Osaka & Kobe - June 18-20

We took the Thunderbird from Kanazawa to Osaka, where we would get to re-unite with Hector on June 19 to see the sights of Osaka and neighboring Kobe. But first, after dropping our bags at the Candeo Hotel, on the afternoon of the 18th we had a "half day foodie tour" in Osaka.

The Candeo Hotel "The Tower" is a bright, modern Japanese hotel in a lively area of Osaka, which we very much enjoyed ... especially their upstairs bar and balcony! The bar staff were friendly and mixed great cocktails. Despite a late night, we were ready to meet Hector the next morning for a full day of touring, by car and on foot.

The tour included the glorious Himeji Castle in Osaka, then the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum and Nunobiki Ropeway and park in Kobe. Hector joined us for dinner in Kobe before dropping us back at the hotel to check out that upstairs bar again.