Sake in Osaka

07/08/08

so we’ve just arrived back in Japan, where its fiercely hot, even in the air conditioned lobby of our incredible hotel, which is closer in size and scale to a Vegas casino hotel, than anything else.

so we’ve just arrived back in Japan, where its fiercely hot, even in the air conditioned lobby of our incredible hotel, which is closer in size and scale to a Vegas casino hotel, than anything else. 

The Japanese are always so incredibly welcoming, and despite the insanely difficult language barrier, we’ve never felt anything other than warmth from them.

With the possible exception that everyone wanted to go swimming, but unfortunately, the hotel pool kindly asks that nobody goes in with any tattoos on display. In Japan, tattoos are historically a sign of the Yakuza, and whilst there’s far more tolerance these days, there’s still a slight stigma, especially in the public domain. ESPECIALLY in a hotel swimming pool, apparently!

We’re going to go for a little wander around Osaka, provided we don’t melt in the heat…