Category: John & Sandy

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Osaka, Japan

OSAKA, JAPAN
The culinary capital of Japan
A significant commercial center since medieval times, Osaka and its castle played a substantial role in the history
of Japan and its unification in the 16th century. Built-in 1583, it towers above the city in the heart of a six-hectare
park with ramparts and moats. However, the 5-storey, 8-inside-storey building you can visit today was
completed… in 1997, the castle having been rebuilt many times.

But Osaka also stands out for another aspect: its gastronomy, which for some makes it the capital of taste in a
country where the delicacy of dishes and the marriage of flavors have been elevated to the rank of a significant
art. Regarding Osaka cuisine, three key elements stand out: takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and izakayas. The first
two are eaten, while the third is where you can eat.

Let’s start with takoyaki. These little balls, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, contain pieces of tender
octopus, green onion, and other flavorsome ingredients. Cooked in special molds, takoyaki is served hot
and topped with mayonnaise, takoyaki sauce, dried bonito (katsuobushi), and seaweed.

Let’s continue with okonomiyaki, also known as Japanese pizza. This thick pancake is made from flour, eggs, and cabbage dough. You can add your choice of ingredients, such as prawns, squid, pork, or cheese: it
all depends on your tastes, and okonomiyaki is a 100% customizable dish. Once cooked, okonomiyaki sauce,
mayonnaise, dried bonito, and seaweed are added for an incomparable flavor explosion.

SIGHTS

• Osaka Castle
• Universal Studios Japan
• Dotonbori
• Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
• Sumiyoshi Taisha
• Umeda Sky Building
• Shitennō-ji
• Tsutenkaku
• Hozen-ji Temple
  
• SHOPPING
  Osaka has several world-class shopping districts and miles of shopping arcades,
  malls, and streets. Osaka’s shopping combines upscale, brand-name, and designer
  goods with inexpensive thrift shops and discount chains.
  The city’s two largest shopping districts are Umeda in the north and Namba in
  the south. JR Osaka Station serves the Umeda area (also known as Kita) and
  Umeda Station, while Namba serves the Namba area (also known as Minami)
  Station. Both areas have large concentrations of department stores, shopping
  arcades, and some of Japan’s most extensive underground shopping malls.
  In between Umeda and Namba is the covered shopping arcade Shinsaibashi-suji,
  one of Osaka’s oldest and busiest shopping destinations, which runs about 600
  meters in length.

Today’s Excursion – The View of Osaka

We experienced the stunning beauty and history of Osaka from two unique perspectives during this
panoramic, half-day sightseeing excursion by visiting the Shitenno-ji Temple and the Umeda Sky Building

The Shitenno-ji Temple was built in the late 6th century by the son of Emperor Yomei.

One of Japan’s oldest temples, Shittenno-ji, was the first to be built by the state and was founded in 593 by Prince Shotoku, who supported the introduction of Buddhism into Japan. Whilst several of the temple’s buildings have burned down several times throughout the centuries, they have always been carefully reconstructed to reflect the original, 6th-century design.

Outer Temple Grounds, Interior Tour, Gokuraku-jodo Garden, Pagoda, Main Hall, Kannon Statue.
We took a guided walking tour around the outer temple grounds upon arrival. Once inside the temple,
we saw the Gokuraku-jodo Garden, the pebble-covered courtyard with a five-story pagoda, and the Main
Hall where Prince Shotoku is enshrined as a statue of Kannon.

Umeda Sky Building, 40-storey Towers, Bridges, Escalator, Sky Walk, Panoramic Views Over Osaka
The Umeda Sky Building is among the tallest buildings in Osaka and one of its most recognizable
landmarks. At a height of approximately 567 feet (173 metres), the building consists of two,
40-story towers that connect at their two uppermost stories, with bridges and an escalator for
crossing the vast, atrium-like space in the center. The highlight of your tour is a visit to the
Sky Walk, where you can enjoy spectacular, 360-degree panoramic views overlooking Osaka.

Later, we went to the Osaka Aquarium.

CHRIS HAMILTON
PIANO SHOWMAN
TONIGHT’S SHOW WITH CHRIS HAMILTON
AT 9:15 PM
VENETIAN LOUNGE, DECK 5
Chris Hamilton started playing the piano at the age of four.
Performing all over the world, New York critics described
him as “the real deal” and “a total showman,” while the UK’s
Telegraph hailed him as “an ace pianist.” He was awarded
Silversea Guest Entertainer of the Year in 2018. Chris is also a
multi-award-winning composer and lyricist.

