrances to a subway station

Osaka Business Park: A very strategic station

An extremely helpful porter at the subway introduced us to this 2,550 yen pass which not only entitles us to a full day access to all the subway within its network, but also covers the entrance fee to Kaiyukan Aquarium.

A whole day pass on subway and free entrance to the aquarium

We stopped by a Japanese fast-food outlet, Sukiya, to have our brunch.

 

 

Our first (and coincidentally also our last) restaurant in Japan

 

 

The food in this outlet is the most affordable, ranging from 390 yen onwards. Service in any Japanese restaurant is always excellent. Furthermore, there is no need to purchase any drinks. As long as one is a patron, one will be served either green tea or plain water (freeflow, mind you). The beauty of it all? Whatever tax that is charged has already been included in the price that is displayed in the menu, so there is no need to exercise one's math skills again.

 

I always find visits to aquariums very attractive and thrilling. It is such a joy to see all kinds of fishes, big and small, swimming gracefully above one's head. The Kaiyukan Aquarium is indeed one of the best aquariums I have been to. If you are ever in Osaka, you should take a trip there.

 

The Kaiyukan Aquarium

 

The escalator that takes visitors to the 8th floor

Otters cuddling up to each other

This seal is not dead. It's just being lazy, I guess.



Been to Australia and New Zealand but this is my first encounter with penguins



This dolphin is so quick that it is difficult to catch a photo of it as it swims past

A school of fish going round in circles whole day long

An enormous 9-metre deep tank with large fishes like stingrays and whale sharks 

An aquarium staff taking time to pose while cleaning the tank

Mesmerizing iceberg-like deco on the ceiling

Jelly fish: A rare sight

There are many more pictures but it is imposible to upload ALL photos. Plus, photos may not be able to capture the moment and the thrill.

A fire-juggler performing outside the aquarium

The Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel which I wanted so much to ride but for the lack of company

 

The streets are as clean and as quiet as can be

 

Saw this stall that sells some kinda fried bread. Strange but tasty.



When you're in a foreign land, even the trees look attractive

We had a late lunch at the subway station. These tempura meals cost 750-800 yen and each bowl is sufficient for 2 people.

 

 

Tempura meal at the subway station



Shamefully, we got lost on our way back. Language is a a great barrier in this country. Even if we were able to ask for directions (and the listener can usually comprehend our questions), we were not able to follow their reply in Japanese. In the end, we decided to seek help from the local police.



Friendly police in Japan

After showing the police our hotel address (typed in Japanese), one of them took us right to the skybridge leading to the hotel. I am not saying that our Malaysian police is not as friendly or helpful but I wonder how many are actually willing to walk us to the hotel like their Japanese counterparts did.

Sure we could have covered more places on the this day but I guess it was just right, considering that my parents' legs were already exhausted.