16 March, Monday (Osaka)

The sleep was good. Hadn't have such good sleep since beginning of the year. Okay no mention of work. This's a retreat. Only God and me. Though this is not the correct way. But I always feel closer to God when I'm away on a trip.

Still ealy so I head down the old food street, Jan Jan Yokocho St, for some soba with tempura. Nice obasang. Wanted to head for Shitennoji Temple but didn't check the map and end up at a nearer, Isshinji Temple, thinking it's the one. It's suppose to be famous for "Okotsubutsu" - a statue of Buddha made from remains. Gosh. Walked back to Shin Sekai and caught a glimpse of Tsutenkanu Tower. Checked the map and nope, it's still far from Namba. Subway then.

Got a better map at the information counter at Namba station. Aimed to cover a distance of 3 stations. Start the race! First stop, Shin Kabukiza Theatre. What a historical building in a modern city! There was a crowd waiting for a show to start. No more ticket or I would love to join them! Mostly uncles and aunties though. Haha.

Next stop Takashimaya. Not for shopping but for food tasting at the basement! Nothing interesting though. Bought a thousand layer cake in a ring form and a big mochi to tried. Satisfied. Continue the walk to this place called Namba Parks. Why got "s"? Well coz there are 9 levels of small gardens! And all these gardens are created against each level of a shopping mall. You can access the next garden by climbing up the stairs or from within the building. Really nice garden each. Wait! Is that cherry blossom! Thought it's not the season yet? A closer look and guess what? It's the "cousin", cherry plum! White in colour and it looks really beautiful! Just bloomed! Oh thank God for such a wonderful gift! Thought I will never get to come in the cherry blossom seasons, which estimates to start beginning April this year. Was very impressed with the architecture as well. Structured in such a way that the natural light could enter.

Lunch was a fusion of chinese mince pork noodle and japanese pork stock ramen. Love it!

Walked through Ebisubashi-suji Shopping Street. It's more like a market street. Sells intersting seafood. Check out the pic!

No idea what street I walked to next but just followed the six sense. Checked the map later to found out that I had walked into Kuromon Ichiba Market, where aunties can buy their pots and pans. It's like an angel guiding me, suddenly I just felt like turning left and I ended up in front of my next destination, the National Bunraku Theatre. Too bad no show on but I found out more about Bunraku from an information kiosk. Though audience can see the main puppeteer controlling the >1m tall puppet, it was said that eventually they would somehow just focus on the puppet. There's actually a few more man-in-black helping to manipulate the puppet.

Next destination - Hozenji-Yokocho Alley. But big and loud sign boards distracted me and I ended up in Dotonbori (it's wrongly indicated on the map! Thank God!) Ate 2 tako held between 2 rice biscuits and this fish-shape mocha steam cake. Both stores with long queues! And it's really good! Yes had a filling lunch but how can I not try after flying all the way here! Indeed the tako here is very different. Crispy outside and very moist inside. Singapore's version is too cook yet not crispy. Also manage to catch glimpse of the crab shop and the Glico running man. Next turn onto this Shinsaibashi-suji shopping street. Read somewhere that it's 600 m long but impossible! Along the road parallel to it already has 3 big shopping mall and they are less than 1/4 of the length! Wanted to walk till the end but halfway gave up. Coz I already walked a distance of 3 subway stations! I still have to turn back which is equivalent to another station! On way back checked out Americamura. Disappointment. The Korea street is even worse. Back to Dotonburi area to find Hozenji Yokocho Alley again. This time round not only did I find the lane, I also found the Hozenji temple and Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum which has wood block print featuring kabuki actors. Sounds like some amazing race! Yap indeed it's an amazing race with God. So many amazing things had happen! And I believe there will be more to come!

How can I leave this place without a good dinner at Dotonburi? Crab feast or fugu meal? Okay choosed the less common one in Singapore. Fugu meal! And I'm thankful that this restaurant I went in actually have a set on 6 dishes all made with fugu! Sashimi fugu, fugu sushi, fugu soup, half cooked fugu, fried fugu and self-cooked fugu. It really taste quite different and good! Even the usual radish with the sashimi is fugu skin! Luckily I tried. Worth burning my pocket with ¥3000 for such good meal!

How can I say that God don't loves me or don't know me well? Look at all the food that He fed me with! None was planned! Did think of trying but never had the time to check out the place to eat. For all the delicious food, I give thanks to God once again and wish that the Lord is physically here eating with me.