At 7am, we checked the temperature outside, and it was only 3 degrees Celsius. Oh yeah, much better than yesterday when it was 1 degree, or 34 F. So we bundled up once again, and headed off to the information center across from the ship. We had intended on purchasing the day pass once again for the Subway, but were told that they were sold out. Didn't see that coming. The young info gal apologized profusely, but did offer info on how to buy one at the station. How hard can that be? You put money in the machine, and a card comes out.
Knowing that she might know where to find a Hard Rock Café, we asked her for directions. Earlier this morning, we had researched the HRC website and found there was a restaurant in Osaka. Yes, she did know where it was, and circled the stop we needed to go off at the Subway. As for the building it was located in, she pointed to the correct side of the street we should find it. Online, we noted that the café was in the Ito Building. As long as we got close enough, surely someone could give us directions.
But first, we needed to buy those day passes at the Osakako Station at C11, the same place we started yesterday. Finding the wall of self-service machines up on the platform level, we stood in line behind another couple from the ship. Watching what they did, we got the general idea. Lucky for all of us, there was a button to push for English. Eventually, we figured it out, putting in the Yen, then following instructions to get the card. Today the price was 800 Yen, because Monday through Friday, it costs 200 more than on the weekend. That is still a good deal, because 800 Yen is about $7.14 USD. For that one price each, we could navigate the city all day. And we did.
Last night, we had heard about the district with a street full of shops and food markets that resembled the older markets like in Hong Kong. Part Stanley Market, or the Ladies Market, mixed with food and restaurants. We had directions for Tenjinbashisuji and the Tenma area. We got there by taking the Subway to C17, then transferring to the brown line at K15. Going north, we got off at K11 and the place called Tenjinbashisuji. About a half block up the road out of the station, we found the covered street that went on for miles it seemed. This was the special marketplace that we had heard about. Not exactly cheap, this lane was lined with shops that had just about anything you could imagine. Practical stores were pharmacies, 7-11, housewares, toys, and a gazillion clothing places. Services such as barbers and beauty shops abounded, mixed with a few massage shops.
Restaurants outnumbered everything else such as KFC, McDonald's, and everything Japanese of course. There were a few flower stalls, and every plant was quite expensive. The most beautiful of them were the orchids, which did not look real. We had expected to see more food markets, but most places sold fast food instead. We found only one produce stand, and only two tiny grocery stores.
A big business here involves gambling. It is called Pachinko, and closely resembles casinos with slot machines. They are numerous and filled with mostly men. The door entrances are usually flanked with bouquets of colorful flowers or balloons.
What we could not find were any shops selling Osaka souvenirs. Not one. Searching for a small token such as a keyring or shotglass proved unsuccessful.
As for clothing, there was a wide range of shops to choose from. One little store seemed out of place, but caught our eye. They had unusual items from Nepal, with a sweatshirt that looked strangely familiar. Checking inside the store, we found a collection of sweatshirts that were a close match to one I bought at a specialty store in a mall close to our house. Even though they were from the same place in Nepal, the price here was double of what we paid at home. And supposedly, they were half off. Funny that we have come halfway around the world, and found such exotic clothing from all places…..Nepal.
By the time we got towards the end of this massive street mall, we decided to turn back. Time was getting away from us, so it was lucky that we noticed an entrance to the Subway up a side lane. We had walked so far, we ended up at another stop. We went down like moles to find the K12 station at Ogimachi. All we needed to do was find the southbound train, and go back to the green line at C17. It was only a few stops away at K15.
We only had one leg to get off at Hommachi Station at C16. We knew that was where the Hard Rock Café was located. Once again, we asked the station guard where to find the café located in the Ito Building. He knew right away the direction to go. He motioned us to the stairway and the way to the building. Noticing that we were in the second level of the basement, we found a set of elevators that took us up to the street level. Right outside the doors, we found the HRC on the corner.
Hoping to find their menu the same, we thought we might not eat there. But first, we visited their shop and located their city t-shirt. It was priced comparable to everywhere else they sell these collectibles. The same went for lunch, although their choices were different. We were seated in a nice booth, and given the lunch menu. The chicken sandwich with French fries looked the best. It even came with the re-fillable soda included in the price. At 1000 Yen, it was a really good deal. Buying a Coke Zero would have been 480 Yen more. Both entrees came to less than $20 USD. The chicken was all white meat, dipped in a crispy batter, and deep fried. Needless to say, the sandwiches were excellent. Yes, different, but really good.
