We needed a slower day after yesterday, so mid-morning we headed to Himeji to visit what I consider to be the finest example of a typical Japanese feudal castle, Himeji-jō. If you’re coming to Japan people, you need to put it on your list.
I was also keen for Jennie to experience the Shinkansen (bullet train), which covers the 76km trip in 29 minutes. I decided to be brave and buy the tickets myself using the machine rather than the English-speaking ticket office. It was fun and easy, well for me, but Jennie stood there gobsmacked that I could press 20-30 buttons and voila!! Return green car tickets for two to Himeji. Weirdly, we ended up with more than a dozen “tickets” but that’s just the way it is in Japan.
It was hot and sunny so we hugged shade wherever possible as we walked up the hill to the main keep. Himeji-jō has more than 80 structures but the main keep is where the action is. I’ve been a few times, the first visit being with Mum and Terry in 2009. I still remember how Mum climbed up all those internal steps (more like very steep ladders) to get right to the top. She was like a lithe little ninja. Six storeys in total, it’s not so much a physical challenge as - for me - a vertigo nightmare. But I was determined. Going down was much worse, and the downhill that followed outside left my thighs trembling. It would have been much worse but for the 200+ squats I do in boxing each day, thank you Jake! But it’s going to hurt tomorrow, I know it.
A quick turnaround at the hotel and we’re off for Saturday night in downtown Osaka part 1. We needed to visit Dotonbori and see the canal and famous Glico sign, so opted for a cruise with a jazz band. It was loud and fun, especially the maniac on tambourine. We attracted a lot of attention from the tourists on the banks and bridges, so we are probably all over Instagram already!
But the main event was possibly the highlight of my whole week. In a week nay 10 days jammed packed with highlights (IYKYK) I realise that’s a big statement! A short stroll to Bar Proust for some seriously excellent jazz with…ANU college roommate Paddy Southey!! We can’t get our act together to have lunch in Melbourne, but hey, dinner and jazz on a random Saturday night in Osaka, easy peasy. Southey had been on a walking trip with a mate from his Mt Eliza primary school days, so we made a fun foursome. The jazz trio was perfection, the bar has a cosy atmosphere and I recommend it to you all. We will be coming here next March, Elisabeth and Chris!!
Our lovely gentleman friends walked us all the way back to our hotel, and that’s a wrap. My cup is overflowing, I can’t remember ever being so happy. There was some vodka involved as well, of course.
