OSAKA

Doug is templed and shrined out so I took this tour to see Osaka-jo, or Osaka Castle which was built in the 16th century by Hideyoshi Toyomoni (a great warrior and statesmen). It was very impressive because it was built high on a hill on top of huge rocks placed to make an impenetrable wall. There were cherry blossoms everywhere and the park outside the castle was beautifully manicured. After this I took a tour of the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan called Shitenno-ji with Japanese Buddhist monks praying in white socks and Japanese slippers (so weird). The Japanese usually practise Buddhism and Shintoism together. Christianity is practised mostly in southern Japan.