Okonomiyaki is a teppanyaki dish of wheat flour batter and other ingredients, such as cabbage, meat, and seafood, cooked on a griddle. It has regional variations, especially in Hiroshima and Osaka, and is topped with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and other condiments.
After breakfast we were bussed to the Tokyo Station where we boarded the world-famous shinkansen, or "bullet train" to Osaka - Japan's third largest city, known for its cuisine and nightlife. Upon arrival, we began our exploration at Kuromon Market, an Osaka landmark, with vendors selling fresh food and fast-food Japanese-style. Our lunch stop was at a Okonomiyaki restaurant. Then, we had free time to wander along the iconic Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori shopping streets with an array of fabulous selection of fashionable boutiques. Our tour concluded with a visit to dramatic Osaka Castle, built as a display of power in the 16th century, strategically looming over the surrounding park and moat. Inside the castle museum, we learned about the history of Osaka.
The ride on the Shinkansen was very smooth with speeds of up to 186 mph and takes approximately 2 hours and 21 minutes to Osaka. The train was very roomy and comfortable. We had a wonderful view of Mt. Fuji on this clear day.
Dinner at a rooftop restaurant with a spectacular view of Osaka at night. The dinner included a matcha custard served in a wooden box.
Views from the observation deck on the top of the Osaka Castle
