Paris has its river as does Osaka. A welcomed green space in this sprawling urban space with mostly new construction since 1945.
Osaka Castle is a bit of history in this rather newly built city with skyscrapers. Its proportions are pleasing to me. The setting is in a wonderful green space.
Public transportation is orderly. Since COVID benches have been replaced by chairs with safe personal space. Platforms and trains marked for women only. Platforms marked to allow passengers to rapidly depart train. Footprints marked for safe personal spacing before boarding train. But of course, always on time.
OVERVIEW
WALK: 5m walk from Natsuko’s house in Nara City to Shin-Omiya Train Station
TRAIN: 30m from Shin-Omiya Train Station with two transfers to Osaka Station
WALK: Osaka
TRAIN: 30m from Shin-Omiys Station to Shin-Omiya Train Station
WALK: 5m to Natsuko’s house in Nara City
SLEEP: Natsuko’s house in Nara City
Hinako wailed when she first met me. Albeit she was sick. For days she still cried when she saw me. Yesterday she took my handkerchief and was dusting the floor with it. Good curiosity. This morning she said my name. Having finished her breakfast yogurt she wanted more. Hinako graciously accepted my yogurt. We are making good progress as friends ❤️.
Street scenes…
Nanzen-ji Temple‘s brick aqueduct constructed between 1868-1912 still carries water today.
When was the last time you got paid to play in the sand? After a year of training, this gardener is spending his first day making his own creation. The tension was palpable when his master approached.
Ginkaku-ji Temple (Silver Temple) is perhaps the Japanese’s favorite temple because of its simple elegance. The temple is in perfect balance and harmony with its serine gardens. Silver Temple has mastered the art of less is best.
The seemingly endless path of vibrant orange torii gates takes the average person 2 hours (774’ above sea level) to climb. It’s an iconic image of Kyoto.
Fushimi Inairi Shrine is dedicated to Inairi the god of rice. Foxes are thought to be messengers of Inairi. The pairing of Agyō (open mouth gate statue) and Ungyō (closed mouth gate statue) governs the beginning and ending of all things.
