TUESDAY, APRIL 14 OSAKA, JAPAN

1 - 4. We are a bit late for Japan’s famous Cherry Blossom festivals, but some blossoms still clung to the trees as we visited Osaka Castle. The impenetrable fortification was built by Hideyoshi Toyomori toward the end of the 16th century.
5. Shitenno-ji, a 6th century Buddhist Temple – one of the oldest in Japan. 6. No photos of the Buddha statues allowed – so we settled for pictures of turtles – symbols of long life to the Japanese.
7. School girls like “Hello Kitty”.
8….So does Hästa.
9. Yup, we are in a mall – had to visit “Popcorn Papa”.
10. Ninja Hästa.