January 30, 2005 - Osaka with Masako

The Umeda Sky Building Park with upwards flowing waterfall (nozzles spraying water up some rocks - a bit cheesy) Skyway escalators ferry tourists up to the viewing levels. Inside the skyway escalator. Me and Masako at the top on the viewing platform overlooking Osaka. A somewhat surprising nearby building - freeway schmeeway... Pimped out "Honda Ape" (a very popular moped alternative). Soichiro Honda, a young race enthusiast Early Honda Two ton scooter. The Honda 160 racer, mmmm good. Close up of the engine. Evolution of the 160. Check out the exhaust on this 12 cylinder indy racer...

Today we made a trip to Osaka to see the Umeda Sky Building, by architect Hiroshi Hara - you either love it or you hate it. We wanted to see the view from the roof, supposedly the best in Osaka, and visit an exhibit on the third floor that followed the rise of Soichiro Honda (Honda Motor Corporation founder) and Masaru Ibuka (Sony Corporation cofounder). We gave our host mother Masako, a call and she decided to join us. After a hard day of touring she took us to a very nice dinner in a cool restaurant near Umeda station.

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