<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><rss xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:openSearch="http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/" xmlns:blogger="http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008" xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:gd="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005" xmlns:thr="http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0" version="2.0"><channel><atom:id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674</atom:id><lastBuildDate>Sun, 31 May 2026 09:01:07 +0000</lastBuildDate><category>Osaka City</category><category>Spring</category><category>Kyoto</category><category>Osaka Castle</category><category>Sakura</category><category>Osaka - Outskirts</category><category>Shopping Malls</category><category>Kansai Food</category><category>Kobe</category><category>Traditions</category><category>Train Stations</category><category>Cafes</category><category>Food</category><category>Restaurants</category><category>Reviews</category><category>Temples</category><category>Universal Studios Japan</category><category>Updates</category><category>Winter</category><title>Exploring Kansai</title><description>Exploring the prefectures of Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, and Shiga.</description><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/</link><managingEditor>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</managingEditor><generator>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>44</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-1805998434281139056</guid><pubDate>Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:04:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-03-08T00:27:22.305+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Osaka City</category><title>Yodogawa (Yodo River)</title><atom:summary type="text">The Yodogawa (淀川) or Yodo River is one of the two longest rivers that runs through Osaka, and I live close to it. The Yodo river banks had been reconstructed to look like just any other river bank in Japan.  But this made it more suitable for jogging, strolling, and biking.  I have only gone to the banks during the fireworks displays in summer, and recently, I have bid my initial goodbye to Osaka</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2009/03/yodogawa-yodo-river.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFIqsUAGZy37S72U-7wJDUn9krcaSJhlKhcQe2pqk50oiZOSpohxxCPbn7woNx3aCQqgdJtR1jgQonT-QO-BlPsuy03ACZDM80KIdNqo-CnWV4MVs1SNucP18SKw_OkqkriKNBBEAGQk/s72-c/%E7%94%BB%E5%83%8F%20003.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>5</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-3976379071362942963</guid><pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:15:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-03-05T01:19:25.753+09:00</atom:updated><title>Litratong Pinoy:  Bag</title><atom:summary type="text">Sobrang mahilig ako sa sling bag.  Kaya nung nagkaroon ako nang pagkakataong bumiyahe sa Australia, bumili akong nang isang sling bag sa SM Makati.  Kahit na ito ay nagkakahalaga lamang nang mas mababa pa sa 300 Pesos, sobrang napaka-durable nito kaya ginagamit ko ito halos araw-araw.  Ang mga larawang nasa ibaba ay ang mga magagandang ala-ala ko kasama ang pinakapaborito kong bag:I really love </atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2009/03/litratong-pinoy-bag.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixewO6mz8_zAkUnD8RG17TGuMrab028fSdXNrNQh8gFeSZ6koODB3YMS6uXL4qABj_1xJwGAOREJmZfAwacdP3YBLVh06SwOJA-3g2vUDM5UK13MMYAt25PSqoV2g-k53X8Y6smNqs__s/s72-c/litratong%20pinoy.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>13</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-1252482939321630485</guid><pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:14:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-02-26T01:28:47.089+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Osaka Castle</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Spring</category><title>Litratong Pinoy:  Bulaklak</title><atom:summary type="text">Ang tagsibol ay palagi kong inaabangan dahil makikita kong muli ang kagandahan nang Sakura (Cherry Blossoms). Pero bago pa man namumulaklak ang Sakura ay nauuna ang Plum (Ume) Blossoms.  Ang mga bulaklak na ito ay makikita mo sa Plum Orchard sa Osaka Castle.Spring is on the things I look forward to because I get to see Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) once again.  But before the Sakura appears, we get to</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2009/02/litratong-pinoy-bulaklak.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixewO6mz8_zAkUnD8RG17TGuMrab028fSdXNrNQh8gFeSZ6koODB3YMS6uXL4qABj_1xJwGAOREJmZfAwacdP3YBLVh06SwOJA-3g2vUDM5UK13MMYAt25PSqoV2g-k53X8Y6smNqs__s/s72-c/litratong%20pinoy.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>19</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-3973201684983247155</guid><pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:04:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-02-12T02:01:37.737+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Osaka City</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Universal Studios Japan</category><title>Litratong Pinoy:  Puso (o hugis puso)</title><atom:summary type="text">Pebrero: Sa mga theme parks tulad nang Universal Studios Japan, nakikita ang mga hugis puso sa maraming sulok nang park.(In February, something heart-shaped is almost everywhere in theme parks such as the Universal Studios Japan.)Tulad nang fountain na ito na may nakasabit na mga palamuting hugis-puso:(Like this fountain, which is adorned with heart-shaped ornaments:)O etong hugis pusong </atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2009/02/litratong-pinoy-puso-o-hugis-puso.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixewO6mz8_zAkUnD8RG17TGuMrab028fSdXNrNQh8gFeSZ6koODB3YMS6uXL4qABj_1xJwGAOREJmZfAwacdP3YBLVh06SwOJA-3g2vUDM5UK13MMYAt25PSqoV2g-k53X8Y6smNqs__s/s72-c/litratong%20pinoy.