Kobe & Osaka, December 14th
Trip to China & Japan 2024

When staying in Osaka there are a number of close by cities that can be reached in around one hour. That are Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Wakayama and Himeji.

I discard Himeji as it requires a Shinkansen ticket and I already have been twice in the city (Even that I just saw the castle and its garden in both occasions). For Wakayama, I have never been as it is located a little farther away and I have not found any strong reason to visit. (But I may visit it in the future).

So, Kobe will be my first trip. I visited a couple of new places starting by the Tetsujin 28-go statue. " monument to "Tetsujin 28-go" created in 2009 as a symbol of reconstruction after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake"

My friend is looking for some old Japanese video games and consoles. So, we pass by a second-hand BOOK-OFF store. The first time I went to Japan, a decade ago, it was possible to find all kind of old 

I like to just walk around. It is a fantastic way to find new interesting places.

But to visit old well-known locations is a pleasure too. I mix both during my trips.

To end the day we visit the Osaka Castle illumination. Not so long ago, we were here for the cherry blossom. The place is totally transformed from the daylight blossoming cherries in March to the cold December night for the Illuminage.

OK, one last thing. The town hall is close by the hotel so I take some pictures of the visual spectacle that is projected over its facade.