Japan Girl: September 2012

As we glided down the escalator, I watched an old village appear. Through the windows, we saw old Japanese style homes along a narrow street. Down a few stairs, we found ourselves in the scene. In the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, there was a small village built to represent the Edo period (1603 to 1868) living conditions. In one of the small homes was a old-fashioned oven, in another was a small table with a tea set, behind a house was a tiny garden, and in front of another building were several examples of toys which may have been used during that time. We were able to dress up in kimonos and walk around the village. I tried to imagine what it would have been like to live in such tiny homes, with such narrow streets, and such primitive cooking tools. What would it be like to walk around in a kimono all day, every day? How scary would it be when lightning flashed through the night sky and thunder literally shook your small wooden house? I enjoyed walking through the museum in a yukata for about twenty minutes. We then went down to the second floor where there were models of how the Japanese towns changed from before World War II to present.

Last Monday, we met in Osaka station at 9:30 a.m. and waited for about an hour before everyone had finally arrived. Each of us had bought the Osaka Shuuyuu Pass which would cover train fees and entrance fees for about thirty different locations for one day. With the fabulous leadership of Mrs. Seelen and Mrs. Flaherty, we found our way through a maze of subways to the museum. After walking through the museum, all thirty-three of us hurried to the subway station to go to the next location - the Tsutenkaku Tower. Before going into the tower, we each split up for lunch with a designated meeting time and place.
I think it was just before one o'clock when we packed into the elevator and made our way to the top of the tower. At the very top was a 360º viewing area from which we could see much of Osaka. Below us we could see the Tennoji Zoo with a few zebras walking around. But mostly there were a lot of roads, cars, buildings, and more buildings. After viewing Osaka for about fifteen minutes from the tower, we met again outside. We regrouped and went back to the subway station.

Our next location was near the water's edge. We were able to ride the Santa Maria! It was a model of the Columbus's original ship built to twice the size (it was still small!). I can't imagine sailing across the Atlantic Ocean in a boat that small - and Columbus and his crew sailed in one only half the size! Sailing on the Santa Maria might have been my favorite part of the day. It was a 45 minute cruise around Osaka bay. We were given freedom to wander around as we sailed, which was part of the reason I liked it so much. In the prow at the very front, I could stand letting the wind toss my hair. I looked over the side of the ship and enjoyed the sight of churning water. I wandered through the boat from end to end. Below deck they had a few displays of old sailing equipment. Old navigation tools, ropes, and a small model of the ship were in glass cases with Japanese explanations. Above deck they had numerous places to sit, but I preferred to stand. There was a tiny cafe from which Tiffy and I bought a few little pieces of chicken. They were delicious!

view from near the top

Sailing on the Santa Maria was really fun! I would love to do it again! When the cruise was finished, we walked over to the 112.5 meter tall Tenpozan Giant Farris-wheel! It was huge! It took about 20 minutes or so to go all the way around! Shalom, Yovel, Meg, Misaki, Jenny, Tiffy, and myself went in one car. We chatted, enjoyed the view, called to our friends in the car behind us, and then played Mafia! Tiffy was the narrator and we all went to "sleep". The mafia was told to awaken and she tried to kill someone by pointing to her victim while everyone still had their eyes closed. After the mafia resumed her sleeping pose, the doctor woke up and pointed to someone to rescue. Unfortunately she didn't rescue the right person! Everyone then was able to open their eyes and the Narrator told us the sad news: someone had died while peacefully enjoying the Farris-wheel ride! And the person was me! Bummer! Thus those who remained alive held counsel to determine who the mafia was. Some thought it was Misaki, others were sure it was Shalom, a few commented that it might be Yovel or Meg. Finally a verdict was reached since more people thought that Shalom was the mafia. By vote Shalom 'died'. The narrator then revealed to us that we had successfully removed the mafia. The game was over. It was perhaps the shortest game of Mafia I have played! By that time we were nearing the bottom of the Farris-wheel, so we gathered our stuff and exited.
We met everyone at the entrance of the Farris-wheel. From there we walked back to the train station. Our next stop was Burger King! It took a while to get there, but it was worth it! We bought our dinners at Burger King (though a few people ate at other restaurants). The hamburgers were delicious! I thoroughly enjoyed my burger and small salad. Sincere and Meg shared some of their french-fries. Then Jenny and I split a small raspberry sundae. Yum!

Once everyone had finished dinner, we walked to where there was a river cruise. The 6:30 slot was already too full for all thirty-three of us, so we waited until 7:00. Everyone split up into groups and went separate ways to spend the half hour. At six-fifty we met at the docking area again for the Tombori River Cruise. It pulled up and we climbed aboard. We had a lovely tour guide in the front. She tried to use her English and say things in both Japanese and English. When she asked Jenny where she was from, Jenny replied "America". When she asked Mrs. Seelen where she was from, she replied Itami. The tour guide was confused. A foreigner from Itami?! Then Mrs. Seelen explained that she had lived in Japan for many years. The next question was can you speak Japanese? Since most of us could to some extent, the answer was yes. From then on our guide didn't try to use her English as much, but she was still funny. The river cruise was a pleasant little journey down a small canal into the city and back.

Sincere and I

When we finished we walked back to the subway and returned to Osaka station where we had begun. Several of us then went to the HEP 5 Farris-wheel, while the rest went home. Jeremy went to Starbucks while we girls were on the ride. The three of us went in one carriage. We could play our own music from my iPod (we had some good movie theme-songs playing which gave it atmosphere). With that we took a 'stroll' through the Osaka night sky and viewed all the beautiful lights and buildings. I enjoyed it!