Travelogue Japan-Day 3, Go West

We are staying in the sahdow of Skytree.  due to the weather, this is the first we have been able to see the very top of the tower

Its on the Shinkansen and off to Kobe for lunch.  This was days before the aforementioned earthquake.  Pressed for time, I got a bento box froma kiosk on the platform.  The rar unicorn that is diet Dr Pepper, was found at Don quijote in Akihabara.

This benot has quite a nice mix of items from meat to veg.  Thoroughly enjoyed everything especially what might have been pickled wasabi leave?

There are 3 locations of Steakland in Kobe.  A small one across from the JR station.  A mulit floor large establishment located around the corner from the previous location and down this alley..  I have never been to the third location

It all starts with butter on the teppanyaki grill before garlic chips are added

Though there are 5 pieces of meat, its for 6 orders.  Halfent for either 100-150 gram selections while the rest of us went for different 200 gram options

One of the larger pieces would be cut and divided for 2 orders after the steaks have been cooked

browned on one side then flipped to finish it off

All steaks were mdeium rare to medium

Served with some veg, its time to tuck in.  Its as nice and tender as you would expect it to be.  Nice beef flavor paired with the mushrooms.  the bean sprouts untouched

After dropping off bagge, it was a short walk to Dotonburi.  We walked.  We too pictures. We got hungry

After some battling, we came to this keiten sushi place.  Line was not that long but it built up quickly.  Maybe we beat the rush

After a few pieces of cooked items, I got some drinks at a pharmacy across the way from the sushi joint.  Suntory is a brand I know.  That is the only reason why I tried the clear milk tea.  It smelled alright, nothing off putting.  It tasted ok at first but the more you drank, the more the checmicals came out.  No more cler drinks unless thats how they were meant to be

Most went to retire for the night.  Four intrepid souls ventured to the grounds of Osaka Castle.  Though late, around 10pm or so, the grounds were open.  Peope were practicing moves, musicians were playing music, joggers ran around.  At various places, we stopped to take pics.  This one was at the entrance of the moat but we were able to go right up to the castle entry