Ōsaka (大阪市) Sousaphone

Having bought the umbrella, the weather forecast has dutifully determined that it is no longer required. It rained overnight and then let the sun shine today. The good news: I didn't need my umbrella. The bad: I needed a bucket. 30 degrees at 60% humidity is not kind on my travel companions.

Since we're already in Ōsaka, we start with the local highlights. Including the castle! I was tempted to try and recreate the shot from last time but it just wouldn't have been the same without the cherry blossoms. And it definitely had nothing to do with me not finding the correct angle.

Exploring the night life of Ōsaka has taught me about the existence of a new instrument: the Sousaphone. And then I ran into two more, at various other stations in the city.

And I have to admit, the street music was good. A brief google appears to outlaw street music, but it's less enforced these days. They still don't take money, but rather just try to market themselves. And make people bop for the next km. I have to admit it took me a while to recognize "Just the two of us" and "When the saints go marching in", but that didn't stop the audience from singing along in ... I actually couldn't work out the language.

Washinoko was keen on joining in and managed to get an exclusive behind the scenes with some band members. (It was freaking adorable when I asked for a picture, held up Washinoko, watching them try to process the little racoon.)

The concert they were trying to market is at the beginning of October, after I'm no longer around. So I'll just have to shout out the "The Big Mouth Brass Band" here. To both of my readers...