Day 7: Naniwa Yodaogawa Fireworks Festival

The highlight of day 7 of our summer vacation has gotta be an hour of firework display at Yodagawa River. We were thrilled to be able to experience the Naniwa Yodagawa Fireworks Festival! :D We brought along our Hello Kitty pinic mats, food & drinks from Hanshin & Xueyi's L'occitane Mosquito wipes. ^.*

Many Japanese ladies were dressed in Yukata...Pretty! :)

We didn't have a clear idea where the river was. We just followed the crowd. :)

By the time we got to the river, the river bank was pretty filled up.

So we just sat at whatever space we could find & wait for the fireworks. ^.^ It turned out to be a choice spot??? Hahhahhaha :)))

We waited till the sun went down...hm....

and had dinner while waiting. :)

And at 8pm...we were awed!

Were we thrilled & happy? You bet! Our eyes were dazzled by the stunning lights! :D

Beanie was concerned that there might be a human jam after the one hour firework show. Hence we packed & left after half an hour. As we were heading back to the train station, I turned back for one last shot. Here's what I captured. Stunning... :O

Details of Naniwa Yodagawa Fireworks Festival:
W: http://www.yodohanabi.com/

Day 7: Ze-roku Homemade Ice Cream

I love ice cream! :D I can have it at any time in the day & any season, including winter! ^.^ Lin & Xueyi brought us to Ze-roku for delicious creamy ice cream served inside crisp mochi rice wafers. Each cost only JPY 100. This little shop was established in 1913??? : O

Doesn't it resemble a spacecraft? ;) The ice cream is refreshingly lemony. ^.^ PERFECT for SUMMER!

Details of Ze-roku Homemade Ice Cream:
1-3-22 Hommachi Chuo-Ku
Osaka City
T: +81 6 6261 2606

Day 7: Lunch at Mimiu

Time to recharge our battery, so off to Mimiu for lunch! :) I like the name Mimiu as it sounded like Miumiu. Lol! :)))) Anyway, Mimiu is one of Osaka's most famous traditional restaurants, specializing in udon sukiyaki and other noodle dishes, tempura & seasonal fish & veg.

Of course we were happy, especially Beanie who got a lady's set. :D

Details of Mimiu:
Hiranomachi 4-6-18
T: 06-6231-5770
11.30am - 8.30pm
Close on Sundays

Day 7: Hot Hot Hot In Osaka

It was a hot hot day in Osaka... : `( But we gotta go out & sightsee... 1st stop of the day? Osaka Castle Museum. Osaka Castle was built by a Shogun, Hideyoshi Toyotomi in 1583.

We got this two day pulic transport ticket that covered all Osaka city subway lines, New Tram lines & bus lines. It was valued for money as it came with a whole lot of coupons giving us free entry or discounted entry charges to many places of interest. ^.*

We used a coupon to take the Nishio Train into Osaka Castle Museum. In such weather, minimized walking is 100% appreciated! Lol! :)))

We headed straight to the 8F of Osaka Castle Museum. It's the Observatory deck. From there we caught a bird's eye view of the city. :)

We proceeded down to view other exhibits, giving us more insight into the life of Hideyoshi Toyotomi . :)

Following is a model of one of the many battles of that era...




























We realized we could get a clear view of Osaka Castle Museum from Osaksa Castle Nishinomaru Garden, away from the maddening crowd. ;)

The crickets welcomed us with their chatters! Lol! :)))

Here's the Osaka Castle view I've just mentioned. ^.^ No tourist with umbrella etc etc...

After a few snapping here & there, we took five at Tea ceremony house Hoshoan...Xueyi's shoulder's so soft & comfy...*.*

Details of Osaka Castle Museum:
W: http://www.osakacastle.net/castle_en/mainmenu.htm

Day 6: Takeout Supper for Xueyi

We came across Issen Yoshoku while walking to the train station. Issen Yoshoku (shop & dish share the same name) serves a variation of a local popular dish, okonomiyaki called Issen Yoshoku. It was supposedly the "original Western food" in Japan and cost only JPY630 for one. ;) Xueyi wanted to try! :D She has lost so much weight, so we were happy she had a good appetite for the trip. ;)

Yummmmmm...

Xueyi was more than happy to share her supper & the guilt. ^.*

Details of Issen Yoshoku:
Gion Shijyo-dori Nawate Agaru
Higashiyama-ku
Kyoto
T: 075 533 0001
W: http://www.issen-yosyoku.co.jp/

Day 6: In Search of Geisha

We walked to Gion, hoping to catch a glimpse of Geisha. :) We only saw one or two from a distance. It wasn't close enough for me to capture any shot... : (

So we ended up having dessert. :) This shop deserves some mention for its good cream puffs & bad service...Haiz...The waitress was reluctant in serving us...I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt that it was due to language barrier...

The shop is actually quite pretty. :)

and the ice cream & cream puffs were good. The service needs to be improved though...

I was rather battered by the heat at the end of the day, while Lin was still very perky! :) Her Dubai training served her well! Lol! :)))

Day 6: Dinner at Matsuno

Lin brought us to Matsuno, a family run restaurant for charcoal-grilled unagi served over rice. :) It's also within walking distance from Yasaka Shrine.

It's awesome to be seated down & have a cup of green tea :)))

We orded the JPY 1,785 bowl and found the portion a little small... : O

Xueyi ordered the set. I can't recall how much it cost. :) But here are the side dishes that accompanied the unagi bowl. :)

Details of Matsuno:

Minamiza-higashi 4-ken-me, Shijo-dori

Higashiyama-ku

Kyoto
Japan 605-0016
T: 81 75 561 2786
11.30am - 8.30pm