April 16 - Osaka, Japan

Here we are in Osaka, Japan. It is the closest port to Kyoto. I decided to stay local and visited the Osaka Castle, Chūō-ku, Japan. It was built by Hideyoshi Toyotomi and prior to that, a gigantic temple named Osaka Hongan-ji Temple, stood on the grounds. The castle and fortress are one of Japan's most famous landmarks and it played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. It is now a museum.

Moat and wall surrounding the castle. And largest stone in the wall

360 View from the top of the Castle at the observation deck

There are lovely ponds and gardens in the vicinity

Hideyoshi Toyotomi, himself

We then visited Dotonbori Street. What a fun place. Yes, it was a little crowded.

However the fun restaurant signage and marquees made it enjoyable, because you were always looking up. And I noticed the Japanese could easily avoid you. It was the Americans that kept bumping into me 

The Go-Go man. He is the face of some candy here is Osaka.

Me taking a picture of me on the video board

And beer on the Dotonbori River is always a good thing

There was so much going on right in the port, however I only got pictures

Although the bridge didn't light up at night, the Ferris wheel did.

Good night Osaka, next port is Vietnam in 5 days.