Shriney Osaka - Japan

While in Osaka we took a short train to a nearby town and attended a festival at a shrine where we saw traditional dancing, clothing, and ceremonies. We were very impressed with the traditional dress present. All the young folk dressed up in lovely kimonos, and chowed down on stall food. It was clearly a very special event, the significance of which we've completely forgotten... ahhh tourism.

Yummy Osaka - Japan

Two days late we went off to Osaka. Osaka has great areas, great food and great art. Despite having to do heaps of visa related stuff – we managed to see and do a lot.

Went to Dotombori (a lot) to eat yum food and drink really good beer.

We found a tiny sushi restaurant that can only seat six people (crammed in), and ate with two others in the restaurant, who spoke little English. But, they showed us true Japanese style by buying us different types of sushi and shashimi and lots of Asahi. The two men started off the night by asking Tim for a arm wrestle. We then found out that the man was a wrestling champion. And had even wrestled in NZ. Anyway, it was an awesome night.

The food in Osaka is actually a main highlight of Japan. It was just so amazing. The sushi was phenomenal (we found out that you aren't supposed to eat ginger with sushi, but in between as a palate cleanser – I'm still guttered). We ate octopus balls (balls of octopus, deep fried) which are yummer than they sound. We ate Japanese pancake/pizza things. Great soups – ohhhh the list can go on. But, we didn't find any teriyaki, which I was upset about – I even asked around for it – I think it might only exist in western Japanese restaurants.