Osaka -2

Well we killed a day in Osaka, it's probably not worth a full 2 days to stay here but it works well for us with the JR Rail pass as we need to slot 7 days in on it. One thing we didn't realise until today is that they have a No2Car ticket for 600 yen which gives unlimited bus and subway for 1 day. The cheapest 1 way fare is 210 yen so you won't be long making money on it.

We sorted out our JR pass today, easy just go to the main train station and hand your passport (which they don't even look at) and exchange order. We booked our tickets for Hiroshima for tomorrow and made our way around the town.

We ventured into one of the many shopping malls, 1 floor was completely dedicated to Ice Cream parlours, we were very tempted by all the plastic models of delicious treats but fought it! There's a phenomenon with 100 yen shops here, similar to 'Pound' shops back home only they sell decent stuff, you can do your food shopping in one of these Bananas, noodles, bread, chocolate all for 100 yen (1 Euro).

Next we headed to Doutonbori a street with food vendors and filled with plastic oversized creatures! What a sight! The weather here is alot warmer then China, I've had to strip a few layers since, we both had a bit of the sniffles but I managed to beat it. They have vending machines with pictures of food on them and you put your money is and select the picture you want and go into the restaurant!

So the Japanese, what a mannerly bunch, but respect is the utmost here..they are very courteous people and extremely helpful if your lost..Imagine my astonishment when the people all stopped and waited for the green man before crossing on an empty road! We did cross one not so busy road when the man was red and next I heard a whistle being blown....so we speeded up abit! They definitely are respectful of rules, not sure if the youth of our country could resist an Alcohol and cigarette vending machine on the street.