Here, we took a look at Osaka Castle. It was built and re-built from the 1600s-1700s. Different regimes made changes, but at one point it was the strongest point in Japan. We did not attempt to scale the walls, but they look to be pretty climbable. Maybe it's a different story when people are shooting arrows and throwing samurai swords at you.
Mark demonstrating the preferred technique for "Eastern Toilets". Strong legs required. Recommended only in emergencies...
Next, we took a couple train to a different part of the city. This shrine was billed as off the beaten track. While there were not many tourists in Japan, this place was especially quiet and relaxing. People visit these shrines daily to pay their respects, pray, and offer donations to Buddha. Throughout all of the shrines and temples we visited, none had organized prayer. Individuals prayed on their own at their own pace, in a series of rituals.
The only thing Japanese people like better than rice are playing video games and sleeping on trains. Some combination of exhaustion, boredom, a more flexible neck from all of the bowing, and the melodic voice of the train recordings bring about the same reaction in nearly all Japanese. 25% quietly play intense video games (cell phone, Nintendo DS, PSP, and possibly all three at the same time) while the other 75% snooze. Mark got pretty good at this by the end of the week.
A pretty sweet colorful manhole lid.
Below, another temple we visited w/ some traditional Japanese architecture and some impressive colors. I think they stole this style from the Japan section at Epcot.
How many more temples can we find in Japan? Will Mark have to use an Eastern Toilet? What is proper etiquette if someone falls asleep on you on the subway? All this and more coming up next!
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