So the motto for Osaka residents is eat until you drop but I think it could also be walk until you drop because that is what we did . The plan was to take it easy and not try to see too much but even taking in a few of the sights involves a great deal of walking. Underpasses, escalators, stairs, footpaths, observatories, tunnels, malls and towers. You name it we walked it. 

We caught some great views of the city at forty stories up from the Sky Tower. I loved how you could sit there and have a coffee or an ice cream and take in the view. The JR Tower Osaka station was also impressive, complete with an indoor topiary garden and more mass consumerism. The giant ferris wheel was fun as well. Great views of the city lights and the famous bridge.

The highlight though was the aquarium. The viewing pathway stretched for over a kilometre and weaved its way from the top of the enourmous tanks to the bottom providing perspectives ranging from above the water all the way to the sea floor and therefore displaying different creatures that liked to hang out in the varying depths . The first few displays featured land and shallow water dwelling animals, birds etc. You could watch how a seal for example behaved both in and out of the water. I could have watched the dolphins underwater for hours. The most impressive creatures of all were the whale sharks. In addition to all this were the various viewing rooms of novelty creatures such as about ten different species of jellyfish or fish with different kinds of eyes for example. There was also a pool where you could touch stingrays and small sharks. Just when you thought they had covered everything there was one more thing to look at. It went on forever!

By the second day we had learned our lesson. More eating and less walking. We ventured back to the Dotomobori entertainment precinct for the second time. Wiser than the first time we finally had the courage to venture into our first Izakaya and were not dissappointed. Way more choice and a great atmosphere once you are inside. They just look a bit scary from the outside. 

We spent a pleasant afternoon at the park where the Osaka castle is located. Viewed the castle from different angles and spent time just soaking up the atmosphere. A much more relaxing day all in all. Just when we are starting to feel a bit like a local its time to move on to our next stop.