#osaka festive parade shopping massage

[foggyinjapan-blog]

5th Nov. Osaka

I heard a quote yesterday on the movie I was watching,

"People can try and sit you in the right direction,

but they can't show you the way,

you have to try and find that by yourself."

Very powerful. I feel like this can relate to myself because I am trying to find my way in life. This whole journey that I have chosen to do by myself is about getting to know the real me and learning about myself. I've learnt a lot so far.

I'm going into Osaka today for a change of scenery. I jump on my bike and ride to Kyoto station. It takes 45 fucking minutes... The ride home is going to be exhausting. The train ride to Osaka is only 30 minutes. Easy as! I wish I knew that before I took the hour and a half bus ride at the start of my Kyoto adventures.

Osaka castle is going to be my first stop. The train seems easy enough, there's a loop that goes around the whole city. I get 2 stops away from where I want to be and the train all of a sudden is out of service haha classic! I decide to walk. I end up finding a short cut and the back of the castle. Stop for a Starbucks coffee and continue on. I hear music and cheering in the distance so I obviously have to follow the sound. Sounds like everyone is having a merry old time! It looks like I’ve found my way to festival of some sort. There's people playing music from these traditional looking carts, people dancing on top and around them and then there's a bunch of people pulling the carts! It's so cool! One by one they take off down the road singing and dancing, like a parade! I watch until all the carts are gone and get some footage on my go pro! I think my favourite cart was the purple guys because they did not take a break whole they were at a stand still. They were troopers until the very end. Everyone is so happy.

The festival was called Shitennoji Wasso and is a modern reenactment of early cultural exchange and trade between Japan and it’s Asian neighbours.

The surrounding moat and gardens of Osaka castle were beautiful! There were golden boats cruising around and the colour of the autumn leaves were magnificent. The castle itself was so busy. I decided to go in because I didn't come all the way here to not go to the top! You could either wait in a huge line for the elevator or walk up 8 flights of stairs. I walked, bit steamy but hey I'm getting better! I had a look at the view all the way around the main tower which was beautiful. It was kind of like a viewing deck. I took some pictures and left. Didn't feel the need to look in the museum because the people are so overwhelming. I had my pamphlet to read too.

For lunch I end up in a Hawaiian inspired food court. Absolutely no idea how haha! A choice of burgers or Japanese/Hawaiian dishes, I went with the second one. And a big old Kirin Beer! 500 yen and it's a pint, I love it! After lunch I take the next train to central Osaka. I am absolutely killing this subway business! I do miss my bike though... my feet are getting sore. I'm also discovering that I can't read signs as clear as I used to... o-oh!!! I think I need fucking glasses! I always thought I was invincible being the only one in my family not needing them to read haha. Shit.

I come out at Namba station and start walking in the way I think Dotonbori is. Dotonbori is a series of shops and is popular for it’s nightlife and entertainment. My direction is off again and I come across these markets called Kuromon Ichiba Market. There is fresh fish, fruit, veggies everywhere. There were clams, sea urchins, octopus on a stick, sashimi sushi, tempura and so many other things that I didn't know what they were. I bought myself an octopus on a stick to try. The legs were delicious, octopus is one of my favourite foods! The head tasted like cooked egg yolk??? Either this man took the time to separate an egg yolk and somehow funnel it in, or, the head of this octopus is exactly like an egg yolk! Haha I have no idea but the second option sounds more plausible. I wonder through some more and grab some pineapple on a stick. It's so sweet and delicious. Right, time to go to Dotonbori now.

After finding a 7/11 and stealing their Wi-Fi I realise that I've made a wrong turn hahaha. I wish I had my bike! I make it to Dotonbori Street and have a look at some of the shops. There's lots of food shops here and I've just eaten so I feel no need to get more food. A beer would be nice. It's so hard to find a bar in Japan though! Well for Me, if you know, tell me your secrets!!! I see a sign saying 60 minute massage 2,800 yen ($30). Fuck yeah this is my calling!! I head in and she can fit me in right away. I change into my XXL clothing that is provided (hahaha) and then the massage commences. Wow I really need this! What a treat, I have been feeling so tense lately and she is really good and finding those knots. In Japanese massages the masseuse does not touch your skin. You wear the clothes that they provide and then they put many sheets over you. A bit of a difference to massages in Thailand where they 'accidentally' knock you down there hahaha. The massage was perfect and I continue looking through the shops. I really wanted to go to the universal studios today but I think I have left it too late and it's also a weekend. Maybe during the week!

I head home at around 4. By the time I get to Kyoto it will be dark and I have the brilliant idea to visit Ni-jo Castle while it's lit up at night. It's going to be so beautiful! I arrive at the station and grab my bike, only 200 yen to park for the day great! I ride about 20 minutes to Ni-jo Castle and well let me tell you this! Apparently everyone comes here on Sunday the 5th of November because the line was literally out the door, around the corner and basically wrapped around the whole castle! Ok there is no way I'm waiting in this line haha! Home it is, I've got some left over spaghetti and some resting to do.

Oh funny funny - as I was riding home there were some birds in a tree making the same sound as the street crossing noise BAHAHA! Golden!