Kamakura and Osaka

Daibutsu, Kamakura - Big Buddha

A 45 minute JR train takes you from Shinagawa station to Kamakura at speed of 180 - 200 km/hour. this 32  foot bronze Buddha is a busy tourist draw.

We found lots of Hydrangia flowers and others along the walk from the station to the Buddha.

OSAKA - we left Shinagawa and headed to Osaka, staying in Shin-Osaka at another Toyoko Inn. It took a bit of navigating to find it in spite of them saying it is 6 minutes walk from the station.

Okaka Castle  

Okonomyaki

View of Osaka from Castle keep

We navigated the train to Osaka station from Shin-Osaka and the local train to Osakajoen station where we walked in the heat to the Osaka Castle. What a beautiful castle! (Apparently the G20 were meeting the following week, so pleased to miss that but still found tight security everywhere.)

Osaka is known for the special dish - Okonomyaki - a kind of pancake with shredded cabbage, mushrooms, shrimp, 2 special sauces and bonito flakes (dried fish flakes). Delicious!