Adventure denied.

Nothing too much to write about last week's adventures. As with the week before, I went into Osaka thinking that I'd found something fun to do, only to be denied by some seemingly random closing. This week's destination was to be the Umeda Sky-Building, located in one of Osaka's two main "downtown" districts (Umeda, the other being Namba.) I arrived in the lobby of the sky-deck, greeted by a sign saying that the top floors would be closed for two days because of [kanji, kanji, knaji, kanji, kanji] (it sucks being illiterate sometimes.) Not being one who would have his fun spoiled by "fun-spoiling 'building closed' signs" I changed plans and wandered over to the Yodo river (Osaka's largest river) and walked along the banks for a while before heading home.

The Umeda Sky-Building.

The interior structure of the Umeda Sky-Building.

A "reverse waterfall" at the base of the Umeda Sky-Building.

Wednesday, desiring a bit of culture, I walked over to the Hyogo Prefectural Art Museum in HAT Kobe. HAT Kobe is a section of reclaimed land in Kobe harbor that was a warehouse district before the 1995 earthquake when fire obliterated the area. Seeking a positive use for the scorched land, the prefectural art museum, red cross hospital, and regional disaster-preparedness-center were moved there and many new high-rise apartments and park areas were constructed. The museum is a large structure mostly made of concrete in the front (giving it a very utilitarian feel) but largely glass in the rear (the side facing the harbor.) I only paid for general admission as I wasn't feeling the "Dutch still-life" special exhibit. As was to be expected the general collection was mostly works done by Japanese artists (though Geoege Segal's "Rush Hour" was on display.) There was also an interesting gallery with works of Japanese artists trying to emulate European styles at the turn of the century (with varying degrees of success.) Comparing the two Kansai area museums I've been to so far: the Hyogo Prefectural way outclasses the Tennoji Museum.

...and that was last week's adventure. It's now Monday morning and I'm pondering what I should do tomorrow. Hmmm. Well, until next time:

Jaa Mata Ne.

Lions and Tigers and Bears... and an Update, Oh My!

Okay, another two week break. Not only do old habits die hard, they seem to come back easily too. Anyway, more on that later. Lots of text and pictures in this post...

Let's rewind to two weeks ago Monday (the 5th). I was feeling recovered enough from my illness to join my roommates for Brazilian food at a place called "Braziliano". It was quite a nice restaurant, tucked back in a corner of the maze-like Mosaic mall (in Harborland, my most favored of places.) I've never had Brazilian before and was surprised to find that (at least at this restaurant) it involves all-you-can-eat meat brought to your table on big skewers and hacked onto your plate by waiters with big knives. The best part is that the "lunch special" (all you can eat meat, rice, salad, and... french fries?) is only 1000yen (about $10.00!) Definitely worth another visit.

Tuesday (the 6th) my pent-up wanderlust mixed with my cabin fever and got me out of the house and adventuring for the first time in weeks. More or less at random I decided I wanted to see Osaka Tower (called Tsutenkaku ["Tower Reaching Heaven"] by the locals.) While I was in Tennoji (the part of Osaka where Tsutenkaku is located) I also visited the Tennoji Zoo and the Tennoji Art Museum.

The tower was nice, though by today's standards (it was built in 1912, torn down for iron in 1943, and rebuilt in 1956) it's kind of short. It still affords a nice view of (part of) Osaka. The observation deck is home to a local "god" called "Billiken". An idol created by an American artist in 1908, he's known as the "god of the way things should be."

The zoo was a lot bigger than I though it would be. I suppose it was pretty nice for an "inner-city zoo." I think the Detroit zoo is nicer, but I'm probably biased. Long story short, anyways, is it wasn't as depressing as inner-city zoos tend to be. The animals had large enclosures (for the most part.) Perhaps the best part is that park entrance is only 300yen! And I'll tack on to the end of the paragraph that the museum was a waste of an additional 300yen with only a scattering of pieces displayed in the two small wings of the building (maybe it's better when an exhibit is in town...)

Tsutenkaku (Osaka Tower) seen from a local shopping arcade.

The original Billiken on the observation deck of Tsutenakku.

The Tennoji Zoo (foreground) and Museum (the museum-looking building in the middle.)

A furry whatsit... a type of mongoose? I forget.

Lions eyeing other visitors like pies cooling on a window-sil.

Though technically a "lesser panda,"
I think "red panda" is a much cuter (and therefore more suitable) name.

Penguins "chilling out."

What's this? That oh-so rare "North American Squirrel"!?
Gosh I wish they'd come out of their nests, I don't think I've SEEN one of THOSE before!
(Now if someone would get the pliers so I can dig my tongue out of my cheek)

On my way home from Tennoji I decided to stop and check out the huge new mall that opened up in Nishinomia (half way between Osaka and Kobe.) It's called "Nishinomia Gardens" and was build from the old shell of a baseball stadium (HINT, HINT, there Detroit!) If I had to give it a descriptor I'd say it's more or less a fashion mall. It's about the size of a normal American mall but is, of course, large by Japanese standards. the shinning feature of this mall, besides 5 floors of shopping and dining, a movie theater, and the fact that Keanu Reeves visited last month is that it has a Cold Stone Creamery. Mmmm, tiny $5.00 cup of ice cream, you're so tasty....

