Kyoto to Osaka

Our final day in Kyoto yesterday was also the last day of the school tour. While the rest of the group were packing their bags to return to Melbourne, Ella and I were lucky enough to be packing up to move to the apartment with Clint and Angus. The adventures of Team Ross were about to begin!


The walk from our hotel to Clint and Angus took about 30 minutes. On a cold, but sunny morning, it was a brisk walk. 

After dropping bags at the hotel, we all decided to wander over to the markets nearby, which Clint and Angus hasn't had a chance to see. A quick snack of a quail egg stuffed baby octopus for Ella, duck yakitori for Clint and Angus and sesame cheese balls for me, we were fuelled for our samurai and ninja training!

We had booked the Kyoto Ninja and Samurai Museum from Melbourne and really enjoyed the history we were told. Ella and Angus especially loved learning how to throw ninja stars and blow darts and then dress up as Samurai.


Angus was also lucky to have a practice sword fight with one of the masters at the museum who was training. He loved it!

After the tour we wandered around the local shops and went to the food court in Daimaru to find something for dinner. We ended up with some marinated chicken, various croquettes, lotus root and lettuce with a delicious curry dressing. Clint and I also found a bottle of Japanese Koshu wine. This was similar to an Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc, so light and fruity. It was so light in colour, it looked like water.


After eating out every night, it was lovely to have a more or less home cooked meal and a quiet night in.

This morning we checked out of the apartment and caught the train to Osaka, only a 30 minute rapid train ride away.

Our accommodation here is a traditional Japanese house. It is very small, with a living area and kitchen downstairs and bedrooms upstairs. It will be a wonderful experience to stay here, rather than in a hotel that could be anywhere.


Our first adventure in Osaka was a takoyaki cooking class. These are a traditional Osaka street food, being a batter filled with octopus, prawn, scallops and herbs. We got to make the balls in the special machine and then eat them for dinner. Delicious!

With full bellies, we then walked to the Midosuji Illumination, some winter lights along an expensive shopping street. The night was very cold, but the lights looked beautiful.

The next few days will be very busy, so an early night is in order.

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