We arrived by train from Kyoto into the impressive Osaka Station. Escalators climbed more than 12 floors to rooftop gardens where we looked over downtown Osaka. The station complex includes multiple department stores including the Grand Front Osaka, Daimaru, Lucua, and the Intercontinental Osaka. There were dozens of restaurants upstairs accessible by glass elevators. Downstairs included huge supermarkets below the city streets.
The Intercontinental Osaka was fabulous and provided sweeping views of the city and the waterfront. We visited Osaka castle in the morning and went shopping in the Tenma arcade. This shopping complex is more than one mile long and has more than 500 stores. A quick train ride to Osakako brought us to the Osaka Aquarium and ferris wheel. There were 2 large whale sharks and multiple other sharks and rays in the aquarium.
We finished our time in Osaka on top of the Umeda Sky building to watch the sunset over the waterfront. Our suitcases were stuffed full of gifts that we collected in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Next time we'll bring less clothing!
© Mark Etter Underwater Photography
