Alex Quinn's Japan Journal

1/22/2005, Garden next to Osaka Castle with Akemi

On Saturday, Akemi and I went for a little excursion.  Among other places, we went to the garden next to Osaka-jo (Osaka Castle).  It was one of the first times in Japan I've found myself in a big field.  To me, this meant a lot.  I really like wide, open fields.  I didn't take any pictures of the field (a little boring for a picture), but I did take some pictures of the area.  It's not much of a park (or at least not where we were), but it is awfully enjoyable.

Park near Osaka Castle.

Park near Osaka Castle.

Park near Osaka Castle.

Park near Osaka Castle.

The area around the park near Osaka Castle.

I've noticed that throughout Japan, you can see into the men's restroom from the outside.  In other words, anybody can see you standing there as you urinate.  It's very strange for me.  It's not that way in the United States.  I took this picture as evidence of this phenomenon.  In most places, people might get mad if they saw you taking a picture into the bathroom, so this was a good chance, with not too many people around.

Later that day, we went to a big fish market near Nippon-bashi in Osaka and bought scallops and cod.  We made a fish stew (nabemono) that night.  Well, Akemi did all the cooking.  It was delicious.

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