Japan: Day One

Things do appear a bit weird visually when you first arrive in Japan - its advertising, architecture, automobiles, retail, food. After a few days you get used to it. Here are my first impressions from  Day One In Osaka:

Here's the view out of my hotel window.
A giant three-story high retriever is staring at me...

The view out of the breakfast restaurant is more impressive

Advertising poster in the subway.
Still, it's a job.

The Japanese 'do' Christmas very well.
Animated pink and red elves drinking champagne in the window if the Hankyu department store, Umeda.

A rare 'selfie' in the tripod forest of Yodabashi Camera department store

Another view of the tripod forest.
This store has on display, one of EVERY type of tripod, light, lens, camera, drone, action camera, bag, strap and accessory you can imagine. (And a surprising number of  things you never even knew you needed...).

Though a concrete replica of the original which burned down in WWII, this is still an iconic building and looks the part. The walls and moat are massive.

Another view of the main part of the castle

"Kawaii" (cute) display in shop window

Last one tonight
Dotonbori canal at night, Namba, Osaka.

Yum, twice-cooked pork ramen noodles with spicy kimchi pickles

Last shot of the day - a Uni Qlo store lights up the neighbourhood in Shinsaibashi