This brass band was playing as we arrived in port. It played several songs including
this fine rendition of "Dancing Queen".
The view into Osaka harbor.
Our tour starts at Osaka castle; here's part of the moat around it.
A closeup view of the stonework.
The walls are impressive; the castle is supposed to be "impenetrable".
The grounds are all immaculate.
We are in a shoulder season with not a lot of crowds, but there are always schoolchildren on field trips.
The main castle area.
Us with Osaka castle.
Entering the castle proper.
If you go up the steps, you can get these views of the surrounding city.
A map of our next stop, the Buddhist Shitennoji Temple.
On the outskirts.
Making our way through the entrance.
Various views...
...as we walk through the temple.
The main pagoda in the center.
Wade looking through one of the large temple doors.
A pond with turtles symbolizing long life.
That night on the ship, they had a Taiko drum group perform several numbers.