The manager came over to see how we were doing. He spoke perfect English, and told us he was from Nagasaki originally. He was very interested where we came from, so we told him we were on a world cruise. He wanted to know all about it, so we gave him the short version. He adding that he wished to do the same thing someday.
It was already close to 3pm, so we thought we better head back. We got back on the train at C16, and took it to C11 and the Osakako station. We still wanted to take some time and roam around the port area at the Marketplace and the Osaka Aquarium.
It was so warm inside the Marketplace Mall, that we did not last long. Walking each level of shops and restaurants, we looked into Legoland Discovery Center. It is a playland for kids from 3 to 10 years old. Of course, there is a store next to the playland. We found the entrance to ride the ferris wheel, which was very busy despite the fact that it was a Monday. Didn't feel the need to go on it this time, since we rode it 15 years ago.
Back at the ship, we worked on photos until 4:30pm. Knowing the sun would go down around 5:30pm, we stayed close to the port area by walking to nearby Tempozan Park. Built on several levels, the highest point here is 14.86 feet. The joke is that it is called the lowest mountain in all of Japan. On the water side, we found the fire boat, a coast guard vessel, and a ferry that took folks to the other side. There was no way it was 42 degrees today, as we needed to use our hoods while walking. It had to still be in the thirty's. And with the cloudy skies, it would surely get colder.
The decorative lights were just beginning to come on in the Marketplace. Got some great pictures of the Aquarium and the ferris wheel. We walked all the way to the end, past the Aquarium where we found where the sailing ship, the Santa Maria. It is a replica of the original boat Columbus sailed. You can do a 45 minute harbor tour on this boat for 1600 Yen.
Dinner for us was in the Pinnacle Grill restaurant this evening at 8pm. There were few folks in there, so we got excellent service. The food was cooked perfectly, and we were basically done by 9:30pm. We both ordered Caesar salads, one order of crab cakes, and one plate of tomatoes with balsamic vinegar. The entrées we chose tonight were the savory lamb chops, done medium. A small baked potato was served with sour cream, butter, and bacon bits with chives. Desserts were cherry Garcia ice cream with a side of biscotti cookies, special delivery.
It was nice to get back to our warmer room tonight, especially a bit earlier than normal. While working on this report, the ship left the dock by 11pm. We are now heading towards Kagoshima, a new stop for us and many others as well.
The good news is that we have one day at sea to rest up for another marathon day in Japan.
Bill & Mary Ann
A group of school kids on their way to the Aquarium
Here we go to the Subway
Ride from the pier C11 to Tenma District K11
Start of the covered street mall
Food shopping
McDonald's this way
A pharmacy
Knock-off purses
Assortment of fancy fish
Samples (in plastic) of restaurant entrees
Café sign
Exit at one end
Meal deals under $5.00 USD
Outside the covered mall
Older section of Osaka
One of many skyscrapers
This is a manhole
Samples of lunch items…..real
Side streets out of the mall
Finding our way through side streets
Interesting street lamps
Largest flower shop we saw
Dessert treats for Valentine's Day
Apartments
Less car traffic on these streets
A mess of wires overhead
Several choices in the machines
Cigarettes were expensive……few people smoke here
Many locals cover their faces
Can anyone read this?
Another entrance to the street mall
Another field trip…..love the hats
At least you know what to order
So many shops
Fast food – Japan-style
Pachinko
Food-to-go
Lunch or dinner
Clothing and items from Nepal
Shoe stores (small sizes however)
Dried fish
Everyone here has a cell phone
A different manhole cover
Inexpensive clothing
He was a huge stuffed tiger
Entrance to a Pachinko Palace
Sweets are big here
Food items
Bright flowers = gambling place
Octopus dumplings - takoyaki
Cooked on one side,….starting raw on the right
Many trinkets, but no souvenirs
Everything is on sale
Part of their clothing – face masks
Strawberries must be in season
Advertising a teahouse
Wedding wear
Free wifi everywhere
Shop-lined corridor
Typical restaurant
Mostly fish items
These orchids were real
A pizza café in Osaka? Over-flowing with customers
Yes, that is a pizza oven
The mall went on and on
A larger chain store
The menu
Business folks out to lunch
Fresh produce was hard to find
Dessert items were plentiful
These small decorative gourds were 15000 Yen (really?)
Floor compass at the Subway
Live fish tank in a cafe
Lunch specials
Oh yes…..we will find it
We found it – Hard Rock Café Osaka
What's for lunch?
Familiar decorations
The bar area
Rock and roll museum
Glad we found it in Osaka
Oriental chicken sandwich with fries
Look familiar?
Lucky to get a city tee
Signature HRC