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>18</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-7992597166260527283</guid><pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:04:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-02-05T01:26:25.449+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Food</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Traditions</category><title>Litratong Pinoy:  Tsokolate</title><atom:summary type="text">Malapit na ang Araw nang mga Puso kaya mabentang-mabenta dito sa Japan ngayon ang mamahaling tsokolate.  Alam ba ninyo na dito, ang mga lalaki ang sinusuyo sa araw na ito? Ang pagbibigay nang isang babae nang tsokolate sa lalaki ay maaaring nangangahulugan na may gusto ang babae sa lalaki.  At kung gusto din nang lalaki ang babae, &quot;sinasagot&quot; nang lalaki ang babae sa pagbibigay nang tsokolate sa </atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2009/02/litratong-pinoy-tsokolate.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixewO6mz8_zAkUnD8RG17TGuMrab028fSdXNrNQh8gFeSZ6koODB3YMS6uXL4qABj_1xJwGAOREJmZfAwacdP3YBLVh06SwOJA-3g2vUDM5UK13MMYAt25PSqoV2g-k53X8Y6smNqs__s/s72-c/litratong%20pinoy.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>17</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-1896811945923539508</guid><pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:45:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-01-29T02:08:20.399+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Kyoto</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Spring</category><title>Litratong Pinoy:  Lila (Violet)</title><atom:summary type="text">Spring 2007 ay nagkaroon ako nang pagkakataong bisitahin ang Kyoto Botanical Garden. Duon ay makakakita ka nang iba&#39;t ibang klaseng halaman, lalo na ang Sakura (Cherry Blossoms).  Makakakita ka rin nang iba&#39;t ibang klase nang tulips.Spring 2007.  I had the chance of visiting Kyoto Botanical Garden.  There, you could see different kinds of plants, especially the Cherry Blossoms.  There are also </atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2009/01/litratong-pinoy-lila-violet.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixewO6mz8_zAkUnD8RG17TGuMrab028fSdXNrNQh8gFeSZ6koODB3YMS6uXL4qABj_1xJwGAOREJmZfAwacdP3YBLVh06SwOJA-3g2vUDM5UK13MMYAt25PSqoV2g-k53X8Y6smNqs__s/s72-c/litratong%20pinoy.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>13</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-6152354960040479088</guid><pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:10:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-01-25T01:44:52.667+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Traditions</category><title>Litratong Pinoy:  Kahel (orange)</title><atom:summary type="text">Sa Pinas, ang kahel na prutas na ito ay nilalagay sa hapag kainan kasama ang iba pang prutas sa pagpasok nang bagong taon. Sa Japan, ito ay pinapalamutian at sinasabit sa may pintuan o sa labas nang bahay:</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2009/01/litratong-pinoy-kahel-orange.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixewO6mz8_zAkUnD8RG17TGuMrab028fSdXNrNQh8gFeSZ6koODB3YMS6uXL4qABj_1xJwGAOREJmZfAwacdP3YBLVh06SwOJA-3g2vUDM5UK13MMYAt25PSqoV2g-k53X8Y6smNqs__s/s72-c/litratong%20pinoy.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>10</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-5512142080986010122</guid><pubDate>Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:01:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-01-22T03:05:05.521+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Updates</category><title>Neglected</title><atom:summary type="text">So sad. This is one neglected blog.  I had not realized that the last update was on September 20, 2008! I thought that I could maintain this together with my other blog, Bisdak Babbles.Anyway, gotta lighten up the mood here.  I&#39;ll be joining the Litratong Pinoy.  I will do my best (keeping my fingers crossed) to post an entry here every Thursday.</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2009/01/neglected.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><thr:total>1</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-5732757602657916674</guid><pubDate>Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:01:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-09-20T00:01:01.767+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Kyoto</category><title>Photo Hunt:  Road</title><atom:summary type="text"> Taken at Gion in Kyoto.  If you want to catch a glimpse of geishas, then you should drop by Gion.</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/09/photo-hunt-road.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://lh4.ggpht.com/bisdakbabbles/SNO3ZY0jNvI/AAAAAAAACD8/L17rQJGljEc/s72-c/VFSH0060.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>11</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-4855050549445335881</guid><pubDate>Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:39:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-07-23T02:22:06.722+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Osaka City</category><title>Immigration Bureau</title><atom:summary type="text">The Osaka Immigration Bureau was transferred to a new location last year.  It&#39;s now a little bit far from Umeda/Osaka station.How to get there from Shin-Osaka/Osaka/Umeda station?(1) Take the subway Midosuji Line to Honmachi station.(2) Then at the Honmachi station, transfer to the Chuo Line subway.Note: You don&#39;t have to go out of the Midosuji Line station.  Just follow the signs to Chuo Line.(3</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/07/immigration-bureau.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://lh6.ggpht.com/bisdakbabbles/SIYTkHkrSkI/AAAAAAAAByA/ta0f8BOw818/s72-c/accessmap.gif" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-2476592707046637937</guid><pubDate>Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:33:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-07-16T14:35:17.860+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Kyoto</category><title>Wordless Wednesday #15: Festivals and Paper Lanterns</title><atom:summary type="text">Gion Festival in Kyoto, JapanCheck out the Wordless Wednesday HQ</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/07/wordless-wednesday-15-festivals-and.