I had been on this same tour years ago - we talked through Temma and its shopping areas, with most of what was told I had already heard.
We went into a little food shop and I had to buy what looked like a japanese parmigiana. It turned out to be a crumbed meat patty topped with tomato paste and cheese; almost tasted like home!
The tour usually involves visiting the Osaka Housing and Living Museum; something I remember doing quite well last time. To my pleasure it was actually closed on the day of the tour - awesome because it meant I didnt need to spend the 600 yen doing something I had already done and didn't enjoy that much the first time around!
As an alternative, we walked around a few local streets in Osaka and Mr Yano described some of the housing.
The tour concluded at an okonomiyaki restaurant. This one was very cool because you actually got to make your own. The table of five was presented with three steel jugs; we were told to mix thoroughly and pour onto the hot plate. Each one was then topped with a rasher of bacon.
After letting them sit for a little, we were given utensils to flip them, much in the same way you would an omelette. After letting sit for a little while and a few more flips, the lady from the restuarant came over and topped them with "okonomiyaki sauce" and mayo - curiously tasting exactly the same as the "takoyaki sauce". Some type of fish flakes were then added and let to sit, and the result was amazing.
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Friday I had planned to meet up with Ellie to go get Kobe Beef in Kobe - something I had done last time and was very keen to go back. Fitzey wasnt interested in spending the 3,150 yen given he'd also already had it, so I was very glad to find someone to go with!
Once again going to Steak Land, the result was worthwhile. The meat just melts in your mouth and you cannot help but savour every single bite. It is truly incredible meat.
The two of us then wandered around Kobe some more; something I didnt do much of last visit. Its actually a very nice city, essentially divided up between the mountain side and the harbour side. To the north is a beautiful array of mountains and to the south a large shipping port and shopping area - very cool.
We went up a government building to the 24th floor to check out the view, a great free activity.
We walked around some more, checked out a few shops, and finished up by checking out the "japanese iron man" statue - Tetsujin.
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We had to check out of J-Hoppers today as all availability was booked out. Like last time, it was a fantastic stay at the hostel, in many part thanks to the awesome staff working there, and the resulting great crowd of people that it attracts!
I visited Hiroshima, making the use of the seven day rail pass we activated yesterday. On my last visit I didnt make it into Hiroshima itself so was interested to see the Peace Park Memorial and A-Bomb Dome.
Unfortunately every three years the A-Bomb Dome undergoes a surveyance and is covered in scaffolding, to ensure that it is kept in a perpetual state of repair. I guess that is fair enough given that sixty years earlier an atomic bomb was dropped six hundred metres above the building and all that stands today is an unrestored damaged building - very interesting stuff.
The Peace Park Museum was a rather harrowing experience. Walking through in near total silence you were able to see old articles of clothing and other objects recovered from the blast. There was a wealth of information including the impact of the bomb on people and buildings and how many people died as a result - 200,000.
We caught the train back to Osaka after grabbing a quick bite to eat, and have now checked into a Capsule Hotel in a different district - Shinsaibashi.
Tonight has been a night of recovery and relaxation. The last few days have been pretty hectic so it has been a good chance to catch up on blogging and do the washing!
Tomorrow we are off to check out the Osaka Auto Messe car show - I can't wait!
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