Our host Mayumi picked us up from a shopping centre in Otori. At home we met her husband and 2 children, 14 year old daughter and 17 year old son. Mayumi really wants to travel, preferably on her own. She works in her father's recycling company, together with her husband, although she is the boss. She also runs their house which looks like a lot of work to me and she seems to be a Supermum. She says she would like to change her life but her children still need her.
Today we visited Osaka, it's 30 minutes by a train from Mayumi's house. She gave us a lift to the station in Otori and picked us up in the evening.
Osaka is like London's twin city (Japanese version) - busy, busy and busy. Millions of people in the streets, on trains and tube. We visited Osaka Castle, Marina, took a Tempozan Ferris Wheel (like London Eye, £4.50 per person) and at the end we went to Osaka Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world (£13). We were advised to go there in the evening, about 2 hours before the closing time and it was good advice. The aquarium was not crowded and pleasant to visit. In fact I absolutely loved it.
We also understood that all the castles in Japan are very different from the castles in Europe; they look like huge temples.
We came back home late at night, exhausted.
Osaka Castle
We have an impression that Japan is crime free, people are so honest and respectful. But Mayumi told us that there was a burglary in her home last year. The thieves came through the window in the sitting room where her husband was sleeping on the sofa, and unfortunately he woke up after they had already stolen many items and run away.
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