Japan is a country I have never been to but have read many books on Geisha’s, Shogun and Samurai, so was really looking forward to this and the next ports of call which is Hiroshima.
We took a tour to Osaka Castle and its museum which had 7 floors of artefacts and an observation deck. I couldn’t possibly write about the amazing history of the Japanese except to say we visited at the wrong time of the year. Apart from the fact it rained, heavily, and was cold, the entrance to the castle was lined with beautiful plum and cherry trees which would be a site to behold if it were the spring! 
We all got back on the coach, soaked to the skin to visit Sumiyoshi Taisha, or the Grand Shrine of Sumiyoshi, which is one of the most important Shinto Shrines in Japan. Our guide, Minnie Mouse, (well she donned Minnie Mouse ears for some reason) told us that families take their babies to the shrines when they are about three months old to be blessed and we were lucky enough to witness this ceremony. It was quite touching. That’s the ‘granny’ in me! Anyway, the Shrine buildings were ancient and very Japanese. Shinto is one of their main religions, Buddhism being the other. Obviously there are others, but those two are the most popular. 
We were back to the port of Osaka for around 1.30 and went looking for lunch. We were told that you could just make your choice by pointing at a picture, so we pointed at 2 chicken pieces and fries and a zinger twister and fries!! We couldn’t find any Sushi what do you expect??
After souvenir shopping, we went on The Tempozan which is the ‘world’s largest giant Ferris wheel’. We’re not sure that it is the largest; it’s something we need to ‘Google’. We’re now heading for Hiroshima where we board the Bullet Train.
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