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<\/a><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAfter the castle we headed over to the aquarium. They have it laid out with sections for each of the major seas\/oceans (including sections for things like the Great Barrier Reef).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anna ran into a YouTube personality (no, not PewDiePie), Sam Does Arts<\/a>. (Interestingly, he’s from Toronto so it was pretty wild seeing him in Osaka.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Outside of the aquarium is the worlds largest giant Ferris Wheel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next day was a baseball game. 30 years ago when I was in Japan the crew I was there with went to a baseball game and said it was amazing. I don’t recall why I didn’t go but after this experience I agree – it’s amazing. Every time your team is at bat it’s a pep rally. If a batter gets on base up come the flags and a song. Same if a run is made. Each team has a “cheering squad” (fans that volunteer to lead the crowd, including drums and trumpets) spread throughout the stadium so each section can join in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After the game we headed over to the TeamLabs Botanical Gardens. I didn’t know what to expect, but it’s an “immersive” experience – as you walk around various plants or objects will light up and music\/sound will play (in some instances images will appear). It’s more engaging than it sounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n TeamLabs is where Anna ran into her second YouTube personality – Kyle Metcalf<\/a>. He’s much smaller than Sam but it resonates with Anna – his channel is him traveling around in Japan (as a student) interviewing people as he tries to improve his Japanese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being back in a major metropolitan area with readily available public transit was REALLY nice. The Osaka castle was walking distance from our hotel so…<\/p>\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"