Back to Tokyo for last night

Had a sleep in this morning which Landon loved.  We check out and head to Osaka Station where we have found a restaurant called Bill’s.  It’s Australian and at first we were told it was gluten free.  We find out though that it offers vegan alternatives but nothing gluten free.  This seems to be the same everywhere.  Trying to find it is difficult and we ask this couple if they know of it.  They end up walking us there which was quite confusing and a long way.  Such a nice thing to do.  Japanese people seem quite willing to go the extra mile to help out.  Love it!

The restaurant is on the 7th floor and the service is great.  Prices are pretty high for what you get but Landon was able to get eggs, bacon and sausage so that should help to fill him up.

I had the fluffy ricotta pancakes with banana. 

Now that we’re full we go to the JR ticket counter and purchase tickets for the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo.

All aboard and we’re off… 2.5 hrs. To Tokyo.

Our traditional Ryosan. Very comfortable. 

We check in to our Ryosan which is in a nice quiet neighbourhood and then hop back on the train because Landon has to do some shopping.  We head to Shibuya to Don Quijote so busy!

So busy!  It’s also 36 degrees!

Night settles in and the lights come on!

Ramen for dinner at our favourite place

And then it’s off to bed!

Osaka

Today we’re up early with plans to go to Universal Studios.  We got a late start as we were trying to find somewhere to have breakfast.  Some places don’t open until 11 am and it seems impossible to find a gluten free restaurant.  Very frustrating.

We finally arrive at Universal Studios.  It’s very hot today.



First some shopping!





What a cutie!













One of the rides





About to embark on our Jaws journey



These rides go upside down!







And that’s a wrap for Universal Studios…it was too hot to stay longer.



Cooking class in Yuki’s private home.  We are making gluten free gyoza and ramen.



Rolling out the dough for noodles and gyoza.



Cutting noodles.  The gluten free dough was surprisingly stretchy and easy to work with.



Forming the gyoza (dumplings)



Perfect dumplings!



Almost finished …. Just need to apply garnishes.

Kyoto to Osaka

Before we move on to Osaka we have a class on making tiny food with Mayuka of Bonchi Kyoto. 

So many examples of tiny clay food.



Trying to decide which one yo make



People come from all over the world.



We were joined by 3 people from California.  We’re all hard at work.



Our finished product.

We were very pleased with our accomplishments.

These small shrines are quite common in a neighbourhood 

We went to a shopping street to have lunch.



Happy boy.



Happy Nana!  This was so delicious and I’m sure I worked off the calories by walking and sweating!



On route to Osaka on the Thunderbird train.



The entertainment and food district Dotonbori in Osaka.



So nice to see in the evening with all the lights.







They had a brass band playing on one of the River boats.  Great music.



A little night life.  It’s not often we have enough energy at the end of the day to go out but our vacation is nearing the end and we’re trying to experience everything we can.