We have arrived. View from hotel.

Opposite hotel.

Mr and Mrs Kato and Mr Kosaku Kishi.

Cherry blossoms at the Mint Museum park along Okawa River. Quite a large crowd and quite a large number of traffic wardens, eg, on right. He is not specifically telling Mr Kishi and Shirley where to go.

There are several hundred varieties of Cherry Blossoms. The trees can be up to three centuries old but the blossoms themselves only last a few weeks.

My guess is that this is about Cherry Blossoms.

A couple of tourists and Mr Kishi.

One entrance to Osaka Castle. Part of the moat system still exists (where Mr and Mrs Kato are looking).

The main castle. Over the centuries these wooden building are rebuilt. This apparently has now been reconstructed in concrete.

Another angle. Not clear that the photos show the height. Just count the stories.

The Shinto Hōkoku Shrine at the castle.

Very nice garden at the site (Osaka Castle Park). This is a shrine or memorial to an early Buddhist monk. The pine tree that was important here is now just a stump.

The kabuki theatre in Osaka.

Now don’t you jus’ wanna sing and dance!

Window shopping

We did see some better in Nara but didn’t buy these either. This one was only $215. I just wanted a souvenir.

Tsuyunoten Shrine (Ohatsu Tenjin Shrine)

Well we have the big banana!