Friday, April 9, 2010

Japan Day 3

{Re-posting this to be in line with the rest of the Japan posts} Super duper overdue post. Although Blamer was supposed to be the one blogging this, she left me all alone in Singapore, so guess it's up to me.

For future travellers intending to leave your footprints in Osaka, make sure you obtain the 2 days Osaka Unlimited pass. Very handy with two days unlimited subway rides as well as lots of discount coupons and free entry to certain tourist spots.

Our first destination of the day, Osakako station to visit a famous landmark of Osaka.

But before that, we need to grab our breakfast. Think we were a tad too early, only this shop was open for biz at around 9am.

It's a take out counter which offers customers free manga for reading while waiting for their food.

I'm a Naruto fan, although I prefer watching the anime version to the manga.

As always, you can't really go wrong with the food that Japan offers, even though it's just a bento, I think the quality and variety of the food beats those in Singapore anytime. If I remember correctly, these 2 sets cost less than 1000 Yen.

To top it all up, coffee in rainbow packaging to please Blamer so that she will allow me to take my daily cuppa. (She put me on a caffeine ban) Although it true there's lots of vending machine all over Japan, drinks cost mostly 120 Yen whereas if bought from the supermarket, it could only cost you 60-70 Yen for the same drink. So for take note for the budget conscious.

As of most tourist spots, there's always an observatory facility somewhere. After our London Eye experience, we decided to give this a miss.

We were still too early for the main attraction which opens after 10am. So time to enjoy some free rides from our Osaka pass.

Initially I thought the boat ride would be on this.

But then again, it should be safe and friendly since we are not professional sailors, more like the vessel behind me.

Yup, Santa Maria will be taking us around the Port of Osaka!

Some scenic shots on board the ship. Great pic taken by a fellow tourist which captured the ferris wheel.

Ha ha some arty farty photos. Can you see my reflection in the shades.

A familiar brand in the background.

The captain who got us safe and sound back on dry land.

How come we didn't get to see him on board the ship?

After all the fooling around, we can finally proceed to the main event, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the world largest aquarium of the world that houses a rare whale shark from the Pacific Ocean.

And whenever you visit places with animals, noting down the feeding times is a must.

Before entering the exhibition area, we took a pic with the "main cast", the whale shark.

Our ticket to collect the whale shark photo which will be made into a memento.

Japan rain forest where we visited come Asian small-clawed otter.

This is the sea otter, really cute and relax to see it lying on its back.

Gulf of Panama where we saw a couple of lovey-dovey tortoises. Muacks!

Now these are some pretty enormous fishes. I think we have it in our underwater world as well.

Evil looking crocodile who did not move a single muscle while we were staring at it.

Blamer totally adores this penguin who seems to know that he got the hot spot for photo-taking.

The rest of his buddies who were more camera shy.

Didn't get to see much here. Just a lot of small colourful tropical fishes swimming around.

We've come to the main highlight, my fave exhibit : the ultra humongous whale shark.

He looks like the king surrounded by his subjects right?

A few more pics of his "Majesty" (but I think my excessive photo taking was getting on Blamer's nerves)

Finally, other than the earlier penguin, Blamer found another sea dweller that she likes. I called it the high-five fish.

And this is one gigantic fish with a face larger that Blamer's.

Some exotic spider crabs, I wonder can they be eaten?

An other beautiful creature of the sea. You can get so mesmerized just watching them floating around.

After the ever popular movie "Finding Nemo", it seems that these clown fishes are a must at all aquariums.

Some pics of the structure of the aquarium. Can you visualize where is the whale shark?

Took a break at this fast food joint. I think their burger tasted a bit like mos burger, but they have tons of sauces to choose from.

Last destination of the day before the sun sets. Osaka Maritime Museum.

The dome won a special structural award in 2002.

In order to enter the dome, which was constructed to look as if it is floating on the sea. We would need to go thru an underground passageway.

Interesting to use the coin as a ticket to enter the gates.

This is an ancient instrument that uses the position of the north star to determine the ship's position.

The main attraction of the museum is this replica of an Edo Period trading ship named Naniwa Maru.

And we need to gear up before entering the ship.

Can't resist taking a photo with our very amusing guide.

It's back to Dontobori street for supper. Finally managed to find the Glico Man.

Supper at this Ramen shop which I heard from one of my colleagues they serve it with free flow of kimchi.

Making our orders via the vending machines.

True enough, free flow of kimchi and pickled spring onions.

And our piping hot cha siew ramen! Thick soup and the noodles have got the right texture which is springy to the bite. According to the locals, the right way to eat this would be to mix the kimchi right in.

To top things up, we might some really friendly ppl who lent us the crab head bands so that we can take pic with the Dontobori crab. A restaurant which Blamer and I will surely visit before we leave for Tokyo.

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