This is the new crew. There are a few others but this is the core. On the left is Dave, English guy and my newest wingman. We're gonna move in together closer to the city asap which'll be cool. Girls at the back are Lesley (Scot) and Laura (Eng), cool chicks. On the right is Jim (Miami), the funniest guy in Osaka.

Went to Nara yesterday with Dave, Lesley and some Japanese girls we met out last night.

Left is Izumi, funny guy. Next to him was my date Shiho and next to her Rika was Daves date. Seeing each other again. Rica and Izumi went to uni in Aussie so speak English but mines a little slow going since her English isnt that good lol but we'll see how it goes.

Osaka

Osaka

Welcome to Osaka! I took these photos from my new super Jap phone (5 mega pixels) on top of one of the tallest buildings in Osaka. As you can see it's massive. I live somewhere in this jungle, don't ask me to point it out though. Not the most beautiful city in the world but what it lacks in visual appeal it makes up for in character. The people are friendly and there's so much to do, so much culture. Whereas you could walk around Sydney and pretty much see it all in two days, Osaka would take you weeks.

They had a wishing tree, so I made my long time wish

Tennoji

This is my little humble abode. Pretty bare but can't beat the location. Close to Namba the entertainment district but far enough away to be really quiet (relatively). There's heaps to do around Tennoji , especially a ten minute walk in a few directions. There's an awesome little sushi restaurant below me with the most gorgeous little waitress which I intend on frequenting for the sushi. You really have to see this place to believe it though. There's so many things to do and every time I walk down my street i see something new. There's so many little alleyways and streets, with all different restaurants and specialty shops it's amazing. There aren't many foreigners in Tennoji but I don't feel out of place much. It's fun exploring. The other night I was out walking and wandered into a YMCA and found a massive pool on the eighth floor that hardly anyone uses, so I might start going there a bit.

A qaint little side street in Tennoji. These are everywhere.

My room

View from my balcony

Kags

Met up with Kags and Akina (his little girlie) on the weekend and hit Namba (party land Osaka). Shes really sweet and shy. She's a country gal and had never actually met a white guy apparently so was all nervous and embarrassed. Had a laugh with her though and put her at ease and she opened up and even had a go at karaoke with us later. I'd talk more about the karaoke but we all agreed after that it would just be best for everyone if we never spoke of it again... particularly my effort. But in all seriousness Kags mr expert put on a real show.

Kags and Akina in a Gaijin (foreigner) bar we found in Namba

Had to do sly ones cause they were too shy

At the Sushi Bar below mine

Namba

I work around here somewhere apparently

Lots of people were taking photos of this guy soI joined the club just to fit in.

America town

Food

Foods awesome so far. Osaka is the gourme capital of Japan. This is sorta typical of what I'm eating.