Sayonara Japan

Thanks so much for the well wishes.  They must have worked as we managed to do quite a lot today including visiting Osaka Castle.  The subway in Osaka is actually very intuitive and easy to use.  The city is vast and the subway made quick work of getting from the waterfront to the castle.  When we left it was early and hardly anyone on the trains.  When we returned to the hotel around midday, the trains were nearly bursting at the seams.

We managed to get back to ShinOsaka to get the Shinkansen back to Tokyo in time and I have managed to navigate Tokyo station and am now sitting in the lounge with about 30 minutes to boarding.  It looks like a packed flight.

But back to Osaka castle.  This is one of the outer towers on the outer moat.  There is an inner moat and the castle sits high above them both.  It contained the most amazing armour including a bear skin.  The helmets were very impressive.  It is amazing coming from my country where there has been no civil war (since white people arrived) to see all the battles that had been fought in times past here.  Japan is a funny mixture of modern technology and ancient traditions.  It all seems to work well.  In this blip is an outer tower with the amazing stone fortified walls and in the background the modern buildings of Osaka.

Things that have impressed me:
1.  The friendliness of the Japanese people.
2.  Shinkansens (the only way to travel)
3.  Heated toilet seats.  Hell no, the toilets in general, those that flush automatically, run water to cover noises of the users, oscillating bidets, etc etc 
4.  Black face masks.
5.  Ninjas (no didn't see any but they do impress me).
6.  Beautiful Japanese breakfasts - such an artform.

There are many more but I am sure I am going to have to board soon so I will keep it brief.

Thanks for following this journey with me.  Next time I blip, hopefully I will be home with the Hs who I have heard are well and happy with their aunty Una.