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Osaka, Japan.

OSAKA, JAPAN
The City has thrown off its shackles and stepped out of the shadows
Japan’s third-biggest city has thrown off its shackles and stepped out of the shadows to light up the sky with glaring neon signs and a larger-than-life outlook. Giant octopuses cling to buildings and bustling restaurants pack in the crowds in this tremendous and garish place, Japan’s most friendly, extroverted, and flavourful place. So dive in headfirst to experience an all-out sensory assault of delicious food, shopping cathedrals, and glittering temples. Dotombori Bridge bathes in the multicolored, jewel-like lights of signage-plastered buildings, and the neon lights dance on the canal’s waters below.
Osaka is known as the nation’s kitchen, and the Kuromon Ichiba Market has served as the city’s spot to tuck in for almost 200 years. Full of street food stalls – try pufferfish, savory Okonomiyaki pancakes, or ginger and onion-flavoured octopus among the endless feast of exotic flavors. Osaka Castle is another of the city’s landmarks, built in the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. A modern museum now waits inside, where you can learn about the country’s history and why this castle symbolizes Japanese unity. Take the elevator to the observation deck for a panoramic view of Osaka’s spread. A colorful park encloses the castle and blooms with an ocean of pale pink cherry blossoms during the season – the elegant black tiers rising from the pink haze below is one of Osaka’s most alluring visions. Kyoto’s peaceful cultural treasures and temples are also just a short jaunt away on Japan’s sleek trains, should you wish to explore further.
SIGHTS
• Osaka Castle
• Universal Studios Japan
• Dotonbori
• Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
• Sumiyoshi Taisha
• Umeda Sky Building
• Shitennō-ji
• Tsutenkaku
• Hozen-ji Temple

SHOPPING
Osaka has several world-class shopping districts and miles of shopping arcades, malls, and streets. Osaka’s shopping combines upscale, brand-name, and designer goods with inexpensive thrift shops and discount chains.
The city’s two largest shopping districts are Umeda in the north and Namba in the south. JR Osaka Station and Umeda Station serve the Umeda area (also known as Kita), while Namba Station serves the Namba area (known as Minami). Both places have large concentrations of department stores, shopping arcades, and some of Japan’s most extensive underground shopping malls.
Between Umeda and Namba is the covered shopping arcade Shinsaibashi-suji, one of Osaka’s oldest and busiest shopping destinations, which runs about 600 meters long.

Today’s Excursion – Introduction to Osaka

During this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion, we explored Osaka’s feudal and religious past.
Osaka, Osaka Castle, Weapons, Armour, Artefacts, Panoramic Viewpoint
Osaka Castle was built in the late 16th century; the castle was burned down in a series of 17th-century battles.

It was later reconstructed, but its donjon was again destroyed by fire. The castle’s final reconstruction
took place in the early 20th century. The first seven floors of the castle display various weapons, armor, and artifacts of a bygone era. The eighth floor features splendid panoramic vistas and photo opportunities of the castle’s surroundings.

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Four Sanctuaries, 600 Stone Garden Lanterns, Red, Arched Bridge
Built in the 3rd century, the people of Osaka believed the shrine was the guardian deity for
sailors and a deity to bring prosperity. It also serves as the headquarters of over 2,000 Sumiyoshi
Taisha Shrines throughout Japan. Some three million people visit this shrine at the beginning of
each New Year. The shrine is home to the first-fourth sanctuaries. Each sanctuary is built in the
Sumiyoshi-Zukuri style has straight roofs, is the oldest Shrine architecture style, and is designated National Treasures.

In the precincts surrounded by woods, over 600 stone garden lanterns stand in a row, and a red, arched bridge
spans over the pond.

Tonight’s dinner was at The Alantide Restaurant

BEN MILLS IN CONCERT
TONIGHT’S SHOW WITH BEN MILLS
AT 9:15 PM
VENETIAN LOUNGE, DECK 5

Named by Sir Rod Stewart as the next Joe Cocker, the electrifying multi-instrumentalist and
vocalist Ben Mills is set to ignite the stage with a high-octane show packed with iconic
hits from the 60’s and 70’s!