Thursday, January 16, 2025 – Osaka, Japan

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Osaka, Japan

OSAKA, JAPAN
The culinary capital of Japan
A significant commercial center since medieval times, Osaka and its castle played a substantial role in the history
of Japan and its unification in the 16th century. Built-in 1583, it towers above the city in the heart of a six-hectare
park with ramparts and moats. However, the 5-storey, 8-inside-storey building you can visit today was
completed… in 1997, the castle having been rebuilt many times.

But Osaka also stands out for another aspect: its gastronomy, which for some makes it the capital of taste in a
country where the delicacy of dishes and the marriage of flavors have been elevated to the rank of a significant
art. Regarding Osaka cuisine, three key elements stand out: takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and izakayas. The first
two are eaten, while the third is where you can eat.

Let’s start with takoyaki. These little balls, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, contain pieces of tender
octopus, green onion, and other flavorsome ingredients. Cooked in special molds, takoyaki is served hot
and topped with mayonnaise, takoyaki sauce, dried bonito (katsuobushi), and seaweed.

Let’s continue with okonomiyaki, also known as Japanese pizza. This thick pancake is made from flour, eggs, and cabbage dough. You can add your choice of ingredients, such as prawns, squid, pork, or cheese: it
all depends on your tastes, and okonomiyaki is a 100% customizable dish. Once cooked, okonomiyaki sauce,
mayonnaise, dried bonito, and seaweed are added for an incomparable flavor explosion.

SIGHTS

• Osaka Castle
• Universal Studios Japan
• Dotonbori
• Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
• Sumiyoshi Taisha
• Umeda Sky Building
• Shitennō-ji
• Tsutenkaku
• Hozen-ji Temple
  
• SHOPPING
  Osaka has several world-class shopping districts and miles of shopping arcades,
  malls, and streets. Osaka’s shopping combines upscale, brand-name, and designer
  goods with inexpensive thrift shops and discount chains.
  The city’s two largest shopping districts are Umeda in the north and Namba in
  the south. JR Osaka Station serves the Umeda area (also known as Kita) and
  Umeda Station, while Namba serves the Namba area (also known as Minami)
  Station. Both areas have large concentrations of department stores, shopping
  arcades, and some of Japan’s most extensive underground shopping malls.
  In between Umeda and Namba is the covered shopping arcade Shinsaibashi-suji,
  one of Osaka’s oldest and busiest shopping destinations, which runs about 600
  meters in length.

Today’s Excursion – The View of Osaka

We experienced the stunning beauty and history of Osaka from two unique perspectives during this
panoramic, half-day sightseeing excursion by visiting the Shitenno-ji Temple and the Umeda Sky Building

The Shitenno-ji Temple was built in the late 6th century by the son of Emperor Yomei.

One of Japan’s oldest temples, Shittenno-ji, was the first to be built by the state and was founded in 593 by Prince Shotoku, who supported the introduction of Buddhism into Japan. Whilst several of the temple’s buildings have burned down several times throughout the centuries, they have always been carefully reconstructed to reflect the original, 6th-century design.

Outer Temple Grounds, Interior Tour, Gokuraku-jodo Garden, Pagoda, Main Hall, Kannon Statue.
We took a guided walking tour around the outer temple grounds upon arrival. Once inside the temple,
we saw the Gokuraku-jodo Garden, the pebble-covered courtyard with a five-story pagoda, and the Main
Hall where Prince Shotoku is enshrined as a statue of Kannon.

Umeda Sky Building, 40-storey Towers, Bridges, Escalator, Sky Walk, Panoramic Views Over Osaka
The Umeda Sky Building is among the tallest buildings in Osaka and one of its most recognizable
landmarks. At a height of approximately 567 feet (173 metres), the building consists of two,
40-story towers that connect at their two uppermost stories, with bridges and an escalator for
crossing the vast, atrium-like space in the center. The highlight of your tour is a visit to the
Sky Walk, where you can enjoy spectacular, 360-degree panoramic views overlooking Osaka.

Later, we went to the Osaka Aquarium.

CHRIS HAMILTON
PIANO SHOWMAN
TONIGHT’S SHOW WITH CHRIS HAMILTON
AT 9:15 PM
VENETIAN LOUNGE, DECK 5
Chris Hamilton started playing the piano at the age of four.
Performing all over the world, New York critics described
him as “the real deal” and “a total showman,” while the UK’s
Telegraph hailed him as “an ace pianist.” He was awarded
Silversea Guest Entertainer of the Year in 2018. Chris is also a
multi-award-winning composer and lyricist.