Okonomiyaki in Osaka

Japanese immigration and customs proved to be a very smooth process, though they were quite thorough in checking our bags. We needed money for the subway but none of the ATMs at the port would give us any. Beginning to panic slightly we asked for help, and found out that we needed to use an international ATM. Thankfully there was one in the Post Office downstairs.

After checking in to the hostel, we explored Osaka, including the Tenjinbashisuji Shotengai - the longest covered arcade in Japan - and Osaka castle.

We met an old friend of Karen's for dinner at a restaurant on the eighth floor of Yodobashi Camera, a huge electronics store. We spent an hour or so before eating looking round at an amazing choice of, well, pretty much everything electrical.

The restaurant served okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes). The pancakes, composed primarily of shredded cabbage and batter, were cooked in front of us on a hot plate at the table.

Once cooked, a topping of mayonnaise and okonomiyaki sauce (a bit like thick Worcestershire sauce) was added. They were delicious.

Our waiter was interested to find out we were from England - and immediately mentioned Wayne Rooney's hair transplant.