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://lh3.ggpht.com/bisdakbabbles/SH2GaXV0vWI/AAAAAAAABvM/yYSSuIxMTGo/s72-c/VFSH0236.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>5</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-6360000298457434417</guid><pubDate>Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:37:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-07-14T02:44:02.415+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Osaka City</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Restaurants</category><title>Weekend Snapshot #5: Under the Overpass</title><atom:summary type="text">Taken near Juso Hankyu stationThere are lots of restaurants under this overpass.  I just took this one because of those paper lanterns - one of the reasons why I love Japanese restaurants!</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/07/weekend-snapshot-5-under-overpass.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://lh6.ggpht.com/bisdakbabbles/SHo-AgehzmI/AAAAAAAABtQ/HFyknJRGQAQ/s72-c/VFSH0227.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>1</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-8260479164320089741</guid><pubDate>Wed, 14 May 2008 06:20:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-05-14T15:22:39.511+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Kyoto</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Temples</category><title>Wordless Wednesday #14:  Ginkakuji (Silver Pavillion Temple)</title><atom:summary type="text">Kyoto, JapanCheck out the Wordless Wednesday HQ</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/05/wordless-wednesday-14-ginkakuji-silver.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://lh6.ggpht.com/bisdakbabbles/SCp_2amCjCI/AAAAAAAABa4/s89DBDsx5Sw/s72-c/VFSH0026.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>5</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-1960658318379252414</guid><pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2008 08:55:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-05-13T18:13:34.331+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Reviews</category><title>Bloggerwave</title><atom:summary type="text">Do you want to make money with your blog?  Why not sign up for Bloggerwave?I registered this blog and got approved in a few days.  Even as a newbie, I easily got some paid post opportunities.The Bloggerwave dashboard is so user-friendly.  As soon as you log in, you can immediately see the jobs that are available, take that job, and then start posting!  The good thing is, you don&#39;t have to submit </atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/05/bloggerwave.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-8988190154700310833</guid><pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2008 08:05:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-05-13T17:47:47.490+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Osaka - Outskirts</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Spring</category><title>Strawberry Picking</title><atom:summary type="text">Spring is obviously strawberry season, and if you want to taste the reddest, the juiciest and the sweetest strawberries, eat them straight from the plant itself! Good thing a friend&#39;s hubby was kind enough to drive us to the Kishiwada Farm.  I didn&#39;t notice any bus stop nor  a train station near the farm so it would be best to go there by car equipped with a GPS Navigator.In Kishiwada farm, </atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/05/strawberry-picking.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://lh6.ggpht.com/bisdakbabbles/SCCdxZmEhDI/AAAAAAAABMM/20OzlsUAp0Q/s72-c/farm.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>1</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-6594068157015533786</guid><pubDate>Tue, 06 May 2008 17:41:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-05-07T03:05:39.919+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Osaka - Outskirts</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Spring</category><title>Wordless Wednesday #13: Kishiwada Strawberry Farm</title><atom:summary type="text">Check out the Wordless Wednesday HQ</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/05/wordless-wednesday-13-kishiwada.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://lh6.ggpht.com/bisdakbabbles/SCCdxZmEhDI/AAAAAAAABMM/20OzlsUAp0Q/s72-c/farm.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>4</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-1547922122429816106</guid><pubDate>Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:23:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-04-23T15:29:43.087+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Kyoto</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Sakura</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Spring</category><title>Wordless Wednesday #12:  Hanami</title><atom:summary type="text">Check out the Wordless Wednesday HQHanami (花見）- literal translation means flower watching.  The Japanese love to do hanami when the Sakura trees are blooming.  They just gather under Cherry blossom trees, then eat, sing, talk, and relax.  This photo was taken at the Kyoto Botanical Garden.  I think it&#39;s one of the best places for Hanami.  As a botanical garden, you could enjoy the beauty hundreds</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/04/wordless-wednesday-12-hanami.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://lh5.ggpht.com/smdelusa/RhkF3rURkSI/AAAAAAAAAb0/Dp4d79vC6iE/s72-c/kyoto%20botanical%20garden%20009.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>16</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-3446028921171818785</guid><pubDate>Mon, 21 Apr 2008 05:56:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-04-21T15:13:29.963+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Osaka City</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Sakura</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Spring</category><title>Weekend Snapshot #4: Sakura Viewing in Osaka Mint</title><atom:summary type="text">Osaka Mint is open for Sakura viewing for only a week each year.  