15 May 2025
Pre-voyage Adventures in Osaka
After spending our first night at the Hilton Osaka we started our Japan’s National Parks, Art & Culture adventure with some guest heading to Nara Park to walk among the ‘Bowing’ Sika Deer and explore the largest wooden structure in the world - the Todai-ji Temple. The deer were ever-present and quick to determine who might have a food offering. The temple also houses the largest Buddha statue in the world carved entirely from wood.
The rest of us started with Minoh National Park, one of Japan’s smallest National Parks to view the 33-metre high Minoh Waterfall. After a stop in the spectacular shopping area of Dotonbori for lunch and people watching, we continued to the Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum where the high-quality knives were a popular way to support the Japanese economy.
Everyone had the opportunity to visit the impressive, 8-storey Osaka Castle before arriving at Osaka Port, under the huge ferris wheel, to board our beautiful new home for the next 15 days Heritage Adventurer.
Images © G. Payne, Heritage Expeditions
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