We had a full on week. Dominic was out most nights and I was out most days being sociable! We had a long weekend so went to Osaka. Famous for food it's motto is something like eat till you die!

So we headed straight for noodles.

We booked to stay at an Airbnb. A flat in a non-descript Tower block. The guy had had everything ripped out so it was concrete walls and visible ventilation tubes. We liked it.

In the evening we went to candle festival. We decorated our own candle tops so contributed to the overall display! Heading back into town the place was in full Halloween mode. They don't limit themselves to Halloween themed things, any dressing up is good.

In our view the winners were these blokes...would have loved to have been there when they decided on their outfits!

We met the lovely Tomoyo at Catherine and Patrick's wedding.  She lives near Osaka.
We got to spend a day with her and had a great time doing loads of things. Visited a print museum and did some printing of course.  Dominic got so excited he decided to call Catherine and Patrick to tell them of our adventures with their friend.  He got the times a bit mixed up and rang them at 5am, he thought it was 10am.  Very sorry both . 

Ate balls of batter filled with squid (takoyaki)served in different ways. Osaka is famous for its balls...

Octopus ball selection!

It's a wrap!

Visited Kitchen Street -it does what it says! Went into one shop which was packed with stuff. Some piles of plates and dishes looked as though they were about to fall over. So we walked around the place gingerly. Especially me! Get it?
We then stopped for a beer at a stand up bar. But just to be contrary we sat down!

Smelt the roses at the island park and then went for dinner of dumplings.

Next day we went to the instant Ramen museum. Despite being packed with kids on school trips we were soon decorating our own Cup Noodles containers and selecting our flavours and contents! Brilliant. They seal them up and shrink wrap them so you can take them home. Denise I was thinking of you!

In the afternoon I'd arranged a volunteer guide to take us wherever he liked in town. He took us to the sky tower. He suggested we stop a few floors below the top from where you could see very little but it was free.I wonder where he doesn't like in town? We paid for us and him to go to the top so that we could actually see something of the view!

We did a whistle stop tour of the castle and a museum and then ended up in the old town.

In the evening we headed off for Kushi Katsu - another food item that Osaka is famous for. Basically deep-fried things on sticks. Even tomatoes aren't saved from this process! However raw cabbage is served on the side to create a balanced meal!

Before leaving town we headed for the aquarium. In the summer when its boiling here the penguin display with constantly falling icy snow must attract the human crowd!