For this year, the place is open from April 16-22.  So, it&#39;s not surprising that the place was crowded on the first day.  I had some difficulties in taking Sakura photos.Here are some close-up photos of Sakura:   How to get to Osaka Mint:From Osaka/Umeda, the fastest way is to take the Tanimachi line in Higashi Umeda subway station</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/04/weekend-snapshot-4-sakura-viewing.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://lh4.ggpht.com/bisdakbabbles/SAXvREhKG4I/AAAAAAAABEQ/zvSh4EEhF9s/s72-c/VFSH0126.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>1</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-8035528895398736898</guid><pubDate>Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:05:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-04-14T13:13:38.131+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Osaka City</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Sakura</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Spring</category><title>Weekend Snapshot #4: After the Rain</title><atom:summary type="text">Last weekend, the Sakura trees here in Osaka were in full bloom.  But the heavy rains last Monday and Tuesday washed away most of the blossoms.  Soon, none of those flowers will be left and I&#39;d have to wait for a year to see them again.The Cherry blossoms may be gone but flowers like this are in bloom everywhere:</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/04/weekend-snapshot-4-after-rain.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://lh3.ggpht.com/bisdakbabbles/SALXqkhKGqI/AAAAAAAAA_A/yR_HQg5ru4o/s72-c/VFSH0107.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>2</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-6601138511390660852</guid><pubDate>Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:09:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-04-09T13:22:21.567+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Cafes</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Osaka City</category><title>Wordless Wednesday #11:  Favorite Cafe</title><atom:summary type="text">Starbucks near Shin-Osaka Station, Osaka, JapanCheck out the Wordless Wednesday HQPlease check out my other Wordless Wednesday entry.</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/04/wordless-wednesday-11-favorite-cafe.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><thr:total>3</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-4618360211937385713</guid><pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:35:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-04-07T17:37:31.356+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Osaka Castle</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Sakura</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Spring</category><title>Weekend Snapshot #3: Osaka Castle and a Sakura Tree</title><atom:summary type="text"></atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/04/weekend-snapshot-3-osaka-castle-and.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><thr:total>2</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-207659897283548291</guid><pubDate>Sat, 05 Apr 2008 10:43:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-04-05T19:49:35.001+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Osaka City</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Train Stations</category><title>Photohunt:  Glass</title><atom:summary type="text">This clock can be found in Osaka Japan Railway Station, Osaka Japan.  I often pass by this huge clock but I&#39;ve only noticed the hourglass when I took this photo.</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/04/photohunt-glass.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><thr:total>8</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-8196363307662573496</guid><pubDate>Sun, 30 Mar 2008 14:44:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-03-30T23:48:25.850+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Osaka City</category><title>Weekend Snapshot #2: Stone Benches</title><atom:summary type="text">I&#39;ve always been fascinated by these stone benches near the Shin-Osaka station, in front of a Starbucks cafe.  They&#39;re cool to look at but they&#39;re not comfortable to sit on.  It&#39;s a bit gloomy because it&#39;s been raining for days.</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/03/weekend-snapshot-2-stone-benches.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><thr:total>6</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-6777057885305634111</guid><pubDate>Sat, 29 Mar 2008 06:57:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-03-29T16:08:11.557+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Osaka City</category><title>Photohunt:  High</title><atom:summary type="text">High-rise buildings in Osaka Business Park, just across Osaka Castle Park.  They&#39;re not as tall as skyscrapers should be and you know the reason:  earthquakes.    It&#39;s more than OK for me. I&#39;m scared of taking elevators to as high as 40 stories anyway.Please check out my other entry. Thanks!</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/03/photohunt-high.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><thr:total>2</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828387878297805674.post-6903430043151230142</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:27:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2008-03-25T23:33:37.775+09:00</atom:updated><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Osaka Castle</category><category domain="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#">Spring</category><title>Wordless Wednesday #10: The Peach Orchard Entrance</title><atom:summary type="text">Check out the Wordless Wednesday HQPlease check out my other Wordless Wednesday entry.</atom:summary><link>http://exploringkansai.blogspot.com/2008/03/wordless-wednesday-10-peach-orchard.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (shiera (bisdakbabbles))</author><thr:total>1</thr:total></item></channel></rss>