After relaxing on Wednesday (the 7th) I started back to work last Thursday (the 8th.) My first week back was a short one, as last Monday (the 12th) was yet another public holiday. Yes, "Coming of Age Day", the day after which everyone who will turn 20 (in 2009,) this year gains the rights of a 20 year old (i.e. can legally drink.) But before you get too up in arms over my having "yet another 3 day weekend", know this was my last one until next summer. I still get a smattering of days off here and there, but no more 3 day weekends for a while.

One interesting thing that did happen my first week back was this: I was sitting in Subway eating my sub last Saturday when "The theme from 8 mile" by Eminem started playing over the music system (complete with "f-bombs", but that's another story.) The odd thing was that I felt a strong pang of homesickness. (The story in movie 8 mile is based in Detroit and major filming took place in the city.) Interesting how the brain works: song -> movie -> city : city = home : miss home.

Last Tuesday (the 13th) I decided I'd like to see the Osaka Maritime Museum. I took the train all the way into Osaka. Changed to the subway, switched subways and rode the line to it's terminus (actually only about 45 minutes of travel.) After exiting the subway I walked for 10 minutes into the cold Osaka Bay winter wind... to find the Museum closed. Looking for some way to redeem the trip to the area I spotted the Osaka World Trade Center (yeah.. awkward.) With mixed feelings I headed up to the observation deck and was delighted with an amazing view of most of the Kansai region. Although there was a loose collection of low clouds is was an incredibly clear day and I too some great pictures (5 more on my Flickr page.)

. . .

The Osaka World Trade Center.

The interior of the observation deck (it was Really nice.)

Looking towards downtown Osaka.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off anyone?

1. Is Osaka Castle 2. Is Tsutenkaku

The [expletive deleted] Osaka Maritime Museum.

The Osaka Aquarium.

Ikea!

The mountain across the horizon is Mount Rokko.

The weather was so clear I could see the Banshu-Ako bridge (some 10miles away.)

Osaka's industrial section.

I was on the way home from Osaka again I was struck by a need to go shopping again. Unfortunately it didn't end with expensive ice cream this weeks, but rather an iPhone. It just happens that my cell company is the one that offers the iPhone in Japan and I had a rather large chunk of change saved up from not traveling over Christmas and New Years. Long story short: defiantly worth every yen.

Okay, now you're caught up with my adventures. As I opened with: I am aware that I'm not updating regularly anymore (tough, if you look close, the top bar DID change from "updated every Friday" to "updated when I get around to it" a while ago.) The thing is, honestly, I'm running out of things to do, or at least, thing to do that I can photograph. There are still plenty of museums, sports events, concerts, and other things to do or see but photography is usually either difficult or forbidden. Here's my solution: I'll be cutting back on the full-on adventuring (maybe every other weekend) but adding "filler" posts (on various interesting, living-in-Japan related topics) on in-between weeks. I know many of you enjoy my photographs (yes, fluffing my own ego) and I'll do my best to keep posting as many as possible.

Okay, that's it for now. Until next time:

Jaa Mata Ne.

[Edit: Yikes! This post took two hours to write (including editing the photos down to "internet" size.)]

Regarding December

Let me open with a "Happy New Year!" and a belated "Happy Holidays" to everyone.

I've only just realized that a full month has passed since I've put up any content. Yikes! Well, although I didn't do a lot of adventuring in December, I did manage to see the Osaka Aquarium (sorry, no pictures, as special equipment is needed to photograph fish with any quality.) I waited in the freezing cold for an hour to see two blocks of Italian lights for the "Kobe Luminarie festival". Luminarie is held each year to remeber the 1995 Hanshin-Awaji earthquake. I also found the only authentic oriental garden in Kobe. "Sorakuen" was an estate given to the city upon the owner's death and turned into a beautiful garden. Aside from that I went to to some "end of year"/Christmas parties, kept my nose to the grindstone, and worked towards the sweet-sweet vacation at the end of the month.

The World's Largest Ferris Wheel.
(Located next to the Osaka Aquarium.)

The canyon-like inside of the Namba Parks mall.

Luminarie as see durning the day.

I didn't have my camera the night I went,
and I wasn't standing in line another hour.

Foreground, '95 earthquake memorial.
Background, Sannomiya.

A simple gate with small trees in Sorakuen.

One of the oldest "western" buildings in Kobe, the origonal stables for the estate.

The garden has a beautiful pond.
(winter's here and the trees are looking a little barren.)

Awe, admit it, you've missed my pictures of Port Tower.

If you look closely it looks like Santa.

Now, on to that much anticipated vacation. As a special treat my Mother came to visit for the first part of the break. I had all sorts of plans cooked up to go dashing all over the country. But "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry" and I was struck down with the flu (on Christmas day, no less.) So instead we had adventures in Japanese healthcare. It's a long (and still a little fuzzy) story but I more or less recovered from the worst of it by New Years.

Now, my Mother has gone back to the States and I have about another week of vacation with which to finish recovering. I don't foresee and big adentures, as I'm focusing on getting back up to 100% before going back to work. But if something comes up I'll be sure to post about it. Until next time:

Jaa Mata Ne.