Osaka

I woke around 6 am, decided that was too early, rolled over, and woke again around 8:15 am, which was late enough. By the time I had showered the others were awake. Eriko was coming at 9:45 am so there was no reason to hurry much.

Around 9:15 am we went downstairs for the complimentary breakfast – boxes with 2 large pieces of sushi, miso soup, coffee, tea, or water. After eating we went back upstairs to prepare for the day. The elevators were busy and Eriko was waiting for us when we reached the foyer a little after 9:45 am. Runa had been delayed again and would meet us later.

Eriko led us out into a soft morning rain shower, around the corner, and a couple of blocks on to a street piano she had found was available from 10 am. As we arrived a little before 10 am, a woman from the building uncovered the piano and opened the barrier. Lucas sat and played for most of 40 minutes while we waited for Hidenori and Runa to arrive. When they did, Hidenori parked outside with hazard lights on and they came in to listen for a few minutes.

Piano playing done we all boarded the Hidenori’s Alphard and headed off. Hidenori drove a couple of kilometres and parked across the road from a shrine. From the back of the van he produced enough umbrellas for all of us and we walked into the shrine area. There was a large structure representing some creature with open mouth and large teeth. There was also a more conventional seeming shrine structure. We looked around for a while and Majella collected a stamp for her book. A stone monument marked the birthplace of Namba Negi, not a person but a vegetable, an alium commonly known as welsh onion.

Hidenori drove us toward Osaka Castle. He parked and we walked through the forested park below the castle which was perched on high stone walls. As we approached the castle we passed a couple of men showing off their raptors. Then we crossed the moat and walked up the slope and around to the level area at front of the castle. There was a long queue for entrance so we waited in line for about 20 minutes.

On entrance to the castle, which was rebuilt in 1931 after being destroyed for the second time in the 1620s, we were directed to the elevator. That took us to the 5th floor exhibit about the history of the castle. We took the stairs up to the top observation platform where there was a view over the city in all directions though rain today limited how far we could see. The Abeno HARUKAS where we ate last night was too far away to be seen through the mist. We looked at more exhibits including letters preserved from the 1600s on the way down to the exit.

We walked back to the van and Hidenori drove to their home. Along the way Eriko stepped out and walked for home so that Hidenori could pickup her mother to bring her with us. By the time we arrived at their house Eriko was already walking up the street.

Upstairs Eriko served us Osaka specialties – Takoyaki which are balls with octopus inside and Okonomiyaki which is stuffed with cabbage and pork. They were both tasty. Meanwhile Hidenori had taken Eriko’s mother to a shop and they returned with Japanese cakes she had bought for us to try. There was a selection of small cakes, each exquisitely decorated in different ways. We each had one and all were delicious. Eriko served water and coffee to accompany the food. There was a piano on which Lucas provided some musical accompaniment. He also appreciated the opportunity to play the guitar.

Giving and receiving gifts is an important part of Japanese culture. Soon after she arrived, Eriko’s mother produced gifts which she gave to Majella. That was the cue for an exchange of gifts all round we had brought gifts for all the family including Eriko’s mother and Lucas had also come prepared. Gifts received will be a reminder of the occasion. When travelling, personal connections made are always special and it is a real privilege to be invited into homes and share something of real life in other places.

We spent the afternoon conversing about family, life, and other topics. Both Eriko and Hidenori speak some English but much of the conversation was mediated by Google Translate. We spoke English or Japanese to our iPhones and allowed our interlocutors to read the translation from the screen. Sometime late in the afternoon Hidenori drove Eriko’s mother home. Lucas and Runa watched video in English with Japanese subtitles and played video games. Rio was spending another day studying at weekend school.

As dinner time approached Hidenori served us a little sparkling sake. For dinner Eriko prepared sukiyaki which she started in the kitchen and transferred to an induction hot plate on the table where Hidenori took over cooking. The food was delicious. While we were eating we had a Facebook Messenger video call from Nick who was having dinner of sushi he had made with the rest of the family.

After dinner conversation continued as did the video and games. We shared photos of family and friends. Before we finished Lucas and Runa played a little more piano.

At 9 pm we all got into the van and Hidenori drove us back to our hotel. Their plan was to drop us and collect Rio from school on the way home. We said our farewells outside the hotel, thanking Eriko, Hidenori, and Runa for a wonderful day of hospitality. They had talked today about visiting Australia in the future and we encouraged them to visit us so we can return their hospitality.