We’d arranged to meet up with our World School crew today, we met them at the Osaka Museum of History, where we kicked things off. The museum walks you through Osaka’s evolution from ancient times through to the bustling city it is today with loads of well done models, panorama , and reconstructions. Georgia was into it despite saying I hate museums, she was asking questions about the city and tying everything back to what had seem previously she really loved the interaction section where you could rebuild pottery or do puzzles.. Dotty, on the other hand was in to everything or stropping then waving at mannequins like they were long lost mates she was having one of those up down days today.

After the museum, we wandered over to a quiet grassy spot that overlooks the lake and the castle walls absolutely stunning setting and we set up a casual picnic. Egg sandwiches and crisps, nothing fancy, just the kind of thing that hits the spot when you’re outside with the sun shining. The kids ran around, the grownups relaxed for five minutes.

Then came Osaka Castle. From the outside, it’s something else I mean it’s epic, the stone walls, the gleaming rooftop, that towering keep they look stunning!. We were all excited heading in. But to be honest, once I got inside the main tower, it felt like a bit of a letdown. It’s a full concrete reconstruction, and while it looks beautiful from the outside, the interior lacked soul. It was more like a standard museum in a shell no atmosphere, no creaky floorboards, no sense of stepping back in time. It just felt a bit, sterile.

By now Dotty wasn’t really feeling it and she had a meltdown inside, over tired, overwhelmed by the crowds and noise and give that she was already having a off day it didn’t take a lot, so Ali took her out for a bit of fresh air while Georgia and I explored the upper floors. Even Georgia said it didn’t quite live up to what she was expecting, but she might have just been copying me, she didn’t like the top, was too far down to the ground I was told so we made a quick exit!

After a full on day, we headed back to our Airbnb and I finally got around to downloading the HappyCow app, it seems it’s absolute game changer for vegetarians and vegans. We found a lovely little vegan Thai place nearby, and the best part?

…. Ali finally had a whole menu to choose from. This is the first time since we got to Japan she wasn’t stuck with the one token veggie option. Watching her try to choose between dishes (instead of settling for whatever was available) was honestly great. It might seem small, but it meant a lot to her and to us, even Georgia was happy munching on mushrooms and not moaning!

So all in all, not a perfect day, but a real one. Full of history, honest moments, friendship, and those little unexpected moments.