After getting off from the Shenkensen, I made my way to my hotel using the subway (which is apparently different from the JR… but it also takes suica). 

Going to my hotel required me to go through Dontobori (during the day, which looks a lot different from night). 

  
Unfortunately, since I arrived at 1:30pm, they couldn’t give me a room without charging me extra (official check in time is at 3pm). So I just dropped my bags off, and headed for Osaka Castle.

Along the way to Osaka Castle, I stopped the Crystal building, which is a really tall building (maybe the tallest in Osaka?).

  
The Castle itself was awesome to look at, and the view from the top was pretty sick.

After Osaka Castle I headed for the oldest Buddha temple, the Shitennoji Shrine. 

  
On my way to Sumiyoshi-Taisha shrine, I stopped by to get this fancy donut.

  
   
   
On my way back to the hotel, i of course went through Dontobori. I decided to get some delicious Takoyaki, since everyone was selling it.