Last Day in Osaka

We spent the day with Yumi, Akane and Kanako touring Osaka. We bought a pass for 2000 yen (around $30) each. This pass allowed us to take the trains and included admittance to many attractions in Osaka. Our first stop was Osaka Castle which is Osaka's symbol. The castle interior has been converted to a history museum, which presents facts about Hideyoshi Toyotomi, provincial wars and the history of the castle's many reconstructions. The top floor is an observatory which has panoramic views of Osaka city. The castle is stunning and so is the huge stone wall around it which also has a series of moats. The castle dates back to the 1500's, but most of the castle has been reconstructed in the 1800's due to wars and fires.

On the way back to the train station it started to rain quite heavily. We had no umbrella but there was a group of young Japanese guys and one of them came over and shared his umbrella with me. I was so touched and he told me in very good English that he was "a gentleman"!! I told him we were visiting form Canada and he was very excited and said his sister has been to Vancouver etc. Before we parted he told me to keep his umbrella as a momento!! I said he could come and pick it up in Vancouver and he said Sure!!!!!! Such a sweet guy! I tried to match him up with Yumi, but Yumi said he was too young for her! Such a shame!! Good looking guy too! Unfortunately I am holding the umbrella in front of this polite gentleman in the picture!