06-OCT-2006
We flew to Osaka, Japan and spent a day and a half there getting over jet lag. It's a big, modern city with some interesting architecture. The prime example is this building where we viewed the city from the observation deck. The two lines going through the "hole" at the top are escalators.
06-OCT-2006
View of sunset from the Umeda Sky Building.
06-OCT-2006
Osaka is a great city for advertising signs.
06-OCT-2006
It's also one huge retail opportunity. The many department stores are massive and very upscale. Holt Renfrew looks dowdy in compartison. Other stores are also overwhelming such as the 10 floor golf store we visited. This shot was taken through a hanging decoration in a department store. The number of employees is very high and they all wear crisp uniforms.
06-OCT-2006
Perhaps the most surprising thing to us was the Halloween theme in advertising and items on the shelves. Here is "Hello Kitty" ready for trick or treating.
06-OCT-2006
Another example of interesting architecture -- the "Garden" office, restaurant and shopping complex.
06-OCT-2006
Sign over a pet store near our hotel. The eyes move back and forth.