Hanami at Osaka Castle with Locals

We visited one of our favorite tenpanyaki izakayas called Vito, and became friends with the owner. We wanted to visit Osaka Castle (or Osaka Jo in Japanese), so we went and our new friend even brought his mother. She made delicious homemade Onigiri and we sat under a beautiful Sakura Tree next to the river at one of the entrances at Osaka Castle. Lately, the weather has been so great - a little hot even. These are the last days to go see the Sakura flowers before it gets too hot. The castle itself was a wonder, and you can feel the old-timey vibes. This is a main tourist attraction, and it can get a little crowded. However the area is so vast that there is no feeling of being overcrowded. #osaka #osakacastle